Ah, well. I’d made the mistake last time of editing the wrong scene, but decided to go with it since I didn’t want to change the entire thing back again.  Now I was able to do the scene I’d wanted to do in the first place, and finish the other three.  (I also made absolutely sure that the project was saved in both the desktop project folder and the backup project folder in my documents.)

Watched the latest Stargate – Universe this morning.  Can I just say that Lou Diamond Phillips’ character is a BASTEHD!  He’s playing it well, lemme tell ya!  LOL!  I wanted to smack him on that last scene.

I think I’ll spend the next hour or so pulling data and stories from all over the place to compile in my Cyberpunk project.  After I message the twisted-sister-in-law on Facebook.  Then it’s World of Warcraft time!  WOOT!

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…

The Sanguire novel is complete.  It went out on April Fool’s Day (no foolin’!) to Daw.  No word yet, but I wasn’t expecting it.  Their website states three months before a response, so I’ll wait until July before moving forward.

Edits to Iditarod are fair-to-middling.  We’ve moved into another apartment, and getting time to write has been difficult.  We’re still skirting around boxes and luggage and whatnot.  Tomorrow afternoon, the overflow goes to a storage unit (thank the gods!)  It’ll be nice to actually see the new floor, doncha know?  In any case, it’s been a little rough attempting to insert back story and alcoholism into characters that were initially trouble-free…  I will get there, though.
Work has been hectic, but what’s new?  The economy sucks, and more people are being hit hard.  It hasn’t helped that I volunteered to be the Safety Committee chair person.  I’ve been taking a lot of OSHA training courses to catch up to current regulations.  It’s been over ten years since I’ve done this job!  LOL!

Reading has taken up the rest of my time, mostly J/7 fanfic online.  Hmmm…  Can’t remember when I last picked up a book.  April?  March?  Ah, well.  I’ve about exhausted the online opportunities, anyway.   Just foolin’ around, I’ve written a first chapter to a J/7 fanfic.  We’ll see how it goes.

And recently?  Two words:  Star Trek!!!  OMGs!  Whether or not you enjoy Trek, you really should see this flick.  Those that are into the series (especially the original) will have a great time!  Anyone who doesn’t care one way or the other will still enjoy themselves with the action packed movie.  Go.  NOW!

I’ll leave you with a snippet from that J/7 fanfic:

Tuvok studied her weary frame. He knew she’d never lie to him – though that didn’t preclude her from lying to herself. Unlike Vulcans, Humans needed to speak of their emotions with others for their continued good health. Voyager’s current circumstances didn’t allow her this opportunity. She held a rigid set of protocols when it came to command, something he had always respected regardless of her occasional brash actions. He suspected it was this inflexibility that caused her to remain aloof from the rest of the crew, and it was this emotional distance that caused her harm.

Of all the individuals aboard, he was the only one close enough to qualify as a friend. They had a long history that, while beginning on a somewhat adversarial note, had deepened into esteem and loyalty. Despite his distaste for the messy necessity of Human emotional discourse, he saw no other option than to elicit such a conversation. Over the past six years, Janeway had become more and more withdrawn. If the ship and crew were to survive their sojourn into the Delta Quadrant, they needed their captain mentally and emotionally sound.

“Kathryn.”

Her eyebrows shot up at his use of her given name. She blinked at him, biting the inside of her lower lip in what he knew as a subtle nervous gesture.

“It is 0326 hours. You are not scheduled for duty until 0800. You are in full uniform, imbibing in what I believe is your second cup of coffee.” A quick, skittish expression crossed her face. “Correction, your third.”

An unrepentant grin teased the corners of her lips. “Busted, am I?”

He drew himself up with a deep breath. “That would be an adequate term.”

Have a great month, folks!  See you on Facebook.

We Don’t Need Another Hero

From Kimball Kinnison to Dylan Hunt, strong-thewed heroes have strode the spaceways, protecting the galaxy from evildoers.  But the trend in contemporary literature is shifting from “heroes” to “protagonists” to “viewpoint characters”.  What are the ways that main characters can be used in science fiction?  How can ensembles and event-based plots build great story lines and lovable groups?

Sheila Simonson, Mary Robinette Kowal, phyllis irene radford, Jean Lamb, Michael A. Martin

- a tragic, dramatic departure from the norm is what creates a hero.

- Jo Clayton, author – look her up.
- in order to have a Hero (with a capital H,) there must be a villain – who’s the villain in Iditarod, Tiopa?  Circumstances, at the very least.  Thereby assuming that none of those characters are truly heroines.

- is a heroine simply a female hero?  Or is she something more?  Not so much a difference as a different dynamic created between a heroine and villain…

- writing an ensemble piece ain’t easy – Freya’s Tears, when completed will result in the loss of at least two crew members – will the next book (assuming there is one) focus on a different protagonist?

- it’s not enough for a heroine to decide to take control of a situation. She must choose to END it.  (Azrael, Dusky, Els, Kathleen.)

- a woman’s heroic journey follows a similar path as the hero except she gets to a point where she must decide between two paths, nurturer or warrior.  The journey continues until both paths merge again, and she finds herself doing both.

Orycon and the Future

The Death of OSFCI and what you can do to keep Orycon alive after Orycon 30.

Andrew Nisbet, Patty Wells, Linda Pilcher

Considering how much I enjoy Orycon, I had to attend this panel to see what was going on.  Apparently there’s a dearth of people willing to fill the long term, committed openings that are required to put together a convention.  Things have been in flux with Orycon for the last four years and don’t appear to be letting up.  This was a panel to drum up fannish support.

I dunno, man.  I’m interested, truly, but …  I do enjoy attending the panels.  If I worked a convention from planning stages to culmination, it’d have to be in a position that wouldn’t deter me from attending the panels.  I’ve worked Dealer’s Room as assistant, and that takes a lot of time out of the day.  Same goes for several other positions in a large con.

We’ll see.

Role-playing Game Design and Publication 101

How writing for the role-playing market differs from writing for the fiction market, what is involved in designing and publishing a role-playing game, and how much reward one is likely to get for all one’s work.  A beginning writer’s guide to the RPG market.

Greg Gorden, Gwendolyn Kestrel, Joseph D. Karriker, Jr., William B. McDermott, Riannon Louve, Anthony Pryor

Not that I’m particularly interested in writing a RPG.  I like gaming, and my primary reason for attending this panel was to consider another potential money-maker.  (Anything to get out of my current job, doncha know?  LOL!)

- contact the game developer, ask what he or she needs, and give them EXACTLY that.

- gaming articles are good for background and resumes.

- prove comprehension of the material when writing a module.

- website, website, website!  If a particular game inspires artwork, be sure to give credit (‘based on’…)

- Note to self – business card.

- write novels based on a gaming system as a sideline for money making (‘based on’…)

- keep up on the comings and goings within the company.  Not much different than the regular or small publishing world, really.  In fact, the gaming industry is just as political and incestuous as any other.  Be professional, and don’t quit your day job until you have a year’s salary in the bank.

- the more complete the module, the better.  Don’t just write up the specifics.  Create the characters needed, the maps, artwork, tech data, the whole shebang.

THEN I was going to go to another panel or two.  Instead, I got sidetracked by work (the dangers of attending a convention in your workplace.)  So I ended up leaving property for a quick lunch downtown and returning for a trip through the art show.

Bought two prints from my current favorite local artist, Alan M. Clarke.  He’s got some great stuff, morbid as hel, and a very smartass sense of humor. Also made note of Sarah Clemens.  She’s got some great pieces with Magnus and Loki — a cat and a small dragon who get into various troubles.

How to Make a Living as an Artist

How do artists make a living? Can you break the starving artist traditions and really make some money?

Margaret Organ-Kean, John R. Gray III, Jeff Fennel, Jeff Sturgeon, Alan M. Clarke, Vincent DiFate

- “Diversify!” Clarke

- Pinging off that comment, I can go digital (sell prints at conventions, sell online, pick up work via gaming companies.) In Second Life (virtual world), I can design and build virtual clothings, behaviors, items, buildings for sale.  I can possibly offer services as book cover illustrator with my current contacts with authors and publishers.

- I need a high quality Epson printer and a scanner.

- Create book covers for books I’ve read (‘inspired by’,) and put them on my website – use the web as a portfolio of digital artwork.

- “Art is about making pictures. The tools you use are irrelevant.” Vincent DiFate

A’ight… end of day two (Saturday.)  I went home to take a nap, with every intention of returning that evening for a concert by Heather Alexander.  Yep… you guessed it.  I stayed home.  I REALLY have to stay in the hotel next year!

Yesterday I spent the morning helping the guys finish the room sets.  Then I spent a good portion of the afternoon attending panels.  I’m going to note the panels and some odds and ends notes here to keep them on file for future reference…  Prepare to be bored… or not…

The Effects of Space Travel on Earth Religions

Will a Christian, Jew, Muslim or other Earth religious believer, have trouble tolerating the religions of Aliens?  Will Earthlings need to reevaluate how they believe about “being created in God’s image” if the other beings look differently than they do?  What hapens if Earth was seeded and we run into the society responsible?  What about those aliens that display powers that some fundamentalists consider to be evil?

Mick Shepherd Moscoe, Judy Lazar, Elton Elliott, Richard A. Lovett

About the only direct quote, per se, I recieved from this panel was from Judy Lazar.  She said there’s a direct correlation between lifestyle and religious development.  Those societies that have chaotic lifestyles, fraught with uncertainties, tend to develop deeper and stronger mythos and dieties to explain their world.  Those with milder lifestyles have no use for such trappings, and their mythos tend to reflect that.

Notes, Ideas, Questions:

- created in ‘God’s Image’ (future title?) – aliens = angels? – theology = alien method of control?

- aliens also have theology of being in ‘God’s image’ – which is right / true? – could result it war?

- tie the rapture into alien visitation – disappearances of true Christians are actually abductions…

- an UNbenevolent diety responsible for creation – no God, but a devil responsible

- God an King, a monarchy – what about using a different political system to base a religion upon?

Law and Social Order in World Building

How can a writer design the basic legal structure of an alien, futuristic, or fantasy civilization? How do laws, courts, and government organizations arise from the basic legal structures and concepts, the constitution (formal or informal), common law, and other sources of justice? What are some of the options a writer has in making their civilization unique?

Rory Miller, Richard A. Lovett, Sara A. Mueller, phyllis irene radford, Andrew Nisbet

Again, no quotes from the panelists were interesting enough for me.  I took what they said and let my mind wander here and there, scribbling down things that came to me.

- dichotomy between law and societal taboos – illegal to beat and harass, yet acceptable for children to thump and terrorize one another through school.

- some taboos aren’t truly taboo unless they’re witnessed in other cultures – some things are only illegal if witnessed.

- laws exist because of criminal definitions – DEFINE THE CRIME!

- defining the crime will determine the society’s view on it, and reveal deeper issues and taboos involved in it.

How to Reproduce Your Artwork

You have finished your masterpiece, now how do you make the prints? What reproduction options are out there and what works best?

Jeff Sturgeon, John R. Gray III

Unbeknownst to most of you, I used to be an airbrush artist.  My first year in ‘business,’ I was only a hundred bucks in the red.  I airbrushed SF & F type people and sold it at conventions like this one.  I began writing when I had to pack up my airbrush study from lack of space.

My arthritis has made returning to airbrush an impossibility, but I’ve decided to learn digital artwork, using a tablet and pen connected to the computer.  Hence the reason I attended this panel.

- Jeff Sturgeon highly recommended Epson printers and high quality Epson archival paper for prints.

- John Gray uses Canon printers.

- both use small labs to print larger than 11×14.  Both use Pro-lab in Seattle.  (Research for Portland area!)

- CYA not RGB

- Keep in mind there’s a difference between what’s on the screen and what prints up.  Do a print proof first to compare your idea and the reality.  Tweak artwork to match.

- Research print proof types.

- small booklet of artwork? Cafe Press?

When the Heroine Isn’t 18, Blonde, and a Size 3

Why do some authors and filmmakers think a lab coat and glasses on a young blonde heroine can convey the same level of expertise as a grey-haired male scientist? Is it credible for the young post-doctorate researcher to also be a martial arts black belt in her spare time? Writers will talk abouth the why and how of writing female protagonists who break the mold.

Madeleine E. Robins, Alma Alexander, phyllis irene radford, Judith R. Conly, Dianna Rodgers

- give the heroine only what she needs to do what she has to do.

- Azrael – too beautiful, too much like Xena in abilities? Create more scarring?

- flaw the character!

- look into Alma Alexander’s books

And that was that!

Started to sit in on another panel, but it wasn’t going where I was interested, so I bailed early.  Today’s panels include artwork and writing oriented stuff.  Tonight is a concert by Heather Alexander…  I’m debating whether or not to stay for it.  I hear she’s good, but it’ll be way past my bedtime…  LOL!

Oh, yeah!  I picked up a sword in the Dealer’s room, too!  WOOT!

Thanks to Nene, the plot’s pretty well in the bag. Again, I’ll be writing this one without a plot in a concentrated effort to get out of my rut.

No working title as of yet.

I spent yesterday in hot and heavy emails with my friend, Nene. Her offer to help me figure out a storyline was very kind, and I wasn’t going to let the opportunity pass.

Having to put one of my ideas into an email in order to explain what I felt lacking, I realized I had quite a lot of story already there. It was only the one crucial plot point that I missed. Nene brought up an idea and a plot twist to set up the situation I needed for the rest of the book.

Now if I can actually write the entire thing out without getting stalled…

Outlining.

Up until I began writing the Sanguire series, I didn’t do it.  At least not much more than to figure out what should be in the next chapter.  I responded to a mailing list question about what sorts of notes authors take and how much outlining they do.  It’s only been the last three years that I’ve actively outlined.  And I’ve finished three out of six novels I’ve started.  Prior to that, I’ve started and completed eight novels in five years.

Something to be considering . . .  Even when editing for potential publication, I’ve come across a snag.  I went through On Azrael’s Wings in an attempt to outline and rewrite it.  It sits here gathering dust.

It’s something to consider.  Maybe it’s not just me hitting a writer’s block or succumbing to RA and the exhausting meds.  Maybe I need to get back to my roots.  Toss everything aside (except the almost ready for submission Sanguire) and start a new novel from scratch.

Spent yesterday doing some errands and not much else. I have four glorious days off to recoup some of my losses. Woot!

Added a link to the left called Recent Interviews. It’s a direct link to an interview I gave Nonny at Evolution.

Off to reread Born of Silence edits and reacquaint myself with what’s going on there.

It’s not like the ideas aren’t there. I’ve got a list of over fifty story lines to draw upon for material, ranging in possibilites from short PWPs to a couple of potential trilogies.

It’s not like I don’t have a current project to work on. Orphan Maker‘s gathering dust on my hard drive. I have no furking clue what comes next. (The same thing happened with a cyberpunk story a few years ago, Kou Itten. It’s half completed because I can’t figure out what the following scenes and chapters should be.)

It’s not like I don’t have the time. I’ve had a full week off work through Christmas. I can only account for three of those days as celebratory in nature and, hence, non-writing days. The rest of the time was spent . . . dinking around. Cruising the web, researching daydreams, chatting with friends, posting on my Voyageresque RPG, and fiddling with the ship’s website.

My 2005 Goals haven’t been met (but to be fair, neither were all of my 2004 goals.)

* I have not written a thousand words a day; not even close. My word count is through the roof because I’ve put in my editing word counts, but those are similar to empty calories. Seventy thousand plus words in two days? It feels like cheating.

* I haven’t written six short stories for the year. I’ve gotten three and a half done. So over fifty percent there. (Added bonus, one was published in Telltale Kisses!)

* I did finish Iditarod like I planned. WOOT!

* I haven’t completed edits for On Azrael’s Wings. I’m only a third of the way through them, and have about fourteen more scenes to write from scratch, let alone edit the remaining material.

* I haven’t even looked at my Sanguire series. No, that’s a lie. I looked at it last week. I know some of you have read it, and I’m not saying this to get a bunch of responses, but I really ddn’t like the writing. It’s stilted. I couldn’t get past the first three chapters before putting it down in disgust. Earlier in the year I spent the time going over my beta readers’ notes and came up with a beefier outline, but I haven’t bothered with it since.

I think a lot of these feelings have to do with the task of getting my books republished . . . again. In 2004, I published two books and republished a second edition of Tiopa Ki Lakota through Fortitude. In 2005, I found myself going through the same three books all over again to be published with PD Publishing. While it’s gratifying as hel to not be out of print anymore, it was a hassle and a half to focus mostly on manuscripts that had been a done deal.

So, I know it was really a lot of work . . . but it feels like I’ve accomplished next to nothing this year. *groan*

I’ve spent a lot of time away from Forward Motion over the last couple of years. My circle of friends does consist of a few writers, but we never seem to really connect on a writing level. We talk about our lives and loves, pass around those silly quizes and the like, but never get into the meat and bones of writing. (Or it could be me. I’ve always been very standoffish and untrusting. I seem to have an innate ability to close off communication with people without even realizing I’m doing so.)

I think it’s time to return Forward Motion. (Hey !) Maybe it’ll give me the kick in the pants to get a move on. It certainly gave me a boost when I first discovered it a few years ago.

Enough About Me #12: In Which the Author Learns About Overworked Publicists and Nasty and Often Unrealistic Authors

And still had time to put out 1197 words. Hopefully, Slow Movin #7 (Sneakers!) will be complete either today or tomorrow.

Today is the wife’s first full day off from school. No summer classes, though she plans on starting her work study program soon. We’re going to do the wild thing . . . get our hairs cut and have an early dinner at the Waterfront Park where the Rose Festival ‘Village’ has been erected.

Don’t Read at Work!

Dancing was a story I wrote for the At First Blush anthology. Since Fortitude Press folded and I’ve regained the rights to this tale, I thought I’d finally post it for your reading. Don’t read at work! (As if that needs to be said . . .)

Also, in February I wrote another Slow Movin’ short for the Academy. It’s entitled Need a Lift? and is in reality eighth in a series. I went through my Slow Movin’ file and updated all the stories with links to the others in the series to make it easier to navigate.

Finally, I’ve decided to post the Iditaord story online. Initially, I planned on not posting any more novel length stories online in an effort to further my goal of publication in the larger field of SF or fantasy. But the truth of the matter is, if I ever break into those fields, I’ll probably have to use a pen name anyway. Why hold the lesbian romances back from my fans when you all buy the hard copy versions anyway? Seems like cutting off my nose to spite my face.

So, those lesbian romance novels I write will be posted online. The Sanguire will not, as my ultimate goal with that is to break into the larger publishing houses. You’ve all been so patient with me, not complaining about my decision, and it’s been a good three years since I finished On Azrael’s Wings and posted it, you deserve to see what I’ve been writing the last year!

Since 1973, Rockwood Junior Baseball (RJB) has enriched local children’s lives by providing the positive experiences of teamwork, personal achievement, and excellence through participation in organized sports. Unfortunately, that changed last September, when the league president was charged with embezzling team funds, leaving RJB burdened with debts and without much-needed equipment.

Due to this extreme misfortune, it seemed as if the two hundred and fifty to three hundred children of the RJB league would be unable to play this year. Stephanie Solomon-Lopez, one of the parents angered and disappointed by the situation, has decided to do something to raise money, and help the league recover from its financial woes.

Telltale Kisses is an anthology of twenty lesbian romance stories, written by popular writers who have volunteered their talents to assist a children’s sports program in need. Ranging from sizzling hot to achingly sweet, from historical mystery to contemporary erotica, Telltale Kisses features offerings from new and familiar authors in a fabulous line-up: Nene Adams, Lynn Ames, Blayne Cooper, Linda Crist, Vada Foster, Sloane Grayson, Seana James, Tara Kerry, K.G. MacGregor, S.X. Meagher, T. Novan, Mykel Taylor O’Connor, Kim Pritekel, D. Jordan Redhawk, Patty Schramm, Miss Violet Spender, Ali Vali, D.I. von Alacalandra, Pat Winterburn and Lara Zielinsky coming together for the first time in a single volume to benefit RJB.

Published by BookEnds Press, and distributed by StarCrossed Productions, Inc., every copy of Telltale Kisses sold will not only provide a unique literary experience, but also aid Rockwood Junior Baseball in its recovery from this devastating financial loss. Purchase your copy today, and help the children play!

I stopped writing just as she opened the one she’s been carrying around, so I don’t know what Scotch had to say at the beginning of the race. Guess I’ll find out tomorrow, eh?

Got this link from Holly Lisle, who received it from a friend. For those of you writing heterosexual or slash stories, you might want to check it out. Not safe for work! It’s an article about writing of penises . . . Read if you dare, but I warn you, it’s hilarious!

Got Lainey and Scotch through Rainy Pass and to the Rohn Roadhouse checkpoint. Some crappy trail, wild rides, and dangerous potential for spills, but they weathered it well. Lainey is getting over her constant fear as they rampage at top speeds over rough ground and ice bridges, through steep gorges and narrow ravines. She’s beginning to enjoy herself, which is a major step in keeping her on the trail to the end. Soon Scotch, a contender for winning, will have to leave Lainey behind. Without the added encouragement from a lover, Lainey needs to be able to decide to push through the exhaustion and depression on her own.

Don’t start work until late tonight. I’m riding the scooter in because the dance in house is supposed to go until midnight. But, come on! It’s MONDAY! Will they really insist on hanging out until midnight? I’m hoping not. We have to hang out until they’re finished so we can turn the room for the morning sessions.

Signed a contract this morning for Telltale Kisses, the charity anthology I spoke of a couple of weeks ago. When I get solid information about its sale, I’ll post a link here.

I was thinking yesterday about why I’m having such difficulty getting into the swing of things with On Azrael’s Wings. Then it occurred to me that this has happened before. With the same story. It took me over a year to complete that damned thing! It’s no wonder edits are so damned slow.

Maybe it’s just the nature of some stories to take longer to write. Instead of castigating myself for not being able to push it through, I need to back off for now. Work on something else.

It’s winter now, chilly, snow in the foothills. The Iditarod begins in 55 days (and 16 hours and 30 something minutes, but who’se counting?) I think it’s time to drag it out and dust it off. I know where I hung myself up. The characters tried to escalate things before the storyline was ready for it. So I’m off to reread what’s been done (16 chapters?), edit what’s there, and toss the last chapter out entirely.

Besides, I was raised by Catholics and baptized as a child. I have the right to exploit the religion at least a little bit, don’t I?

I’ve been told that overseas bids will be accepted, but the auction itself isn’t quite prepared to go ‘live.’ As soon as it is, I’ll post an active link.

Today, however, I achieved 1234 words on a short story for an auction. Here in Portland a youth baseball group got ripped off by the treasurer who embezzled quite a bit of money from them. There’ll be no season for these kids if bills aren’t paid.

Steph at the Academy is working an an auction and has asked for a PWP for a limited edition (10 copies?) anthology to help them. I’ll let you know the details as I hear them.

1. Write / edit 1000 words a day.

2. Write 6 short stories.

3. Finish edits to On Azrael’s Wings and submit the manuscript somewhere.

4. Finish writing the Iditarod novel.

5. Edit and rewrite the Sanguire novels and submit the first manuscript to Tor.

Wish me luck!

I write erotica as well as romantic love scenes. The first time I wrote a scene like this, it took me four days. FOUR DAYS. And it was only four pages long! LOL!

These days, I can whip out a love scene of ten pages in two days.

A lot of the discomfort is, of course, your upbringing. Nice people don’t write this stuff! You know about the porn industry and probably have a good imagination about what really goes on in those adult bookstores. Your readers aren’t like that! YOU aren’t like that.

But to be honest, once you write a few of these scenes, they do get easier. You no longer sit at your computer with one eye cast over your shoulder to make certain your spouse/romantic interest/parent/child/little sibling waltzes in and catches you with your MC’s pants around his ankles.

As suggested above, do go about it like it’s a battle scene. The complications for both are the same – you have to choreograph each slight detail of the action or you lose the reader. (And the writer? LOL!) I’ve always thought that the only way to write this type of scene is to micromanage it.

And language is an issue, too. Use the words the characters would use. If the POV is a sweet young thing, she’ll shy away from certain terms, and you not using them will strengthen her POV. If it’s a person who’s had a lot of experience, then stronger words would be used.

And DO steer away from ‘love tunnels,’ ‘throbbing manhood’ and the like! Otherwise you’ll end up sounding like a Penthouse letter entry! (Or one of those novels at the adult bookstore!)

Good luck and take heart. It will get easier!

I noticed that your old website is gone and therefore I am unable to access the Infinity Series. Is it being hosted on another site? Please let me know as I am interested in reading the entire series. Thank you.

The Infinity series (and all other stories that were originally hosted here,) are still here. I have not changed their location or deleted them. Additionally, the Royal Academy of Bards is hosting the series, as well. You can find them here.

For the other tales, if you hit places like Lunacy’s Reviews or other websites that have provided links, those links will work fine.

But, I found out that my Palm keyboard driver has Dvorak! I'm picking up some black and white inks next Thursday to do some creative artwork on my keyboard.

Finished jrosestar’s short story request. It’s called To The River, and has been uploaded to my site. Thanks again, Jean! You kept the fingers moving, and that’s what counts.

So, I’m writing some shorts at the moment. 1093 words today on To The River. To anyone who has read Tiopa Ki Lakota, it’s Anpo and Kathleen three years after I left them in the novel. Teca is a wild eight-year-old, running with the hoksila as his inanup did in her childhood. Anpo has been away for a few days, and has returned. (And, yes, this is is response to a suggestion when I asked for smut ideas earlier this week.)

Thanks to jrosestar for the idea!

Another one I’ll be doing soon will be the characters of Castle Walls, Ros and Kat. My friend, Shawn, suggested a piece whereby the two get it on between acts during a show. I thought it sounded like an intriguing idea.

Off to pop meds and prepare for work!

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!

Second, I’m cruising my friends list, and found this wonderful gem from chuckdarwin. It’s hilarious!

I had planned to go to Coffee People to write. Unfortunately, my Palm is half out of juice, and I still have errands to run. So, I'll do a Stop N Go to pick up caffeine before I continue on. Bummer.

As an added treat to those who actually read this blog, I've posted it on my website. This the only active link to it, but I'll post it to my mailing lists tomorrow.

Want

Very minor blood play – keep in mind these are Sanguire! Vampires! What’s sex without a little blood, anyway? And don’t read this at work!

Slow Valentine is complete, and in the hands of the wonderful folks at the Royal Academy of Bards for Valentine’s Day.

Chapter 7 of The False Side of Shadow is now underway with 1097 words yesterday. I hope to plug at least another 1k today to finish the chapter, and perhaps start the next one.

The problem was Bertrada Nijmege. She's playing both ends against the middle, which has been somewhat confusing, and I wasn't able to zero in on her true motivations and desires. She wants to be the one to kill Jenna. Nijmege went bananas when her lover was executed by Elisibet, and she truly believes that Jenna must be punished for it. On the other hand, she's been spouting in council chambers for months now that Jenna is <i>not</i> Elisibet the Tyrannos reborn, and has no claim to the throne.

Nijmege is allied with McCall who has voted with her all the way in the matter. She worked with Valmont in an effort to have Jenna kidnapped, and brought to her to attain her bloody goals. It's common knowledge among the other three Symboulos that she's trying to off Jenna, but Nijmege wasn't aware she'd been so transparent. She also doesn't know that when Valmont swore obesience to Jenna, that he also spilled the beans about her plans. Now everybody knows what she's planning, but she thinks she's been keeping it secret.

What a mess! LOL! I had to get everybody's POV and knowledge set in mind. It's weird that the reader knows exactly what's going on with a character before the character does!

Off to write.

Speaking of Slow . . . I don’t have a title for this story. I need something catchy. I’m not sure Slow Valentine is going to cut it. *ponders* Well, considering how slow Slow is going with . . . maybe it is appropriate. LOL!

Made my goal of 1k with more on the Slow Movin' valentine story. Steph was kind enough to send me a gentle reminder. I figure I'd better get it done before she shows up on my doorstep. It's a bitch living in the same town! LOL!

At work, I was vacuuming a room and BAM! There it was! Woot!

Busted out 627 words at lunch!

It is now raining down snow pellets. Should turn into freezing rain later this evening. Ain't expected to go away until late tonight.

Glad I decided to call off work. Wasn't looking forward to sliding on my butt all the way to work and home.

*sigh*

Only 500 words a day for the last four days. I hope to be finished with this soon. Then I'll post it to my mailing list. It's already longer than any of the other Slow stories. I'll have to go back and beef up those tales. Rather than ten short Plot What Plot tales, Slow's character is developing far too much for just a little 'slap and tickle.' The previous three stories definitely will need revamping to give a better idea of what type of person she is.

Surprising, too. She's already so much of a character!

Tomorrow Office Depot is delivering my wife's Yuletide present – her own computer desk. Right now she's using a card table. It'll look very nice once it's up, and leave her all sorts of nooks and crannies to squirrel things away in.

Also updated my website. I’m only putting links to five short stories at a time. Figured it was about time I changed ‘em. Plus I added a new one that I wrote a couple of weeks ago, Rude Awakenings. Don’t read this at work, or you’ll be mighty uncomfortable.

I’m just about done with the fourth Slow Movin’ short, entitled Bleedin’ Hearts. Then I’ve got the Valentine Slow Movin’ to finish writing. Once those are finished, I begin work on the third Sanguire novel, The False Side of Shadow. Should be on to that by the end of next week.

Five more days of work before a three day weekend.

Next up, I've decided to trash my original Slow Movin' Valentine story. Not completely, mind you. I just think the bit of fluff wanted by the Academy will be easier to do than what I originally had in mind for the series of short stories. Also, if I want to publish the short stories, I can't have one of them hosted at a site other than my own. It's a pain in the arse for the webmaster to take down links and stories every time some author gets into a snit, and I don't want to be the one . . . snitting! LOL!

So, I've devised a different story, one that stands alone and will not be included in my original plan of ten shorts in an anthology. Rest assured, there will be a new Slow Movin' tale, one that'll never be published.

Off to get my 1k of writing done!

Here's a question for everybody and anybody who reads this and is willing to brainstorm with me…

A is a consort. She belongs to B. B is sister to C. C is king of all the land.

B is ambitious. She wants to have C assassinated so she can take the throne. She also needs to have the assassin killed to keep anybody from pointing the finger at her.

A is unaware of all of this. However, she will be involved in the plot, and will ultimately take the fall for the dead assassin's job.

By A taking the fall for the murder of C AND the assassin, it will clear B's name so she can assume the throne.

Y'all still with me?

So . . . how the hel does that happen?? I've been fighting over this for the last hour. Scribbling it down on paper doesn't get me any closer to an answer, either. I need something extremely convoluted, something that'll play out to a minimum of 100k.

It sucks to know the beginning and ending of a novel and not know how the hel to get there!

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.

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I'm at work as I write this, having spent an evening manning coatcheck (on a warm night, no less, so you can imagine the extent of my toils.) Plenty of hours to kill and I've just finished reading Tipping the Velvet by Sarah Waters for the third time.

I love this book. It calls to me. It was made into a movie in England and recently showed (censored to the max) on BBC America. Which is why I thought to pick it up for another go 'round.

As it is with books you love, a point comes when you know it as well as your own life. It breathes, it becomes a dear and comfortable friend. And you wonder. What exactly is the draw?

The main character, from whose point of view the tale unfolds, goes through tumultuous times. Not during the era of her life, which is the late 1800s of London, England. The upheavals are within herself, her identity, heart. Now that I dwell on the fictional life of Nancy Aistley, I can't help but draw comparisons to my own.

I think the biggest impact for me is the ending. Nancy's first love, her best love, her most passionate love, the woman who broke her heart six years prior – this woman appears and asks her to return. Now Nancy has been reeling from this broken heart for all this time, making one bad decision after another. She's always been of the opinion that her heart could only be mended by this woman, has always dreamed of this very thing happening. She's struck by a revelation, an epiphany.

Her heart has already been mended and belongs to the woman she's been living with the past year or more.

That would be me, as well.

My first love, my most passionate love broke my heart. It wasn't the same as the book; there are parallels but not specifics, it's the emotions that call to me, not the facts. She didn't do what the fictional woman did and our problems were a mutual thing. To top it off, I left her rather than the other way around. Oh, but I mourned that loss. Years came and went, made all the more difficult by my stupid decisions, decisions made as I reeled from the relationship.

And one day, I was in the same position as Nancy. I had the chance. I could go back, return to the arms of a woman who I thought understood me far better than the woman I was with, regardless of my original disaffection for the way things had gone. My broken heart would finally heal and it could sing with the angels once again.

I turned it down. I burned those bridges so badly there's nothing but charcoal stumps in the water.

Because I realized my heart was on the mend already, aided by the lover I was with.

I can't say I was as smart as Nancy, though. I didn't even know at the time precisely why I turned away from what I had idealized over time as a grand passion. I think this is the very reason this book calls to me. For it's finally put into words what I knew to be true all those years ago when I had my chance and tossed it aside.

My lover, my friend, my wife. She accepts me unconditionally, warts and all. People say we make a cute couple (and we both grimace and turn up our noses at one another – "Cute?! Blech!") A dear friend of mine has said she's my true love. Another has said that I glow in her presence and she sparkles in mine.

The pair of us are stronger together than we've ever been apart and I know for a fact neither of us have been in other relationships that said the same. We've been through fifteen years of hell and heaven, feast and famine. I love her as I love myself for she taught me there was something of myself to love. And I've been fortunate enough to teach her the same lessons she's taught me.

So, that is the draw to this book, Tipping the Velvet, and this character, Nancy Aistley. As usual, I've been rather dense – fifteen years ago I made the decision to stay with my then girlfriend / future wife. And it's taken me fifteen of those years to figure it out.

But she loves me anyway. She's healed my heart, my mind, and my soul. I would not be who I am today without her influence no matter how much she tries to deny the responsibility.

I love you, Anna. Until the end of time and beyond.

Whew…I feel better! LOL!

Basically, BoS is about genetic vampires – not your typical 'I vant to suck your blooood' sorts. More along the lines of a separate race of beings that coexist with humans on Earth. I'm trying to steer away from the norm of vampire tales yet still keep enough of it to show why our current reality has conjured up all the myths (garlic, crosses, etc.) I think the toughest part is going to be coming up with the prophecy that everybody's acting on – I haven't written it, but it sure is a big deal to the Sanguire Council! Not to mention it's the basis for the entire book! LOL!

Jeri did a review of Maddie's Memories for me. I'm awaiting a response to a couple of questions before I see about fleshing it out more. Too bad I already sent it to the publisher, eh? Ah, well. If it's accepted, I'll send the editor the new and improved version and ask her to work from that instead.

*sigh*

I don't wanna go to work tomorrow. We've got the wine auction this weekend, an annual event for 800 people. It's a LOT of work to set up and just as much to tear down. Granted, we get paid for the deed but I'd much rather be home with blackberry tea and a book.

A friend of mine sent me a picture regarding the use of duct tape for homeland security. The Shrub's mouth was duct taped closed! LOL! Now THAT would be good for homeland security, ja, sure, you betcha! LOL!

Plus..an additional 300 words added. I don't know if I should hold it for another day or so or send it off now.

*takes deep breath and girds loins for battle*

Off to do a thorough edit of this thing. I've got a fresh box of tissues beside me and warned my sister-in-law that any tears she sees have nothing to do with the real world. I lucked out in the writing yesterday – Mary stayed in her room for the entire time I was sobbing.

Okay. Can't put it off for a week. I've got a deadline.

*sigh*

Fortunately, no manager today, no supervisor besides me, no shift leaders. The three on my crew got to blow 45 minutes and milk the clock, my bad. They weren't too upset about it. Hel, by the time we finished work, they were out by 3pm!

Still feeling kinda soggy around the edges re: the short story. I'm thinking of calling it Memories of Maddie or something similar. Not planning on looking at it again until Wednesday, though – my next day off. From the few comments I've received among beta readers, it's good. Not many complaints other than the tears. (And that's good!)

Got home to discover my Columbia House DVD deliveries! WOO HOO! I've a mind for Victor Victoria tonight. I'd watch Monty Python's Holy Grail, but I don't have the time to put into it. Perhaps on Wednesday as a treat for editing that short . . .

.

*blowing nose*

*sigh*

*sniffle*

Heh.