Let Me Introduce You to a Mermaid

Let me introduce you to my writer BFF.


(I stole that off of her facebook page. I just think it looks cool.)

Her penname is Mermaid Sushi. Her real name is Siobhan.

Siobhan and I are besties, but, like in every good story of a friendship, we have our problems. The biggest problem is the Atlantic Ocean.

Siobhan is also a writer. (You should get to know her better, because you'll be hearing a LOT about her on this blog. I may even let her write on it. This is her profile. It hasn't got much in the way of good writing on it (just kidding!) but it'll be getting better soon. She is writing this Story of Epic Proportions which will knock y'all flat, you just wait.)

Siobhan is my British Bestie, and we met each other long ago when she left me this review

and then I read her stuff and left her reviews, then she read more of my stuff and left me more reviews, and then I wanted a beta, and then she wanted to be my beta, and out of that review-seeking, beta-offering haze: BAM. FRIENDSHIP.

Now, one of the things I enjoy being the product of an American mother and a British father is the opportunity to travel a bit more often and a bit farther than the average American and, having the opportunity to go to England over Christmas break of 2004, I got to finally meet her in person.

To embarrass her (and quite frankly, me) further, here is us!

Aww, what wee 14 and 15 years olds we were! (Those of you who are clever, will note that we are indeed in London, and indeed in front of the London Eye!)

Well, after that, we lost touch for a few years. Because, well, it's hard to be Besties with just an internet connection!

Two years ago, as a high school graduation present I traveled for two months around Europe. On a whim, I emailed her to tell her the dates I would be in England, and we immediately reconnected. I stayed with her for a few days, and we took more embarrassing pictures:

(Those of you who are clever will have no idea where we are. This was Siobhan's 18th birthday, and we were in a dance hall. Also, we were drunk. It was her 18th birthday. Enough said.)

We spent the time writing, I inspired her to resume writing the story that she has been writing for like seven years (it's almost finishshed-ish!) and she helped me wrap up my second multi-chapter story, Upon Earth's Opening.

Our most recent visit was this last Christmas.

(Those of you who are clever will note that we are cold in this photo. It was snowing. Also, we were drunk, coming home from the pub. I wonder if I see a recurring theme?)

There was just as much talk about writing this time around, but this time it sparked the idea for my newest story which has yet to be named, and will someday be discussed on this blog. Someday soon, I promise. Once I finish up the huge one-shot sequel to Upon Earth's Opening, Earth's Final Closure. EFC is 14 pages long right now and is almost finished!

So, Siobhan is my beta, and I am hers. What is great about having her edit my stuff is that she knows me so well that even when I don't get something right, she knows exactly what I am trying to say and fixes it for me. She probably knows my writing better than I do at this point!

She is who I go to for ideas, for inspiration, and for a good kick in the butt. And believe me, a well-placed kick every once and a while does not go unrewarded. Usually that is all it takes for me to spin off into my own little world of writing and fiction. (Tonight, for example, she made me write about 700 words.)

So, in conclusion... it's her turn to cross the Atlantic now. See you in July, Siobhan!