I’d got to a game with this guy. Just sayin’! Have a great weekend and Happy Mother’s Day to all the Moms of whatever stripe!
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Thursday Thoughts: Universal Realism
You long-timers will have “seen” me talk about this before but a quick recap for any newcomers or the casual drop-in who happens to find their way here. No matter what genre you write, you have do some worldbuilding. Sometimes, it must be very elaborate. Sometimes, the bare bones will work but you still have to “set the stage” as it were. This is even true when writing contemporary romance. It’s especially true when diving into some of the other genres whether fantasy, scifi, historical…heck, even suspense. I’ve taught classes and seminars on the topic and bottom line, no matter how fantastical the world is, it still has to be real.
Sometimes you wonder whether or not you’ve been realistic, whether or not it’s within you, whether or not “it” really works.
But in your wondering, Silver, you’ve given pause to an entire Universe that never once thought to doubt and yet is still poised to deliver.
That’s me,
The Universe
©www.tut.comP.S. Silver, it is never too late.
Yes, I stop and think when I’m creating a world. I hit the pause button, sip my coffee, stare out the window and think. Is this realistic? Do the parts all fit together to make it whole and real? Does it make sense? If I build it, will they come? Even the craziest, most outlandish ideas can work if you believe it’s real and you present it to your readers with the conviction that it is, indeed, real. So, Universe. I do hear you. Yes, there are times I make my universe pause and once my doubts are allayed, I hit the go button and the universe delivers. So thanks for the reminder.
Posted in Craft, Writing Life
Tagged craft, inspiration, links, musing, quotes, Thursday Thoughts, Universe, WIPs, writing
2 Comments
Wednesday Words: Giving Up
Well, hello there. It’s good to be back. Did you miss me? Yeah…stuff happened Monday and Tuesday. My computer is now to the point where it needs to be replaced. It doesn’t have enough oomph to take the new Windows 11 OS. This is normally not a big deal but Microsoft will no longer be supporting Win10 after this month. That means no patches and no security updates and while I’m careful and have virus and protective programs, it’s the patches that worry me. Not to mention the fact that the disk drive no longer works and the poor old thing is slower than molasses if I have more than two windows open or more than a handful of tabs open in my browser. Add the fact that internet was intermittant due to weather, and yeah, I was AWOL Monday and yesterday. At least I’d set up Monday on Sunday. But now it’s Wednesday and I actually have new words. So, there ya go.
In happier news, I took the Honorable Mention in last week’s Thursday Threads flash challenge based on this prompt: “And that was hard to give up.”
****
Ariel heard her coming. He didn’t move, not even when she stopped outside his cell. He should. She was his queen. But he didn’t.
“How long will you ignore me, Ariel?”
“How long will it take you to get bored and move on?”
Titania’s tinkling laughter scraped across his nerves like the sharp nails of a fairy tale witch.
“You’ve already pissed off Oberon. Do you wish to piss me off as well?”
That was a good question. He rolled off the lumpy mattress to land on his feet, doffed an invisible cap, and bent at the waist. “Your highness.”
The queen skewered him with a look. “You could at least pretend to be sincere.”
“Why are you here?”
“I want to know what you did that angered Oberon so much he threw his beloved Seducer into the dungeons.”
He shrugged. “I went to visit someone.”
“Who? And did you seduce her?”
His expression softened as he gazed into the past. “Long ago.”
“Human.” She spat the word.
“Aren’t they all?”
It was Titania’s turn to shrug. “Why did this one anger him?”
“This one is dying.”
His declaration left her speechless. When she finally spoke, her voice was soft. “You love her.”
“Once.”
“And that was hard to give up. Is she beautiful?”
“To me she is. Her face reflects the trials of her life. There is a certain beauty in that.”
Titania unlocked the cell. “Take her to the Summerlands.”
He dematerialized before she could change her mind..
****
Part of the problem I’ve been having with Ariel’s book is how it starts. I know what happens, mostly. At least between him and Aisling. But to get him from the end of that last book to where he needs to be in this book was throwing me. But now I know. I have the “bridge.” And this snippet is part of that. Anyway, yay. I’m in better head space now and despite the issues with my poor desktop, I shall prevail! And will eventually get a new computer and then be delayed again as I try to figure out how the heck to get stuff transferred, set-up, etc. Grrr. Anyway. Neither here nor there as far as y’all are concerned. Writers, you have your assignment if you want it. Readers, have you ever read a book that started in the wrong place?
Posted in Writing Life
Tagged characters, good stuff, inspiration, musing, Penumbra Papers, quotes, reading, snippet, Wednesday Words, WIPs, writing
4 Comments
May Day Monday
May the Fourth be with you!
Okay, so May Day was last week. And Star Wars Day was yesterday. It’s hard to be creative Monday after Monday. I mean, while boring–I’m pretty sure–I at least have a theme for the other days of the week. Monday is just out there–hanging around each week, expecting me to have done stuff and be in a position to cleverly report about that stuff. Oddly enough, looking at my stats, Monday is a big day for blog visits. I’m not quite sure why.
And now it’s time to make the donuts. Or make stuff up, as the case may be. We’ll start with weather. After massive splooshes and flooding in parts of the state, the weekend and today are all kinds of awesome spring weather. Perfect tiemps around 70. Low humidity. Light breeze. Tomorrow, the rain might come back but today is perfect. Also, my honeysuckle is blooming. It smells so sweet coming through the open window. I also saw a new bird in the feeder this weekend–a red-breasted grosbeak. And his mate. I tried to take a picture but my phone didn’t want to cooperate. I also had to refill the hummingbird feeder. Haven’t seen any, but something besides ants have been noshing there. Also, all the rain incentivized my peony to suddenly grow and it has a bud on it. Yay.
In writing news, I actually produced some new words–beyond the Thursday Threads challenge, which you’ll read Wednesday. Thursday Threads, not the other words. The good news is, I have the start for Ariel’s book. So…yay!
In reading news, I’m still in the Kristen Ashley crazy train and enjoying it. I haven’t listened to the books in her Dream Man series in almost 5 years. I’m currently on LAW MAN, which is #3. I didn’t put it together until this “session” that the Dream Man books are set concurrently with the Rock Chick books–or slightly after the RC books in the “universe” timeline. After LAW MAN comes MOTORCYCLE MAN and that is the lead-in for the Chaos MC series and yeah, I’ll probably dive into them next as it’s been awhile for them too.
There was soccer, softball, and 3 levels of baseball this past weekend. Soccer was win some, lose some, but Stormy played very well. My Cowgirls got hot and did a bunch of winning, including a series sweep against Utah to close out the regular season. They head into the Big 12 championships this next week. They will most likely make the NCAA tournament but if they take the Big 12 (currently 4 seed), they might get a Regional. Sadly, they likely won’t get a Super Regional but that’s okay. They do well on the road. Baseball Boy’s team got knocked out of regionals in the championship game. OSU Cowboys always had many wins over the weekend, and my Cardinals are having a rough year but they had some wins too.
That pretty much sums up my life last week and weekend. It was First Saturday but due to schedules, there was siren test (I didn’t accompany LG) but no family lunch (soccer game). I stayed home and actually got some editing done on a different project. I need to do more of that today. On that note, Pete wants out, I need more coffee, and it’s time to get really started on the day. Hope y’all have a great weekend!
Friday Sinema: Shopping
I had to go to Wallyworld yesterday. Therefore, today’s “sinema” is most apropos! And yes, I ran into every blessed one of these types. I should write the producers and urge them to add the “Cute Dog” folks. Jake and I could be in and out in half the time. Be honest, do you resemble one of these types? Hope y’all have a great weekend!
Thursday Thoughts: Keep Reading
My dad used to read to me. Then he taught me how to read. One of my favoirtes was “The Little Rabbit Who Wanted Red Wings.” The book was red leatherette with black lettering and an illustration of a rabbit with wings on the cover. I still have my copy. I read the story to Only and to Stormy. A love of reading is the greatest gift you can give or receive. The Universe agrees with me. Mostly.
Silver, would a loving parent ever give a child a story to read that didn’t have a wonderfully happy ending?
No. Never.
But they might add, “Whatever you do, don’t stop reading at the scary parts!”
My life-advice exactly,
The Universe
©www.tut.comP.S. It’s the same for living a lifetime, Silver… not that there’s really an ending.
Not all books have happy endings. Some books just have the scary parts and end there. Yeah…nope. I think that’s why I’ve always been drawn to romance and the various subgenres of romance. I KNOW I’m going to have that HEA at the end of the book. And it’s boing to make me happy. Don’t get me wrong, I like the scary parts. And the angry parts. And the sad parts. But ONLY if the book ends on the HAPPY. And yes, I want my life to be the same.
Posted in Writing Life
Tagged inspiration, musing, quotes, reading, Thursday Thoughts, Universe, writing
2 Comments
Wednesday Words: Dirty Jobs
It’s time once again for Wednesday Words. I was the judge last week for Thursday Threads so no exciting news about how impressive my words were. That said, I did use the prompt and since I was under no word constraints, rather than the 250 required by the flash fiction challenge, I ripped out almost 400. Yay. The prompt was: *”There were always jobs to do.”*
Today’s snippet takes a little detour. Rather than visiting with Ariel, this scene is all about Sade and her marching orders. While the book might be about Ari and Aisling, the series is more or less about Sade so of course, she has to get involved at some point. The conterxt should mostly be obviousl
****
The intercom on Sade’s desk buzzed. She ignored it. Sixty seconds later it buzzed again. She waved her hand as if flicking at an irritating fly but her focus remained on the file she’d opened on her computer. The information there wasn’t making sense, despite the fact she’d read the damn thing three times. When the intercom sounded once more, she growled.
Third time being the charm, she had to answer it.
“What!”
“Don’t get snippy with me, missy.”
Sade closed her eyes and inhaled deeply, reaching for patience she’d never had. “I’m in the middle here, Alice. What’s up?”
“The director would like to see you.”
And she’d like to see her way through this mishmash of a case. As if reading her mind—and with Alice, one never knew, the Director’s admin spoke before Sade could muster an excuse.
“It is important, Agent Marquis.”
Well, crap. When Alice got formal, shit got real. “I’ll be right up.”
She took a moment to save the document on her monitor then headed up to the directors office. Alice met her at the door, a cup of steaming coffee in her hand. The small woman handed it to Sade.
“Here, dear. You’ll need this. Go right in. He’s expecting you.”
George Bailey leaned back in a desk chair built to handle his bulk. He’d been a hellava field agent once. Now the dark skin of his face sagged a bit, pointing an accusatory finger at the stress that came with his job.
Sade started to sit but stopped when he said, “Don’t bother. I want you on the next flight to Rochester.”
“What about—”
“Take those files with you. You can work on them in your spare time.”
Happy she hadn’t taken a sip of the coffee, she snorted. “What about your one case at a time rule?”
“There’s something going on up there. You need to find out what it is.”
“Can’t someone—”
“No. This needs your particular brand of…” He trailed off, searching for a word. He finally found it. “Finesse.” He waved his hand, dismissing her.
Alice handed her a thin file and a plane ticket. “Take your umbrella, dear,” the woman said. “It rains a lot in Rochester.”
Sade just nodded. No one ever argued with Alice Cooper. And, there were always jobs to do when you ran the FBI’s MAGIC Unit.
****
There it is. Yes, it’s rough and needs work but hey, it’s a new scene in the book. Writers, if the prompt moves you, move with it and build a scene. Readers, do you agree that there are always jobs to do? Just nod. I know y’all are busy. 😉
Posted in Writing Life
Tagged #ThursdayThreads, characters, good stuff, inspiration, quotes, reading, snippet, Wednesday Words, WIPs, writing
2 Comments
Tuesday Tidbits: Random Edition
It’s Tuesday. How did that happen?
Don’t answer that, it’s a rhetorical questions.
While I’m out of my mind, I’ll mention that this is on the fly because the small part of my brain still functioning forgot that I hadn’t set up the blog and I was too close to bedtime to worry about figuring out a recipe, a book, and a pic to go with it, much less scrambling for links. Marketing. It is soooo not my forte.
We had storms last night. This is going to be one of those mornings when there’s not enough coffee in the world.
I need to go to Wallyworld. Tomorrow. I’ll go tomorrow.
Do you ever type a word, look at, decide it doesn’t look right so you look it up only to discover that it’s just fine? Yeah, me too.
Did I mention random?
Speaking of, I bawled yesterday at the end of the book I was listening to. The ending was like a shot to the heart and I sat there listening, tears flowing, nose blowing, and I wanted to punch myself. Not for crying but for not being able to write something that would make people cry. And laugh. And get mad. And all the emotions. In case you’re interested, I was listening to SMOOTH SAILING by Kristen Ashley. It’s part of her Wild West MC series but it technically was all about the Chaos MC, of which she wrote many books. I had the feeling the emotional part was coming so I wasn’t surprised but I was surprised at how hard it hit me. Or not. Given the past two weeks. Anyway. Maybe the release of those tears are just what the doc ordered. We’ll see.
What if slugs are just snails going through a divorce. “Yeah, she got the house…”
If you replace the “W” with “T” in Where, When, and What, you get the answers to those questions.
I’m pretty sure I mentioned random, didn’t I?
Okay, enough tomfoolery. Except. Have you ever wondered who Tom was and why he was fooling around?
This time I mean it. It’s way past time to get more coffee and…you know…actually do something constructive. What’s random in your life today?
Posted in Writing Life
Tagged books, fun stuff, random, Tuesday Tidbits, weather, writing
2 Comments
Mondaze
Where did last week and the weekend go? I mean, seriously.
I feel like I haven’t done anything. Except for being a lumpen. I’m good at being a lumpen.
In other news, my Cowgirls did pretty good but they are going to have to hustle to be in the Top 8 so they can get a Super Regional. I’d love to see them back at the Women’s College World Series. The Cowboys also mostly won, as did the Cardinals. No soccer. Called on account of weather.
Speaking of, we’ve had the weather. Several tornados in the state–not close to me. And rain. Lots and lots of rain. We needed it and need more. However, that led to flashflooding and sadly, to some deaths. Spring in Oklahoma.
I wrote a little. I edited a little. I mostly was a lumpen so there were books listened to. I’m currently on a Kristen Ashley kick. She’s not everyone’s cup of tea and her books are flavored with crazysauce gravy but in the right mood? Yeah, they can be catnip. Heck, one time in Denver for a writer’s conference, I ordered a Fat Tire beer because the brand plays a big part in her books. It was okay but I prefer my Harp.
Anyway, as mentioned–at least in my head–the hard part of April is done and I fully intend on climbing out of the hole this time of year always digs in my psyche. I feel lighter already. We’ll see what the week brings. What about y’all? What’s in your future?
Posted in Writing Life
Tagged follow up, Monday, musing, reading, sports, weather, writing
5 Comments
Friday Sinema: Then and Now
Okay. I’m older than these guys but I’ll admit to being a bit of a cougar back in the day. Watching this short made me nostalgic while also causing a bit of “Whoah!” I’ll admit I’m a Keifer gal. Do you have a fave? Have a great weekend!
Silver James 