Cold’s still dragging me down.  Still not able to concentrate worth a damn.  Instead, I used today’s work time to transfer documents and research into Scrivener projects.  Wrapped up all the short stories, Slow Movin’ series, and fodder/character sketches.  Also built the technical tables for my future Freya’s Tears space adventure, and transferred what little I already have there.

I’ve still got cyberpunk, Sanguire, and fantasy novels to transfer.  In all three cases, there are multiple novels for each world.  I’m not sure if I should make each book its own project file, or put each manuscript into the world project (if you catch my drift.)  Example: I’d have one Cyberpunk project with CyberEpic, Kou Itten, and another novel I’ve played with over the years.  Or I’d have a CyberEpic project, a Kou Itten project, etc.

Found a new band — Alter Bridge.  Myles Kennedy is the lead singer (and sounds like Chris Connelly,) and the majority of the band are former Creed members.  Love ‘em!

Finished Duma Key by Stephen King.  Pretty good book.  Not sure what I’ll pick up next.  My To Be Read pile is double sized and fills up half a bookshelf…

Found a new band – Delain.  I like ‘em.  (What’s not to like with a hot redhead as a lead singer??)  I’ve been focusing a lot on metal bands with women vocalists.  I think Beautiful Sin is my favorite — the lead singer’s voice is gritty and rough, just the way I like it. (Take that comment any way you see fit.  )

Almost finished with Blood Debt by Tanya Huff.  Not certain what I’ll be reading next.   S.M. Stirling’s Conquistador seems to beckoning, but we’ll see.

I hope to get the next chapter finished before noon.

I blew $27 bucks at iTunes yesterday. I’ve been on a nostalgia kick – Bon Jovi, Damn Yankees, and a couple of Phil Collins songs. At the mall I nearly blew $25 on two Til Tuesday CDs. Ah, the memories . . . all of which are about being stationed in West Germany, dancing in the discoteque, or hanging in the barracks with Shubert and Bailey and Reagan.

Met today. Had a wonderful chat about books, covers, and writing in general. I’m glad to have finally met her (even though she doesn’t look like a techno geek to me.) We discussed my future endeavors . . . CyberEpic came up in conversation. A lot . . . LOL!

On the way home, I picked up a CD – We Are Not Alone by Breaking Benjamin – and two books. Across the Nightingale Floor by Lian Hearn and If Angels Burn by Lynn Viehl. The first is a Japanese historical based fantasy and the second a paranormal romance. Anybody who’s read Stardoc will understand why I picked it up . . . they’re by the same author.

Now I’m writing my words for the day. Only got about four hundred in at Coffee People before showed up. If I’m fortunate, I’ll finish the chapter today. If not, then it won’t be finished until Tuesday.

Gods, I’ve got to get through this book!

Today’s the big birthday. Yesterday my dad sent me money, and I bought 9 books from Powell’s tent sale at Pioneer Square. Today, my wife gave me a Borders gift certificate, so I picked up two CDs – The Sickness by Disturbed, and Morning View by Incubus. I’ve heard them on internet radio and thought I’d listen to a bit more. (The remake of Shout from Disturbed is better than Tears For Fears!)

And now a plea for assistance . . . I have a hankering to write smut. Unfortunately, I seem to have far too many ideas to focus on.

I'm looking for ideas – strangers meeting, a one night stand, past, present, or future. Slaves, butches, whatever. If you've read any of my stories, and can think of a steamy scene that hasn't been written between the established romantic pairings, give me a clue. All suggestions welcome.

Maybe one of them will strike my fancy. If it does, the suggestee gets credit, and I post the story at my website.

Thanks in advance!

A total of 2623 words on Tiopa yesterday, and an additional 436 of notes for the next Sanguire story. Not much, admittedly, but my goal is simply to brainstorm more of what's going on with the characters, so I have an idea of where the story is going to go.

Just got a heads up from a friend of mine. Apparently Tor is looking for sensual high fantasy, much like Kushiel's Dart (did I spell that right?) Damn! I wish I hadn't posted On Azrael's Wings online now! I think I could really beef that one up to fit the bill, ya know? *sigh* We'll see if I can come up with another plot or not.

If I do, perhaps the third Sanguire story (tentatively titled The False Side of Shadow) will wait until I can put out something for Tor?

Had two days off, and got next to nothing done as far as writing went. Sheesh. I think I need to get back into Forward Motion’s Dares. Haven’t done them since last summer, and my production has fallen off considerably. (Though, I must admit, the goals I set for myself there at the beginning of the year have all but taken care of themselves. The only thing I didn’t finish was a vampire short sumission to a lesbian anthology. Everything else has been accomplished.)

Anyhoooo… I’ve decided to crack down on myself. I think the previous ease (and now sudden difficulty) of Tiopa Ki Lakota edits had me slacking. Whipped through 10k a week – well, two days a week – prior to Kathleen and Anpo coming together. Took me almost two weeks to slog through one chapter after that because of the intrenched mixed point of views. If I want to offer this to my publisher by the end of the year, I really need to get hopping. I’m only at 38k and the original manuscript was 104k.

So, you’ll probably hear more from me as I use this journal to keep myself (and my readers) posted.

New schedule consists of 1k editing / day on work days. Any extra time or energy will be placed in writing something new once I’ve made the requirement. (Or continue on the same path until I get sick of it that day.) Then 2k editing / day on days off. Same thing as far as extra words go.

I’ve been working on Slow Movin’ IV, tentatively titled ‘Bleedin’ Hearts.’ Everybody thank Steph at the Academy. She’s asked for a Valentine story, and that’s going to be it.

So far today, 1544 words.

Also found a kewl set of radio stations! NativeStream! Yeah, baby! Not only do they have a station of nothing but Powwow music, but they also have a popular stream and an alternative stream. I just found a new band called Dying Tribe! Now I’m listening to Lunar Drive, a trance kind of band full of Indian chants and stuff. Love it! Beats my paltry MP3 collection.

Sin Skinner

Your secret world is far away,
you don`t listen to what I say.
Give me permission to enter.
I`d like to understand,
let me hold your hand.

Let me be your sin skinner…

My liberty in isolation,
my fingertips in consolation.
A sad condition, my intuition.
Let me be your friend,
I`m here to heal the sand.

Keep my integrity intact,
I want to base my life on facts.
Whatever comes, I never know,
but life will ultimately show.

Still very silent
I even hear your breath.
What have I come for?
I know I wanted more…
Have you not understood?
It is your life they took,
And all you do is cry,
Don`t tell the world good-bye!

I love this song!

At 7:30 pm, I'm going to be rocking to the 'Ryche. Well, rocking to Fates Warning or Dream Theater, actually. Whichever one opens for them. (The newspaper has been advertising Fates Warning, but the billboard outside the Schnitzer says Dream Theater. I have no clue.)

Worked on Angels Deserve to Die this morning for a grand. This afternoon, after my audiologist appointment, I pumped out another 500 plus on Orphan Maker. Man, I’m glad to be back on my regular work schedule! I’ve gotten more done today than I have in the last three!

Well, still writing 1k a day, of course. I’ve been working on the characters for the series, beefing up what I hadn’t before and creating anew for book two. Today I gave a name to Elisibet’s chief spy as well as a history and description. LOL! Thank you, ! She posted a link to a Germany gothic / fetish shop yesterday and, lo and behold, there was Reynhard the spy!

Of course, now that I know what he looks like, he’s suddenly become a lot more important to book two than he was in my mind! Heh!

Book two has a working title, picked up from a System of a Down song called Chop Suey – Angels Deserve to Die. I like it.

Also, for a change of pace, I swapped CDs in my portable player. Got a little Queensryche Q2K action going. I was suddenly hit by the fact that one of the songs is Jenna's! WOO HOO! I love when music comes together with characters and stories! Anyhoo, here's Jenna's song:

SACRED GROUD
recorded by Queensryche

Iced over, close your eyes. Whisper the flame, it takes us higher.
Seems our world is closing around. When I’m inside you, you bring me to sacred ground.
When I’m inside you, you bring me to sacred ground.
Now you’re the one that I want, you know it’s true.
Let go of everything, open up to me.
I’m right beside you, I’ll be your watchful eye.

I send waves of devotion over you. You take it all in and give it back, give it back again.

You bring me to sacred ground, when I’m inside you.
You bring me to sacred ground.

Yes we’ll love till there’s nothing left to give…
matching every movement, swimming in an ocean of sweat, and scent of you. It drives me to …

You bring me to sacred ground, when I’m inside you.
You bring me to sacred ground.

I know I can change your mind. Give it to me the same way.
Giving it all up for love, I know that you feel the same way.

I’d give it all up for you, I swear I would.

Now I’m falling, falling inside …

You bring me to sacred ground, when I’m inside you.
You bring me to sacred ground.

I’m inside you.

You bring me to sacred ground, when I’m inside you.
You bring me to sacred ground.

I've been so alone for so long
Forgotten by the world
Forgotten to myself
Your effervescent eyes have awakened me
And brushed the dust away
But I knew you'd never stay

So I memorized the color of your eyes as I lost myself inside you
And I memorized the way our legs entwined as I drifted off beside you

I miss
God I miss
Waking up beside you

At night I cling to you, I'm so afraid
Afraid the day will come
And I'll wake and find you gone
But you promised that you'd not abandon me
And kissed my fears away
But I woke up to that day

But I had memorized the way our eyes
would meet reflected in the bathroom mirror
And I memorized your naked silhouette as you slowly brushed your hair
I miss
God I miss
Waking up beside you

I've been so alone for so long
I forgot how much it hurts
To wake up so alone

But I memorized how warm your body felt
as you lay half asleep beside me
And I memorized the way the sunlight
filled the room and played upon your body

I miss
God I miss
Waking up beside you
I miss
God I miss
Waking up beside you

.