Figuring It Out

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By now I’m well into the second draft of Cleodora. The last major decision I have to make is whether this should be one book or two. This might be something I’ve talked about before. The manuscript right now is 81K words. If I want it for middle grades (grades 3-5), that is much too long. There’s a natural breaking point that could divide it into two 40K-word books. This would have a lot of advantages.

Kids at this age adore fantasies. They can’t get enough. The cozy approach is highly in demand as well. Youth librarians I talk to say that having things like an alternative economy and no warrior class are not the obstacle I thought. Exotic wardrobe would not be an issue.

Having two books would allow me to do it as a duology. I could prepare the first book for November, as originally planned, and the second for next May. I like to do two publications a year, so that fits my desired schedule. The second part also needs more work than the first, and I would have time to do that.

It would give me more flexibility on the title, as a “Cleodora and” would make more sense.

This is all pretty convincing, so why am I still dithering? At the YA level I can get more deeply into some of the motivations and reactions. In MG you keep it straightforward. I also can include some of the content in YA that I wouldn’t in MG. Specifically, there is a pregnancy and childbirth. That kind of thing can raise eyebrows, not in a good way.

Oh, who am I kidding? The story will flow without that subplot. Thanks, everyone, for helping me figure this out.

Middle grade it is!

Have you read one of my books? Then it would be great for you to leave a review! Meanwhile, if you’d like to learn more about me and my work, check out my blog, Wyrmflight, or follow me on Bluesky.

And the Title is…

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Yes, the second draft revision is officially under way. Among the things I had to name and define was the title itself. Titles are crucial. A great title will make readers pick up my book and maybe read the description.

Creating the title is a bit like writing a synopsis. How can I distill the essence of this weird little book? It’s about a bright young girl who was abandoned, along with her mother, at their hereditary spirit shrine. The rest of the family claims the shrine is cursed. The fallout of their jealousy is a drought that grips the entire land of Tenebira. Cleodora is determined to carry out the spirits’ will and bring back the rain. But she’s just a kid.

I went through so many ideas and variations. Combing bookstore and library shelves to see what kind of titles they used at the younger end of YA. There are single word titles, titles that are place names, the ever-popular “thing of this and that” title. I wanted to use my main character’s name, but not in the typical “Cleodora and the Whatever” because that made it sound like the start of a series.

For now, I’m just calling it Cleodora. I’m not totally happy with that, but it’s enough to go on with. Yes, I know, I’m putting down another temporary name that I’ll have to fix later! Perhaps as I go through the revision, I’ll find a turn of phrase that sparks something for me.

Also, don’t forget! I’m taking part in the Smashwords summer sale. All my e-books are 50% off through the month of July. That’s the whole Minstrels of Skaythe series, among others. Wolfsinger also has some of their anthologies for 25% off. Help a lady out!

Have you read one of my books? Then it would be great for you to leave a review! Meanwhile, if you’d like to learn more about me and my work, check out my blog, Wyrmflight, or follow me on Bluesky.

Nibbling

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New publication! I have a short story in the latest issue of The Lorelei Signal! It’s a cool one that was also in Aunt Anne’s Archive. Not only that, I’m taking part in the Smashwords summer sale. All my e-books are 50% off through the month of July.

That’s the good news. Back in mid-June, I had a medical procedure that knocked me for a loop. The results were good, no reason for concern about future medical issues. However, I haven’t felt like myself since. It’s been slow going to keep myself on task.

Despite the obstacles, I did manage to write one of the short stories I was planning to. I just did it in smaller bites. Now I need to check when that anthology opens, so I can put it on my calendar.

With that done, I’m nibbling at the edges of revisions on The Spirit Binder. We’ll start with easy bits first. In order to keep the plot going, I just slapped temporary names on some things. Now is when I try to find or create the final names.

I also had my characters dressed in kurta and pants, but I’ve realized those garments have an ethnic connection that isn’t reflected in the rest of the story. So pants are pretty universal, but I need to think of a different name for the kurta. “Shirt” doesn’t quite cover it.

Even though I’m not feeling great, now is the time for me to mull over those things and choose some alternatives. That’s about right for my energy level, honestly.

Have you read one of my books? Then it would be great for you to leave a review! Meanwhile, if you’d like to learn more about me and my work, check out my blog, Wyrmflight, or follow me on Bluesky.

Woman at Work, July 2024

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What’s Happening? I just finished Queen Titania’s Court at my blog, Wyrmflight. It’s always fun to see what other authors have cooked up. Also, I’m participating in the Smashwords Summer Sale. The entire Minstrels of Skaythe series, plus all my other ebooks, will be 50% during the month of July! My catalog with them is right here.

What I’m Working On. I did finish the first draft of The Spirit Binder. Now I’m working on a short story for an anthology call about wolves. A wolf god is going to help a girl be brave enough to advocate for herself.

What’s Next? I sold a short story to Lorelei Signal electronic magazine. Go, me! That will come out in October. Revisions on The Spirit Binder will start soon, as well.

Where I’ll be. No in-person appearances are on my calendar at the moment. But I’m always open to invitations.

Fun and Games. Bioware has announced their next Dragon Age game for this fall! I’m so excited, and I’m doing a playthrough of Inquisition to prepare. For times when I need to chill, I do Animal Crossing or Railway Islands, a puzzle game where you make a train track through complicated terrain.

I hope your summer is going well!

Have you read one of my books? Then it would be great for you to leave a review! Meanwhile, if you’d like to learn more about me and my work, check out my blog, Wyrmflight, or follow me on Bluesky.

Dragon’s Hoard 2

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I’m excited to say that I have a new publication! One of my short stories is in the anthology, The Dragon’s Hoard 2. “By Promises Bound” was featured in my blog event, Queen Titania’s Court, on the release date, June 18th. It’s a fun look at the story, so I hope you’ll mosey on over there.

This anthology is a second volume following The Dragon’s Hoard, originally edited by Carol Hightshoe for Sky Warrior. When she reacquired her rights, she not only republished The Dragon’s Hoard through Wolfsinger, she made an anthology call. This was so well received, Hightshoe decided to publish not one but two more anthologies. The Dragon’s Hoard 2 is the first of these.

I started working on my submission back in April of 2023. The interesting conflict that came to me was between a dragon that wanted to expand its hoard, and a person begging the dragon not to kill them. Somehow the Pied Piper legend got involved, too. So in my story, the Pied Piper (second of his name) is trying to make a deal with the dragon. I hope you’ll buy the anthology and check out my story!

In other news, my books will once again be part of Smashwords’ Summer Sale. All through July, my books will be 50% off if you buy them through Smashwords. Stay tuned for more details on that.

Have you read one of my books? Then it would be great for you to leave a review! Meanwhile, if you’d like to learn more about me and my work, check out my blog, Wyrmflight, or follow me on Bluesky.

Not Yet

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The Spirit Binder isn’t bound in stone quite yet. Last week I wrote that I hoped to finish by the end of school… which was yesterday… but no joy.

It’s all right. The most critical resolution is written. Now I’m in the glide to the ending. There are a few more things to be wrapped up before I can say the first draft is complete. I’ll get it done soon.

I don’t know about other writers, but I always find myself over-explaining at the end of a story. Cleodora is being left with a lot on her plate. I just need her to be aware of the challenges ahead, not acting on them. This leaves the reader to think about how they might play out.

The first draft, as written, is pretty much a mess. I planned it as a middle grade novel between 30,000 and 40,000 words with Lucy D. Ford as the author. I haven’t done much with Lucy, and I wanted to change that. However, the current tale is about 80,000 words. That would be a good short novel… for YA or adults. If I want to keep it with Lucy, it would have to be split into two 40,000-word middle graders.

One big issue is Cleodora’s age. She’s 13, an age that naturally makes this a middle grade story. I wonder whether adult and YA readers would accept a younger main character. On the other hand, there is some content that may not be appropriate for middle grade readers. Taking it out would require a more substantial revision, which could mean The Spirit Binder doesn’t publish until spring of 2025. I was hoping for this November.

I want to take my time in deciding. I also need a break from Cleodora’s story. There are a couple of anthologies that I want to write stories for. After that change of pace, I can come back to her tale fresh, probably later in the summer.

Decisions, decisions. But they’re the good kind, so — Onward! Until I write “the end.”

Have you read one of my books? Then it would be great for you to leave a review! Meanwhile, if you’d like to learn more about me and my work, check out my blog, Wyrmflight, or follow me on Bluesky.

Queen Titania’s Court

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It’s going! You should visit! Yesterday’s installment even featured one of my stories, “Hag” from the collection Aunt Anne’s Archive. It’s a different look at my character, so I hope you’ll take a look.

In other news, I’ve felt stymied with my current WIP, The Spirit Binder. My goal was to finish before school gets out next Friday. I didn’t think I would make it. But, last night as I was half-asleep, I realized there are only about four more important scenes. By golly, I might do it!

Have you read one of my books? Then it would be great for you to leave a review! Meanwhile, if you’d like to learn more about me and my work, check out my blog, Wyrmflight, or follow me on Bluesky.

Woman at Work, June 2024

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What’s Happening? Queen Titania’s Court has begun at my blog, Wyrmflight. It’s an online gathering of independent fantasy books that extends through the month of June. If you’re looking for a new summer read, you just might find one.

What I’m Working On. The Spirit Binder approaches its conclusion. I was hoping to finish by the end of school, but that’s in two weeks. It should be wrapped up by the end of June, though.

What’s Next? Revisions! My plan was to have The Spirit Binder in shape to publish in November. However, it’s going to need a lot of work, and that requires think time. I’m hoping to write a short story or two before digging into the second draft.

Where I’ll be. No in-person appearances are on my calendar at the moment.

Fun and Games. Animal Crossing is an endless game of collections and creativity. My current goal there is to breed blue roses, a thorny project that has several steps. I’m also waiting until school ends to get myself a new video game. It’ll probably be Dredge, the Indy game where you fish up increasingly strange creatures.

I hope you have some fun plans for the summer, too!

Have you read one of my books? Then it would be great for you to leave a review! Meanwhile, if you’d like to learn more about me and my work, check out my blog, Wyrmflight, or follow me on Bluesky.

New Publication

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That’s right, I have yet another forthcoming title! This time I wasn’t in charge of the timing, though. Wolfsinger is bringing out their next anthology, The Dragon’s Hoard 2, on June 18th, 2024. I don’t have any purchase links yet, but rest assured, I’ll noise them about once I get them.

This publication falls in the middle of my June book event, Queen Titania’s Court. Unfortunately, participation has been a bit thin this year. A lot of the authors who regularly participate seem to be at a lull between books just now. I planned to fill the gaps with a couple of my own books or anthologies I have a story in. Heck, why not? It’s a no-brainer to fit The Dragon’s Hoard 2 into the mix.

With this in mind, I’d better get back to writing and formatting my blogs for Queen Titania’s Court!

Have you read one of my books? Then it would be great for you to leave a review! Meanwhile, if you’d like to learn more about me and my work, check out my blog, Wyrmflight, or follow me on Bluesky.

New Stuff

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A couple of major new SF/Fantasy shows have come out on streaming lately. Having seen just a couple of episodes of each, I have some reactions.

Fallout, on Amazon Prime, is based on a video game series that my husband and I both played extensively in the past. As such it features settings and factions from the game that are familiar to us. I was very impressed by the attention to detail. The costumes and sets are re-created very accurately from the games.

It’s set in a post-apocalyptic America, with ruins and relics scattered all over. The plot events are correspondingly harsher. I do recall that in the game, you continually encounter locations with micro-stories embedded that are almost always tragic and/or horrific. Watching the first few episodes, I found it almost too dark to enjoy. Again, this is faithful the source material. In general, I’m just not a horror fan. Others may not be bothered.

Dead Boy Detectives is the other show. It’s based on an off-and-on comic series from DC in the ’90s, which spun off the more famous Sandman. Unlike Fallout, I knew almost nothing about Dead Boy Detectives when I started watching. I can’t attest to its faithfulness to the source material.

Despite being sometimes dark (I mean, two of the main characters are ghosts) the tone is lighter and more humorous. For instance, Crystal, the psychic character, carries on conversations with them, but only she can see them. You constantly see people in the background looking around for who she’s talking to. Where Fallout follows two or three plot threads, Dead Boy Detectives has just one, so it came across more focused to me.

On the other hand, fan reaction indicates there’s a gay romance, either hinted or explicit. Bear that in mind if such content would bother you.

Anyway, I’m interested to know if any of you have watched these shows, and what you thought of them.

Have you read one of my books? Then it would be great for you to leave a review! Meanwhile, if you’d like to learn more about me and my work, check out my blog, Wyrmflight, or follow me on Bluesky.