Monthly Archives: June 2016

Wednesday Words #79 (6/29/2016)

Welcome to Wednesday Words!  Every Wednesday I will post some sort of prompt for a flash fiction piece.  The prompt will go live just after midnight Eastern time.

The prompt might be a picture, or it might be a list of things to include in a story, or maybe a phrase or a question or something from a “news of the weird” type thing, or a… who knows?

After that, it’s up to you.  But if you do use the prompt to write a bit of flash fiction (say, 500 words or so) I’d love to see what you came up with, so comment below with a link to where it is on your blog (or on WattPad or wherever).

(And a pingback to the post here where you found the prompt would be appreciated but isn’t necessary.)

Oh, and this isn’t a contest or anything.  It’s just a (hopefully) fun thing for all concerned.

And, hey, if it inspires more than 500 or so words, run with it!

This week’s prompt:

ww 6-29

(Click for larger image.)

(Found on FaceBook.)

And, as always, I’d love to see what you come up with!

 

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Warming Up For Camp

Despite the heat, it’s been a good weekend.

After two days of not seeming to be able to get a handle on things at work, the evil day job settled back into a more normal routine on Saturday and Sunday, which means that I had some energy left over when I got home, which means that I not only managed to write at least a hundred words a day, but I stayed caught up on both blog hops, too.  Go, me!

The Onyx Sun scene that I’m working on is up to almost 1700 words (would be more but needed to stop to get this written before I went to bed).

This scene should be done (but totally unedited) by the time Camp starts (on Friday! Eek! Ack! Other scaredy words!) which means that (as of now) all I’ll need to do for Onyx Sun is rewrite the ending.  (And that is all mapped out in my head, except for how to start it.)

(And maybe an epilogue which will be a foreshadowing to the sequel.)

Then it will be on to finishing Book Six of The Academy of the Accord.

After that it depends on how many words I have left to hit 50k and how far behind par I am.

And, oooh, shiny!  I just found out I won a paperback copy of Louise Lyons’ book, Beyond the Scars.  Something to read when I should be writing.

Anyhow, where was I?

Oh, yes. Camp.

I’ve been pretty much caffeine free lately, so hopefully it will have an effect on me once Camp starts – I’m going to need a couple late nights toward the beginning, I think.  I couldn’t take the first off, and the second starts the weekend blog hops, so, yeah – my future seems to hold the promise of a few late nights at the start of the month.

I just hope the weather cools off.  I’m melting, and that makes it really hard to type.

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Sunday Snippet June 26, 2016

Posting from Book 6 of The Academy of the Accord this month.  Things are a bit tricky since some of this book runs concurrently with the end of Book 5 (and the start of Book 7) but focuses on a different pair of students: Rahmael, a ten year old first year cadet and a natural Warder, and Shander, a five year old apprentice wizard.  The two of them have “found” each other and share the special bond that goes along with it.

In this scene Rahmael has stayed at the school for winter break and he, Shander, and others are at the Winter Festival in the village.  There is a merchant caravan in town – the last one until spring.

(This is still a WiP and hasn’t seen an editing pen yet so just ignore the awkward sections and pretend it’s all nicely polished. Okay?)

Picking up from last week’s snippet.  The stranger who claims to be Shander’s father is facing a line of three cadets, all of whom sense a threat from him. (They are first year cadets, ten years old, and two of them are on the small side.) The stranger has been pretty much working Rahmael’s last nerve.

 

“And just where are these captains of yours?” the man sneered.  “What’s to stop me from just taking my son and leaving?”

“We are,” Rahmael replied.

“Three boys?”

“Three young Warders with swords that they know how to use.”

It was Marsden’s voice and he put a hand on Rahmael’s shoulder as the invisibility spell was dropped, revealing him, Kordelm, Wellhym, Yhonshel, Vinadi, Caristen, and Torlew.

“Well done, Rahmael.  All of you, well done.  Stand down, now.  Rahm and Drae, see to your wizards.  We’ll handle this.”

 

 

Want to read more snippets from some really great authors?
Check out Sunday Snippets on Face Book.

 

 

 

 

 

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Rainbow Snippet for 6-25-2016

rainbow logo 1

Rainbow Snippets is a group for LGBTQ+ authors, bloggers, and readers to gather once a week and share six sentences from a work of fiction–a WIP or a finished work or even a 6-sentence book recommendation (no spoilers please!).   Check out all the other awesome snippets by clicking on the picture above.

Posting from Onyx Sun, a science fiction novel that is currently in revision and which I’m hoping to publish in August.  (Those of you who participate in Sunday Snippets may remember parts of this.)

This follows directly from last week’s snippet, in which Taliya asked Regino (the butler) about arrangements for her grandmother’s funeral.

There may or may not be some creative punctuation involved in the following text.

Regino looked even more uncomfortable.  “I am sorry, Taliya,” he said softly.  “It was held the day she passed.”

“The day–” Taliya’s mind froze, replaying the conversation with Maureena:  Your grandmother died yesterday. “She didn’t even tell me until the next day.”  

“I am sorry, Miss Taliya, truly I am.”

“I know, Regino. And it’s not your fault.”  She took a deep breath and let her gaze travel the room for a moment.  “Luzita?  Where is she?”

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The Hundred Word Solution – Part Two

So, on Monday I asked:

So with all of these fun and wonderful projects, why haven’t I been writing?

Probably lots of reasons: feeling overwhelmed, lack of motivation, miserable summer heat…

Lots of reasons, but only one solution:

Write.

Daily.

Even if it’s just a hundred words.

In fact, when I set up my non-NaNoWriMo Month word trackers I think I’ll make that the daily goal, at least until I get back into the habit of daily novel writing.

In fact, I might even start tomorrow.

After I clean the rat cage, run errands, catch up on blog hops…

A hundred words is still doable.

But which WiP do I add them to?

I’ll let you know on Friday.

Well, it’s Friday.

I’ve written just over a thousand words, which isn’t all that much, maybe, but it’s far more than what I had been putting out.   (The real test is coming up over the next couple days – can I do this while also doing the weekend blog hops? I think I can – I’ll just make it part of my daily/nightly 750words.)

Anyhow, I’ve been working on another scene to insert into Onyx Sun. The scene is clunky and awkward but that can be fixed in editing. And it’s getting less clunky and awkward the more I write.

And I’m starting to look forward to writing. Somehow writing had become a chore, not something that I looked forward to doing and couldn’t wait to get back to, but I find my mind drifting back to this scene in odd moments. (And I haven’t even gotten to the fun part of it yet.)

I don’t know if it’s the low expectation (“just a hundred words”) or something else, but the important thing is that I’m writing.

I’m reminded by a quote from Louis L’Amour:

Start writing, no matter what. The water does not flow until the faucet is turned on.

I think I should print that out and hang it over my computer.

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Wednesday Words #78 (6/22/2016)

Welcome to Wednesday Words!  Every Wednesday I will post some sort of prompt for a flash fiction piece.  The prompt will go live just after midnight Eastern time.

The prompt might be a picture, or it might be a list of things to include in a story, or maybe a phrase or a question or something from a “news of the weird” type thing, or a… who knows?

After that, it’s up to you.  But if you do use the prompt to write a bit of flash fiction (say, 500 words or so) I’d love to see what you came up with, so comment below with a link to where it is on your blog (or on WattPad or wherever).

(And a pingback to the post here where you found the prompt would be appreciated but isn’t necessary.)

Oh, and this isn’t a contest or anything.  It’s just a (hopefully) fun thing for all concerned.

And, hey, if it inspires more than 500 or so words, run with it!

This week’s prompt:

a game of truth or dare

 

And, as always, I’d love to see what you come up with!

 

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The Hundred Word Solution – Part One

Onyx Sun is definitely not coming out until August.  There’s just too much to do to flesh it out enough to match beta reader suggestions.  (One additional scene is already written, but I have to figure out where to put it, and two others (one of which is a totally new ending) are half-written in my head.)

So, it’s looking like Camp NaNoWriMo (which starts in 10 days! Yikes!) is going to be a ‘finish it” month after all, leaving NaNoWriMo in November for the start of a Song and Sword sequel.

So, Camp NaNoWriMo goals are to finish Book Six of The Academy of the Accord and write a new ending and at least one more scene for Onyx Sun.

And then, if there are days and words left, I have a few dozen other projects that would love to have some words added.

Like Book Two of The Other Mages trilogy. (Someday it really will be a finished first draft instead of an on-going inside joke.)

Or writing the alternate (original) version of part of Book One of the Trilogy-That-Is-Yet-To-Be-Named.

Or a prequel to Song and Sword in which Pashevel meets Hierik. (It was supposed to be a short story…)

Hedge House is feeling a bit neglected.

And then there’s Sea Witch that I made the mistake of re-reading the other day and enjoyed and now want to go back to. (It’s a fun story!)

And Disturbed Magic has people who would like to see it finished.

And The Lost House.  I really want to finish that one. I absolutely love one of the main characters. (Well, both of them, actually, but one still needs to have some sense smacked into him and grow up a bit.)

And The Sword and the Shield.  It really just needs a couple more scenes written and it will be done.  (Well, except for an editing issue of monumental proportions that is sitting right smack dab in the middle of the thing and is the main reason I’ve been ignoring it for four and a half years.)

And there are others – too many to mention by name, both works in progress and planned sequels (or prequels).  And that doesn’t count the ever-growing pile of plot bunnies waiting for me.

So with all of these fun and wonderful projects, why haven’t I been writing?

Probably lots of reasons: feeling overwhelmed, lack of motivation, miserable summer heat…

Lots of reasons, but only one solution:

Write.

Daily.

Even if it’s just a hundred words.

In fact, when I set up my non-NaNoWriMo Month word trackers I think I’ll make that the daily goal, at least until I get back into the habit of daily novel writing.

In fact, I might even start tomorrow.

After I clean the rat cage, run errands, catch up on blog hops…

A hundred words is still doable.

But which WiP do I add them to?

I’ll let you know on Friday.

 

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Sunday Snippet June 19, 2016

 

Posting from Book 6 of The Academy of the Accord this month.  Things are a bit tricky since some of this book runs concurrently with the end of Book 5 (and the start of Book 7) but focuses on a different pair of students: Rahmael, a ten year old first year cadet and a natural Warder, and Shander, a five year old apprentice wizard.  The two of them have “found” each other and share the special bond that goes along with it.

In this scene Rahmael has stayed at the school for winter break and he, Shander, and others are at the Winter Festival in the village.  There is a merchant caravan in town – the last one until spring.

(This is still a WiP and hasn’t seen an editing pen yet so just ignore the awkward sections and pretend it’s all nicely polished. Okay?)

Picking up from last week’s snippet.  The stranger who claims to be Shander’s father is facing a line of three cadets, all of whom sense a threat from him.

 

“I just want my son,” the man said.  He took a step forward, his hands outstretched. “Shander, come here and let me see you.”

Shander shook his head and took a step backward and all three cadets rested hands on their swords.

“I told you,” Rahmael said firmly, “we will wait until my captains and their wizards get here and then you can tell your story.”  His voice carried a far greater authority than his age suggested, and his tone clearly said that he wasn’t used to repeating himself when he gave an order.

 

 

Want to read more snippets from some really great authors?
Check out Sunday Snippets on Face Book.

 

 

 

 

 

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Rainbow Snippet for 6-18-2016

rainbow logo 1

Rainbow Snippets is a group for LGBTQ+ authors, bloggers, and readers to gather once a week and share six sentences from a work of fiction–a WIP or a finished work or even a 6-sentence book recommendation (no spoilers please!).   Check out all the other awesome snippets by clicking on the picture above.

Posting from Onyx Sun, a science fiction novel that is currently in revision and which I’m hoping to publish later this month.  (Those of you who participate in Sunday Snippets may remember parts of this.)

Following up from last week’s post: Taliya has just returned home from negotiating a contract on another planet.

There may or may not be some creative punctuation involved in the following text.

“Mistress Taliya.”

She winced inwardly – she hated being called Mistress – and turned to face the speaker.

“Regino.”  Her voice was warm as she greeted the butler, even as her eyes darkened with worry: the man was not making eye contact with her, a sure sign that either she was in trouble or that she was not going to like what he was going to tell her.  “Where is Mother?” she asked. 

“She is in her office.  She said she had a few things to take care of.”

Taliya nodded, somehow relieved that she wouldn’t have to deal with her just yet.

“Grandmother’s funeral?”

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Sew On and So Forth

I now have a sewing machine, because apparently “I got about four hours of sleep last night” translates to “Sure, Mom! I’d love to drive up to your place and go look at a sewing machine that I know nothing about.”

Anyhow, its price was right (free) and we were told it runs.  I need to oil it good and the inside probably needs cleaned – I know the outside does. (The machine survived a house fire, thus its name: Fawkes.)

And I did have a good time.  Mom fed me lunch and her dog didn’t bite me, so  I’ll count it as a successful day.

So anyhow, I haven’t used it yet.  I’ll be getting some sewing machine oil later today and gritting my teeth and attacking it on Tuesday when I’m off. (Just letting you know in advance so you aren’t overly worried when you hear a string of curse words floating out of Western Pennsylvania.)

In other happy news, Song and Sword got an awesome review on Amazon. (I should probably put the reviews on the book’s page here.  *Adds it to my ever growing list of things to do.*)

And in more happy news, out of nowhere I came up with a solution to a bit of a plot hole in the outline to Song and Stone.  (Really out of nowhere. I wasn’t even thinking about the book.)

And in scary news, it’s only two weeks until Camp!

(Actually, me owning a sewing machine is relatively scary too.)

 

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