Woman at Work, August 2024

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What’s Happening? In the last few weeks of my summer break, I’m focused a lot on home improvements. With the mortgage paid off, I’m now realizing how dingy out bathroom and kitchen are. We’ll see what comes of this.

What I’m Working On. I completed the first draft revision of Acorn Canyon, the first book of my Cleodora duet. It’s with my husband, who is always the first reader. That lets me work on first draft of the second book, Willow Lake.

What’s Next? I’m currently focused on prepping Cleodora, so right now I don’t have another writing project lined up.

Where I’ll be. A nearby bookshop is having a Local Author Day, and I’m getting my display ready for that. It’s August, so I’m especially concerned about having enough shade.

Fun and Games. In Dragon Age: Inquisition, I finished the main plot and am noodling around with side quests. Also continue to build my town in Animal Crossing. And there’s a jigsaw puzzle here and there.

I hope you are all staying cool enough through this long, hot summer!

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.

Chosen

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Now that I took out the problematic subplot from Acorn Canyon, I need to reconfigure the ending. What was an important point to the over all plot, but then went into the subplot’s ending, now is the end point. Surprise!

But in a good way, though. As I go through this revision, one thing I’ve wondered about is whether Cleodora could be considered a Chosen One. You know the trope — a young man is “chosen by fate” or some other divine force, to carry out a dangerous mission. Often the youth is also given some sort of powers or abilities to help with said mission.

Early in the book, Cleodora saves one of the nature spirits that’s been injured. It becomes bonded to her, and in her culture they are now considered one being, a “druet.” Her mother and mentor were discussing whether this made her a “chosen one,” and they talked about what that meant for her future.

Chosen One isn’t a trope I’m really fond of. They’re over-done, and also often used in a sexist and ageist way. Other characters will ignore all sorts of qualified women and older people to follow the chosen one. However, I’m enjoying a chance to explore this trope a bit. Was Cleodora chosen, or did she choose? Will people allow a 13-year-old girl to lead, or tell her to sit and be quiet?

As I’ve mentioned before, this draft has been a lot about deepening character relationships. This is especially true with Navaire, her mentor and step-father, who is trying to protect her in a parental role. Where I’m revising now, Navaire told Cleodora to wait for the adults to lay a trap, but she used herself as bait instead. He’s upset. Yet he himself is a druet. When he was younger, would he have let anyone tell him not to follow his path?

It’s been fun to reflect on this and work through it toward the conclusion. For those of you who are writers, I hope you’re having fun challenges in your craft, 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.

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.