WIP Update

Currently rewriting the first draft of Raven - 5964 words

Why am I rewriting? Because I didn’t want to let go of Alaric and Valerian. And although I have more I want to write about them, they shouldn’t take over Lily and Darvan’s story. So currently I’m going through and rewriting the chapters where Valerian in particular, came in and took over. That doesn’t mean they won’t appear. But their story for the moment is concluded.

Just because...

...there should be more posts that feature naked mole rats.

Thursday 13 #17 - Getting Out of a Funk

You know how it is, every so often you get a little down, or everything seems to go wrong. So here are 13 ways to either, embrace it, indulge it, fight it, give into it or go around it.

1. Chocolate. Well it’s not the answer to everything, but it helps. I think I’ve mentioned before kirsch cherries smothered in dark chocolate are my current favourite.

2. Dancing. Now the only ‘person’ who gets to see me dance is my dog. Yes, it is that embarrassing. But my dog doesn’t care if I look like a lunatic.

3. Taking a walk in the fresh air. Getting away from whatever is bugging you.

4. Comfort food - not just chocolate, sausage and mash, spaghetti bolognese, apple pie. Okay, now I’m getting hungry.

5. Housework. Take it out on the clutter and junk.

6. Gardening. Take it out on the weeds.

7. Watch a weepy and let it all out. Alternatively watch a happy movie and cheer yourself up, eating chocolate at the same time is optional.

8. Write it out. Get it down on paper.

9. Comfort read. I have lots of books that are like old friends. And sometimes there’s nothing that makes me feel better than losing myself in a story.

10. Go for a drive. I don’t mean on the motorway, ’cause that’s hardly calming. But I think there’s a reason that crying babies often calm down on a car journey. Getting away from the problem even temporarily can clear your head.

11. Spend time with your pets.

12. Read the season 3 Dante’s Cove episode recaps at AfterElton.com. Dante's Cove recaps. They’ve never failed to have me laughing.

13. If it’s really bad and there’s no getting out of it. Have a duvet day.

Like Vampires?

D.B.Reynolds first Vampire in America book Raphael is published at the end of March.

Being a member of the same online writing group I was lucky enough to read an early draft (one of the perks of being in a crit group or beta reading ). But I am very much looking forward to getting my hands on the finished version.

D.B. has an online blog at :-

dbreynolds.wordpress.com

WIP Update

Third draft of The Bargain is finished, and I’ve just put it on one side for a few days before I have one last look over it. Currently writing the synopsis of The Bargain and reworking the first draft of The Raven.

What I'm Reading

Completed my second beta read - a rather hot menage, :)

I also managed to squeeze in The Shadow Queen by Anne Bishop. I love the Black Jewels series, and my fingers are crossed that we have more to look forward to, following the introduction of some very interesting characters in The Shadow Queen.

And I’ve just started Frost Fair by Erastes. This is a m/m regency. Now I don’t usually read historicals. But having taken the plunge with Pride and Prejudice, and having read The Shadow Queen to get my dark fantasy fix, I’m ready to put my toe back in the historicals pool as it were. Having had a quick scroll through I’m pretty sure I’m going to like it. More thoughts next Monday.

I'm Back

Nope, I didn’t forget to blog. Not this time anyway.

My internet connection has been down for the past few days, which kind of sucks. But hopefully it is now all sorted and things can get back to my usual infrequent posting schedule.

In WIP progress I’m very nearly through the beta readers comments and the word count is up to 34,000.

This is twice as long as If Wishes Were Horses was when I submitted it. IWWH was submitted with 17,000 words and I think the final version was eventually over 20,000. So I may still reach my target of 50,000 words at some point.

Poem for a Sunday

From A Nocturnal Upon St. Lucy’s Day, Being the Shortest Day by John Donne

Study me then, you who shall lovers be
At the next world, that is, at the next spring;
For I am every dead thing,
In whom Love wrought new alchemy.
For his art did express
A quintessence even from nothingness,
From dull privations, and lean emptiness ;
He ruin’d me, and I am re-begot
Of absence, darkness, death—things which are not.

WIP Update

Comments are back from the beta reader. Yay!

Some ???, some lol’s and some clarification needed. But I’m very pleased. Currently working through on a hard copy (up to Chapter 14) making notes based on their comments and adding some of my own. Hopefully will have the third draft completed very soon.

What I'm Reading

Yay! Finally finished Pride and Prejudice and it will definitely be staying on my keeper shelf. I can see this as a book I will re-read to cheer me up when I’m feeling down. Am now indulging myself with watching the television series.

I also finished the beta read on the novel. And am about to start another beta read.

On the reading for enjoyment front. I’m thinking up next will probably be something m/m.