I’m participating with a small writing group sponsored by acclaimed author Michael Dellert. The free writes are set in the world Michael crafted for his epic series and he assigns each member a character. Here is what I’ve contributed thus far…

Manor Life with a Young Lord

Cathal Manor, Bántobar, Duir 1

Eranna wiped her hands on her apron and glanced across the larder at the hulk of a man balanced carefully on a stool that was more tar, sinew and rag twine than its original Alder wood. Dor, eyed her careful and then continued, “Please Eranna, I wouldn’t ask this of you if there was a better way. I know you,” Dor struggled for the right word, “I know Lord Cathal’s,” Dor was nearly mumbling now as he tried to cobble words together, “actions may not seem to you to be fitting or proper…” Eranna interrupted him, “Enough, Dor. You really should stop talking before you commit treason. You may be Captain of the manor, but in my kitchen you are no better than that headless scullery boy. I’ll get the Lord and his guests,” Eranna shook her head at the thought, “put to right and sent along to see the new summer foal. Continue reading →

This is an amazing commentary from Grandma Peachy.

My husband and I were talking about the things of God this morning as we often do. I mentioned a video I saw on YouTube by a young man who claims that God allowed him to see the judgement. Seeing a…

Source: Fear, Faith, and Forgiveness

I am currently in a Master’s degree program (thus the lack of posts for a while!) and have had to sit through recorded lectures. Sit through. I feel as though my brain has been beaten into idiocy. Seriously. Why does this professor create a power point then READ every line she already typed? WTF! Don’t do that, just don’t. I don’t care who you are or what industry you are in, don’t read your power point to me. I can read, I want to hear you talk about things that explain or add to the text you wrote.  And while I’m ranting, could you, Ms. Professor, please learn to develop an outline to keep yourself on track? How about some inflection and emotion in your lecture. Please, for the love of education, try not to be boring!! I’m paying a lot of money to listen you  and watch your presentation, make it more interesting and engaging. If you don’t know how, find the f**k out, hire someone to help you, something!

I got another segment into draft form. I only had a couple of paragraphs that I had to cull after writing them. I have the outline in mind for the pivotal next segment. Its the point at which much of the early story wraps back around and resolves.  It also opens the door to the next steps for the main character.

I want to try to have it to this solid transition prior to classes starting on Tuesday. I am concerned that writing will be on holiday while I concentrate on Master’s classes.

Every year or so, I cull through my contact lists, friends lists, and favorites lists. I look through all those emails I get from this site or that company. Then, I begin the culling. I’d usually winnow it down by a few hundred.  This year, I’m doing something new. Continue reading →

I’m finally back to feeling good. It took a while. I still have a hint of a cough but other than that, all is well.

I posted another segment of the Old Souls novel today and will probably have another piece done this week.  I’m trying to get it to a good place before I start my Master’s program in January. That gives me only a few weeks to try to bring this behemoth of a story to bear. I created a timeline for this novel, something I haven’t had to do before. I usually create character profiles for my works. I didn’t do it this time. I think because in my mind, each character’s story is flowing pretty well.  The timeline, however, was necessary. I needed to be able to reference where in time the character is in relation to the others. What tech exists… what language forms? What social norms are present… what history would the character lived through. Its been a grandiose exercise.  Exciting as new works are, I just want it to quit clawing at the inside of my mind. Once I get it onto the page, I’ll suffer less with the story and characters. 🙂 Let’s hope I get it done before classes start!