Witchcraft and Responsibility (Stats)

Dragon Knight

New words: 1,575
Total words: 37,312

Mean things: Haylee's a witch! Maybe . . . Also yet more responsibility from the baron.

Favorite: Only his sworn oaths of fealty and knighthood kept Cynric from leaving the room or something more drastic, such as perpetrating harm on the baron’s person.

Music:
"L'Amour de Moi" - Mediaeval Baebes
"Bye Bye Beautiful" - Nightwish

---
Writing was difficult today for a bunch of reasons. Rent was due today, so I had to hike over to the management office (luckily within easy walking distance) to pay that. I had nothing for breakfast, so my stomach demanded lunch early. I needed to shower. There's all sorts of insane drama going on over at the Buffy-Boards.

HOWEVER, I powered through it and managed to finish chapter 9. There's lots of foreshadowing in this chapter, which was a little on the difficult side but FUN. It's kind of exciting, knowing something about the characters that the readers and other characters don't know yet. Like playing keep-away with the clues. I can see why mystery writers are so prolific. Though I don't think I could be a mystery writer--too much pressure.

Tonight is date night since we are now in no danger of starving. We're going to celebrate with a nice dinner and a raid on the local Barnes & Noble. I have a list. I've already checked the website to make sure our local store HAS all the items on my list. I'm ready to go. Though I really don't need any more books. Or, at least, I need more bookshelves for the ones I've got. I might post pictures of my neat stacks later.

Random Art

Made this for a friend because she wants to BE Bellatrix Lestrange when she grows up.



I got the texture from Crossing Shadows. I'm learning more manipulative stuff, so my text doesn't just sit flat on the image anymore, which is nice. Also playing with erasers and brushes. I'm not nearly up to the standard of my friend Lyri by a long shot, but I think I'm getting better!

Let's Get it On (Stats)

Dragon Knight

New words: 1,061
Total words: 25,735

Mean things: Colsweart runs off with a female dragon

Favorite: The white dragon shot into the sky, a gleaming diamond arrow, quickly lost against the clouds scattered across the blue. Colsweart followed, his bulk slowing him on takeoff. Though she was invisible amongst the clouds, he still knew where she was; the smell of her filled his senses and drew him further up, until the air thinned under his wings, stinging his nostrils with its cold.

Music:
"The Glade" - Trevor Jones (Last of the Mohicans soundtrack)
"Celtic Dreams" - Delerium
"Window to Your Soul" - Delerium

---
Today went better than yesterday. And it's only 8:30; I've got the rest of the day to do whatever I want! . . . As long as "whatever I want" consists of dishes and laundry. SIGH.

Luckily, W.E.'s financial aid has cleared, so we are no longer in danger of being homeless or starving or having to sell my guitar. Yay!

Raising the Wall (Stats)

Dragon Knight

New words: 854
Total words: 24,624

Mean things: nothing.

Favorite: Derek’s laugh was a joyful ripple of boyish mirth.

Music:
"Parlay" - Trevor Jones (Last of the Mohicans soundtrack)

----
Just can't seem to get going today, so rather than trying to force the last half of this chapter--and potentially ruining it--I'm giving up for the day. Yesterday I tried to finish the outline for the rest of the book and ran aground--then realized I hadn't really articulated where I wanted the book to end, so of course the outline wasn't working. I didn't have anywhere to go with it. Of course, I'm already making changes to the outline as I'm writing. I'll realize that something doesn't make sense--Cynric's GOT a scribe and some heralds, WHY would he ride all the way to Alvey's keep to make a report?--and rearrange stuff, only to discover I've just cut out half a chapter's worth of plot. But it's okay; hopefully this way will be tighter and move faster.

In the meantime, I've started the actual outline for SUPER TECH book 1 (as yet untitled, but I'll think of something). I also unpacked almost all of my books and discovered that even with doubling (and in some cases, tripling) the stacks on the shelves, I still don't have enough shelf space. Argh.

W.E.'s first day of work went well. I think he'll actually like this job--or at least, not hate it with a fiery passion, which is enough for us right now.

A Shortcut to Dragons (Stats)

Dragon Knight

New words: 2,259
Total words: 23,817

Mean things: grumbly man-at-arms. Haylee being unseemly.

Favorite: Slowly, the dragon slithered out of her cave. She was about half Colsweart’s size, and her scales glittered like diamonds. She spread her wings, stretching them out, shaking them, and refolding them against her spine. Her yawn displayed teeth as long as Cynric’s hand and a purple tongue as a shocking contrast to her white scales. Finally, she gathered herself and sprang into the air, the downsweep of her wings buffeting the trees and watchers with a gust of cold air. After a few strong beats, she was securely airborne and disappeared over the trees.

Music:
"China Roses" - Enya
"Willow's Nightmare" - Chris Beck
"Winter" - Qntal

---
W.E. started work this morning, so I was up at the godawful hour of 6:30 AM. After watching this week's True Blood, having some oatmeal, and two cups of coffee, I tackled and finished chapter 7. It's only 10:30 now, and I usually don't stop writing until 12 PM (of course, I usually START at 10:30), so I almost don't know what to do with myself. I'll probably watch either Battlestar Galactica (which I've been meaning to start on), or rewatch season 1 of True Blood and work on the outlines of DRAGON KNIGHT and SUPER TECH book 1.

Whew!

Dragon Husbandry (Stats)

Dragon Knight

New words: 956
Total words: 21,556

Mean things: yet another huge assignment from the baron. Manservant acting oddly. War is coming.

Favorite: “No, sir,” Perth said. “Only that I don’t think this is a good idea.” He continued to favor Cynric with a clear, almost blank expression. His eyes were so bright they almost glowed, and for a moment Cynric wasn’t sure he was looking at a human being.

Music:
"Omnes Gentes Plautide" - Mediaeval Baebes
"Moondance" - Nightwish

---
Finished chapter 6, under much inner muttering and complaining. Just don't feel like doing anything today. Bleh.

More Art

I've been in one of those moods where I need to create, yet I can't write all the time. Well, I guess I could, but I'd probably go insane. So I made this:



The lyrics are from "Indestructible" by Disturbed, though I had to shorten the line "Determination that is incorruptible" to make it visible (the longer version went across the white shirt and disappeared no matter what color I tried).

Sunday Linkage

Here's some stuff that caught my eye this week:

I, too, like to nap wherever I can.

I want one of these dogs!

This made me laugh until I couldn't breathe. Warning: semi-adult content. Warning 2: it makes fun of Twilight, so if that sort of thing angers you, don't click on it. Srsly.

And finally, two different views on the recent Amazon Kindle-deletions. (For the record, I think Amazon's just not thinking, not out to bring on 1984.)

The Lord Calls (Stats)

Dragon Knight

New words: 1,313
Total words: 20,599

Mean things: awkward morning-after-the-fight. Lord demands Cynric's presence. Muscle aches.

Favorite: The silence weighed down on them as they ate, until Cynric was certain that to speak would be to shatter the air into a million tiny pieces.

Music:
Nothing to speak of. Sigh.

---
Finally getting toward the real meat of the conflict of the book. The next scene will send Cynric on his major quest, and warn of the upcoming war. Yay!

ETA: According to my counter, I am now one-quarter done with this draft. Hooray!

Buffy Art

I made another wallpaper today. Here it is. The texture is from Belladonna (again), and the lyrics are from "Monsieur's Departure" by Qntal. As always, clicking on the image takes you to the full-sized version.



I almost left Spike in the picture (those who recognize that shot know that Spike was in the background of that scene), but with the lyrics, it made more sense that she was alone, even if it made the whole thing kind of stark.

Deer is Not the Only Prey (Stats)

Dragon Knight

New words: 2,036
Total words: 19,284

Mean things: Haylee stalking Cynric (he has no idea). Good advice not taken. Big fight.

Favorite: Skirts in hand, Edlyn mounted the stairs. She passed Cynric’s door, which was closed firmly and seemed to glower at her. She gave it a sardonic look and continued down the hall to her own room.

Music:
"Southern Oracle" - Neverending Story soundtrack
"The Trick is to Keep Breathing" - Garbage

---
Finished chapter 5. Not a bad day's work.

Last night I decided that the plot I had planned for SUPER TECH book 2 would actually work better as book 1. So I FINALLY have a plot to work with in the first book. Hooray! Outlining will commence.

Silent Whispers, Silent Tears (Stats)

Dragon Knight

New words: 771
Total words: 17,229

Mean things: Edlyn doesn't like Haylee one little bit

Favorite: Edlyn complied, laying her head on her pillow, which was blessedly cool against her flushed skin. Braxton draped a quilt across her body. “Now get some sleep,” he said. “I’ll see that no one disturbs you.”
Despite her earlier protests, Edlyn found herself sliding down a dark tunnel into oblivion, where there was no pain, and with a sigh of relief, she let herself go.

Music:
"Memories" - Within Temptation
"Always" - Plumb

----
I chopped a chunk out of chapter 3 and added a bigger chunk to chapter 4. I think adding in Edlyn's POV is going to help the story tremendously.

Unfortunately, my OWW membership expires on Monday and I can't afford to pay for the next year yet. But I downloaded all of the comments made so far, and I plan to continue working until W.E.'s new job pays him (which it will weekly, which is awesome) and I can afford the $50 membership fee, at which point I will bombard the workshop with all the stuff I finish between now and then.

So THAT'S What Was Missing (Stats)

Dragon Knight

New words: 882
Total words: 16,458

Mean things: wifely mourning

Favorite: The familiar scent of Bede, a mix of horse, the oil he used on his armor, and his own musky maleness, wafted up from the neatly folded clothing within. The wash of memory that accompanied the smells undid Edlyn completely, and the carefully constructed barrier against grief crumbled. She picked up one of his shirts and buried her face in it, breathing in, stifling her sobs in the fabric. Hot tears flowed, soaking into the shirt.

Music:
"Mourning Tree" - Leave's Eyes
"Monsieur's Departure" - Qntal

---
Last night I figured out what this book was missing. I was only on chapter four, and it was already starting to feel flat, routine, and boring. Then I realized that I'd been in Cynric's head the whole time. Now, there's nothing wrong with that, but the things that Cynric is going through are sort of boring right now, while other people around him--namely Edlyn, the old knight's wife--are dealing with huge issues, like the death of a husband.

I was missing other people's points of view.

So I went back to chapter two and added a new scene at the end, showing us Edlyn's reaction to her husband's death once she gets to her room and is (mostly) alone. I plan to do some compressing and cleaning up on chapter 3, and possibly adding more of Edlyn's POV. Chapter 4 is fine as it stands, I think, and we'll see about chapter 5.

At least I figured this out NOW and not several more chapters in, or after I'd given up and thrown the book over a cliff.

H-I-R-E-D Spells Relief

W.E. got a job today. Pending drug- and background checks, he's gainfully employed as a Human Resources Assistant with a multinational cell phone company. Right now he's just a contractor, while they figure out exactly how much work this new office of theirs is going to entail, but it's quite probably going to go permanent in a couple of months. They're also paying him by the hour instead of on salary, which is awesome, and his per-hour rate is nothing to sneeze at.

The next few weeks will still be tight; it's a 45-minute drive to the office, and we're going to be squeaking by for gas money, but it's not going to be nearly as bad as we feared it might be. We're both quite relieved. We don't yet know when he's going to start; they have to get the background check back first, but that shouldn't take long (he hasn't been naughty). Hopefully he'll get to start on Monday.

Thanks to everyone who's been agonizing with me over this whole thing, and I promise that my blog posts, tweets, and Facebook updates will be happier from here on in.

Hunting for Freedom (Stats)

Dragon Knight

New words: 669
Total words: 15,575

Mean things: serfs being jerks. Having a fief is hard.

Favorite: The dogs bayed, their cries echoing through the woods, and Cynric lay low over the horse’s neck to avoid low branches. He vaguely heard the encouraging shouts of the pages as they ran behind the horses, quickly falling behind, and the hunter’s barked instructions to his dogs. But mostly he heard his own breathing, coming in quick, excited gasps as he looked past the horse’s neck to see the hounds, their bodies held low, flashing forward in swift leaps as they closed on their prey.

Music:
"Saint Declan's Drone" - Karl Jenkins

---
Concentration is completely gone today. Even coffee not helping. Starting to feel like this novel isn't going anywhere, dammit. Think I might start focusing more seriously on the Super Tech books; then maybe when DRAGON KNIGHT won't go anywhere, I'll have something else to work on.

In other news, W.E. has an interview tomorrow at 9 AM. I've started trying to shake off the doldrums by assigning myself one cleaning task a day. So far I've cleaned the kitchen to within an inch of its life and put away the last box of kitchen stuff. The place already looks better. Today is laundry and vacuuming my office-area. I developed discipline with writing, doing it even when I didn't feel like it, now I can translate that to housework.

Semi-Random Sunday Links

Here's some stuff that caught my eye this week. Hopefully, I'll turn this into a weekly thing.

Even women have some crazy boot camp (or in this case, officer candidate school) stories.

Following Wil Wheaton (@wilw) on Twitter is an adventure.

The BATFE has rejected Tennessee's Firearms Freedom Declaration Act.

Friday was Anti-Plagiarism Day. As a writer and teacher, let me just say that plagiarism SUCKS.

This is why I worry about Islam taking over Britain, as they seem bent on doing (because America probably wouldn't be far behind).

And finally, this just in: kitties are ADORABLE.

Getting to Know You (Stats)

Dragon Knight

New words: 1,161
Total words: 14,904

Mean things: still don't know who's lying.

Favorite: Cynric considered asking Dame Goodwin what she knew of Haylee, but then decided to keep the encounter to himself. Likely he’d never see the girl again, if Dame Goldbard’s demeanor had meant anything, and he wanted to treasure his brief brush with such a beauty.

Music:
"Icarus" - Mythos

---
Hopefully, by the endish of the book, people will be wondering what the hell Cynric's problem is, that he's so besotted with Haylee Goldbard and not Edlyn Goodwin. It might have something to do with a charm. We'll see.

Chapter 4 is now finished. I'll go about getting it up on OWW tomorrow.

Summer Reading

The list on the right has gotten ridiculously long, so I'm taking all the books I've already finished and listing them here, instead (in reverse order of how I read them):

Castle Roogna - Piers Anthony
The Source of Magic - Piers Anthony
The Undead and Philosophy - Richard Greene & K. Silem Mohammad (eds.)
A Spell for Chameleon - Piers Anthony
The White Dragon - Anne McCaffrey
Dragonsinger - Anne McCaffrey
Dragonsong - Anne McCaffrey
Dragonquest - Anne McCaffrey
The Narcissism Epidemic - Drs. Jean M. Twenge & W. Keith Campbell
Dragonflight - Anne McCaffrey
The Masterharper of Pern - Anne McCaffrey
Nerilka's Story - Anne McCaffrey
Moreta: Dragonlady of Pern - Anne McCaffrey
Dragonseye - Anne McCaffrey
The Chronicles of Pern: First Fall - Anne McCaffrey
Dragonsdawn - Anne McCaffrey
Children of the Night - Mercedes Lackey
Burning Water - Mercedes Lackey
Jinx High - Mercedes Lackey
Elvenborn - Mercedes Lackey
Elvenblood - Mercedes Lackey
Elvenbane - Mercedes Lackey
Owlknight - Mercedes Lackey
Owlsight - Mercedes Lackey
Owlflight - Mercedes Lackey
Last Scene Alive - Charlaine Harris
Dragon Harper - Anne McCaffrey and Todd McCaffrey

Dead or Still Alive, I Don't Care

I have discovered another obstacle to my being a full-time author.

I have lost all motivation to care about things I previously lived for.

Between the Great Banning Debacle on the Buffy-Boards a few months ago and the depression of being on the verge of homeless, I find that I don't care about much. Writing is about it. I'll watch one of the hundreds of DVDs we own, work on my cross-stitching, play Diablo II or Bejeweled or Zuma, but it's because I have to do SOMETHING, not because I want to. I've missed I don't know how many Buffy comics, and I'm not remotely interested in catching up. I should clean up the house. I don't want to. I have a pile of clean clothes in the laundry basket upstairs that should get folded. Don't feel like it. I haven't even spoken to many of my Buffy-Boards friends in awhile because it just feels like too much effort to chase them around and ask how they're doing.

I'm looking forward to going back to school with a passion that I cannot describe in words. I'm actually jealous of W.E. for having homework. I want something to do that doesn't involve mindless repetition or mouse clicking. My mind isn't being challenged, and it shows.

So unless I get a cat or a bunch of ferrets or a dog--anything to keep me active--I doubt I'll actually be able to become a full-time writer for awhile. Of course, since I haven't yet sold anything--or, at least, not in such a way that being a full-time writer is feasable--that's not really an option anyway. But if it were, this would be a real problem.

Someone's a Liar (Stats)

Dragon Knight

New words: 689
Total words: 13,734

Mean things: someone's lying. Who could it be?

Favorite: “Hmph. Hope it’s unfounded, then. Hate to lose our advantage. Especially to the unwashed horde, eh?” He clapped Cynric on the back so hard the younger man nearly staggered.
“Especially,” Cynric agreed. He wouldn’t admit it to Wacian, but he wasn’t as worried about their advantage as he was about Colsweart’s well-being.

Music:
Nothing. Very annoying.

---
Over the admittedly short life of this novel, I've had several people point out that it's just like Naomi Novik's dragon series, which may be a good or bad thing, depending on how I approach the material. Well, I've never read Novik's series, though I'd considered it, and now definitely won't until I'm done writing Dragon Knight.

But I'd like to also point out that the relationship between men and dragons has been a subject of Fantasy for decades, if not centuries. I can name several other writers--Patricia C. Wrede, Mercedes Lackey, and Jane Yolen, just for a few--who also deal with this subject matter. In fact, Mercedes Lackey's Joust series deals with them in a very similar manner--which is one reason I was so careful to make sure the dragons are NOT rideable. We will have no jousting from dragonback here.

My point is, there's really nothing new under the sun, and as long as I stick to my own creativity, I think I'll be okay.

The Girl Next Door (Stats)

Dragon Knight

New words: 908
Total words: 13,053

Mean things: daughter of knight next manor over sinking her hooks in good and proper

Favorite: Wacian’s voice shook the very air around him. Cynric remembered hearing his bellow across the battlefield quite often, and realized that he’d barely been raising his voice. He wasn’t shouting so much as booming; the words formed deep in his chest and rolled from his throat like thunder.

Music:
"The Dream" - The Birthday Massacre

---
The daughter, Haylee, is a challenge to write because she has ulterior motives. Right now she's supposed to look like your typical, pious, innocent young medieval woman. She's really conniving, headstrong, and will eventually do something that even Cynric will find unforgivable. I so rarely have ulterior motives for anything that it's incredibly hard to write them AND to recognize them in real-world people. Often quite frustrating and has led to much misunderstanding and heartache.

Today's writing was difficult for several reasons. First, I slept later than I wanted to. Second, the Internet is INCREDIBLY distracting. Third, W.E. got a call from a recruiter wanting an updated version of his resume so he could forward it to an employer for a three-month contract (yay!). And then there's my usual distractability. I had to give myself a stern talking-to after about 400 words, when the lazy lobe of my brain was sure that would be enough for one day, right? WRONG. 400 words is CRAP. Especially considering I took yesterday off. So I forced myself through another 500. Discipline. I has it. Sometimes.

Soldiers Can Be Jerks (Stats)

Dragon Knight

New words: 1,137
Total words: 12,141

Mean things: mean soldier.

Favorite: A powerfully built man in the Goodwin livery met Cynric and Firmin in the center of the small village. He stood aggressively, with his hands on his hips, leaning forward slightly. Cynric was glad for the advantage the horse gave him; he would barely reach this man’s shoulder if they stood toe-to-toe.

Music:
"Memento Mori" - Rhea's Obsession
"In Memory of D'drennan" - Unto Ashes
"Saint Declan's Drone" - Karl Jenkins

---
Chapter 3 is now done. Time to check it over for glaring errors, convert it to plain text, and post it on OWW. Then I get to have lunch. I'm very hungry.

Anyone Need an HR Professional?

Most of this post is a redo of one from last month, because things have gotten worse. We're now up to 4 months without a job, 60+ applications, and one job interview (we still haven't heard on that one). Temp agencies are turning up nothing. We have enough money to pay next month's rent, and then we're broke. Completely. No money for bills, food, or anything. It's a scary place to be in, and even more frustrating because we know that if someone will just give W.E. a chance, he can do a really good job.

So here's his abilities again, and if anyone needs someone like this, even if it's just for something small, like a resume revision, please let us know.

W.E. has a Master's degree in Industrial/Organizational Psychology, which means he can do just about anything Human Resources related and is willing to do consulting. He can look over resumes/cover letters; run statistics for employee surveys, turnover, adverse impact analysis, salary equity analysis, etc.; job analysis; comp analysis; designing training programs . . . pretty much anything that has anything to do with HR, he can cover.

And if anyone happens to live in the Nashville/Murfreesboro area and knows of someplace that's hiring for HR or Administrative positions, a heads-up on that would be quite helpful, as well. If anyone needs to contact me, they can do so at scarroll21@gmail.com and I'll pass the information on to W.E. and/or put him in touch with them.

Thanks for paying attention, and for any help you can give us.

No Ball on Funeral Day (Stats)

Dragon Knight

New words: 800
Total words: 11,004

Mean things: pissed off more townspeople

Favorite: The yells were excited and happy, not angry, and the occasional shout of laughter rose above the general mob noise. Suddenly, something popped out of the middle of the crowd and flew toward Cynric, straight at his face.
With reflexes developed by working with a baby dragon and a sword, Cynric dropped the reins, brought both hands up, and caught the ball inches in front of his face. When he lowered his hands, ball still clenched between them, the crowd had gone deathly silent. Most of the people had turned to stare at him, while a few were slinking away from the edges of the group to hide in nearby houses.

Music:
"Play, Minstrel, Play" - Blackmore's Night

---
The ball game was W.E.'s idea. After some adjusting to figure out why the townspeople would be playing mob football on the day they buried their former overlord, who they adored, I managed to make it fit rather well, I think. I've got one more major scene to write for this chapter, with one more major conflict, and then I can post it and get feedback. Yay!

Of Gossips and Warhorses (Stats)

Dragon Knight

New words: 758
Total words: 10,204

Mean things: old knight's son takes a fit. Solicitor is a gossip. Warhorses are mean.

Favorite: He checked on his warhorse, Egesa, briefly, finding the horse well cared for and in good spirits, for a warhorse. Instead of trying to take his arm off, Egesa merely stamped his feet and rolled his eyes when Cynric patted his neck. He barely fit in the stall, and Cynric made a mental note to look into a larger space for the horse. It wasn’t right to keep such a large animal, especially one with such a temper, in such a small space.

Music:
"Path to Decay" - Sirenia

----
Not much done today because I overslept by a lot. So much that I already had a caffeine withdrawal headache when I got up. Luckily not a bad one. But this scene is a bit slow and I just didn't have the impetus to plow through it to the quicker parts. Tomorrow will be better.

Countdown to "The Truthsayer"

I just got to look at the layout for "The Truthsayer" in the next issue of Sorcerous Signals. The art is very nice; I hope you guys like it as much as I do. I can't link to it until the issue goes live, of course, but it's coming on August 1st. I'll probably post a small piece of it here, also.

Sorcerous Signals is run on a donation basis, so if you guys like the story (or the artwork), please feel free to donate so the editors know you like it! I'll have more information on all of this when the issue is available.

Chapter 3 is Well Underway (Stats)

Dragon Knight

New words: 1,360
Total words: 9,446

Mean things: funeral. Guilt.
Nice things: nothing. I may as well not bother with this category until the end, when stuff starts resolving.

Favorite: The chapel was still cool from the chill of the spring night, which had brought with it a light frost, and smelled strongly of incense. Cynric resisted the urge to pull his furred cloak closer about him, or to shift his weight on the hard bench, where his rear had gone numb, and instead focused on the Requiem Mass. He found it faintly ironic that he could ignore such distractions in the midst of battle, but in this quiet, holy place, he was reduced to a fidgety boy.

Music:
"The Unquiet Grave" - Kate Rusby
"Here with Me" - Dido

---
I did some more revising on chapters 1 & 2 this morning, as well as the first big chunk of chapter 3, scene 1. I love OWW more and more; I've only gotten one review that wasn't quite diplomatic or nice. The rest of them have been encouraging and positive even while they're telling me where I dropped the ball. Thanks to their help, I know that Chapter 1 is much stronger than it would have been, that Chapter 2 is well on its way, and Chapter 3 is benefiting from comments already made. I actually look forward to revisions, because the comments I get leave me thinking, "I can totally do this!" instead of "I can't do this. I suck. I'll never fix this story."

I'm also writing more carefully, yet faster, because I want to get the next chapter up so my readers (I have two who seem to be willing to see this novel all the way through) don't have to wait too long for the next installment. It's fun and exciting instead of sloggy. I think the new challenges presented by the more mature readers at OWW are giving me the necessary jump-start to really enjoy what I'm doing again.

Now hopefully we have money before I have to start paying for it. . . .

I Am the Boss of Chapter 2 (Stats)

Dragon Knight

New words: 1,728
Total words: 8,086

Mean things: manor staff doesn't like Cynric. Cynric is a raving chauvinist.
Nice things: still nothing. The badness is just beginning.

Favorite: “Well, sir,” he said as he crossed the hall to where Cynric still stood, speechless. “Looks like you’ve managed to upset that one right and proper. What did you say?”
“Never you mind, Perth,” Cynric grumbled. “Just show me where my room is, please.”
“You never were any good with womenfolk, sir,” Perth said, his eyes dancing with laughter. “Come on. I’ve got your rooms all set up for you.”

Music:
Nothing writing-related. Although I discovered "This is Deutsch" by Eisbrecher and it's awesome.

---
Last night I sat back down and tackled chapter two, declaring "Who is the boss of you? Me! I am the boss of you!" (If you recognized the quote, you get a cookie. If you almost recognized the quote, look at this:

How about now?)

I deleted the entire second scene and started it completely over, beginning a little earlier in the time stream, and it worked much better. I am worried about Cynric coming off as a complete jackass, when really he's just overly chivalrous and doesn't want the old knight's dame to worry her pretty head about anything. I tried to work in as many references, from his point of view, to her fragility, delicacy, and his expectations of womanly vapors and fainting spells as I could. Then, when she didn't exactly react that way, he's not angry, but surprised and worried about her. Hopefully that makes him a bit more endearing. And I never thought I'd try to write a chauvanistic character as endearing. What is the world coming to?

Stats

Dragon Knight

New words: 665
Total words: 6,356

Mean things: uncooperative castle staff. Knight is a chauvinist.

Favorite: Nothing. Bad writing day.

Music:
Nothing.

---
Today's attempt at writing was like this: . Seriously. I don't know what's wrong with this chapter; it just won't go. Unfortunately, everything that happens in it is necessary to the plot, so I can't just chunk the chapter out the window and start somewhere else. A good portion of today's "new words" were actually added to the FIRST chapter when I did some revision based on suggestions from people at OWW.

On the other hand, I am learning a lot about how a castle was run, thanks to Anthony Viscount Montague's Book of Orders and Rules. I'm having to par down his staff because my knight is just a knight, but at least I know what they CALLED these people.

So today's attempt at writing was a wash. Hopefully tomorrow will be better. Considering how frustrated Sir Cynric is in the second half of this chapter, maybe I can channel some of my frustration into that.

Stats

Dragon Knight

New words: 1,430
Total words: 5,691

Mean things: faced with dead knight's family.
Nice things: um, nothing. Bad.

Favorite: The Wall had stood as the northern border for Rheine for a thousand years without incident, but rumors floated throughout the country that the northern barbarians had discovered a weapon that would pierce dragon scales, that they were breeding a dragon army, that they planned to attack soon. Cynric truly hoped this was all conjecture, but he would guard his section of Wall with a will.

Music:
"The Unquiet Grave" - Kate Rusby

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I don't feel like I've written more than a thousand words today. In fact, I feel like a complete slacker. Weird. Of course, it could have something to do with me knocking off at 12 PM instead of 1 or 2 like I usually do, but my hands are actually sore and I don't think I can do any more today.

Stats & Submission

Dragon Knight

New words: 623
Total words: 4,261

Mean things: baron STILL a jerk.
Nice things: understanding manservant

Favorite: Perth was an oddity in Rheine; while the Rheinen tended toward blond hair and blue eyes, Perth had blazing red hair, like a sunrise just before a storm. His eyes were a clear green that danced when he was amused or turned a threatening grey when he was angry. He was taller than most Rhienen, as well, topping six feet. He claimed to be from an island nation in the northern sea, but never explained how he came to be in Rheine, serving a very minor knight.

Music:
"Serve Me" - Unto Ashes

---
Word count still sort of sucked today, but I finished this chapter (and put it up on OWW) and decided to go over "The Queen's Huntsman" for submission. I sent it in to Orson Scott Card's Intergalactic Medicine Show a few minutes ago. The last time I submitted something to them it was rejected, but it was an encouraging rejection. It seems that "The Queen's Huntsman," being a fairy tale, will be difficult to place; most magazines seem to be leaning toward dark fantasy right now. Either that or I just need to find the right ones.

I have decided that "25 Years" by Blackmore's Night is my new favorite song. When I have money, I'll definitely have to get the CD.

Stats

Dragon Knight

New words: 694
Total words: 3,623

Mean things: baron is a jerk. Need a squire.
Nice things: going home.

Favorite: As they rode through the village outside the Woolgar castle, Baron Alvey’s people, serfs and freemen alike, scurried out of the way of the procession, oddly silent for what should have been a triumphal return. The barbarians were defeated, after all. Then Cynric remembered how many infantrymen had fallen on the field, how few were returning with them. The battle had claimed many more infantry than it ought to have, and the families of those men were here now, learning of their losses only because their husbands, fathers, sons, brothers were not coming home.

Music:
"25 Years" - Blackmore's Night

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Tired of the music on my hard drive, I signed up for Pandora and made two stations, one based on Celtic/Gaelic/Medieval/Pagan music (Mediaeval Baebes, Sarah McLachlan, Inkkubus Sukubus, Nightwish, Switchblade Symphony, etc.), the other on rock/grunge (Alice in Chains, Rob Zombie, Marilyn Manson, Slipknot, etc.). Between those two, I should never have a problem setting a mood. Of course, right now my Celtic station is playing Depeche Mode. Weird.

Writing didn't go too well today. I just couldn't seem to get going. I think it's partly worry, partly the Internet being distracting, and partly tiredness. Tomorrow should be better.

Stats

Dragon Knight

New words: 909
Total words: 2,929

Mean things: having to inform family of knight's death.
Nice things: finally a landed knight.

Favorite: Cynric applied the kerchief to the space between spines, where the bony ridge sliced it cleanly in two. The boy turned white, obviously imagining a human body in that space. “Armor might protect one from that ridge, but we are not certain of that. And an armored man would be too heavy for the dragon. He expends a great deal of energy keeping himself aloft, after all. Hence the enormous meal he just enjoyed.”

Music:
"Mad World" - Michael Andrews

---
Sometimes characters take on a life of their own once I actually start writing. Thankfully, it's usually the minor characters. The baron who my knight looks to was supposed to be ponderous and serious but overall a good guy. Instead, as I'm writing, he takes rash risks on the battlefield and foists some of his more onerous duties onto Cyric. This is not a nice man. And yet, it makes perfect sense for the rest of the story that he expect too much of his knights and is sort of a jerk. I guess sometimes the subconscious writer-brain knows what it's doing.

Stats

Dragon Knight

New words: 2,020

Total words: 2,020

Mean things: battle. Covered in blood. Not-so-bright commander.
Nice things: helpful pages. Happy dragon.

Favorite: Colsweart hovered ten feet above the battlefield, his wings beating rapidly to keep him at a hover. Orange and red flame poured from his throat over the archers’ line. A few had managed to get out of the way and were futilely firing at the dragon. No man-made weapon had ever managed to pierce dragon scales, but somehow everyone still thought they had to try. Cynric could see the bright flashes as the arrows bounced or glanced off, sparks showering from the point of impact.

Music:
"All Nightmare Long" - Metallica

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I dreamed about dragons all last night (except for the one bit of dream where I was teaching, dammit!), which I took to mean my subconscious was ready to start on this novel. So I dove in. I'm still not quite finished outlining, but I've got 12 chapters done, so I'm sure I can keep the outlining well ahead of the writing.

Otherwise, happy We're Not British day, my fellow Americans! Try not to burn off any necessary body parts. We're celebrating with a weekend-long movie marathon. Last night we watched The Hurt Locker, Kelly's Heroes, and Saving Private Ryan. Still on the stack are The Longest Day, The Patriot, We Were Soldiers, The Sum of All Fears, Black Hawk Down, Tears of the Sun, Platoon, Outpost, and Red Dawn. Should be fun.

Short Stories

Today I worked on "The Queen's Huntsman," which I think is just about ready to begin submitting, and started a new Truthsayer story, "The Truthsayer's Ward." I plan to finish outlining Dragon Knight today (I've been slacking a bit while trying to come up with more conflict, but I think I have it now) and possibly start writing it tomorrow.

The part of my brain that's in constant freak-out mode freaked out after I sent Necromancer off to Jodi, worrying that it's really garbage, that she's not going to be able to find anything nice to say about it, that she's going to tell me just to give up on this writing thing. I really hope not, but that freak-out part of my brain never shuts the freak up.

We're still waiting to hear about W.E.'s interview, speaking of freaking out. I know it's only been three days, but we need something now.

Off to outline, watch X-Files, and continue cross-stitching.