Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Midwest Pirates?
What’s that, Hellion? You want to know where they weighed anchor? Ummm…well, I saw them in Missouri and hearsay is that they pillage in Kansas and Oklahoma, too. I just had to stop by the ship to tell the crew all about them…they are the Musical Blades and I really think the crew would swoon over them.
Over the holiday weekend I attended the Greater St. Louis Renaissance Fair. You know, to people watch and get ideas for characters. I’m always looking for facial expressions and subtleties, but at the Ren Fair one gets to observe people in period costume…and pirates! Yay, pirates!
PHOTOS from Musical Blades website
What I enjoyed the most about the Ren Fair (aside from the cool scabbard I bought) was this all male singing group called the Musical Blades. Not only do these drunken seamen have the voices of angels, they really put on a show. The main rake of this production goes by the name of Capt Patch. He’s bald. But it’s a good bald, ya know. He’s not like balding. I mean look at him…Ain’t he purdy??? S-W-O-O-N.
I’m thinking of modeling a character after him. Do you ever find odd things fascinating about people? Like their hands or their ears? Well "my man", Capt Patch has great veins. That’s right…veins.
In his neck, Hellion! Get your head out of the trenches. *rolling eyes*
May I continue please?
Silence.
Much thanks. Now…you know when you are reading a story and the hero gets so angry the veins start to pulse in his neck? Well I’d never really put a lot of thought into those lines until I saw Capt Patch hit an octave that might have been just a touch out of his range. Those veins in his neck bulged I tell you—big, blue, thick, hulk-like veins.
Now I don’t want to diminish from the other blokes in this musical ensemble. There was another I watched with avid interest. I believe they called him Cookie. He was a real showman and the perfect secondary character—full beard, pronounced facial expression, loaded with humor. I love a man with wit and this guy was oozing with it. For me, Cookie stole the show from Capt Patch on more than one occasion.So how do we tie the Musical Blades to our writing?
Hellion: I’m thinking some rope.
Achem. I was thinking something more along the lines of: Where do you get your ideas for character attributes?
Ok…time for pimpage:
Check out the Musical Blades' tunes:
Visit the Musical Blades:
Official website
http://www.musicalblades.com/
Myspace
http://http://www.myspace.com/musicalblades1
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/group.php?sid=6f350148168d11d5479c803face31c82&gid=72779000181&ref=search
*******
Kimberly Killion (resident wench who needs to get back aboard her own ship where the heroine is about to escape her own nasty band of pirates)
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90 comments:
OK, I'll take this one... So, if'n these veins in question show up nice and bulgey apy when singin'... hmmmm. Wonder 'bout the other, ahem, veins...when, ahem...singin' 'nother sort a song...
*giggle
New drink! The Bulgey Vein!
I saw a wondrous group a' singin' pirates at the Portland Pirate Faire... Brotherhood of Oceanic Mercenaries (BOOM) and also Captain Bog and Salty. And there be The Sea Dogs from the Northern California Pirate Festival. There be nothin' like a good bit a' rousin' pirate music! I gots lots more if'n anyone interested!
Thanks fer bringin' a new group ta me attention, Kimberly!
Hmmm..... veins, eh? Bulgey Veins!? :) I do believe I'm like'n dis group. It's liken to nuffin I've seen before. Me, and all of us in the Musical Blades (but me especially), appreciate your kind comments, and would luv to meet'cha all!
May the wind forever be in your sails!
- Capt Patch
Hi Kimberley
That pirate band seems rather 'American' in the nicest possible way *grin*
I knew you were an author but somehow your books have been off my radar.
I checked your website and was fascinated to see that you write medieval romance...one of my favourite genres.
I then looked for ebook versions and drew a blank.
I really like to convert books to audio format so that I can listen while travelling. Most convenient is the unencrypted download or if I can't remove the encryption I may use a scanner.
Are or will your books be available electronically soon?
If not I'll have to buy the paperbacks and scan em into a comp.
Either way I'm going to learn more about your medieval romps pretty soon! 8)
2nd Chance,
You had to go there didn't you? *giggle back*
There is a name for that song you're talking about? I think it starts with an 'O'. *wicked grin*
Hey, where's the key for the emoticons? I need the lil red wicked guy with horns...
I'll get my pirate accent on after a couple more cups of coffee...
Yay! Capt Patch made it over!!! Glad you liked the post. :D
Just so ya'll know, the Musical Blades will be in Wentville, MO for one more weekend (this weekend) and then I do believe they are headed to Joplin. But if you aren't a midwesterner, leave a comment and you might win one of the CDs. Your choice, but I'm hooked on FULL FRONTAL PIRACY.
Anyhoodles...do pirates say anyhoodles?...
Quantam...
My debut didn't come out in ebook format, but that doesn't mean it isn't out there in ebook format. Bluidy pirates!
I'm hoping the next book, (HIGHLAND DRAGON - releasing in October) comes out in ebook form.
Whew...got some of me own pimpage in there. : mrgreen :
Hey, where the hell's Hellion with the rum???
Well, well, well. We have a Ren Faire in PA, could the pirates make their way to our territory? Sounds like they put on a great show. Ren Faires are a good place to watch character traits since it's all walking improv, which I love. Thanks for writing about the pirates even if they only sail in the midwest!
Just so ya'll know how wowf I am...I'm surfing (on my phone), blogging (got 2 up today), listening to 'Captain Curse', reading 'Sex with Kings' for research...oh an' did I 'appen to mention I'm driving to work! :)
Wow, what a fun post! Thanks for stopping aboard again, Kim! :)
Where do I get my character attributes? I have no idea. Everywhere. I'm a horrible people watcher. So pretty much any situation is good for me. And when I haven't been out of the house recently, my family is fodder for my expressions. :)
And that'd be cool if the pirates made it to the PA Ren faire. I haven't been but I wanted to take my little pirate there sometime soon.
Hoist me sails, we gots all sorts a visitin' pirates taday! (That sounds more cockney than pirates, don't it?)
*waves to Kim & Capt Patch*
I've done the Ren Faire thing, but nothing this fun. Any chance they be headin' to the East Coast in the near future? I'm a might busy today, but I bet some good pirate toons will move my day right along. Off to check out the website.
Kim - I hope you're wearing your seat belt!
Kim, keep your shirt on! (Patch, you can continue to stroll around shirtless, honestly we don't mind, do we girls?) I have the rum right here. *looks around* Okay, I did a moment ago. *narrows eye suspiciously* JACK! Get your scurvy backside topside right now! I know you have the bloody rum! *looks back at Kim and shrugs* Pirates. What are you going to do?
*trapdoor on deck bursts open and Jack hops up, waving a dozen men carrying barrels*
That's more likely. I'm sure he was just keeping it safe.
Okay, now that we have rum and we can all be happy again--now I can attend to the questions. There were questions right?
Oh, where do I get my ideas for character attributes? Yes. Well, I do like love Ren Faires myself (I have a special fondness for pirates, I do. Although I do find The Limeybirds particularly hilarious--and I think they are at Wentzville quite often. That song about "Has anyone seen my cock?" has me in stitches every time I hear it.)
In general though, since I do tend to write more contemporaries than historical based novels, I keep it rather close to home. *elbows Terri who opens her mouth to say something, but closes it promptly*
Okay, mainly I take my friends out to a bar, get them liquored up, and wait for them to say funny shit or do funny shit...
Great blog Kimberly! Veins...lol! If I were still a Missourian, I'd be rushing out to see them. I grew up near Joplin, but am now and east-coaster.
I'm not sure where I get my ideas, but I love the little details, like veins, or the lines on a man's hand, or the way his eyes crinkle at the corners when he's amused.
And yes, hello Cap'n Patch!
Oh! Oh! I like the description where men look up through their eyelashes--I know that doesn't sound particularly masculine, but it's sexy as hell, really--and give that little half-grin. It's like cocky and vulnerable all at the same time.
Hm, I like all the above about men.
I'll be back in a minute. I'm having issues in the crows nest trying to pick out an outfit to stroll on the deck. I mean, we have guest. Handsome, strolling around without their shirts... oh my!
*waving* Kim as always it's wonderful to have you aboard! And even more so since you brought more pirates along for a ride. *g*
I love a pirate with a beard. Cutthroat Cookie is the perfect name for a pirate. Wentzville isn't far. *trying to think of possible ways to talk Hellie into a road trip* Hm, I suppose rope and duct tape are acceptible options for persuasion.
I do love when a man's eyes glitter with mischief and this slow grin spreads across his lips. Until you have to hop up out of your chair and run for it because you're either about to get tickled until you pee your pants or aggravated until you want to throw something. Because its never anything good when a man is up to mischief.
Ohh, that little half smile, when their eyes narrow. Mmmmmm. Love it.
I can't this weekend. I have a funeral to attend (a real one). Maybe the Joplin one though...when is that?
I ferdot to answer the question.
Where do I get my attributes? I don't. One of my major problems. I'm a skimmer. Skim right over the details. Which is why I'm taking a two week e-course from Margie Lawson about writing body language and dialogue cues, to work on the details.
But I will say there's something about a man's legs. A nice firm thigh settled next to mine, strong and muscled and so opposite of mine. (NOT that I plan on describing my own thighs. *cough*)
A man's hands are interesting too. But I only think of these things when asked, it doesn't occur to me to add it in during writing. I really need to do that.
Ack! I knew I would get behind...stupid job!
*waving madly* at Hellion!!! Yay, Hellion...you brought the rum. Of course, I'm onto diet coke now, so tip a wee bit in for the halibut!
And if Patch is walking around shirtless, I might have to toss the diet coke altogether. Muahahah
ROFLMAO!!!!
I love the Limeybirds, too! The actually title to that song is "My favorite pet" and her favorite pet is a cock named Dick--He's a chicken. LOL I have that CD as well...
You have to plan an excursion to STL next year so we can go together.
Haleigh,
I use the descrip "the lines forked at the corners of his eyes told her he often smiled". No frowning heroes for me.
And Helllion, I do the looking through the eyelashes bit with my heroines, but never my hero. Hmmm...you are right though. I can see it working...
Kimberly said: My debut didn’t come out in ebook format, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t out there in ebook format. Bluidy pirates!
*looks in mirror to check Sin's location and practises the 'glittering with mischief' routine *
'Bluidy pirates' should be keel hauled and fed to the sharks.
Present company excepted of course. They are all squeaky clean on this ship!
That must be really frustrating for an author. Seeing your masterpiece posted somewhere on the internet for anyone to download free.
I think the solution could be to make books free and pay a levy to authors for each one sold or downloaded. The money would come from taxes. All governments want to educate their citizens after all.
Hey, Sin!
Seriously, if you can get Hellion to Joplin, I'm in. How far is that from STL?? I had my eye on this wicked spanish crossbow. Com'on...give me a reason to go barter for it...
We've got Marie Lawson coming to STL spring of next year. I hear she it the shit!!!
As for a man's thigh...weel, me braw Scots always having their thighs a showin'. *wicked giggle*
My what a lively lot!! It's truly been a pleasure, and yes, we'd love to do faires and festivals all over the country. It's just getting the owners to pay for plane tickets for five guys :)
Great stuff girls!
- Capt Patch
Quantum...Yeah...I'd like to kick those pirates off the plank--HARD! I email those sites all the time, but when you get one down, another 5 pop up. :(
...don't get me started...
Argh! Pass the bluidy rum...
Plane tickets!!?!?
Patch...don't you pirates have harleys? Why not roadtrip???
I am glad to hear that ya liked the show. It does a body good to find that our show was as entertaining as we try to make it.
As far as stealin the show from Patch, I am the dirty one, He is the pretty one. LOL
Hiya, Cookie! You realize around here, being the dirty one is actually a good thing? LOL!
It's like a pirate love fest around here!
Kim - Margie is totally the shit. You can't NOT write an awesome book after taking her classes. (Let's hope that proves true!)
What's this about plane tickets? Can't they just sail into port? ;)
Hard to sail when you're land locked :) Yea, couple of us have bikes, but getting off of our 9 to 5's on Friday in time to get there is the problem
Squeeeee!!!!
*Waving like a 12-yr-old girl at the twilight premiere*
Dirty or no -- I think you are the 'poo' Chuey's great too and I do like the lil short guy ya'll had with you last year (he was cute)...but yeah...you're quite the showman.
Hellion, pass this guy some rum...
(you do know Megan Kelly is bound to come aboard and threaten to flog you for instigating me??? I'm supposed to be keeping my karma clean for National. *argh*)
Kim, from STL all you'd have to do is hop 44 to go to Joplin. From Columbia, it's a tangled mess of roads get get south. :(
I'm sort of worried about this wicked little crossbow... tell me more. LOL
I see a market here. An airline for landlocked pirates. Genius!
Sin,
The crossbow...I can't even tell you how sweet this thing is. Red cherry wood, etched pewter (I'm guessing)...problem is, my 11-yr-old boy went ga-ga over it. He'd probably shoot the bluidy bolt through the pool!
Capt Patch...wear your pirate garb to work, then bolt at 5.
Here's a visual...Picture me in my car texting, reading, what have you, and B-A-M, I see this entourage of Pirate bikers.
I would so wreck. LOL
My cousin had a crossbow one time when we were a kid. We didn't have it long. That should tell you we were up to no good with such a wicked thing.
I think I would wreck too. But I'm liking this Terrio idea of an airline for landlocked pirates. Me, I just want to hang off the tail with a rum bottle in hand.
Cap'n Hel! Cap'n Hel! Why don'ts we lend 'em Deuce? We gots our own pilot, ya know!
And don't b'lieve Jack and him squirlin' 'way the rum...safe, me ass! He's likely emptied 'em and filled 'em with seawater! I gots the good stuff behind the bar... Nasty Ducks fer all!
I don' have a particular attribute I looks fer. I likes 'em all... Though I be partial ta the long locks... nothin' 'gainst the smooth heads now... Cap'n Patch...uh, really. You can put the pistol down, sir... Here, have a Mighty Mast!
I be seein' many a' the piratical sorts in three weeks at the Northern California Pirate Festival, will share pics... BOOM is gonna be there! I be so excited!
Revenge Airlines
All seats are 3rd class...
Deuce is in the cockpit, of course. ;)
3rd class!? Not first class? Those great boots take up a lot a' room, Terrio! Not ta mention all the swords and big hats...
I call shotgun!
So Kim, ya don't think the kid would shoot 'is eye out? ;)
I gots an idea! We scrap the airline and set the Musical Blades on tour with Angie Fox and the Biker witches. Angie can ride in one of those side cars and her little dog (named Pirate) can hitch a ride with Capt Patch...
So you came to the show this year then go an choose a picture without me in it... sigh... oh the horror....so if Patch is the pretty one.. Cookie is the dirty one.. what does that make me.. WAIT! don't answer that :)
The *Cheeky* one.
I know, it's bad. I couldn't resist!
As for shootin' 'is eye out...that's a possibility. The wee laddie just scraped off a pound o' flesh from a recent dirtbike incident. Damn bairns!!!
Cheeks!!! So sorry...pray forgive me. Without you, the Musical Blades would just be the 'Blades'. ;)
Truce?
One o' you wenches get this bloke some grog!!! I think I'll call ye 'Sweet Cheeks'.
Nuttin' but luv...
*fanning self* You know what? I've always wanted to be boarded by a group of rascally pirates, and you guys have totally lived up to it.
Kim! How could you have forgotten Sweet Cheeks? *tsk, tsk*
(I do have two of the Limeybirds' CDs. I haven't actually heard the Musical Blades in person yet, or I'd probably have their CDs as well.)
And I'm glad you're just as mature about the cock named Dick... "It's a chicken!" routine. Their routine with "roll me over in the clover" bit is pretty fun too.
I'm imagining the Musical Blades are pretty bawdy too--I hope *LOL*--
Kim - Ya christened a new drink fer the bar... The Sweet Cheeks! Me bar bible is lookin' nice an' fat lately... I gots ta talk ta a printer 'bout goin' ta press with the Revenge Bar Bible...
what exactly is in that drink ? :) Rum.. rootbeer goes well as long as it is not Barq's :)
I don't know what's in it, but it should certainly have a cherry on top.
What do ya mean we ain't got no cherries on this ship?!
All drinks start with rum, end with rum and have rum in the middle. It be what I learn't at the Tortuga School of Bartending (online course.) But we can dribble with some rootbeer, I likes it!
Cherries? Terrio, ya knows better!
They are sellin' Bings nearby, Terrio...Tells ya what, jus' fer ya. I'll go get some Bings.
Ah, ta lives in the bounty a' California fruits!
Shut up, Sin!
'Bout the only thing California has bounty of right now!
I can't believe Terrio said something about no cherries on this ship. Yeesh, she's got no shame... Don't be speaking for this pirate. I've got plenty of cherries to share. *g*
I'm with you Hellie. I've always wondered what it would be like to be overrun with rascally pirates. What a bunch of wicked devils they are!
*holds up a hand* I swear, MM, you have the wrong idea about me. I'm the good one. *fluttering eyelashes* I swear on my bottle of rum, I do.
I'm more amazed Chance missed the reference. ;)
That's it, Chance, take yerself shopping for some cherries. The bar will be fine when ye's gets back.
Don't forget these are rascally pirates who can carry a tune. Even better!
And, Sin, it's not working, hon. Ye might as well give 'er up.
I gots it, Ter. I was bein' a 'lady' and lettin' it fly 'bove me head. Really.
Wascally pirates... I can't get Elmer Fudd outta me head!
*pounding said head on table
Does anyone believe Sin is the 'good one'?
No, not in that way! Please, hold up the hand without the tankard in it, yer spillin' the drinks and we be outta shamwows...
Sin, it be unannoy-mouse. Yer no good.
But as a ninja pirate, that be a good thing!
I swear I've done a hundred guest blogs and there ain't a one o' them as bluidy merry as this one!!!
And, Sin, you can flutter your lashes all ye like. I don't believe for one sec that you're the good one. ;)
We be the merriest crew a' pirate writers ya ever will see! That be true...
Rats. Kim hasn't even met me in person and can already make the assumption I'm not the good one. *pondering* I should stop plundering the rum rations at night. That might help. Or all the eyelash fluttering. Or maybe I should spend more time I learning how to make conversation without using the word booty or mighty swords.
And I was good until I met Hellion and then all hell has broken loose.
Having fun is the best part about blogging and it's easy to have fun when you come aboard Kim. You play along and bring more pirates to merrymake with! Can't beat that.
Sin - It could be all those dead bodies in your cabin. Or the lack of clothing. It's a wonder ya don't catch a chill.
Just sayin'....
Aren't we the only pirate writers ya ever will see?
Thank you for the compliment, Kimberly. We do appreciate the sentiment and having you with us whenever you grace the gangplank. The ship is always open ta ya.
I think it be the big knife she shaves 'er fingernails wit'. Or it could be the knickers hangin' off the crowsnest most mornin's... Warnin' the rest 'a us away...
Tho it might be all the protestin'...nothin' more suspicious than that! "I'm not the bad one!" Uh huh.
Kim! Come back anytime. We be partyin' all the time and rum never runs out. I traded...uh...somethin' special ta gets me a special keg that never flows dry. (We don't talk 'bout it, 'kay?)
I knew there was a special keg around here. *goes in search of it*
Wow, such anomosty for my perchant for offing people. I'm supposed to be stealthy about it. I mean what do you expect from a ninja pirate?
And I can't help the lack of clothing. They don't make ninja clothes for tall wenches. It's just not available online or the catalog.
And they ain't my knickers hanging off the crows nest *g* Just sayin'.
Ya touch me special keg and ya'll ruin the spell! Ya wicked wench!
Here!
*tossed Sin the bottle of scotch she'd been saving for Q
Take that! I'll find another afore our brit returns tomorra...
And ya wonders why we refuse ta believe yer 'good...'
Now, if'n those ain't yer knickers... How big is that basket anyhow?
The basket doesn't have to be big, it's how to stack it.
*fluttering eyelashes*
Ha-ha! *swiggin'* This be some fine scotch. This is what that sneaky little devil gets for his wicked practicing for mischief. He knows with that accent he's got going on that he's trouble.
That's right, Q. You think I didn't notice... but I see everything. *g*
Now, that Sin be good at. Stackin'. Ya sure there don't be a TARDIS up there?
I'm sure we do ap'preciate yer keepin' that undead monkey offa the visitors today, Sin. No complaints! That gotta be a record.
I just got a flash of that t-shirt that says, "I'm ashamed of what I did for a Klondike bar." LMAO!!
So, Chance, do we need to make you a new shirt?
Stackin' the basket. Nice.
Awwww...*blushing* ya'll are so sweet. And yes, ya'll are the only pirate writers I know.
Now, Chance, I'm wonderin' if ye sold yer soul to Capt Curse for that bottomless barrel o' rum? Or was that how Sin lost her cherry(s)? ;)
I have no idea what you're talking about.
*pssst...Sin, she's onta us! Ya gots that comb of selective memory loss CC gave ya handy?
And seriously, Chance, I'd like to try a Sweet Cheeks! What's in that anyway?
We seriously need to drink every day--that's all I've got to say about it.
And thank you, Kim, for the compliment. I like the thought we're the merriest blog you've hung out with.
As for the cherries, I assumed Terri was asking for them so she could show off what she can do with her tongue.
Sin, I assume everyone knows you're not innocent because you're associated with me. *LOL*
Bluidy Hell! Where did ye put the undead monkey? *climbing up the main mast*
Shite! Scurvy Pete (that's the monkey's name) is crawling up me britches...!
Oh, come now, Kim, you can't convince us you haven't enjoyed having Scurvy Pete crawl in your britches before...
It be a nice bit of smooth rum, some grenadine fer the blush factor, and a pile of cherries...'cause the grocer had some sweet Bings on sale!
Fer ya, Cap'n, in the extra large tankard!
Blast, I gots to get more shamwows, I jus' plastered me monitor with spit.
Cap'n! Warn us when yer gonna tell a good one!
Scurvy Pete!? We gots two undead monkeys' scuryin' 'bout the ship? Thank all the sea monsters a' the deep they both be males! Else we be over run wit' undead monkey babies...
That is really a disturbing thought...
But an interestin' name fer a drink... Wild Undead Monkey Sex.
I will need bananas...
Yes, the thought of wild undead monkey sex is a VERY disturbing thought.
I don't think a shamwow is going to help my computer. LOL
Scurvy Pete better not get anywhere near my non-existant britches or the Mattycakes will be having a hayday on poor Scurvy Pete.
But I'm loving all the new cast members today. We should have a pirate party more often. Pirates and wenches alike are passed out and hanging overboard. You can't beat a ship party like this.
*g
Me sis suggested we needs a rum tasting party. So, let's plan far in advance, that the next time we all meets, or some of us meets, we each bring a different sort a' rum to the room and test 'em out...
Sometimes, she gots good ideas!
Now, I'm off ta me grocer fer more bananas...
Well, if'n ya hang yer britches offa the crowsnest, the monkey's are gonna make swings outta them... It be the monkey in them, ya know... Can't fight nature!
Hate to report I can't do the cherry stem thing. I've always wanted to, but never figured it out. Dang it.
Not that I can't do other things with me tongue. ;)
That banana comment damn near sent me laptop to the floor!
Glad ta be part of supportin' the economy and seein' ya lookin' ta invest in a new laptop.
*g
Yo! Me thinks I had too much rum. Last thing I remember was going below deck wit that Jack fella. He made me all sorts of promises and then came the merry-makin'. ;)
I'm goin' ta find me quarters now, but wanted ta thank ya'll for an amazing voyage!!!!
Ya let Jack mess wit' ya? Uh oh...
No one tell the Cap'n...
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