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Odessa Blaine

@odessablainewrites

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Wordser & General Oddment #writerslife

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Do you want to read a book with a women led story filled with small town drama, moonshining, struggle between old money elites and working class near-do-wells, granny witch ways, blood feuds, family drama, sister bonds, morally gray characters, Southern folklore, and a dash of Appalachian magic?

Edwina's shaky world is rocked by the murder of a childhood friend on a sweltering Georgia day in 1929. War erupts between the fed-up poor folks of Shine Town and Edy's in-laws, the old money Jacksons of Canes Crossin. Edwina and her sister are trapped in the middle.

Growing up Shine Town trash with their single mother, Edwina and Josephine knew about hard living. Then Beauregard Jackson planted a prized baby boy in Edy’s sister. Their mother was thrilled to see Jo marry up. Beau’s family was livid.

The Jacksons were rumored to own everything in the valley and then some. Ruling from the family’s plantations, they clung to bygone ways and enforced their will.

Until hubris made them vulnerable.

Edy spent years reconciling love for her sister and hatred of the Jacksons. Jealousy, loneliness, adoration, and defiance warred inside her. The fragile balance crumbles when her mother vanishes, she’s forced to abandon Jo, and Shine Town turns on her.

She turns to the mountains for answers, but finds more confusion when Edy stumbles into the remnants of a people more ancient than memory. They offer an escape,but she can't leave her sister behind.

Tripping over prejudice, secrets, and uncertainty, can Edy get out of her own way and save the folks she cares about before Jackson greed gets them all killed?

#books #reading #pov #drama #bookstagram by @odessablainewrites

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2 months ago

You look like you need a dog friend to break up your madness in your scrolling. LUNA TO THE RESCUE!

Fun story: When we had to take Luna to the vet one time, they asked me what breed she was and I said Piggybull without thinking.

We call her piggybull because she does the bulldog snorts, especially if she thinks it'll get our attention.

Little loony Luna is 10 years old now. We adopted her when she was about a year old and had been returned to the shelter twice. I think those other homes didn't work out because she was always supposed to end up in our family.

#doglife #dogoftheday #rescuedog #hereshecomes #luna by @odessablainewrites

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13 hours ago

Every path I choose often comes down to one deciding factor: are the trees prettier?

Always take the time to admire the trees and all the things that live under them.

#nature #trees #thejourney #letsgo by @odessablainewrites

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17 hours ago

Marked those calendars and made those reservations?

Treat yourself to ghost, paranormal, and folk horror stories while you enjoy dinner at the historic @thewoodbridgeinn aka @woodbridgetavern

@hollysullivanmcclure will join me as we share a mix of original stories and tales passed down through our families.
We'll also talk about themes from our books with signed copies available.

#bookstagram #books #storytelling #southern #halloween by @odessablainewrites

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2 days ago

Y'all, I hope you aren't tired of me celebrating because I still can't believe I achieved my dream / top item on the bucket list: becoming a published author.

This is what happens when you put yourself in the room with the right people and keep going, even when it feels like you're going nowhere.

#bookstagram #livingthedream #keepgoing by @odessablainewrites

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2 days ago

After the storms passed, spent quite a bit of the day hanging out with the critters. Been so busy lately that I haven't been able to do this much.

The nuggets aren't so little anymore and enjoyed running around the fenced yard. The grown chickens were not impressed.
Pickles made sure to keep an eye on them. He's the goodest dog.
And of course the ornamental goats, Dolly and Leeroy Jenkins, say hello!

#livingthelife #mountainlife #animals #goat by @odessablainewrites

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3 days ago

Tis the season for some creepy stories!
Come enjoy dinner at the @woodbridgetavern aka @thewoodbridgeinn on October 22nd and treat yourself to live storytelling and author talk!

I'll be performing original short stories inspired by Appalachia folklore, history, and culture. I'll also talk about themes from my debut novel, Where the Roots Tangle, with signed copies available.

There are no tickets for this event, but reservations are recommended.

#bookstagram #storytelling #southern #folklore #dinnertime by @odessablainewrites

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3 days ago

Folks laugh when they hear me describe myself as an Aspiring Cryptid.
They think it's a joke. That I'm just being sarcastic.
Sarcastic I am. Joking I am not.

My greatest aspiration is to haunt the mountains and become local folklore. Then, eventually, I'll be vaguely forgotten and probably become the topic of erroneous podcasts and drunken dares.

🤣🤣🤣

#folklore #dreambig #creepy #witch #cryptid by @odessablainewrites

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4 days ago

Its Friday Eve, y'all! Let's see those selfies.
My glasses and earrings are ready for spooky season.

#selfietime #spookyseason by @odessablainewrites

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5 days ago

Some of y'all saw the video where I talked about why my neighbors think I'm the witch of the woods.

Well, hearing me cackle from the woods in the dark of the night wasn't the only reason they had for thinking that.

Turns out appearing from behind trees and not making much noise when walking is also pretty creepy.
It also turns out that I'm not very forth coming with answers for uninvited guests.

My journey to becoming local folklore continues.

#storytime #spookyseason #creepy #witch #woods by @odessablainewrites

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5 days ago

The research rabbit hole is familiar territory for any writer.
Sometimes we spend too much time in it.

I spent days researching the sound that a refrigerator made in 1929 for just a couple of lines in my book.
That information I was able to find online and even found a video!

But when I started looking at car ownership during the same era, I felt like I couldn't quite trust it. Not for where I was setting the story.

Plenty of articles were out there about how many households had cars and all the exciting roads being built.
But those highlighted more populated areas along major thoroughfares.
Where the Roots Tangle is set well off the beaten path.

My best resource ended up being my grandmother.

Sometimes the most reliable and interesting info we can get comes from the stories other people tell us.
Don't forget to look off the screen from time to time.

#books #research #history #connection #stories by @odessablainewrites

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6 days ago

Anyone else hear about the Wampus Cat?

I heard about it growing up, usually said as a joke or a playful warning to not go too far into the woods.

It actually has its origins in Cherokee folklore and Appalachia storytelling.
Pretty sure it was based on sightings of Mountain Lions, back when they freely roamed these mountains.

#storytelling #southern #folklore #mountains #stories by @odessablainewrites

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7 days ago