Category: New Story

Posted on by — Leave a comment

#amwriting Saturday

I am working on a short story this morning, a foray into the world of horror.  The story itself has been floating around in my head for years, and I figured it was time to bring it into being.

It’s another rainy Saturday here in California, and I’m still down with the cold that attacked me last week.   I’m feeling better, but as usual, the cough lingers and is slowly stripping me of my voice.

It’s hard to believe it’s March, and with the coming of March comes the time of year where my time is increasingly filled up with Pride duties.  Add in an anthology to edit and other fun and my days become filled with stuff to do.

At least it keeps me out of trouble, more or less.  Plus the day job has a lot going on this month too.  When it rains it pours.

That’s all I’ve got this morning, though Readers.  Time to get some coffee going and some words flowing.

Posted on by — Leave a comment

breaking through

Happy Saturday, Readers!  I hope that you’re safe and warm and out of all of this crazy weather!  Here in Northern California it’s been very wet and colder than we’re used to, making for good times to stay inside with a good book and a cup of tea.

I’m now a week + out from my surgery and healing is progressing well.  I’m up to walking a full mile, which means it’s time to go back to work.  I’m also writing again for the first time in quite a while, working on a short story for an anthology that benefits a writer’s conference I will be attending in October.  I will also be editing that anthology in the near future.

If you want to follow my weight loss journey, I invite you to follow along in my blog devoted to that: aweightyjourneysite.wordpress.com.  It is likely I will stop talking about it so much here.

It feels good to have broken through the writer’s block that’s been plaguing me, and I think turning my attention to something new was a big reason I finally got through it.  I’ve only got a vague notion of where this story is going, but it’s built on a character that has been kicking around the back of my brain for a while.  It’s also a foray into true science fiction, which is always a fun playground.

Wishing you a cup of your favorite hot beverage, the comfort of a favorite blanket and some really good reading material!

 

Photo by rawpixel on Unsplash

Posted on by — Leave a comment

new book coming

We’re in the final stages of getting Where Shadows Fall out into the world.  Just yesterday I got the final version of the cover.  where-shadows-fall

I am very pleased with the way it incorporates bits from the first two covers.

Blurb:

As the world descends into ever darker chaos, Alaric Lambrecht seems set to follow it, seeking vengeance no matter the cost. His path will take him deep into 8th Battalion territory and on a collision course with Raven Ivany and Zero, who are attempting to rescue those taken during the raid on Shady Lake. It seems a small light in the darkness, but it brings Shadows and Shifters, Sages and Shades all together with a common enemy.

The only question is, can the four tribes join together enough to win the war?

I can’t wait to share this story with you, Readers!

 

Posted on by — Leave a comment

the fury of women

I’m sure you can feel it.  The anger seething just beneath the surface.  The anger of women who have been ignored, belittled, harassed, abused, assaulted, raped and the status quo has failed them time and time again.

If you can’t feel it, you must be living in a cave.

The swell is coming.

I’ve been told not to be too political on my blog because it will scare readers away.  But if you read my work, you should already know where I stand.  I hope you are voters, Readers.  I hope you will vote next month and in two years and in two years after that.  I hope you will vote in every election, no matter how small.  Make your voices heard.

Let that rage fill you up and burst out in that voting booth.

I tend to fall to poetry when the need to express myself is greatest.  Here’s one I wrote last night/this morning:  Self Destruction.

With that, and my last cup of coffee, I’m off to write and edit for a bit.  New book coming soon!

Posted on by — 1 Comment

saturday means writing

My weekends, when not completely eaten up with familial or other obligations, usually begin with writing.  I drink coffee and throw words at the page on whatever project I’m working on until either (or both) the coffee or the words run out, then I get on with the day’s chores.

This morning I woke up with a headache, so I’m hoping the coffee will help chase it away.  I need to go out eventually today, to pick up some prescriptions and a few groceries, but hopefully the headache will be gone by then.

I haven’t decided yet which project to work on, but I haven’t quite finished that first cup of coffee either.  I’m leaning toward the fun of the epic fantasy story, because my two primary characters are my happy place right now and the plot that was previously a bit vague has come more strongly into focus this week.

What about you, dear Readers?  What are your plans for the weekend?  I hope they include a good book or two!

Have all of mine yet?

Forever– For the vampire lovers

Through Shade and Shadow and In Gathering Shade – For those who like their contemporary fantasy with a taste of reality.

Looking to follow me socially?

Find me on Facebook or Twitter!

Posted on by — Leave a comment

it feels so good

Today has been the first real writing day since my step-father passed away in May.  It feels so good to be making words happen again.  I have a lot of other things to do this weekend, but the first was writing.

I have a lot to chose from when I sit down to write, and today I chose to work on a fantasy project that I’ve started a few times, but hadn’t quite found my way into.

This is a project that involves an ostensibly medieval society, with certain elements in that society a fair bit more advanced.  It involves female warriors and scholars who help to maintain the peace between two civilizations who have not yet discovered the world outside their island. It is the first in a series that will follow a young lady named Fred as she discovers not only herself, but the wider world and all that has been done to protect the world she knows as she becomes one of those who protect it.

Today feels good, it feels like this is the way I needed this story to go.  I’m at just over a thousand words right now.

I plan to write until I’ve at least hit 2000.  Then I’ll turn my attention to other things that need me…like laundry and housework.  The other things I’ve barely done since May.

Right then, back to making words.  Happy Saturday, Readers!

Posted on by — Leave a comment

coupling

Today is a day in American culture that seems to scream that you must be paired up, that without a life partner who can shower you with expensive presents on this arbitrary day in February, you don’t matter.

I don’t begrudge those who are happily coupled (or triaded or quadra-coupled, or whatever number works for you), and if you chose to “celebrate” good on you, have fun, don’t put yourself in debt, etc.

Personally, I am generally happy without a partner.  Days like today there’s this false desire to have someone who would bring me flowers or jewelry, even though I know that for the most part, I don’t really want either.  I’m allergic to most flowers, I can’t have candy and I don’t even wear the jewelry I already have…and if I’m honest, I feel nearly all of those things are a waste of money that could be saved to give me what I really would rather have: travel with someone I love.

In other news, I posted a snippet of my new novel-in-progress over on my Patreon this morning, for patrons only.  I’m thinking this weekend, I may do a brief video over there. You should come get in on the fun.  Just a dollar a month gets you in.  Higher support levels bring better rewards.

That’s all for now, Readers!

 

Posted on by — Leave a comment

a bridge of shadow

Recently we finished up our second Creativia anthology.  Like the first one, all of the writers started with the same prompt, and had about four months to write.  This time around, their prompt was “The letter/email/missive/message was ominous, if a little vague in the details. “Midnight, on the bridge. Come alone.””

The finished product is an unusual mix of genres and subjects.  Each writer really set off on their own path from the prompt.  As usual, they are give a fair bit of leeway in interpreting the prompt as long as they kept the heart of it the same.

As a result, you’ll find colonial America, Victorian London and fantasy worlds alike.  There are love stories, cautionary tales, and fantasy.  You will find paranormal creatures like wendigos, vampires, Shades, sentient shadows or talking animals.

The six authors represented here took our prompt and each of them headed off in a different direction, and that right there is half the reason I do it!  I love the way creative minds work, and it is a thrill getting to edit (and contribute) to this collection.

Now available on Amazon in kindle and paperback formats, get your copy of A Bridge of Shadow today!

bridgeofshadow-72dpi

Posted on by — Leave a comment

introducing Evan Chayton

Evan Chayton is a Shifter, though he keeps that fact very well guarded.  As he first appears in the beginning of In Gathering Shade, only a small group of people know his secret.  He is also a military man who is assigned to Adam Darvin’s secretive organization.

Raven chooses him to be her handler when Adam sends her on a mission because she trusts that his secret will ensure his loyalty.  After her previous handler turned out to be working for the 8th Battalion, Raven is wary and wants to know she can trust whoever is watching her back.

Evan is a by the book guy, he believes in discipline and protocol, and he doesn’t like showing weakness in any way, but he finds himself vulnerable and exposed when the psychic link between him and his brother forces him to experience his brother’s torture.

Evan grew up in a tight knit family presided over by his mother, who was a force to be reckoned with from as far back as he could remember.  His father was something of a home-body, preferring to spend time keeping their home clean and welcoming, while also supporting the work his wife devoted herself too.

There were aunts and uncles and cousins too, at least while Evan was young.  He started his change early, Shifting for the first time at only nine years old.  They had an older sister, but after an argument with their mother, she had flown away and Evan hadn’t seen her in better than ten years.

Evan and his brother could pass for one another, but they were very different outside the similarity in their faces.  While Sawyer was a risk taker and a thrill chaser, Evan preferred quiet and solid footing.  It was no wonder that when they reached the end of the change and were each fully in control of their Shifting, that Sawyer ended up a spy of sorts while Evan opted for the military.

We meet Evan near the beginning of In Gathering Shade, and he will also play an important role in the next book in the series.

 

I just returned my manuscript for In Gathering Shade to the publisher.  There will be a cover reveal soon, followed by the actual release!

 

Posted on by — Leave a comment

every little step counts

I know I’ve been absent of late.  And I haven’t introduced any characters in a couple weeks.  Somewhere along the line, I got a pinched nerve in my neck, and it’s really stifled my ability to be on a computer.  In fact today is the first time that I have typed more than a few words before I decided the pain was too much.

I plan on introducing another new character later today and I just got the manuscript back from the publisher for final edits.  It won’t be long now!

Are you excited?  I know I am!

I also have  a whole new world brewing. If been contemplating that story for a couple of years now and it’s finally starting to come together.

I need to pour another cup of coffee and check on the crock pot which is currently cooking tonight’s dinner.  Expect another post later today to introduce you  to Evan Chayton.