Woman at Work, February 2025

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What’s Happening? I’m in the thick of it, preparing for RadCon (see below) and my next publication. It’s a good way to stay busy.

What I’m Working On. The third draft of The Agency is well under way. I’ve currently revised up to 4000 words of a projected 15,000. Smooth going so far.

What’s Next? I’ve approved the cover image for Cleodora, Book 1: Willow Lake. As soon as the artist delivers the image, I can start on layouts. Probably not until after RadCon, though.

Where I’ll be. Speaking of RadCon, it’s in two weeks. I’m making a list and checking it twice of all the things I need for my artist alley table. I’m also keeping an eye on their schedule. They accepted some of my panel ideas and I look forward to speaking on those topics.

Fun and Games. Right now I’m playing a game called Dredge, where I’m a fisherman in a New England village. There’s some atmospheric horror as I start fishing up weirder and weirder things. So far I’ve enjoyed it.

Watching the news every day is giving me lots of ideas for The Agency. Maybe that’s all I’ll say about it this time.

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.

Third Draft

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I’ve started on it! And immediately had to stop because my main character was having a panic attack.

Although I usually tell my stories straight, I was considering having a more flippant, sarcastic tone for The Agency. Government agencies always seem to have some level of absurdity in their workings. Perhaps being sarcastic about it would soften the harsher edges of the situation.

As fun as that would be, the character’s panic attack is telling me that I can go deeper emotionally. That’s something I love to see.

When I start out writing a story, the most obvious character motives and plot twists are the ones that pop up first. That’s fine for a beginning, but a really great story can’t be so obvious. It’s the element of surprise that makes the story shine. With successive drafts, I can explore alternatives. Those different takes and extra layers of meaning are what make a story memorable.

So I’m going with a more dramatic tone for The Agency. I can use it to develop more of the character’s back story. I can always sprinkle in bits of sarcasm if the tale becomes too heavy.

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.

Dimensional Nexus

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I did complete my latest novelette, which ended up +/- 13,200 words. It’s tentatively called The Agency. I’m not sold on this title, as it maybe sounds like a legal thriller rather than a fantasy. But I’m going with it for now.

In my last post I mentioned that I’m working on creating something unique. So the Agency is a multiversal nexus, connecting fourteen different Realms who all have magic rather than science. Multiverse stories are popular these days, so why not?

The idea is that the Realms share knowledge and community to uplift each other. (At least, until one of the Realms decides it is superior and tries to use the Agency for conquest.) Instead of the Agency having one kind of magic, each Realm will bring its own special flavor. There will be humans, elves and goblins, with their own styles of dress and magic. I like this because it gives me options to treat different situations in a variety of ways.

Of course, this also means I have to come up with the names and basic identities for all of these Realms. Which will be a lot of work, but also fun, and I’ve been focused on that this week.

Something else I’m pondering is whether I want to have some of the Realms be the settings of my other novels, novellas and novelettes. For instance, Tenebira (Cleodora duology) and Skaythe (Minstrels series) could be some of the Realms. This might spare me some world building, as I can draw on what I already created. The Agency is governed by a council of delegates who would come from these other stories.

But, I don’t know. That might be a bit too self-referential. And not that I’m well enough known that newer readers would get the self-references. But, I suppose I could always put in an index with links to the stories in question.

What do you think? Should I boldly self-reference in The Agency?

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.

Characters

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Too many characters, or not enough? I do still hope to finish my novelette before the end of the weekend, but I’ve already identified a couple of issues that I need to work on in the next draft. One of them is the supporting cast.

Initially I started with one main character and two assistant characters. In the first draft, I thought a large organization should have more than just one person resisting, so I gave my main character two equal peers. However, with two peers, I found I had less need of the two assistants. But because it’s an organization, I want to represent all levels. So I’m wrestling with how many characters I really need to have and how to best use them.

In addition, this is supposed to be a magical bureaucracy, yet there is very little detail about how they do their magic and what the source for it is. For that matter, there isn’t much on the physical appearance and atmosphere of the Department. This is really important in fantasy, to have something unique and interesting in the magic. Sparkling, if you will.

So those are two of the factors I’m trying to work my way through as I move toward the next draft.

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, January 2025

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What’s Happening? Winter break has been good, but I’ve come to the part where I feel I should be more productive and I’ve already done all the productive things. Getting back to my regular work schedule will be nice, too.

What I’m Working On. A new short story is in the works. It’s a satirical fantasy about resisting the takeover of a government agency. Gosh, what could be the inspiration? It’s currently just under 7,000 words with a projected length of 10,000. This makes it perfect for the vague idea I have about my fall project.

What’s Next? Cleodora, Book 1: Willow Lake is steady on my calendar to release in May of 2025. I’ve started the process of cover design with the artist and expect to do one more editing pass before then. There’s plenty of time for that.

Where I’ll be. My next in-person event will be RadCon, in February 2025. My table in the Artist Alley is confirmed. I’m ordering books and gathering table decorations to make that fun.

Fun and Games. A couple of years ago I got an Indy game, Mika and Witch Mountain. That arrived in early December and I had a good time with it. I’m still enjoying Veilguard adventures and after a year my Animal Crossing village is about to have a make-over.

I have a lot of concerns about this next year. Starting off with two terrorist attacks is not reassuring me. Good luck to all of us!

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 Resolutions

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The Smashwords Year End Sale is still going on. All of my e-books are 50% off until January 1, 2025. My catalog with them is here, and Lucy D. Ford’s books are here. I hope you’ll take a look!

Resolutions. Love them or hate them? No blame on anyone who doesn’t keep them and then feels bad. For me, I find resolutions helpful. They give me a target to aim at. Otherwise, I can just write story after story and never do anything with them.

Rules. The resolutions have to be something that I, myself, can control. So rather than vow to sell stories, a decision that is not up to me, I vow to submit them. This way I don’t unnecessarily set myself up for failure.

Resolution 1: Publish the second part of Cleodora. This work is already complete and the first part (Acorn Canyon) has been published. Bringing out part 2 (Willow Lake) in May seems like a pretty straightforward goal.

Resolution 2: Host Queen Titania’s Court in June. This is always very fun, although I noticed a drop in participation last year. That makes this one something to strive for.

Resolution 3: Write 3 short stories and submit each one to three or more markets. This is one of my perennial goals. While I’m between novels, I keep myself going with short work. In fact, I’m already working on one that I know I won’t finish until probably mid-January. (That almost feels like cheating.)

Resolution 4: Make three or more personal appearances to support my writing. As a push goal, be present in the Dealer’s Room or Artist Alley at one event. I won’t resolve to be an Author Guest of Honor again (that comes under the category of things that aren’t my decision). On the other hand, I will be attending the World Science Fiction Convention in August. If I can be on programs there, I’m going to give myself bonus points.

Resolution 5: Project X. I like to publish every six months, in May and November, However, I don’t have a clear idea what my November project will be this year. I have some longer short stories/novelettes that I could combine in some form. I don’t know what it might be yet, hence “Project X.”

If you’ve read my blog in the past few months, you’ll be aware how the last election really threw me off my stride. I’m sure this is why I’m confused about “Project X.” I trust I’ll get re-oriented and come up with something by next fall. I’m a creative person, after all.

What goals will you set for yourself in 2025? Comment to share your thoughts!

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.

More Featured Books

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The Smashwords Year End Sale is going on. All of my e-books will be 50% off until January 1, 2025. My catalog with them is here, and Lucy D. Ford’s books are here. I hope you’ll take a look!

Going on to highlight my books in the Smashwords sale, this day is for Lucy D. Ford! This is the pen name I use for juvenile novels. “Lucy” only has two novels out, but I’m just as proud of them.

Cleodora, Book 1: Acorn Canyon. People say the shrine is cursed. To her, it’s just home. Ten-year-old Cleodora grew up in Acorn Canyon, where her mother is guardian of a shrine to the nature spirits. Spiteful rumors have isolated them from the rest of Tenebira. Then a stranger arrives. Navaire is a member of the Majian Guild. He’s on an urgent mission — to learn why the nature spirits have made it stop raining. But a corrupted spirit is chasing him. Instead of fighting, Cleodora saves it. Now her life will never be the same! 

Masters of Air & Fire. Three young wyrmlings lived on the green slopes of Hot Mountain. Then their peaceful world was shattered by the eruption of their volcano home. Now they must struggle to survive in a world dominated by beings alien to them: humans.

This book has a special place in my heart. This very blog you’re reading and a lot of my following career are related to Masters of Air & Fire. If you have an interest in dragon family drama or bold spirit girls, both e-books are 50% off until the end of the year.

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.

Too Political, Redux

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The Smashwords Year End Sale is going on. All of my e-books will be 50% off until January 1, 2025. My catalog with them is here, and Lucy D. Ford’s books are here. I hope you’ll take a look!

The great wheel turns. The political forces we thought we vanquished have again reared their ugly heads. Writers and artists have been threatened with bans and harassment all along, but the danger grows more imminent with each day.

What are we to do? Should we stop writing/art before we get attacked? We could take down old posts and images, clean up our online presence to avoid offending the harassers. Then just keep our heads down and try to get through each day.

Or should we keep up our art, as a way to defy the authority? Our stories may give hope and courage to those who resist. More than that, they may keep us sane by releasing our anxiety into an artistic form.

Whatever we decide, it is definitely informative to pay attention as these events unfold. The incoming faction claims a overwhelming mandate. Cabinet nominees are grossly unfit for office, an open insult to the institutions of government. Politicians, pundits and billionaires bow down to the monster they helped create.

Will the institutions fight back? If so, how? It might seem we are helpless, watching from the sidelines as it all unfolds. But this is all material we can use, from the single word to the big confirmation fights in the Senate. We can watch, and let events spark our creativity.

I have said before, all stories are political. Writers and artists should continue to create work that reflects our times. We can satirize the hypocrites. Blame the guilty. Call for a better future.

We must. And, here we go again.

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.

Shifting

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Fall has shifted into winter around here. The old year will soon shift into a new one. A new administration is coming in — one which promises to take us into much darker times. And I am still trying to shift into a new writing project.

But stories don’t exist in a vacuum. They are shaped by their time and place, the people around us, and important events in the world. Part of my hesitation around what to write next may come from the uncertainty of these times.

Looking back at what I’ve written in the past, I can see the trend line. My Minstrels of Skaythe series began in 2018 and continued through the first Trump presidency. The White House was in the hands of an erratic narcissist. Human and civil rights were under constant attack. Then came a terrifying pandemic — followed by an attempted coup.

The direct inspiration for Minstrels certainly was the Dragon Age video games, but the darkness of its setting definitely reflects the stress and uncertainty of its era.

By the time I completed that series, we were into the Biden presidency. That administration used its powers to support the people through the pandemic and staved off economic collapse. It’s been a time of renewal and hope for the future. This era allowed me to write Cleodora, the tale of a bold young girl trying to save her world from climatic disaster.

Yet, the pendulum is about to swing again. We are returning to chaos and endless threats to human and civil rights. Publishing Cleodora now seems almost naive. The story is coming out in a different era than when it was written. (I will publish it, though. Don’t get me wrong.)

I still don’t know what I’m going to write next. But I suspect, as storm clouds gather and the light of freedom fades, that my next story will again reflect a darker era.

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, December 2024

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What’s Happening? December is here once again. It’s time to start wrapping things up in my writer’s year.

What I’m Working On. This is the time when I go through a number of chores. I check this web site and my blog to be sure all the book links are working. This year I’m also making sure Amazon’s links are gone. Then I go over the header art and sidebars to make sure everything still looks good. My union was good to me this year, and I have a five day break to get started.

After that, I still have no work in progress, and it’s starting to worry me.

What’s Next? Cleodora, Book 1: Willow Lake is on my calendar to release in May of 2025. I’ve just finished a revision, but it still needs more. It would be pretty early to start promoting Willow Lake, anyhow.

Where I’ll be. My next in-person event will be RadCon, in Februrary 2025. I plan to have a table in the Artist Alley there.

Fun and Games. I’ve been focused on the lastest Dragon Age game, Veilguard! I already wrote some thoughts about it. (Go back one post if you missed that.) And I’m back to Animal Crossing as my villagers were feeling a bit neglected.

I hope your holiday weekend has been safe and peaceful!

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.