Welcome! It's beautiful on the scenic route this morning. I'm so happy you joined me. Can you believe September is already here? I'm having trouble keeping my head from spinning in the wake of the year's passing. How about you?
I've got a few things to share with you. Let's hope I can keep them all straight.
Author Journey: New Challenges, New Goals
I've decided to work more on book three (Over Land & Under Stone) for the upcoming NaNoWriMo event. I may even re-write the story using what I've already got down as a guide. I'm considering a few ways of tackling it, so that it lines up better with everything else that's been written before. Part of the story takes place before Ripples and Surge, but the rest takes place after. So the challenge is to figure that out so readers aren't confused.
I can't wait to get back to work on the cover for this story. It's definitely not where I want it to be. I've figured out now which kind of background works for the title/author/story image on the front and blurb/bio sections on the back. And I've found a background picture I think I like a little better, though that remains to be seen. Also, it's kind of ironic that I'm motivated to do this TODAY, when I'm likely going to have to spend all afternoon helping my mom and dad. I'm not frustrated about helping them. I'm actually glad that I'm here and able to do so. I just think it's ironic how my brain works.
I'm also going to start the battle plan for this round of Nano. I've found out over the years that it pays to know your characters well and know a good bit about what you want to include in a story. For me, if I don't know that, my story ends up being as scattered as my own thoughts and barely makes sense.
Writer's Life: New Month, New Challenges
As I've mentioned before, my mom is struggling with some health challenges. We got one answer from one test, and so progress is being made. We have a couple more tests coming up soon and appreciate prayers for a good report on each of them.
I'm learning how to adjust my schedule to be more available to my parents. They aren't getting any younger. And they did so much for me, how could I possibly resent being able to help them now. There's no way I could pay them back for what all they've done for me. But there's definitely a way to show my love and respect for them. I'll happily do what I can to put them more at ease.
I know I've mentioned how scattered I can be. Well, earlier this week, I stayed up far too late reading. You should also know, I've gone the extra mile and set my Kindle to show the time in the upper corner. Having said that, it's a really small clock. Let me set the scene...
I think it was about 10:30 by the time I went to bed. I knew it was late, but I also knew that gave me about an hour to an hour and a half of reading time. I finished one book since I didn't have but an epilogue left. Then I started another. Well, that one made a disappointing start, to say the least. I'm a lot more picky about what I read these days. I know when the first chapter starts off with an expletive, then I'm probably gonna be deleting that one from my Kindle. It's a safe bet, unless it's a one-off, but that's rare. By chapter 4 of this book, things started to deteriorate quickly and several things didn't make sense.
I discarded that book. Started a new one. Neglected to check the time, because I wanted to read, dadgummit. I happened upon a better book. The cover, though, told me I was probably going to be discarding this one, too. I expected within a couple chapters, that would happen. Y'all, I made it to 49% of the way through before this heroine was crawling into the lap of a practical stranger when she supposedly suffered through an abusive marriage and had severe social anxiety. Again, not making sense there. So, I discard another book, and check the clock. 2:25 am.
Wait, what? 2:25 am? 2:25 AM
I put my phone down and groan inside. I know when I wake up, I ain't gonna be a happy camper. But I press on.
When lunch comes around, I decide to cook hamburgers. I don't usually cook for lunch. We usually eat sandwiches or something else equally simple. But no. On the day when I've gotten 4 hours of sleep, I decide to change things up. Y'all know, if you've been visiting the blog for while, that change and I are in a love/hate relationship. The burgers came out fine. But this happened before I actually got to taste one.
It's my first meme. Feel free to use it when your brain betrays you. I am laughing at myself and you can also laugh because it's dang funny. I hope you do laugh actually.
Spartacus is doing very well. He was off his feed a bit, but I think that was due to us not being a home much lately. He's having to get used to the new schedule as well. But he's back up and feisty again.
Just Keep Writing: Friday Fascicles
If this is your first time participating in this kind of writing exercise, you're in for a treat. If you've done this with me before, just keep scrolling for the prompt.
Rules:
- You can use any/all of the words and/or the photo in the prompt below to create a unique written work. Fiction or nonfiction, poetry or prose, even lyrics are acceptable.
- Please keep the material you write clean (i.e. nothing R-rated or worse) if you wish to share the link to your work here, as well as if you link back to my site. I strive to keep my site free of such things. My readers know and expect this. I respect your right to write whatever you feel you need to write. And you're free to use my prompts. But if your material is graphic, I'd rather not view it, and most of my readers will not wish to.
- Have fun! This type of exercise is perfect for growing in the writing craft, or for helping through a rough patch in your current WIP. If you're looking to push your author limits and you normally write in nonfiction prose, try a whimsical collection of lyrics. If you normally write poems about real life events, try your hand at a fanfic. Give yourself some room to explore.
Don't forget to leave a link to your creation (unless you're writing graphic material) so my readers and I can check out your work. I'd appreciate a link back to this post to help me reach more readers, but it's not required.
How do y'all like the new color? I think it's pretty nice. Also, this set of words could work for multiple genres. What will you write or create today?
Story Snippet: Surge (Children of Y'Dahnndrya, book 2) by Robin McElveen
Chapter 2
The Shadow
The clear, brilliant sky-dome shone greenish-blue overhead and the heaviness in the air lifted. The guards led Ya’el down the path until it became a rope and plank bridge. The bridge connected to a round platform. If it was attached to anything, she couldn't tell from her vantage point.
A huge shadow flew over them and Ya'el ducked instinctively. Outh’n and Evia snickered. She scowled and looked up but whatever it was had disappeared. The trio reached the wooden platform quickly. Upon closer inspection, she realized the platform was held up by thick vines and branches. They were so cleverly disguised. She couldn't help but utter a tiny squeal of excitement. Edrea was amazing! Her attention was caught by a dark shadowy dot high above. It grew rapidly larger and her awe turned to fear when she realized it was coming straight down toward her.
Had they brought her here to feed the beasts? She refused to be an easy meal for any being. Setting her center of gravity, she readied herself for battle. It had been many tsimikin since she'd had to defend herself in such a vulnerable state, but those hard lessons had been equally hard to forget.
The wind whistled as the massive being drew nearer. It landed with a resounding thump that echoed through the canopy and shook the platform. A flock of flyers took to the air and settled in branches farther away.
To Ya’el’s utter amazement, it was a man -- a Genzetti male, to be more precise -- with wings! When he rose to his full height, he was at least head and shoulders taller than Eiva, though he was standing too far away from the female guard for Ya’el to be certain. Even that impressive woman seemed reluctant to step nearer to him.
Ya'el stared, unabashedly, as the Gezetti male shook his head sending his long ponytail of shadowy black hair flying back over his shoulders. The wings, which looked as vicious as he, folded neatly into place behind his shoulders. Had she not seen it happen, she'd never have known they were there.
He stalked over to her and threw a scrap of cloth toward her. Ya'el grabbed for it.
"Wrap that ‘round your waist," he growled. His voice sounded gravelly, as if he hadn't spoken in a long time. The deep rumble matched him. The black that hovers at the edges of shadow covered him the way Eiva was covered with a rich violet.
Ya'el squeaked out her thanks as she secured the garment as he commanded. It wasn't much more, but it covered her legs to the calf and she no longer had to fear a rogue breeze. Gathering her courage, she looked up at the Genzetti giant whose glare was focused on Eiva.
"How many times will I have to punish you two for treating new-comers this way?"
Eiva snorted, "Why treat them like guests? Most of them don't last, anyway. It's a waste of effort."
"Regardless, all visitors are allowed in only by the will of Edrea. You are a guard, not a judge. You follow orders." His deadpan voice betrayed nothing. Ya'el couldn't tell whether he was being kind or not. She risked a smile when he looked in her direction.
"What are you smiling at?" He scowled.
Her smile faded and confusion rippled her brow. He stalked over to Outh'n who raised an eyebrow and smirked at Ya'el. "And you will report to Binya immediately."
"What?! Why? What did I do?" The obvious dismay wasn’t lost on Ya’el.
She almost felt sorry for the paling guard, hoping she never had to meet this Binya person.
"You are well aware. And I'm tired of your insubordination. How can we work as a team when one man, and a Zashi at that, deviates from his duty?"
"Oh, come now, Kol!" Eiva sneered. “All you ever speak of is duty.”
Kol turned on her so quickly Ya'el didn't even have time to gasp. He lifted the Genzetti female by the throat and slammed her down hard, vibrating the platform. Ya’el jumped and squeaked, crouching to maintain her balance, as Eiva groaned. "Now you can go visit Binya, too. Perhaps next time you think to question me or my methods, you'll remember who Edrea appointed Ammyr of the Myrr," he rumbled. "If you think you can do a better job, then petition her. But you will not take out your frustrations on the newcomers while I am Ammyr. I forbid it. Binya is expecting you." He scowled at the unruly guards. "Both of you."
The Ammyr startled Ya’el when he suddenly asked, "What's your name?"
Ya'el had held her tongue with difficulty and the words came out much the same as they would have at home. "I've been told I don't have one." She winced, knowing immediately, she'd made a mistake.
Her rescuer had been staring after the retreating guards. At her flippant tone, he turned his terrifying scowl onto her. For some reason, though, she wasn't afraid. Maybe because he’d given her the extra wrap and disciplined her tormentors? In any case, she didn't turn away. As he stalked toward her, her gaze rose up, up — so far her neck strained to hold the position.
He stepped close enough to glower down at her and growled, each syllable crisp. "I have asked you a question and you will answer it truthfully or I will rip you to shreds and feed Edrea with what's left of you."
Ya’el’s smile faded, but her spirits weren’t dampened. She held his gaze long enough for his scowl to darken before she answered him. "I am Ya'el Shirasdatir of M'Neshunnaya."
"Ya'el Shirasdatir, your name is too long."
"Oh," she cut in, "everyone calls me Ya'el."
"Then why didn't you just say that?" His annoyance grew.
She couldn't help herself. Finally here was a person from Genzet who was willing to talk to her. Annoyed and disgruntled he may be, but they were having the conversation she'd dreamed of for so long. She smiled again, broadly this time.
"What should I call you?" she asked cheerfully, never one to allow the gloomies to weigh her down for long.
"If you ever have a need to call me anything, it's Ammyr or Ammyr Kol." His words were clipped but the scowl seemed not so fierce as before. "Follow me."
"Yes, Ammyr Kol." He snorted at her reply but said nothing. He turned abruptly and strode off down a different bridge-path. Ya'el would've danced in his wake but she had to run to keep up with his strides. Maybe this place wouldn't be so hard to get used to after all.
Ya'el followed Ammyr Kol across another swinging rope-and-plank bridge until it ended at a large branch. Springy blue-green and yellow mazh cushioned their steps, it’s sharp, loamy tang scenting the immediate area. After their initial conversation, her guide kept silent. Ya'el knew she shouldn't but she couldn't help the questions which clamored for answers in her mind.
"Ammyr Kol?"
"What is it?" he growled back at her.
“Have Genzetti always had wings?"
There was a long pause, long enough for her to think he wouldn't reply. He stopped and she almost plowed into his back. Slowly, he turned to face her. "From here on, the footing is treacherous. Keep silent while you walk. Do you understand?"
Ya'el nodded but frowned.
"The answers to all your questions lie further in. You can be certain of it."
"Alright. Patience isn't really easy for me, but I can do it."
"Is this a problem all the time?" His voice deepened in annoyance and disbelief.
Ya'el nodded, recklessly raising one eyebrow in challenge.
He shook his head, his hair swishing against the sleeveless hide jerkin molded to his shoulders and torso. "You'll have to learn it then. There’s no place for rash actions on Yacan. That’s death out here — yours or someone else’s. This place took time to build, time to form into what you see now," he gestured with his hands as he stressed the word time. "One moment of carelessness could mean its utter destruction." He turned and growled over his shoulder, "Now, come on. Quietly."
Ya’el gave a gusty sigh but followed him and held her tongue. She was here to help. There was no way she was going to be the one to bring it all crashing down.
I'm happy you chose to spend some time on the scenic route today. I hope you enjoyed your visit. What did you like best? Do you think the word prompt will help you? What did you think about chapter two of Surge? I hope you'll share in the comments below. I'd appreciate hearing from you.
Next week, I'll be back with more word prompts, book reviews, and author life updates. Please visit again and bring your creative friends with you!
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