Sarah Leslie's Other Place

Absolutely Wonderful...

2010-03-01T18:42:00.002Z

...post about writing up at Ursula Vernon’s LJ.

Bark Like a Fish Damnit! - It Bears Repeating

Darn it. I want to know what's going on at Grandmothers house now too.

At the Weekend...

2010-02-15T16:50:00.001Z

...I fell over. Not badly and the only thing hurt was my pride and my shoulders ache today from where I jarred them trying to break my fall.

One minute I was upright quite happily walking my dog, and the next I was flat on my face, with Dyson standing next to me and a look of puzzlement on his face which clearly said “What on earth are you doing down there?”

“I’m just taking a short break,” I said as I got back to my feet, and he quite happily trotted off, satisfied with this explanation.

I was trying to remember the last time I fell down and couldn’t. When I was a child I remember lots of bruised knees – I liked to rush everywhere – then when I was a teenager lots of grazed knees from falling over in the playground. But after my early teens I can’t remember ever falling down. Lots of trips, usually from not paying attention when I’m going up stairs.

There’s now a part of me that seems to kick in whenever I have a new experience, or repeat an old experience that I haven’t had in a long while. Some small part of my brain starts saying “I must remember what this feels like in case I ever want to include it in a story”.

It’s kind of helped me get through a few unpleasant things. And whilst falling over wasn’t as bad as having the camera put up my nose, they’re both experiences that I don’t want to repeat any time soon. But it’s very good to have those sensations logged in my brain.

Winner of January Giveaway is...

2010-02-03T22:35:00.001Z

Nicole. Whose post number was randomly chosen by randomnumber.org.

After slacking off towards the end of January I hope to get my posting back up to speed in February.

Santa Brought me an XBox

2010-01-21T22:17:00.001Z

I’m not much of a games freak, as my cousin delighted in pointing out to me. But I do like Tomb Raider. I’ve been playing on my PC – favourite version Tomb Raider 3. However, as the games have gotten bigger and better I thought I’d better finally get round to getting a games console. This has the added bonus of keeping my PC free for writing and not distracting me.

Whilst I have some skills on the PC my fingers flash round the keyboard keeping Lara out of trouble – it’s all the typing I do, who knew it would come in useful for something besides typing? On a games controller I tend to spend much more time running round in circles. After much practice I have reached the point where I can stand still and shoot things or run around on walls and jump off cliffs (sometimes intentionally). Unfortunately my skills do not yet extend to doing both at the same time. But I’m sure I’ll get there eventually.

One of my favourite popular culture references to Tomb Raider occurs in the sitcom Spaced. (For those of you who enjoyed Shaun of the Dead, this was written by and starred the same people). Well worth checking out on DVD if you get the chance. I can’t embed the video but hope you’ll click on the link. Whilst Tim finds the ‘point’ of the game is often to drown Lara, I find more often than not I’m going splat off the edges of cliffs. Though I occasionally drown her as well and have been known to set her on fire.

You Tube Spaced Tomb Raider Clip

Snippet from WIP

2010-01-15T22:22:00.000Z

Little snippet from the current WIP.

“Glad you’re having so much fun. Next time you can be the one who crawls through two miles of sewer pipe.”

“Surely two miles is an exaggeration?”

“Would you like to die where you stand?”

My Furry Muse

2010-01-11T18:56:00.002Z

So I thought I’d introduce you to Dyson who is my spaniel cross. So called because he usually has his nose glued to the floor looking for anything edible that may have accidentally been dropped which he can then hoover up.

He’ll lay across my feet when I’m writing, but when he thinks I’ve done enough writing and should be playing with him, he turns into the sock thief. He’ll stand at the door of my study with an innocent expression on his face and a sock hanging out of his mouth.

And Then We Got Help

2010-01-05T23:41:00.000Z

I don’t think I’ve ever got hooked on a web series before. But this one about four couples who go to group therapy without a therapist has got me hooked.

There are new episodes every week, it’s updated on Friday’s I think.

Wordcount for 2010 - 5106 words

WIP Update

2010-01-04T22:00:00.001Z

So getting back into the swing of things. Rather than updating weekly I’m going to change to monthly, hopefully will see more progress that way. Currently working on a short story, then onto my latest revision of Raven, Bargain is on one side at the moment it needs quite a lot of revision.

Words written so far in 2010 – 1607.

Winner of Every Good Thing

2010-01-01T12:28:00.003Z

...is Cassandra who posted on my Wordpress blog.

I'll be doing another giveaway for January. All you have to do is comment on a January post any time in the month either here or at my Wordpress blog and I'll enter all the posters in a random draw at the end of the month. (Random numbers provided by random.org)

This month will be a $10 Amazon gift certificate so you can choose a book you'd really like to read in 2010.

Day of the Triffids

2009-12-29T10:22:00.000Z

In perhaps one of the strangest pieces of festive tv scheduling. The BBC are currently showing a two part adaptation of John Wyndham’s Day of the Triffids. Whilst the Triffids themselves look slightly like deranged celery – I’m not sure it’s possible to make them scary – what was incredibly effective was the mass panic following the blinding of 99% of the world’s population after a solar flare.

Reminiscent of every zombie film you’ve seen but instead of an insatiable desire for brains every blind person is desperately seeking a sighted guide. Eddie Izzard also makes a fantastic villain. You have absolutely no idea what his agenda is – other than survival at all costs – we don’t even know his true name. The scene where he calmly survives a plane crash, whilst all the other passengers are literally in a ‘blind panic’ sets up his character perfectly. Will be tuning in tonight to see if they can sterilize the Triffids.

The Garden of Love - Blake

2009-12-26T12:30:00.000Z

I think sometimes you read a poem and it just sticks with you, something about it resonates. I haven’t done a favourite poem post for a while, so here’s The Garden of Love by William Blake (1757-1827). Which I think is on my mind more since I read Hemovore by Jordan Castillo Price.

The Garden of Love

I went to the garden of love,
And saw what I never had seen:
A chapel was built in the midst,
Where I used to play on the green.

And the gates of this chapel were shut,
And Thou shalt not writ over the door;
So I turned to the garden of love,
That so many sweet flowers bore,

And I saw it was filled with graves,
And tomb-stones where flowers should be -
And priests in black gowns were walking their rounds,
And binding with briars my joys and desires.

Happy Christmas

2009-12-24T17:56:00.001Z

Christmas Eve here at the moment, but Christmas is only a few hours away. May you all have a happy holiday season. :)

Aspirational Prose

2009-12-23T14:56:00.001Z

I think I find prose more aspirational than inspirational. Along the lines of – darn it why can’t I write like that!

One of my favourite quotes from a novel is from Bareback by Kit Whitfield (released as Benighted in the US).

It’s set in an alternate universe where 99% of the population are werewolves and the other 1% are given the responsibility of policing the majority. There’s a scene where a character walks across a park, unbeknownst to his death and Kit Whitfield writes:-

“He didn’t know this was the end of his life. If nobody warned him, he couldn’t have known that he should have loved those last hundred yards, that they weren’t just an obstacle to getting to where he planned, that the sounds of his feet on the pavement and the wind in the branches were all he was ever going to have.”

Immediately I am taking those last steps with that character, beautiful, spare and haunting, those lines have stayed with me long after I finished the book.

Favourite Christmas Films

2009-12-22T14:06:00.002Z

It’s the time of year when I’m planning which movies to catch on tv over the festive period. So, in no particular order here are my favourite Christmas films (or films which feature Christmas).

Scrooge (1970) – The musical starring Albert Finney as Scrooge. For some reason this version doesn’t get shown too often. A pity as it’s probably my favourite version of A Christmas Carol.

The Long Kiss Goodnight (1996). Okay, not particularly a Christmas movie AT ALL. But it is one of my favourite films and does take place at Christmas.

A Christmas Carol (1999) – The version featuring Patrick Stewart. And the one that seems to be played most often. Lol – you’re probably noticing a pattern to my Christmas viewing.

Die Hard (1988) – The original and still the best. Besides it’s got Alan Rickman in it.

The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992) – I only watched this for the first time last year and I loved it. It’s very close to the Alastair Sim version of Scrooge, which I know for a lot of people is the definitive version.

Love Actually (2003) – Was just watching this the other night, and I think it sums up a lot about Christmas and is possibly a future Christmas classic.

So you may have guessed that one of my Christmas traditions is to try and watch as many versions of A Christmas Carol as possible. It always reminds me of the important things about the season and leaves me with a warm Christmassy glow.

Giveaway Reminder

2009-12-20T21:16:00.001Z

Just a quick reminder that I am giving away a copy of Every Good Thing by M. Jules Aedin in December. Just comment on any December post and I’ll pick a winner at random from the comments posted here and at the Other Place blog.

Musical Inspiration

2009-12-17T22:08:00.000Z

Hmmm. I don’t think I started out with the intention of writing a series of posts on inspiration but it looks like that’s what I’m doing.

I find music very helpful to the muse. Driving to work with the car radio on usually encourages story ideas to come flooding into my mind. I think we live in such a media focused world and we are so used to watching movies and tv with background music that it almost feels natural to weave a story along to a melody.

So here are a few of the pieces that are inspiring me at the moment.

I love the following two songs for vampires.

Remember – Josh Groban (This is on the soundtrack to the movie Troy)

Forever May Not Be Long Enough – Live (I think I’m right in saying that this played over the credits of The Mummy Returns)

I am a bit of a movie buff. Most of the songs I like I tend to pick up from soundtracks.

The following song (which I think is great for when you’re stuck partway through writing a love scene) is an exception.

Insatiable – Darren Hayes

I find songs most useful when I’m stuck for inspiration on a particular point and I know what I’m trying to say but somehow not getting there.

Classical music on the other hand I find fantastic for general inspiration. You don’t get led by the lyrics and can let your mind wander.

Favourite pieces at the moment are:-

Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis – Ralph Vaugh Williams – just beautiful

Jazz Suite, Waltz 2 – Shostakovich – Which for me is just the creepiest sounding waltz, and brings to mind all these strange fantasic creatures dancing. Makes me think of the masquerade scene in Labyrinth.

Danse Macabre – Saint Saens – I have loved this piece of music ever since I was a little girl and my aunt told me to imagine skeletons dancing to it.

Symphony No. 3 in C Minor (Organ) – Saint Saens – Most familiar as used in the movie Babe. But if you listen to the whole thing there is a wonderful ‘chase’ section, which is great for when characters are running away from things.

Anyone have any other recommendations?

Quotation Inspiration

2009-12-13T22:38:00.001Z

I get a lot of inspiration from reading the poetry and prose of other writers, poetry is especially good as a trigger. But this year I was given a quotes calendar and sometimes I find myself imagining situations in which my characters could use some of these quotes.

My favourite one at the moment is attributed to Carrie Fisher.

"Resentment is like drinking poison and waiting for the other person to die."

Questions, Questions, Questions

2009-12-11T07:43:00.000Z

So if anyone has any questions they’d like to ask about my writing, the Land of the Fey, what I’m working on at the moment. Feel free to post them here. For example.

Will you be writing anything anytime soon? – I sure hope so.

Or if you’ve got a burning need to know why Lily is so cranky all the time:).

Currently listening to – Super Massive Black Hole by Muse

Reading Review of the Year

2009-12-06T23:03:00.001Z

I find that this time of year kind of naturally lends itself to looking back and thinking about the great books I’ve read this year. If I had to pick some of my favourite m/m to recommend they would include:-

Zero at the Bone by Jane Seville
Hemovore by Jordan Castillo Price
Every Good Thing by M. Jules Aedin
Hero by Perry Moore
A Note in the Margin by Isabelle Rowan

And to celebrate – the re-relaunch of the blog, the holiday season – I have a copy of Every Good Thing by M. Jules Aedin to give away. Just comment on any blog post between now and the end of December and I will choose one poster at random to win a copy of the book.

If anyone has any book recommendations from 2009 I would love to hear them, or about the books you’re looking forward to in 2010. I’m always looking for new books to add to my TBR pile.

Time to Get This Show Back on the Road

2009-12-03T07:58:00.001Z

Okay. Family crisis whilst not over has calmed down for the moment. So I’m going to make it third time lucky for getting this blog going.

I think I made it...

2009-09-30T19:59:00.000+01:00

…it’s still September at the moment.

Unfortunately things happening outside the writing sphere have meant I’ve not been able to devote much time to writing recently.

Rather than have the blog die a complete death whilst I deal with family problems I’ll be posting once a week on any progress I make, and hopefully will be back to full writing strength soon.

Next progress report (hopefully with something to report about) in a week.

Blog on Hiatus...

2009-08-16T17:46:00.000+01:00

...until the end of August.

See you in September.

I Am a T-Shirt Geek

2009-08-03T11:55:00.001+01:00

I think t-shirts are possibly the best clothing ever invented. lol

And my new favourite place to visit on the web is Last Exit to Nowhere I must admit to not getting all the references without cheating. I’m obviously not as up on my sci-fi as I thought.

But I have treated myself to a Nostromo shirt and will be picking up a Sulaco one as well.*

* – Something of an Alien fan. Maybe because my only recurring dream involves Aliens in a supermarket doing their weekly shopping. Which possibly says more about how I feel about supermarket shopping than how I feel about Aliens.

I Haven't Disappeared...:)

2009-07-26T17:32:00.000+01:00

I’ve just spent two days with the killer migraine from hell. Feeling much better now.

Just time today for a quick WIP update as I gear up for August madness.

Demon’s Touch – First Draft – 1489 words

Raven – Rewriting – 8417 words

The Bargain – Rewriting – 3852 words

Supernatural Season 2

2009-07-19T21:10:00.000+01:00

I’ve charged through Season 2, and think I enjoyed it even more than Season 1.

Favourite episodes – Heart, really sad and angsty ending. I’m definitely a lover of the angst. And my other favourite episode – Tall Tales – I always find it interesting when TV programmes show us the same action from the point of view of different characters.

Absolutely brilliant climax to the season and I am looking forward to Season 3.

In other TV related news, True Blood FINALLY started in the UK. I’m a big fan of the books, so can’t wait to see how they’ve translated to the screen.

Geez...

2009-07-19T21:02:00.000+01:00

I can’t believe it’s been so long since I posted.

:sigh: I suck at blogging. But will be doing my best to start posting again. As Xena would say – don’t apologize, improve.

In August I’m hoping to write 5000 words a day, so currently ramping up to that.

WIP’s at the moment – Demon’s Touch – first draft, rewriting The Bargain.

Posting at Beth Wylde's Yahoo Group today

2009-06-24T19:43:00.001+01:00

Along with a load of other Samhain GLBT authors.

Pop over and read some excerpts.

Beth Wylde's Yahoo Group

Please be aware this is an adult group and will have adult content.

Supernatural Season 1

2009-06-24T01:21:00.000+01:00

So I finally finished Season 1 of my Supernatural marathon.

I don’t remember seeing any of the episodes before, so I guess the couple of episodes I caught prior to catching the end of Season 4 must have come from either Season 2 or 3.

I love the banter between Dean and Sam. And I especially like how the episodes manipulate you into feeling more scared through the use of lighting and camera work. One of the reasons I never watch horror movies is because my imagination is always working through the scenes amplifying everything.

Season Finale – it doesn’t matter how many times or how many ways I’ve seen that HGV plowing into a car plot device used* – EVERY SINGLE time it gets a reaction. Usually involving whatever liquid I’m drinking going up in the air and over everything. Onto Season 2, and then I’ve really got to dig my Alias box sets out, I never did see past Season 3 of that show and I’d love to know how everything was resolved.

*I’ve seen it on Alias, Medium, The Bionic Woman, Terminator lol. It’s something of a sci-fi favourite.

A Reader's Viewpoint

2009-06-22T01:09:00.001+01:00

Jenre had three very interesting posts on her blog this week (technically I guess it's last week now). Well worth checking out. Posts are titled Author Promotion : A Reader's Viewpoint. Parts 1, 2 and 3.

Well Read Blog

I guess I kind of suck at blogging. My personal life is just not that interesting and it takes me a long time to write anything. So it's hardly a thrill a minuted around here. But I promise if you ever e-mail me I'll do my best to answer. :)

Supernatural

2009-06-10T20:58:00.001+01:00

I didn’t get into this show when it first came out. I’m trying to limit the number of shows I watch (with only some success) so I’ve got more time for writing. But I caught a Season 4 episode of this a few weeks ago. The one where Dean and Sam find out that someone is writing books about them.

And I loved the scene where Dean and Sam are finding out about all the stories written about them, some of them online and they discuss slash fiction - lol. I don’t know of any other show where the characters who are being slashed discuss the fact that they are being slashed.* Just like that I was hooked.

So I’ve treated myself to the Season 1-3 boxset and am furiously catching up on all the episodes I’ve missed. This also helps me pass the time whilst I wait for FX in the UK to get around to showing True Blood. It has to happen soon!

* Okay there were undercurrents between Angel and Spike but never anything as matter of fact as the Supernatural episode.

Brief Encounter (1)

2009-06-07T13:05:00.002+01:00

So here’s my first little excerpt, it’s unedited (lol as you’ll easily tell). Set in the Five Brothers Universe, it’s something that I’m just playing around with at the moment.

Brief Encounter,(unedited), copyright Sarah Leslie

If he was going to do it, it would have to be now. Tonight was the last stop of their journey; there would be no other opportunity. John knew he should move, make the short walk across the restaurant, and put his proposition to the stranger. But the thought of doing that in front of the other diners paralyzed him. So he remained poised on the edge of his seat, stirring his coffee first one way then the other.

When he’d first boarded the train three days ago he’d been resigned to his fate – four days of traveling via solar train to the metropolis of Kyranth, then at journey’s end his marriage to the purportedly beautiful and unknown Isabella. It was what his father expected and what his family wanted. He’d never disappointed them before. Perhaps that was only because he’d never been given the chance.

On the second day of the journey the stranger had joined the train, taking a seat in John’s carriage. And everything changed.

The tattoo on the stranger’s cheek proclaimed his profession – companion, concubine, courtesan. The stylized design informed those who cared to know that he belonged to the highest caste of prostitute, those who would be courted for their talents by the greatest nobles – kings, queens and their ministers. He was a temptation which John couldn’t ignore.

He appraised the stranger’s appearance, sculpted lips, high cheekbones, hooded eyes; then spent the journey torturing himself with thoughts of what the man must look like underneath his exquisitely tailored clothes.

Mrs. Denby leaned over to him and whispered in his ear. “I didn’t realize they allowed people like that on the train.”

He’d turned to her with a perplexed frown.

“Whore,” she clarified in a voice that was no longer a whisper.

Across the carriage the stranger’s body stiffened almost imperceptibly at the comment; then he relaxed into his seat with a graceful liquidity of movement John couldn’t help but envy. The man smiled briefly at Mrs. Denby, then returned his attention to the book in his hands.

John was only partially aware of Mrs. Denby’s shocked gasp as she stuttered out “Well I never.” He hadn’t been able to tear his gaze away from the strangers bent head. He reflected it was a sadness that Mrs. Denby had ‘never’, he reflected it was a sadness that neither had he.

He’d determined to approach the stranger that evening, when the train stopped for the night, even knowing he wouldn’t be able to afford the man’s fee. But fear had kept him immobile that night and the next.

Now he’d run out of time.

He had ten sovereigns in his pocket, not much to show for twenty years of saving, but it was all his. He tried not to think of the five hundred sovereigns in his strongbox on the train. That money was part of the bridal contract and he couldn’t spend it – no matter the temptation or the desire – but that didn’t stop him from thinking how easy it would be.

As his thoughts returned to the present, John noticed he still stirred his coffee and set down the spoon with a clatter of silverware against china. He didn’t need to see the flush on his face to feel the unwelcome warmth. In the few seconds he took to compose himself the stranger exited the room.

John swallowed down his disappointment, maybe this was for the best. The nervous pounding of his heart subsided to its normal beat and he tried to tell himself he was relieved. He tucked his meal voucher underneath his coffee cup and left the dining room. He ignored Mrs. Denby’s entreaties to join her and her husband for a game of cards. Instead, he took the stairs to his room, each step a death knell counting down the remnants of his life. His focus narrowed down to the inevitability of domesticity and familial responsibility, like a noose tightening round his throat.

When he finally stopped, he stood outside not his own room but the strangers and before he could let himself think, he knocked three times.

In Which Real Life Hits With a Bump

2009-05-26T11:36:00.001+01:00

Apologies for my absence. We went from having loads of time to get the house ready, to the house being on the market and still being decorated. So things have been more than a little bit mad here. I’m currently in a bit of a lull – thank goodness.

Currently reworking The Baragain, and the first draft of the Raven. Sqeezing my writing in at the moment around my job, family committments and (hopefully) selling the house, so things are progressing slowly.

Online fiction – it’s going to be difficult for me to devote the time needed to do a complete story. SO…. Taking a leaf out of Maura Anderson’s book I have decided to post snippets along the lines of her Friday Flash fiction. Where these relate to specific settings – e.g. Land of the Fey – I’ll make a note. And hopefully it will give you something to read whilst I get my head down and concentrate on the main stories

Call for Submissions : Samhain Publishing Space Opera Anthology

2009-04-29T18:05:00.001+01:00

*Permission to repost granted. Please repost on your blogs, yahoo groups, shout it from the rooftops, hire sign twirlers, get an airplane to do a flyover with a banner, or even better, get your favorite alien to do a flyover in their spaceship with a banner...*

Get your outer space on! Intergalactic wars, space battles, alien cultures, and love (and lust) across the cosmos.

I'm very pleased to announce an open call for submissions for a new, yet-to-be titled spring 2010 space opera anthology. I'm looking for fast-paced, action-adventure space opera romances. Don't know what space opera is? Think Star Wars, Star Trek, Battlestar Galactica or my personal favorite, Firefly/Serenity. For more information on space opera, you can check out the entry on wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Opera

I'm open to M/F, M/M, or multiples thereof, and any sexual heat level. The only rule is the story should be set mainly or entirely in space and the romance must end happily ever after or happy for now.

The anthology will include novellas from 25,000 to 30,000 words in length and will be released individually as ebooks in April 2010.

Submissions are open to all authors, published with Samhain or aspiring to be published with Samhain. All submissions must be new material—previously published submissions will not be considered. Additionally, manuscripts previously submitted, whether individually or for past anthologies, will not be considered either. Please be aware that manuscripts submitted to this anthology cannot be resubmitted at a later date unless by invitation from an editor.

To submit a manuscript for consideration, please include:

The full manuscript (of 25,000 to 30,000 words) with a comprehensive 2-5 page synopsis. Please include a letter of introduction/query letter. Full manuscripts are required for this as it's a special project.

As well, when you send your manuscript, please be sure to use the naming convention SpaceOpera_Title_MS and SpaceOpera_Title_Synopsis. This will ensure that your submission doesn't get missed in the many submissions we receive, and makes it easy for me to find in my ebook reader.

Submissions are open until August 10, 2009 and final decision will be made by August 31, 2009. Please send your submission to editor@samhainpublishing.com and include Space Opera Anthology in the subject line.

Questions can be addressed to Sasha Knight sasha@samhainpublishing.com

Thursday 13 - #18 - Character Deaths

2009-04-23T10:08:00.000+01:00

Today's Thursday 13 can be found at my Wordpress blog. Don't know if I can do a cut in a post here and it contains spoilers.

http://sarahleslie.wordpress.com/

Quote of the Day

2009-04-22T09:36:00.000+01:00

I was looking for quotes a couple of days ago (they can be incredible spring boards for stories) when I came across this one from William Ralph Inge (1860 - 1954)

'There is no law of progress. Our future is in our own hands, to make or to mar. It will be an uphill fight to the end, and would we have it otherwise? Let no one suppose that evolution will ever exempt us from struggles. "You forget," said the Devil, with a chuckle, "that I have been evolving too."'

Methinks there's definitely a story there someday. :)

What I've Been Reading

2009-04-20T10:06:00.001+01:00

So because of the decorating and writing, I’ve actually had very little time to do any reading. But I did manage to sneak in a quick novella - Object of His Desire by Ava March.

Yep I’m keeping with the historical theme of my other recent reads, this is a sweetly erotic m/m novella and I’ll be checking out more of Ava March’s stories. Blurb is below:-

“He thinks he’s just a wallflower. Little does he know he’s the guest of honor…

It’s the last night of a week-long house party in remote northern England. Every sensual delight imaginable is right at Henry Shaw’s fingertips. Yet all he wants is to be with his host, the deliciously handsome and enigmatic Arsen Grey. Henry’s certain it’s love, not mere infatuation. He’s also sure it’s hopeless. After all, the party’s purpose is to find Arsen a new mistress.

Arsen longs to leave the glittering, jaded world of the ton behind and find someone who will value him for himself, not his wealth and his title. He suspects that someone could be the strapping country gentleman he’s caught staring at him. Henry is loyal and dependable, nothing like his other acquaintances. Arsen sets a plan into motion, one designed to get Henry into his bed. One that includes a test of devotion.

Arsen never expected that in winning Henry, he risks losing his heart.”

WIP Update

2009-04-18T15:58:00.001+01:00

On the writing front not much has happened over the past week or so.

Raven - up to Chapter 4 of the first draft, very pleased with the new outline.

Online Fiction - First part completed, going to get this out to my crit partners and see what they have to say. Will be posting more details next week.

On the decorating front - the kitchen is done and we're halfway through painting the hall. Hence the lack of writing.

Online Fiction - Poll Closed

2009-04-15T10:43:00.001+01:00

So taking into account the two blogs, the results are :-

Land of the Fey - 4

Something New - 5

So it was pretty close and thanks to all who voted. I have an outline completed for the story and will be posting details in the next few days. Then I’ve just got to write the darn thing.

It's Cheesy But...

2009-04-12T18:35:00.001+01:00

I'm glad to hear Dante's Cove will be back for a fourth season. :)

Just read the news over at The Dante Beacon.

Hopefully this means Toby and Adam will be getting out of the mirror that they were left stranded in.

Online Fiction

2009-04-11T09:07:00.000+01:00

Looking at the results (so far) from the poll, from both blogs, it’s looking like - Something New has edged ahead.

So I’m working on an outline and will post what the story’s going to be about next week.

Apologies for the erratic post schedule at the moment. I’m currently getting my house ready to go on the market so it’s a bit crazy here to say the least.

WIP Update

2009-04-07T09:07:00.000+01:00

Currently writing the first draft of Raven - 8291 words

And at the moment it’s looking like it will end up a minimum of eighteen chapters.

Also writing an outline for the sequel to The Bargain, which will be something of a challenge as it’s multi-plot.

Poll Added

2009-04-06T13:06:00.000+01:00

So I’ve added my first poll to the blog.

I’m going to try and squeeze in some online fiction. If anyone has any preferences now is the time to speak up and vote.

To help with your choice the Land of the Fey story would probably be When Lily Met Alaric, or When Valerian met Alaric - their first meetings. Whilst the ‘Something New’ would probably be Bargain related, and therefore werewolfy.

It's that time of year again...

2009-04-04T22:48:00.000+01:00

The ospreys are back at Loch Garten.

Loch Garten Webcam

Hopefully there will also be a peregrine nest to follow as well this year.

Lol - you don't think it will be addictive but before you know it you're hooked.

WIP Update

2009-03-24T18:58:00.000Z

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...

2009-03-22T07:56:00.000Z

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

Thursday 13 #17 - Getting Out of a Funk

2009-03-19T22:36:00.002Z

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?

2009-03-18T22:30:00.001Z

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

2009-03-17T20:24:00.001Z

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

2009-03-16T19:17:00.000Z

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

2009-03-14T20:00:00.001Z

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

2009-03-08T08:46:00.000Z

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

2009-03-03T21:50:00.001Z

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

2009-03-02T22:14:00.000Z

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.

Thoughts

2009-02-25T22:15:00.000Z

Not really a WIP update as such because that’s a little in limbo at the moment.

But I’ve had a serious think about my plans. I have got so many stories I want to write that I need to gain a little focus - lol.

Therefore the plan (currently) is as follows:-

The Land of the Fey was originally conceived as a Trilogy so I’m going to stick to that. Book 2 - Lily and Darvan and Book 3 to lead off Book 2. There are potentially lots of other interesting , side stories to follow (Genys and Reynard especially) but I’m going to try and stay strong and hopefully there will be time to squeeze those stories in, in the future. Lily and Darvan’s story will be up next, I have an outline though it needs some reworking following feedback from my crit partners. However, the main plot is down, it’s just a little of the nitty gritty that needs sorting.

The Bargain (working title). I am so looking forward to working on this story and getting it as good as it can possibly be. There are definitelyother stories in this Universe that I’m just dying to tell. So after I have a working version of Raven, I’ll be looking to write another story leading out of this one.

What I'm Reading

2009-02-23T19:28:00.000Z

Still Pride and Prejudice but I am a lot farther through it now, about halfway. Charlotte has married Mr. Collins. (So I guess he doesn’t end up with Mary huh?) I’ve also watched the first episode of the P&P series which featured Colin Firth as Mr.Darcy. Even though I’d never watched it, I’d seen that many trailers that those actors were pretty much fixed in my head as the characters anyway.

Although I initially thought I’d struggle with the story, even though I’m only half way through I can completely understand why for some people this is their ultimate comfort read. Jane Austen’s use of language is so precise there is never any doubt to her meaning, and I very much appreciate how cleverly it is written.

One of the reasons it’s taking me so long to get through P&P is that I’m currently beta reading. Now I don’t know how other people beta read but I write lots and lots of notes.:)Though this can depend on what the writer is looking for, sometimes it’s just a general overview, other times it’s a line edit. I always feel privileged when someone asks me to betaread, apart from anything else it’s helped me a lot as a writer to see how other authors go about developing their stories and ideas. So if ever you have the opportunity and have the time and commitment I heartily recommend beta reading.

WIP Update

2009-02-22T01:16:00.001Z

Second draft completed.

And it’s come in at 32,615 words and is currently 23 chapters. Now it’s off to the beta reader and waiting to hear back from them.

So still a way off from 50,000 words, and whilst I think it might not quite make the 50,000 mark, I think the finished version will come in at a lot closer to 40,000.

Where it stands at the moment. If the first draft was the skeleton, the second draft is the skeleton plus the muscles. The plot niggles from the first draft have been sorted out and basically what’s left is fleshing out, making sure everything makes sense and perfecting the love scenes.

In the mean time I’m going to start the first draft / outline of The Fox Prince (Land of the Fey).

WIP Update

2009-02-17T22:22:00.000Z

Currently working on The Bargain (second draft), Chapter 17, word count 25,002

Have merged four chapters down to two. Things are proceeding smoothly at the moment.

Sex/love scenes - I’ve just completed one - are something of a stumbling block. Mainly because I think these scenes perhaps more than any other you are conscious of having to get right. Nothing knocks a reader out of a moment quicker than a badly written love scene. So it’s almost sweating blood to get them so what you have in your head matches what’s on paper. I’m still not happy with what I’ve got as it stands in the second draft but I know there’s going to be much more refining to come before I even think of submitting.

WIP Update

2009-02-11T20:24:00.000Z

Sorry this is a day late.

Currently working on The Bargain, Chapter 15, word count - 21,574

Things are going well. I have a few days off work next week so fingers crossed that I can blast through this to the end and get it off to my beta reader. Usually my number of squee moments (when I hug myself and go “This is soooooo good”) compared to my dark moments (when I go “This is crap and no one will ever read it!”) is low. But I’m used to that. So it was great this week to have two squee moments, which makes it worthwhile.

So after the second draft is complete - what then? Some authors write a lot and then cut down. I’m the opposite. I write a very spare first draft. The second draft I flesh out and correct character motivations, change things that aren’t working, cut unnecessary scenes, add more scenes sometimes chapters, to clarify things that don’t make sense. That draft goes out to be looked at by someone who doesn’t have my author bias. lol

Then the third draft will be taking into account what the beta reader has said, adding more description, intensifying emotional scenes. I’ll put it on one side for a couple of days and maybe draft again. Then I’ll hopefully be ready to submit.

Thursday 13 #16 - Villains

2009-02-05T20:14:00.002Z

Last week Josh Lanyon did a guest blog about villains - the guys who wear the black hats - at Reviews by Jessewave. The post can be found here and is well worth reading. Please be aware this blog is for those 18 and over only.

So inspired by that post, here are my 13 favourite villains. What’s interesting about most of them is that as Josh points out in his blog - they wouldn’t consider themselves the bad guys.

1 - Admiral Helena Cain (Michelle Forbes) - from Battlestar Galactica Razor. She does what has to be done, no matter the personal cost. She sacrifices her humanity to her belief that she’s doing what has to be done. (In a way not unsimilar to The Operative from the Serenity movie who acknowledges that he IS a monster).

2 - Callisto from Xena. Well it wouldn’t be a complete villain list if she wasn’t on it. lol What’s slightly different about Callisto’s story is that she is eventually redeemed. I think possibly the only villain on this list who is.

3 - Sark from Alias. David Anders is great at playing a villain. Maybe because he has just this hint of vulnerability. Lol - it was always a great relief when Sark got away to fight another day. And I have to watch Season 5 at some point, it never really made it to the tv in the UK.

4 - Adam Monroe from Heroes. As I said above, David Anders makes a great villain.

5 - Another Alias villain. Sloane. What was great about this series was that the lines shifted so much, that you were never 100% sure of the motivation of characters. Were they doing the right thing for the wrong reasons, or the wrong thing for the right reasons?

6 - The Borg Queen. Definitely wouldn’t consider herself a villain. And it’s interesting to see both Alice Krige’s and Susanna Thompson’s versions.

7 - Gretchen from Prison Break. Completely cold. Does what has to be done with ruthless efficiency, but is not as 2-D as she first appears.

8 - Dexter. Ultimate villain or hero? I love that in the second series his mental quips get even more deadpan.

9 - Elle Driver from Kill Bill 2. Okay it’s difficult for me to decide between her and O-ren Ishii. But I love the scene in the trailer from the second movie and the way Daryl Hannah delivers her speech to a dying Budd.

10 - Sylar from Heroes. What I’ve especially liked about the latest season is how we’ve been able to glimpse into the future and see that he does have the potential to be a good person. Which adds a completely new layer to his choice to be a villain.

11 - #6 - from Battlestar Galactica. Lol - this is difficult because there are so many different versions and they all have their own personalities and back story. They also have the potential to evolve and change. But here I’m thinking back to the mini series and the character that could calmly kill a baby and seduce a man to enable an armageddon.

12 - The Oracle from Jennifer Armintrout’s Blood Ties series. A character who predicts the exact number of pieces she’s going to break your spine into.

13 - Angela Petrelli from Heroes. Another character who it’s difficult to pin down, which is what makes her so interesting. She’s completely capable of sacrificing a son for what she considers the greater good. But when you see the future you play the long game.

WIP Update

2009-02-03T10:54:00.000Z

Currently working on The Bargain - 2nd Draft - Chapter 13

word count - 18,925

This week combined chapter 9 and chapter 10 from the first draft into one chapter in the second. Extra scene to be added to chapter 13 to provide some plot clarification.

Thursday 13 #15 - Xena Episodes

2009-01-29T22:47:00.001Z

I loved Xena. My favourite character though was Callisto, maybe because the first episode I ever saw was her introductory episode and the ladder fight. So here are 13 of my favourite Xena episodes.

1 - Callisto - First episode I ever saw, I think up ’til I saw it I was aware of the show but it wasn’t until I saw the ladder fight that I thought this might be a show worth getting into.

2 - Bitter Suite - the all singing episode, which starts with one of the most violent scenes of the series. The rift between Xena and Gabrielle is healed.

3 - Ides of March - My favourite part of the series were Seasons 4 and 5. Ides of March is the culmination of a story arc ending with the deaths of Xena and Gabrielle, beautifully shot and heartbreaking to watch.

4 - The Quill is Mightier - okay you’ve probably guessed that I prefer the more serious and dramatic episodes. So here’s one of my favourite comedy episodes. Gabrielle’s scroll becomes enchanted and anything she writes down comes true.

5 - Adventures in the Sin Trade Parts 1 and 2 - The first episodes of Season 4 and the beginning of my favourite story arc. The introduction of a new villainess - Alti and the discovery that Gabrielle isn’t as dead as was thought.

6 - Fallen Angel - First episode of Season 5. Xena, Gabrielle and Callisto as angels and demons.

7 - 10 Little Warlords - One of my favourite episodes, Xena in Callisto’s body must restore Ares to his godhood.

8 - Between the Lines - Second episode of the India trilogy and my favourite of the three. Xena and Gabrielle bring Alti back from the future to fight her where they are strongest - in the past. Very interesting to see Xena and Gabrielle’s future lives.

9 - Been There, Done That - the episode where Xena kills Joxer with her chakram, but it’s okay because time is going to be reset. Xena, Gabrielle and Joxer all die at least once.

10 - Remember Nothing - the episode where the Fates give Xena the opportunity to live her life over, a fresh start. We get to see what her life would be like if she hadn’t chosen to take up the sword. We also get to see what would have happened to Gabrielle. Very interesting to see how the lives of the characters would have been different.

11 - A Day in the Life - Very funny episode, which basically does what it says on the tin. Just follows a day in Xena’s life.

12 - The Quest / A Necessary Evil - Callisto becomes a God and falls into a lava pit. Guest actress Melinda Clarke chews the scenery as sadistic Velasca. Even though she only appeared in two episodes she was still one of the most memorable villains.

13 - When Fates Collide - IMO this should have been the last episode of the series. Julius Caesar rewrites time to avoid his fate and by doing so alters the destinies of those around him - Xena, Gabrielle and Alti. Shot in washed out tones and with an ambiguous ending, I always watch this after watching Friend in Need.

WIP Update

2009-01-27T10:06:00.000Z

The Bargain - Second Draft - currently working on Chapter 9

Word Count - 14,051

Chapter eight took quite a bit of work, added roughly 1000 words but deleted around 2000 words, added, deleted, added, deleted. Lol most of this trying to decide who should be in the shower.

No Thursday 13 This Week...

2009-01-22T18:00:00.001Z

Did I say last week I’d definitely do one?

Goes back to check…No…Phew!

I have an assignment due tomorrow so I am completing that tonight one way or the other - it’s on the inevitability of the tragedy in Romeo and Juliet.

And for next week I shall write my TT on Saturday so it’s ready to go.

As an aside, in a previous TT I think I wrote about the importance of keeping a notebook with you at all times to jot down ideas.

Note to self - take your own advice.

Luckily the brilliant end to the chapter that came to me just before I went to sleep last night, which vanished in the morning, came back to me in the shower half an hour later. And yep, I wrote it down.

WIP Update

2009-01-20T23:12:00.001Z

The Bargain - Second Draft currently up to Chapter 8.

Word count - 10,170 - actually a little higher than this at the moment, but I’m updating the count every 5000 words

Got the first love scene out of the way. I like the revamped version much better, still not completely happy with it, but I’m going to leave it as it is for the moment. I also have a feeling the second draft is going to go over the 50,000 word limit.

What I'm Reading

2009-01-19T21:11:00.000Z

Still Pride and Prejudice at the moment and as I’m working hard on the WIP have only made it to page 32.

On the positive side have now clocked well over 10,000 words on The Bargain - more on that tomorrow.

So far in P&P - Mr.Bingley has moved into Netherfield. Mrs. Bennet would like Jane (one of her daughters) to get her hooks in him. There have been a couple of balls and Mr. Darcy has not endeared himself to the local population by apppearing to have a stick permanently lodged somewhere it shouldn’t be. Jane has visited Netherfield but got caught in the rain and became sick. Much to the delight of Mrs. Bennet this means she’s stuck at Netherfield. Elizabeth (Jane’s sister) has visited Netherfield to look after her sister where the Bingley females are polite to her face but rude behind her back, mainly it seems because she had the temerity to walk to Netherfield rather than take a coach.

Austen certainly manages to pack a lot in.

Posted in Reading | No Comments

Poem for a Sunday

2009-01-18T17:02:00.000Z

Currently watching Romeo and Juliet as I go through the second draft, so here’s the opening of Romeo and Juliet:-

Two households both alike in dignity,
In fair Verona, where we lay our scene,
From ancient grudge break to new mutiny,
Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean.
From forth the fatal loins of these two foes
A pair of star-crossed lovers take their life…

Has to be one of the best beginnings ever.

Okay, back to work.

No Thursday 13 Today...

2009-01-15T21:38:00.001Z

…because I’ve got a new laptop and have had to spend the past two days* setting it up. And also renewing the anti-virus program on my PC. Deleting stuff I shouldn’t, panicking, then breathing a sigh of relief when I manage to get it back again with no serious losses.

Techno-savvy I am not.

But whilst I am feeling quite technicial lol, I’ve also added a books page for my books on my Wordpress blog, where hopefully you’ll be able to click on the cover and it will take you to Samhain.

*not two whole days, I’ve had to squeeze it in between going to work and other stuff, I’m not quite that bad.

WIP Update

2009-01-13T09:35:00.000Z

The Bargain - Second Draft currently up to Chapter 4.

Word count - 5034

Have written a short extra Chapter to add a little bit of a back story. It's possible this won't make it into the final draft and is more for me to use as an aid in getting the characters and their motivations fixed in my head. I expect to hear from the beta readers that I should probably delete it. :)

For my major characters especially, I always want to know exactly why they behave the way they do and I'll know far more about them than I'll probably ever use.

What I'm Reading

2009-01-12T20:02:00.002Z

So I’ve made a start on Pride and Prejudice.

Currently at page 30 (remember I said I was a slow reader), and despite my misgivings before I started reading I’m quite enjoying it. It’s not heavy going which was a pleasant surprise and a lot of it is very witty and cleverly written. I’m particularly enjoying the conversations between Mr and Mrs Bennet which are laced with double meanings and little digs.

It’s interesting to note that there seems to be a lot of ‘telling’, quite frowned upon in modern writing where we are very much concerned with almost pulling the reader into the action and story of the book. Also the cast seems to increase every couple of pages, usually with a cast this large I’d expect there to be a list at the front of the book detailing how everyone relates to everyone else.

Even from the few pages I’ve read so far I can appreciate why for a lot of people this is their ultimate comfort read. I think I definitely lucked out on picking this one.

A couple of weekends ago there was a Pride & Prejudice (Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth as Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy) marathon on the television which I’ve recorded. I don’t want to watch it until after I’ve read the book, but it seemed too fortuitous not to take the opportunity. Maybe I will finally get to understand the attraction of a man going swimming with a shirt on. lol

Favourite line so far comes from Elizabeth to Mr. Darcy when he comments that he only knows six accomplished women and then proceeds to list the variety of skills and talents said accomplished woman should possess.

“I am no longer surprised at your knowing only six accomplished women. I rather wonder now at your knowing any.“

Poem for a Sunday

2009-01-11T09:42:00.001Z

I've been watching repeats of Torchwood. :)

Because I could not stop for Death - Emily Dickinson

Because I could not stop for Death,
He kindly stopped for me;
The carriage held but just ourselves
And Immortality.

We slowly drove, he knew no haste,
And I had put away
My labour, and my leisure too,
For his civility.

We passed the school where children played,
Their lessons scarcely done;
We passed the fields of gazing grain,
We passed the setting sun.

We paused before a house that seemed
A swelling of the ground;
The roof was scarcely visible,
The cornice but a mound.

Since then 'tis centuries; but each
Feels shorter than the day
I first surmised the horses' heads
Were toward eternity.

Thursday 13 #14 - Goals for 2009

2009-01-08T19:04:00.002Z

So thanks again to Nicole at Book-Wyrm Knits, without whom I would often be stuck for Thursday 13 ideas. Except for the writing goals this is probably going to seem quite a light and fluffy list. But I feel in the need for light and fluffy at the moment.

Writing

1) Complete The Bargain - well on the way to accomplishing this one.

2) Complete Raven - Outline needs rewriting following feedback on the first draft. Will be starting this one once The Bargain is completed.

3) Complete at least one other project.

4) I almost hesitate to include this one. But THIS year I would like to get The Tithing revised. Maybe this could be my number 3.

5) Get my outlines and notes organized.

6) Win Nano this year

Reading

7) Read at least one book from the banned books lists, and if possible get my banned books total up to 13.

8. Read at least one ‘classic’. Well on my way to getting this one done already.

Misc.

9) As a birdwatcher I’d like to see one bird in the wild that I haven’t seen before.

10) Knit my next scarf. If I’m honest, knitting scarves is just about my skill level, and I have a great funky wool for the next one.

11) Start a quilt. I’ve wanted to try making an English pieced quilt for the past couple of years. Maybe 2009 is the year I’ll get it done.

12) See more films at the cinema because I never seem to get around to seeing them if I wait for the DVD.

13) Bake a cake. My culinary skills (like my knitting skills) are somewhat lacking. So I’d love to say I tried baking this year and what I produced was reasonably edible. Maybe, if not a cake then cupcakes or muffins.

I’ll try and remember to revisit this list at the end of the year and see how many of them I actually accomplished.

WIP Update

2009-01-06T09:27:00.001Z

The first rough draft of The Bargain is completed. Due to circumstances I've had very little online time, so a lot of it is written out longhand at the moment.

I'm now working on the second draft. You'll notice that the progress meter in the sidebar has changed. LOL - not sure if other writers go through such a long winded process as this, but so far this is the way that works for me. Some of the character motivations in the first part of the first draft need tweaking as they don't quite marry up with what happens in the second half of the book. I'm very pleased with the beginning and the end, but the middle needs quite a lot of work.

The Bargain - Second Draft - Up To Chapter 1

When I have a completed second draft I'll submit that to my crit group and if I'm very happy with it, possibly a beta reader and see what they have to say. At that time I'll start working on redrafting Raven.

More updates next week.

What I'm Reading

2009-01-05T09:10:00.001Z

Lol - it's reading Monday.

My reading aims for 2009 are to focus on three categories - bear in mind that it takes me quite a while to read anything - the classics, banned books and I'll probably sneak a little m/m in there. :)

Why these three? Well in 2008 during banned books week I realized I'd actually read very few of the banned books listed and wanted to rectify that. Hopefully by banned books week this year I'll be able to make it to 13 books read.

Also apart from the books I HAD to read at school I've read very few of what would be considered classic stories so I'm going to try and get in at least a couple of those and hope they aren't too heavy going.

And I couldn't possibly get through the year without reading and recommending some m/m.

So I'm starting out with a classic - Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. This is one of those books that has been made into television series and movies several times over. I admit I have watched none of them and have never read the book. So this should be interesting. I'll update you all next week with my progress (or lack of).

Review

2008-12-29T17:34:00.002Z

There's a review up for If Wishes Were Horses at Literary Nymphs

As everyone knows my current WIP is The Bargain, I feel that I should add I haven't forgotten Lily and Darvan, I just needed to take a little break before getting back to them.

For 2009 and a Little Update

2008-12-28T17:36:00.001Z

So I know I mentioned this briefly before, but this is the plan for 2009.

Monday - What I’m Reading - thanks to Nicole’s suggestion
Tuesday - WIP progress report
Thursday - Thursday 13
Friday - Fiction or Writing Stuff
Sunday - Poem, for as long as I’ve got poems to share

I’m going to post more about my reading choices and my reasons for picking them on the first Monday post of 2009 but the first book is going to be Pride and Prejudice.

The WIP progress is very slow at the moment, but over the past few days I’ve blasted through the first draft of The Bargain and am very pleased with the progress I’ve made. Sadly, the reason for my lack of progress is because my dad passed away just before Christmas. However, he would be the first person to tell me to get on with it, so that’s what I’m doing.

See you in the New Year.

Happy Holidays

2008-12-21T19:42:00.002Z

So with the holidays virtually upon us and things going mad here with present wrapping and last minute shopping. I’ll take my leave here and catch up with you all in the New Year.

As some of you may know my father is currently seriously ill in hospital. So I’d like to send special thoughts and prayers out to everyone with friends and family who can’t be with them at this time of year.

See you all in 2009

Samhain End of Year Survey

2008-12-21T16:52:00.000Z

Have a favourite Samhain title for 2008? What about a favourite cover?

Samhain will be posting a top ten bestseller list at the end of the year but they also want to hear from the readers. So this is your chance to get your favourite Samhain books and covers of 2008 into the readers top 10.

Follow this link to see what the releases for this year were - Samhain 2008 Releases.

And this link for - The Best of Samhain 2008 Survey.

You’ll also be able to vote for your most favourite Samhain book and cover regardless of publication date.

So go get voting!

Meme

2008-12-20T16:44:00.003Z

So this is a meme that I picked up from Book-Wyrm Knits. The ones I’ve done are in bold because it’s a festive colour.

1. Started my own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band (lol do brass bands count?)
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than I can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland/world
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sung a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched lightening at sea
14. Taught myself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown my own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitchhiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of my ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught myself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had my portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris - nope I’m not too good with heights. So I’ve seen it but never been to the top.
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt - not yet
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had my picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible (It took 7 years from the age of 7 to 14.)
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Rode an elephant

Thursday 13 #13 - Heroes and Heroines

2008-12-18T21:37:00.003Z

So after the heroes and heroes post of a couple of weeks back I thought I’d do a heroes and heroines post. So 13 of my favourites.

1. Helena and Marcus Falco from the Falco mystery series by Lindsey Davies. I was lucky enough to attend a talk by Lindsey Davies a few years ago (she was speaking alongside Janet Evanovich) and after the talk she was signing her books. She’d been so witty during the talk that I picked up The Accusers, finding out later it was book 15 in the series! But I was good and got the other fourteen books first.

Set in Ancient Rome although the series is primarily mystery based what makes it such compelling reading is the family dramas of the Falco family.

2. Miles Vorkosigan and Elena from the Vorkosigan series by Lois McMaster Bujold. Another long series but this time space opera and one of the best characters I’ve ever read. The series follows Miles from birth to adulthood and the book where he finally wins his lady love (A Civil Campaign) is one of the best romantic comedies I’ve ever read.

3. Cherijo and Duncan Reever from the Stardoc series by S.L.Viehl. More sci fi. Two characters that really go through the wringer together but just won’t give up on themselves or each other.

4. Alex and Michael from the Darkyn Series by Lynn Viehl. I seem to be picking a lot of series, but I like being able to follow a relationship past the initial happy ending. I like to know what happened next. And one of the things I love about the Darkyn series is that Michael and Alex have been a constant throughout the books. I love their snarky bickering, below is possibly one of my favourite lines ever.

“I could tie you to the bed, you know.”
“No, you can’t. It’s round and you don’t have any rope.”

5. Kate and Curran from the Magic Series by Ilona Andrews. (I promise there are some standalone books in this list). This is a couple that hasn’t quite got together yet, but you can feel the chemistry between them when you read the books. It’s just waiting to happen.

6. Jeremy and Jaime from the Otherworld series by Kelley Armstrong. One of my favourite couples. They don’t actually get together for years because he’s reticent (is probably not the right word but it’s the one I’m going to use) and she’s insecure. I like that their getting together happens gradually and also that it’s very real. In the beginning whenever Jaime talks to Jeremy she completely loses all capability for rational speech.

7. Henry and Claire from The Time Traveller’s Wife. Beautiful, sad, love story. Now being made into a film, but I’m not too sure about whether I’ll go to see it. Eric Bana isn’t really the way I pictured Henry, I think I kind of imagined him more along the lines of James Stewart. (Yes, I know it’s impossible for James Stewart to play Henry in a movie, but that’s how I pictured him in my head).

8. Clay and Elena also from The Otherworld Series by Kelley Armstrong. Couldn’t really mention Jeremy without mentioning Clay and Elena. Their relationship is such an essential part of the series.

9. Vane and Bride from Night Play by Sherrilyn Kenyon. Night Play and Dance with the Devil are my favourite Dark Hunter books. But Vane and Bride are my favourite couple. I like the way Bride blossoms as a heroine throughout the book and learns to stand up for herself.

10. Benedict and Beatrice from Much Ado About Nothing. Possibly my favourite* Shakespearean couple. I love the banter and the bickering between them.

11. Jamie and Claire from the Outlander Series by Diana Gabaldon. Hopefully at some point in the future when I have a lot more reading time I’ll be able to catch up with this series.

12. Rhage and Mary from Lover Eternal. This is a book that I’ve enjoyed more each time I’ve read it.

13. Jaz and Vayl from the Jaz Parks series by Jennifer Rardin. This is a series that I’ve just started reading and Jaz and Vayl aren’t really ‘together’ as such though they are partners. They have great chemistry together and I’m looking forward to seeing where there relationship is headed in future books.

I think looking at my heroes and their heroines I like couples who although able to stand on their own, choose to stand together. They don’t ride roughshod over each other, and there’s usually snarky bickering going on at some point.

* - Hmmm, maybe I should be fined for the number of times I said ‘possibly my favourite’ on this post?

Poem for a Sunday

2008-12-14T13:57:00.001Z

Leisure by W.H.Davies

What is this life if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare?—
No time to stand beneath the boughs,
And stare as long as sheep and cows:
No time to see, when woods we pass,
Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass:
No time to see, in broad daylight,
Streams full of stars, like skies at night:
No time to turn at Beauty’s glance,
And watch her feet, how they can dance:
No time to wait till her mouth can
Enrich that smile her eyes began?
A poor life this if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.

Thursday 13 #12 - Kick-Ass Heroines

2008-12-11T22:47:00.004Z

1) - Xena - Has to be number 1 for me. I was a huge Xena fan - gutted by the ending. For anyone else who doesn’t like the way the series I ended. I recommend watching When Fates Collide as the very last episode.

2) - Ellen Ripley. If it hasn’t got Ripley in it, it’s just not an Alien movie for me.

3) - Selene from the Underworld movies. LOL - well I am a vampire and werewolf fan.

4) - Lara Croft. Like the first movie better than the second. And Tomb Raider 3 is my favourite version of the game.

5) - River Tam from Serenity and Firefly. Beautiful, balletic fight sequences.

6) - Wonder Woman. Well I am a child of the 70’s, and yes I did spend a portion of my childhood twirling round in a circle. LOL

7) - Sarah Connor. I love Linda Hamilton’s portrayal the transformation from normal woman to fighter for the future. I’m also addicted to the Sarah Connor Chronicles as well.

8. - Elena from Kelley Armstrong’s Otherworld series. The only female werewolf. She just not a chick who waits around for the guys to come and rescue her, not if she can do it herself first.

9) - Sydney Bristow from the Alias Series. I’ve not seen Season 5 yet. It kind of disappeared from the UK tv schedule after Season 4. Must get the DVD sets.

10) - Alice from the Resident Evil films. Actually just the first film. I still can’t watch the scene in the corridor outside the Red Queen’s hub. :sigh: I am such a wuss.

11) - Jean Grey from the X-Men. Okay, she’s not exactly kick-ass. But she was the X-Men I would choose to be, if that were possible. And telekinesis would always be my power of choice.

12) - Zoe also from Serenity. One of my favourite films. It took me a while to get into Firefly, but by the time I did I was so pleased that there would be some resolution to the storyline in the film.

13) - The Bride from the Kill Bill movies. Perhaps the ultimate kick-ass heroine.

Just to finish off, here’s River Tam, kicking butt.

On a Short Hiatus

2008-12-04T22:38:00.002Z

Had some bad family news taking a week or so off from blogging. Hope to be back soon.

End of Nano

2008-11-30T19:20:00.001Z

And I wish I’d had the time to find a clip of a lady singing opera, but have started to come down with a head cold today, so that won’t be happening.

Didn’t make the NaNo goal this year. Made it halfway and I’m going to be pleased with the fact that the story itself is flowing along very nicely. Still keeping up with Sven, so will be posting my progress about that.

Now I’m off to bed with some honey and lemon.

Thoughts

2008-11-28T21:28:00.002Z

LOL - you should know by now I suck at titles.

So I’ve been thinking (hence the title of the post) for a while about posting some online fiction. But haven’t, for a couple of reasons.

1 - It takes me a long time to write anything. I usually write about three or four drafts, then crit group and/or beta read, rework any problems, then final polish.

2 - Kind of connected to 1). Any extra writing I do will be time away from my WIP, and would probably not be as polished as I’d like. I am something of a rabid perfectionist.

Anyway, what I’m thinking of doing is short scenes, a la Friday Fiction. These may be from familiar characters such as Lily and Alaric, or characters I’m playing about with in my head - such as Robert, or something completely random and strange.

For 2009 (notice how I’m giving myself a little time here) I’m planning on blogging as follows:-

Tuesday - WIP progress report
Thursday - Thursday 13
Friday - Fiction
Sunday - Poem, for as long as I’ve got poems to share

With other random stuff chucked in for good measure I’m sure. That’s the plan anyway, comments, questions, suggestions?

Thursday 13 #11 - 13 m/m couples

2008-11-27T21:28:00.003Z

1. Callan and David - the two heroes from the book A Strong and Sudden Thaw by R. W. Day. This in a way is a very gentle love story, despite the violence that occurs elsewhere in the tale. Recommended if you’ve never read m/m before but are interested. The love scenes are sensual but not graphic and the main plot of the story is just as strong as the interaction between characters.

2. Belimai and Harper from the book Wicked Gentlemen by Ginn Hale. I wasn’t sure what to expect when I started to read this as steampunk is not a genre I’m familiar with. But I was quickly drawn into the world of Hells Below and the forbidden love between Belimai - a Prodigal, and Harper - an Inquisitor.

3. Kevin and Scotty from the show Brothers & Sisters. Kevin is by far and away my favourite B&S character. He’s very witty and sharp. Though my favourite B&S scene remains the food fight between Patricia Wettig and Sally Field. lol

4. Giles and Alim from the movie A Touch of Pink. Maybe slightly controversial? I know some people don’t like the fact that Giles is a bit of a man-slut and sleeps with someone other than Alim. But check out the quotes page for the film at the IMDB. The film is packed full of snappy dialogue and stands up well to multiple viewings. Well for me anyway.

5. Zach and Shaun from the movie Shelter. Recommended on the mmromance yahoo group. I loved this film. It’s a sweet romance without being saccharine and has a happy ending.

6. The same cannot be said of the next couple. The main reason I stuck with Season 1 of The Tudors was because of the relationship between Compton and Tallis. So there was really no reason to carry on watching after episode 7. LOL - I would include a clip here, but my favourite scene is only on Youtube dubbed in Italian. :sigh:

7. Jules Cassidy and Robin Chadwick from Suzanne Brockmann’s Troubleshooter/Team 16 series - which is about 20 books long by now - or getting there. Jules and Robin’s notable appearances are in Hot Target, Force of Nature and All Through the Night. I think most people have Jules as their favourite but I have a soft spot for Robin.

8. Val Toreth and Keir Warrick from the Administration Series by Manna Francis. Set in a dystopian future, the Administration series follows the developing relationship between Toreth an interrogator for the Administration and Warrick, a corporate developer of simulated realities technology. Not for the faint-hearted, Toreth is a sadistic sociopath and Warrick is a masochist. Manna Francis makes no concession for the reader as far as Toreth is concerned, but she also makes it clear that Warrick is no victim.

9. Adrien and Jake from the Adrien English mystery series by Josh Lanyon. I like Adrien because although he could be considered a beta male, this doesn’t mean he takes crap off anybody. The relationship between him and Jake progresses slowly over the course of the series, sometimes taking massive steps backward and sometimes apparently disappearing altogether. But even when Jake isn’t there you can still feel his presence on the page.

10. Aiden and Nate fomr My Fair Captain by J. L. Langley. No list would be complete without a mention of Aiden (who I keep wanting to call Adrien because of the previous entry lol) and Nate from the Sci-Regency series. Very erotic and beautifully written. My favourite scene remains the one where Aiden hides in Nate’s bedroom.

11. Payton and Simon from The Englor Affair by J.L.Langley. Second in the SciRegency series and a little more earthy than My Fair Captain - or maybe that’s just the way I’m imagining them . I hope it’s not too long a wait before another book in this series appears.

12. Dominic and Adam from the Morgan Kingsley series by Jenna Black. A little confusing as they are a human couple possessed by a demon couple. When Dominic is exorcized early in the first book, he stays with Adam and provides a human connection between his somewhat surly lover and the protagonist of the series.

13. Last but not least Donald Strachey and Timmy Callahan from the Strachey mystery films. Another recommendation from the yahoo group. And although I like mysteries, my favourite bits are the time spent with Donald and Tim.

If anyone has other favourites please share. :)

Messiah Week on the Alibi Channel

2008-11-26T23:11:00.000Z

And boy did I suffer today because of it. Stayed up until one in the morning watching Messiah 1, and was like a zombie all day at work. As it’s over three hours long watched some of it tonight whilst eating dinner! Possibly a mistake. Had to fast forward slightly through the bit where they discover the man who was flayed.

Flagging a little at the keyboard now. Will probably try and watch Messiah 2,3,4 and 5 from my hard drive at a more respectable time of day and whilst not eating food.

I feel Happy

2008-11-25T22:27:00.002Z

Oh so happy, ’cause it’s flowing, it’s going so riiighhhhhtttt! (kind of sung to I Feel Pretty).

For some reason, today I am chipper. Which is odd, because I’m usually quite melancholy at this time of year. You go to work in the dark, come home in the dark, it’s like your day’s all done and you have to get up and do it all again tomorrow.

Today - I don’t know why, just really happy. Someone said maybe because we had an unusally sunny (but very cold) day.

I don’t know.

What I do know is that even though it’s looking increasingly unlikely I’ll reach the Nano goal, the story is just flowing at the moment and I’m taking advantange of the creative splurge.

I’m not giving up on Nano yet, the game’s not over ’til the fat lady sings. Okay, she may have come onto the stage, but she isn’t singing yet.

Day 3 of Wordcount Blasting.

2008-11-23T17:27:00.003Z

LOL - have slightly come to the conclusion I suck at wordcount blasting. Maybe next time I do it things will fall into place and I’ll have the time at the computer I need.

Start of Day 3 - 18421

End of Day 3 - 20537

I think I have learnt from this, that I am much more slow and steady wins the race. But I think it was well worth trying and I’m onto Chapter 6 having finally gotten over my Chapter 5 hump.

Poem for a Sunday

2008-11-23T09:18:00.001Z

When I was at school every term we’d have a book to read and one term it was The Owl Service by Alan Garner. An incredibly atmospheric YA book. What most stuck with me I think were three things, 1) in the front of the edition we read there was a drawing of the plate with the owl pattern on and you could quite clearly see the pattern could either be owls or flowers, 2) At the end when the boy is saving the girl as she is being attacked by ‘owls’ (that may not be how the story ends it’s over twenty years since I read the story so I could have retold it in my own head). But the third thing that I remember quite clearly is a quote from the beginning of the book that just set up the whole intense and almost claustrophobic atmosphere of the story that would follow. The quote is from W. H. Auden’s The Two :-

The sky is darkening like a stain
Something is going to fall like rain
And it won’t be flowers.

The quote stayed with me, and often when the sky is full of stormclouds it will just pop into my head.

The Two - W.H.Auden

You are the town and we are the clock.
We are the guardians of the gate in the rock
The Two
On your left and on your right
In the day and in the night,
We are watching you.

Wiser not to ask just what has occurred
To them who disobeyed our word;
To those
We were the whirlpool, we were the reef,
We were the formal nightmare, grief
And the unlucky rose.

Climb up the crane, learn the sailor’s words
When the ships from the islands laden with birds
Come in
Tell your stories of fishing and other men’s wives:
The expansive moments of constricted lives
In the lighted inn.

But do not imagine we do not know
Nor that what you hide with such care won’t show
At a glance
Nothing is done, nothing is said,
But don’t make the mistake of believing us dead:
I shouldn’t dance.

We’re afraid in that case you’ll have a fall.
We’ve been watching you over the garden wall
For hours.
The sky is darkening like a stain
Something is going to fall like rain
And it won’t be flowers.

When the green field comes off like a lid
Revealing what was much better hid:
Unpleasant.
And look, behind you without a sound
The woods have come and are standing round
In deadly crescent.

The bolt is sliding in its groove,
Outside the window is the black remov-
ers van.
And now with sudden swift emergence
Comes the women in dark glasses and the humpbacked surgeons
And the scissor man.

This might happen any day
So be careful what you say
Or do.
Be clean, be tidy, oil the lock,
Trim the garden, wind the clock,
Remember the Two.

Day 2 - Wordcount Blasting

2008-11-22T10:11:00.003Z

So, onto Day 2. Reasonably clear day, just have to take the dog to his class this afternoon, but that should still leave me with plenty of time to crack on. Apart from expecting a visit from my sister and nieces later, but hopefully will have made a dent in it by then.

Wordcount start of Day 2 - 17589

Wordcount end of Day 2 - 18421

Now it might seem that this is not a cause to celebrate - but IT IS! Because I have finished chapter five - the first love scene. And anyone who was reading between the lines of my Thursday 13 on Procrastination a couple of weeks ago will have realized I was sorely stuck on that. But I am over it! Finally - and it’s only taken me most of the day editing and re-editing to get it right (and changing the point of view character for the chapter)*. And I can now crack on with the rest of the story.

* - I know that editing is not part of the Nano process, and it’s the part that I struggle most with. But I find the more I’ve got my character’s behaviour straight in my head and right on paper, the easier the revision process is.

Day 1 of Wordcount Blasting

2008-11-21T22:43:00.001Z

So at the beginning of this three day wordcount blast. I stand at 16,097 words for Nano. Will have to work out Sven later.

Will edit this post with my final count of the day, tonight.

Wordcount Start of Day 1 - 16097
Wordcount End of Day 1 - 17589

:sigh: as often seems to happen when you plan things like this, real life gets in the way. Unfortunately my mother was taken ill and we had to get the doctor to come out and visit her. So not much time for writing today. She’s feeling better, so fingers crossed the count will be slightly higher tomorrow.

Thursday 13 #10 - WIP's

2008-11-20T22:03:00.002Z

As this month, perhaps more than any other in the year is writing focused and we covered procrastination last week, this week is 13 WIP’s. From ideas that are still drifting in my imagination, to completed stories in need of being gutted, here are 13.

1. The Tithing - (m/f) (vampire) Story complete, awaiting revision. Set in a distant part of the Land of the Fey Universe (kind of).

2. The Bargain - (m/m) (vampire/werewolf) Current WIP (Nano and Sven project) Ouline completed and working on first draft. This is my vampire and werewolf road trip story set in the Land of the Fey Universe approximately five hundred years after the events of If Wishes Were Horses.

3. Raven - (m/f) Outline complete and first draft started. Beginning needs rewriting following comments from crit partners. This is a direct sequel to If Wishes Were Horses.

4. Robert (working title) - (m/m) Outlined. First of the Five Brothers sequence. (Conversely though Robert is the second eldest brother). This is the story I really wanted to work on for Nano, but at least it’s in the queue. A different universe to LotF.

5. Fian (working title) - (m/f) Outlined - in my head. I have a very broad idea of what I want to happen, and some key scenes already worked out. Second of the Five Brothers, Fian is the youngest brother.

6. The Fox Prince (m/f) Genys and Reynard’s story. Prequel to the events of If Wishes Were Horses. Outlined. Explains more of the political situation of Titania’s rise to power and the civil war. (A Land of the Fey story)

7. Titania (working title) - (m/f) Yes she gets a story! Third in the sequence following If Wishes Were Horses and Raven. I have the broad plot in my head but not the fine detail yet. But in regards to Titania I think of the stories as :-

If Wishes Were Horses/The Fox Prince - Ascension
Raven - Corruption
Titania - Redemption

8. Silvertree - (m/m) Outlined, though the beginning needs revising as I’ve kind of swiped some of it for Robert (even though they’re different stories). This is a separate universe to the Five Brothers and The Land of the Fey. And is my sci-fi romance.
Other stuff that’s milling around in my head:-

9. Wolf’s Heart (working title) - (m/f) Partly outlined sequel to The Tithing but following the werewolves rather than the vampires.

10. When Alaric met Lily - Not a romance but a story about friends. I would love to write this at some point. Just something short and sweet about how they helped each other heal.

11. Untitled Shifter Story. I always keep an eye on the Samhain submissions page and see if any ideas percolate through, when I read what they’re looking for. I doubt I’ll get a chance to write this in time to submit, but I may file it away for later use.

12.Untitled Werewolf story. (m/f) Set in the same place as The Tithing and Wolf’s Heart, but taking place a little earlier and following a couple of characters who appear briefly in Wolf’s Heart. When I was outlining Wolf’s Heart they just caught my interest.

13. Untitled Sequel to The Bargain. (m/f) LOL - but that’s about all I have on it at the moment.

Poem for a Sunday

2008-11-16T09:08:00.002Z

From Auguries of Innocence by William Blake

To see a world in a grain of sand
And a heaven in a wild flower,
Hold infinity in the palm of your hand
And eternity in an hour.

Thursday 13 #9 - Procastination

2008-11-13T19:16:00.002Z

So as I’m currently attempting NaNo and have just started 70 days of sweat. I thought I’d take a look at all the ways I procrastinate rather than get my finger out. Procrastination is the enemy.

1. Housework. Funny how this takes on much more importance when I should be writing. The insane need to vacuum becomes more important than Chapter 5.

2. Sorting out. Not to be confused with housework. For instance at the moment my wardrobe is in dire need of a sort out, as is the attic. I confess the likelihood of the attic being sorted out is much less than my attacking Chapter 5, I have limits.

3. Computer games. I kind of promised myself a World of Warcraft subscription for this Christmas, but I don’t think it’s a good idea.

4. Ebay. I often find myself surfing Ebay when I shouldn’t.

5. In fact the internet in general is a bit of a timesink. Or maybe I just don’t have any willpower.

6. Television. Okay, I admit since getting my hard drive this has improved. I no longer have to worry about missing that all important program because I’m writing, I let the little box worry about that for me. One procrastination problem solved.

7. Reading. I think it’s important as a writer to read, not just in your own genre but in others as well. I think it keeps your mind open to new ideas and what’s happening out there in the writing world. But it is possible to have too much of a good thing.

8. Thinking. Now this is also important in the writing process, but again, see number 7. Too much of a good thing is not a good thing. Though I admit my favourit part of the writing process is puzzling out all those plot points.

9. Critting. I love critting. I think I’ve learnt a lot from critiqueing other peoples work. But you can get so caught up in it, that you neglect your own. It’s about finding a balance.

10. Napping. This is really connected to thinking. If I’m stuck on a particular plot point, a nap can often clear my head. But napping and thinking, is not writing.

11. Blogging. I know I suck at keeping a regular blog. But it’s amazing how I suddenly want to write thirty blog posts when I’m stuck at the beginning of a chapter.

12. Getting off track. Writer’s block I don’t think is necessarily an inability to write anything down in itself. It’s also an inability to focus. My big problem is having so many stories I want to tell and keeping that focus so I can get them down on paper. If I’m not really disciplined with myself I do get distracted. This is something I’m on constant guard against. If I have a brilliant idea I try to outline it and console myself with the fact that I’ll still be able to work on it in the future. As soon as I’ve got Chapter 5 finished.

13. Other stuff or misc. :) Lots of other stuff gets in the way, but I think the important thing is to try and find a balance between your writing life and your other life. And pay attention when the scales tip too far in the wrong direction - whichever direction that may be.

The Englor Affair...

2008-11-11T21:34:00.002Z

…by J.L.Langley was released today at Samhain. I turned up nice and early at 8am GMT but it wasn’t released yet, so I had to wait to until I got home from work to buy it.

Very much looking forward to reading this. My Fair Captain was just one of those stories that left you desperate for a sequel. And I’ve a sneaking suspicion that The Englor Affair will be the same.

Poem for a Sunday

2008-11-09T08:05:00.002Z

As it's Remembrance Sunday in the UK today. Two poems we traditionally hear around this time. At 11 a.m. (GMT) please take a moment to remember those who gave up their lives so we could have our freedom.

The Soldier by Rupert Brooke (1887-1915)

If I should die, think only this of me:
That there's some corner of a foreign field
That is forever England.
There shall beIn that rich earth a richer dust concealed;
A dust whom England bore, shaped, made aware,
Gave, once, her flowers to love, her ways to roam,
A body of England's, breathing English air,
Washed by the rivers, blest by the suns of home.

And think, this heart, all evil shed away,
A pulse in the eternal mind, no less
Gives somewhere back the thoughts by England given;
Her sights and sounds; dreams happy as her day;
And laughter, learnt of friends; and gentleness,
In hearts at peace, under an English heaven.

Ode of Remembrance (From For the Fallen by Laurence Binyon (1869-1943))

They went with songs to the battle, they were young,
Straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow.
They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted;
They fell with their faces to the foe.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

Update

2008-11-06T20:12:00.002Z

Pleased to see that my scheduled poetry post posted okay, I’m obviously not as technically inept as I thought I was - not quite.

Got back from holiday safely and have started the long haul that is NaNo, am more than a little bit off target at the moment, currently at 1400 words. So I need to try and get some serious typing done. I am terrible for wanting to edit as I go along, which I know is wrong during NaNo. I’m also still trying to work on The Bargain at the same time. Both of the stories I’m working on I am so happy with, I just wish I had more hours in the day to write.

I really need to think of some more Thursday 13’s to post. I usually get up to about 6 or 7 items on the list and then get stumped. Hmm, maybe I’ll do a Thursday 7 instead.

Poem for a Sunday

2008-11-02T08:10:00.003Z

Excerpt from The Garden of Prosperine by Charles Algernon Swinburne

From too much love of living,
From hope and fear set free,
We thank with brief thanksgiving
Whatever gods may be
That no life lives for ever;
That dead men rise up never;
That even the weariest river
Winds somewhere safe to sea.

Ready, Steady...NaNo

2008-11-01T10:06:00.001Z

Well I should be on my way back home now.

But today’s November 1st so everyone needs to get their writer’s hats on and start NaNoing.
I think you can still register for this year, during the first few days of November so it’s not too late if you want to join in.

More information can be found at the NaNoWriMo website.

Poem for a Sunday

2008-10-26T10:07:00.001Z

A friend of the family passed away this week, so this one feels appropriate.

Remember by Christina Rossetti

Remember me when I am gone away,
Gone far away into the silent land;
When you can no more hold me by the hand,
Nor I half turn to go, yet turning stay.
Remember me when no more day by day
You tell me of our future that you plann'd:
Only remember me; you understand
It will be late to counsel then or pray.
Yet if you should forget me for a while
And afterwards remember, do not grieve:
For if the darkness and corruption leave
A vestige of the thoughts that once I had,
Better by far you should forget and smile
Than that you should remember and be sad.