I’ve been so focused on survival and practicality for months on end now, that I need to build in some dream time this week. I need to build in an hour or several hours each day not being practical, not being productive, not doing other people’s work.
Just being and dreaming.
That should get some of the stuck bits out.
What is your intent for the week?
Wednesday, August 14, 2013
Waxing Moon
Rainy and muggy
The new washer/dryer were delivered and hooked up yesterday. They are tiny compared to the previous ones! I’ll put a table or something in between them. This morning, I’m catching up on all the loads of laundry that accumulated, and then I have a lot of errands to do before I hit the Mermaid Ball meeting.
Yesterday, everything got cancelled, because I was at a delicate, crucial stage in the work on the fantasy trilogy. Originally, it was envisioned as one book, but there’s too much story and too much sweep to explore what I want to explore to do that. I figured out where to break it, and what to call each book, putting it together as a trilogy under the original title. The first book is completely drafted, and two thirds of the second book is drafted. I know where I want to go from here — I had a solid, 12 page writer’s rough outline for it, on which I expanded, based on notes I took re-reading the draft material I have three or four times. I want to have the entire trilogy ready before I start submission, and I’ve got my top two choices of publishers picked out. I think a realistic deadline is the end of this year, although I’d prefer it sooner.
Also, started the second book in the mystery series.
But, the focus was on the fantasy novel. That’s what’s been pulling at me hardest; that’s what feels right at this moment. It’s in much better shape than I remembered.
Today, I can move forward on drafting, and I also have to write a review and two articles, plus do all the running around. Should be a busy day.
Mermaid Ball is this weekend — should be tons of fun.
Devon
Friday, August 10, 2012
Waning Moon
Saturn Retrograde
Pluto Retrograde
Uranus Retrograde
Neptune Retrograde
Muggy and cloudy
Conference ends today. I’m exhausted, but a happy exhaustion. I’ve got enthusiasm for a new project, and built enthusiasm for what’s out there. I’ve met amazing people, forming new relationships and deepening those I had. I learned a lot, soaking up as much as I could like a sponge, and I laughed a lot.
Best of all, I feel like I’ve catapulted out of my creative rut. I feel a better balance between current commitments and the path I want to try next.
Terrific times.
Will have more coherent posts again next week, when I’ve caught up on sleep!
Have a fantastic weekend, all!
Devon
Associate Member, PEN American Center
Archaeologist Dr. Gwen Finnegan is on the hunt for her lover’s killer. Shy historical researcher Justin Yates, frustrated with his failing relationship, jumps at the chance to join her on a real adventure through Europe, pursued by factions including Gwen’s ex-lover and nemesis, Karl, as they try to unspool fact from fiction in a multi-generational obsession with a statue of the goddess Medusa.
Buy links here.
Stuck in NYC when plans for their next expedition fall through, Gwen and Justin accept teaching jobs at different local universities. Adjusting to their day-to-day relationship, and juggling the academic and emotional demands of their students, they are embroiled in two different, disturbing, paranormal situations that have more than one unusual crossing point. Can they work together to find the answers? Or are new temptations too much to resist? For whom are they willing to put their lives on the line? Available on multiple digital channels here.
NAUTICAL NAMASTE MYSTERIES
SAVASANA AT SEA
Yoga instructor Sophie Batchelder jumps at the chance to teach on a cruise ship when she loses her job and her boyfriend dumps her in the same day. But when her boss is murdered, and the crew thinks she's taking over her predecessor's blackmail scheme, Sophie must figure out who the real killer is -- before he turns her into a corpse, too. A Not-Quite-Cozy Mystery.
Buy Links here.
COVENTINA CIRCLE ROMANTIC SUSPENSE
PLAYING THE ANGLES
Witchcraft, politics, and theatre collide as Morag D’Anneville and Secret Service agent Simon Keane fight to protect the Vice President of the United States -- or is it Morag who needs Simon’s protection more than the VP?
Buy links here.
THE SPIRIT REPOSITORY
Bonnie Chencko knows books change lives. But she never expected her life to change because she happened to duck into a small bookshop in Greenwich Village on a rainy late November night. She’s attracted to Rufus Van Dijk, the mysterious man who owns the bookshop in his ancestors’ building. A building filled with family ghosts, who are mysteriously disappearing. It’s up to Bonnie and her burgeoning Craft powers to rescue the spirits before their souls are lost forever. Buy Links here.
RELICS & REQUIEM
Amanda Breck’s complicated life gets more convoluted when she finds the body of Lena Morgan in Central Park, identical to Amanda’s dream. Detective Phineas Regan is one case away from retirement; the last thing he needs is a murder case tinged by the occult. The seeds of their attraction were planted months ago, when Phineas investigated an attack on Amanda’s friend Morag. Now, fate is determined to draw them close. But can they work together to stop a wily, vicious killer, or will the murderer destroy them both?
Buy link here.
THE JAIN LAZARUS ADVENTURES
Hex Breaker by Devon Ellington. A Jain Lazarus Adventure. Hex Breaker Jain Lazarus joins the crew of a cursed film, teaming with tough, practical Detective Wyatt East on an adventure fighting zombies, ceremonial magicians, the town wife-beater, the messenger of the gods, and their own pasts.
This series will re-release in 2020.
Visit the site for the Jain Lazarus adventures.</a
DIXIE DUST RUMORS
By Jenny Storm. A young girl fights to save her horse trainer father's reputation when vicious rumors could ruin their lives. Purchase from eTreaures Publishing!
Full Circle: An Ars Concordia Anthology. Edited by Colin Galbraith. My story is “Pauvre Bob”, set at Arlington Race Track in Illinois is included in this wonderful collection of short stories and poetry. You can download it free here.
