Work-In-Progress: The Season Between

Since fall starts tomorrow here, I thought I'd celebrate by sharing some of my writing for The Season Between. This will be a short story collection set after Summon the Seasons, with each story featuring one of my four Season Avatars. This snippet features Ysabel, the Goddess of Fall's Avatar who is gifted with animal magic. Here she is investigating who's been interfering with Bittern Marsh, which is supposed to be a nature preserve:

“Ava. We are blessed to have you return to our humble home so soon.” Lady C’than’s voice was flat. However, the spread she offered was just as grand as before. Ysabel piled a couple of sandwiches and pastries on her too-small plate. She needed to give her body energy in case she needed to use her magic.

Lady C’than took only a cup of chocolate and a single cookie. “What brings you here, Ava?”

Ysabel polished off a sandwich before replying. “Bittern Marsh.”

“I beg your pardon?” The noblewoman’s dark eyebrows rose.

“I’ve discovered evidence someone has been harvesting cattails and trapping animals in the marsh, Lady C’than. That area belongs to the Four.”

“The Four do nothing with it,” Lady C’than retorted.

“That is exactly the point.” Ysabel set her cup down on the table so hard she chipped the bottom. She turned the mug so her hostess couldn’t see the damage. “The land is set aside for the wild creatures of Challen. It isn’t meant to be farmland or homes or anything else.”

“But it’s an eyesore, Ava! I’ve ridden through there several times and disliked it immensely.”

Ysabel sat up straight. “And what were you doing in the marsh, Lady C’than?”

She pressed her lips together.

“I need to know who’s been interfering in the marsh, Lady C’than,” Ysabel added. “Is it your family?”

“Of course not!” she replied a little too quickly. “It must be one of our tenants. I suggest you seek out Benjamin Maxham and his family. They’re always going where they don’t belong.”

Project Updates

It's been a while since I discussed the projects I'm working on, so I thought I'd give a brief status update on them today. At the very least, it'll make me more accountable to myself. So here's a list of my various writing projects in no particular order:

Cli-Fi (Climate Fiction) Story: I mentioned previously that I'm working on a story for a cli-fi contest. The title is currently "The Trees of Carson Tower," but I may change it. I'm still working on the first draft, as I took a wrong turn with the plot and got stuck. I think I've figured out how to proceed and hope I can finish the draft by the end of the week--or month, at latest. The deadline for submitting the story is April 12th. If I don't make that deadline, or if the story is rejected, I may save it for a cli-fi collection of my own. This story is my top priority at the moment.

Jenna's Journey: This story is intended for a short story collection that will be set after Summon The Seasons and act as a bridge between my Season Avatars series and a spin-off series. This particular story will follow Jenna as she travels to the heart of the Fip Empire. The Season Avatars normally don't leave their country, so there will be plenty of opportunities for world-building and character development, as well as foreshadowing the short story Rob's Choice. I'm still partway through the first draft. This is the story I work on when I'm stuck with my other projects.

Murder at Magic Lake: I finally managed to finish the second draft; revising this story took longer than writing it, which isn't surprising since cozy mysteries are a new genre for me. I'm going to read through it again and decide if I'm ready for beta readers. I can draft a blurb when I pitch this story on a Facebook group for cozy mystery readers and writers. This story is my second priority.

Restaurants and Revenge: This is the second book in my cozy mystery series. I'm around halfway through the first draft, but I've already had to go back and revise it as I get new ideas. This story has been put on hold for a while, but once I finish the cli-fi story, I plan to return to it.

Silents for Swans: This is a pandemic version of a fairy tale I wrote last summer. I've submitted it to three different markets without success. There's a potential market for this story, but the submission period won't open until November. I'm holding the story for now, but if I find a market that sounds like a good fit before November, I'll send it there.

Thoth's Wager: This is a short story written for a themed anthology, but it was rejected. I revised it, but I need to send it to different markets. The subgenre is godpunk, so I need to find a place that's looking for that genre.

What are you working on? Feel free to share in the comments.

End of August Project Update

The last couple of days have been very much "A Hard Day's Night" work-wise, so I'll just quickly summarize where I am with my multitude of writing projects:

1. Cozy Mystery #2--I'm not sure yet if I want to call it Restaurants and Revenge or Food Safety Can Be Fatal. (I think the second one is more fun, but since I work in food safety, I'm not sure how that would look professionally.) My plan is to write about 500 words a day and aim for about 15,000 words/month. I'm around 13,000 at the moment, so I should make my goal. I just need to figure out a few more details about the murder.

2. Untitled Fantasy Short Story--I have a complete first draft around 4,300 words. I rewrote the opening scene, which naturally will affect the other scenes even though they feel more complete to me. Hopefully by September I can start submitting it to markets.

3. Dryads and Dragons--My original plan for August was to write about 200 words on this project per day. I made my goal for several days, but between squeezing in other projects and trying to figure out how I get from the middle to the end, I haven't worked on it for a while. 

4. Cozy Mystery #1--It's been about a month since I finished it, so it's time for the first read-through. How many inconsistencies will I find? Did I portray my heroine's Filipino heritage accurately? What will the beta readers think? Tune in sometime next month (hopefully) for the answers! In the meantime, enjoy the Beatles:

https://youtu.be/Yxq40ZYIibw

Back on the Blog Chain: Status Report

For this round, Cole wants to know what we've been working on lately:

Are you querying? Gearing up to go on submission? Writing? Revising? I'd love to hear what's new with you. And if you'd like to share a snippet of your WIP, even better!

Amanda posted before me, and Eric comes next.

Well, since I talk about my science fiction novel Across Two Universes so much, I figure I should discuss it first. I've done as much as I can with it on my own, so it's out to three reviewers. While I wait to hear from them, I've been getting feedback on my query letter and synopsis from the Absolute Writer Water Cooler and OWW. I've also started researching agents on QueryTracker. All this means that after umpteen zillion years, I'm finally gearing up to submit this project. Exactly when this will happen depends on the feedback I get from my reviewers, though I'm hoping I'm past the "tear it up and start over" phase by now.

Even though I haven't sold Across Two Universes yet, my characters have compelled me to start the sequel, currently called Catalyst in the Crucible. I was planning to make it a NaNoWriMo project, but I guess that's out the window now. That's OK; I just want to resolve Paul's story so he leaves me alone. ;)

I haven't forgotten about my shapeshifting sisters either. Although I'm not actually writing their story yet, I'm trying to plot it out. To be more precise, I have one plotline from the first project I wrote with them and a second plot from a short story I wrote while I was taking a break from Across Two Universes. I'm trying to figure out how to merge them. While I'd like to outline this story, I tend to write by the seat of my pants, so I have to make sure the outline doesn't spoil my urge to write the actual story. I think it would be good for me to work on something different from Paul once in a while.

Finally, here's the opening of Across Two Universes:

After standing so long under the hot lights, Paul felt like he’d passed through the wormhole as he entered the shadowed backstage. He headed to the green room for water, but a costume programmer yanked him off to the side, away from a couple of cursing stage hands.

“You’re Paul Harrison, right?” she asked. “Your sister’s at the back door. She says there’s a family emergency.”

Paul removed his sweaty face mesh. “What’s wrong?”

"She was too upset to tell me.”

I hope it’s nothing major. He sprinted down the corridor of narrow dressing rooms to the back. Cass peered through the security window. Mascara was streaked across her face, and her auburn hair tumbled wildly around her head. After he let her in, she clung to him so tightly her jacket became entangled in his holoprojectors.

“What’s up, Sis?” He strained his hearing to follow the onstage dialogue. “I have to go back before my next scene.”

She looked up at him, her blue eyes glistening. “Mom’s in the hospital.”

I hope you enjoyed it!

Work In Progress Wednesday

It's been a long time since I've done one of these, so I thought it was time to post an update:

Currently Working On: Across Two Universes, Chapter Eighteen, Page 187
Total Number of Pages: 266
Total Number of Words: About 84,000

The word count shrunk because I took out a chapter, which I'm currently rewriting. Still, I'm finally beginning to feel that I'm close to the end of this draft. It's still too soon to predict when I'll be finished; it depends on how much I revise the end.

Work In Progress Wednesday

Since it's still Wednesday at home.

Currently On: Chapter Fourteen, Page 145
Total Pages: 290
Total Words: 92,000

I did get some writing done on the flight over. It feels good to make my story lean and mean!

Work in Progress Wednesday

Currently On: Chapter Thirteen (at least I think that's the current chapter), Page 131
Total Pages: 304
Total Words: 98,000

Work In Progress Wednesday

It seems harder to find time to blog lately than to find writing time, and that's saying something. I've been meaning to post something about style in "fat fantasy" for a while now, but I haven't had a chance to write it up yet. Perhaps I'll be able to do so in the next couple of days. Anyway, here's a quick update on Across Two Universes:

Currently On: Chapter Twelve, Page 127
Total Pages: 300
Total Words: 97,000

I'm not sure if my current scene is going to work as well as I thought it would. My original plan was to have Paul and Yvonne discuss how to save Sean without telling him how he'll be killed (since he insists he doesn't want to know). Ultimately, I want to end the scene with Paul realizing he'll have to face Sean's killer and risk his own life, but I'm having trouble seeing how to get them to that point. Maybe I just need some more sleep.

I'll be back with the next round of the Blog Chain on Friday, so come back then to see what it's about!

Work In Progress Wednesday

It's been a couple of weeks since my last update. Here's my current status on Across Two Universes:

Currently On: Chapter Twelve, Page 121
Total Pages: 298
Total Words: 96,000

I'm in a scene that hasn't changed much, if any, since my first draft. It's one of those darlings I had to murder since it no longer quite fit. In the original version, Sean and Paul searched through some of Sean's old belongings for something Paul's mother had given him, with Sean questioning Paul along the way. The new version just had them sitting on crates talking to each other, which I felt was much less interesting to "stage." Today, after a wasted lunch hour, my muse finally gave me an idea: Sean will give Paul one item of his choice, but what Paul doesn't know is that Sean is judging him based on what he selects. What will Paul pick? You'll just have to read it to find out.

Work In Progress Wednesday

Again, I'm making this brief:

Currently On: Chapter Ten, Page 108
Total Pages: 298
Total Words: 96,000

The important thing is that I finished Chapter Ten and finally got Paul to contact Sean! Now let's see if I can start easing into revising instead of completely rewriting.

Work In Progress Wednesday

I always sneak these in right under the wire, don't I? It's hard to get much done in the evening when your toddler doesn't go to bed until nine and you don't get to leave his room until after ten:

Currently On: Chapter 10, Page 105
Total Pages: Page 295
Total Words: 95,000

I finally got my characters off the train and into Chicago, so things are moving along! Of course, it would help if I had more time. Maybe I should start writing at 5:30 in the morning, since I'm up anyway. I mean, what else would I possibly want to do....zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Work In Progress Wednesday

It's been a few weeks since I last posted about my progress on Across Two Universes. I needed some time to catch up on things at home. Here's where I currently am:

Currently On: Chapter Nine, Page 100
Total Page Count: 295
Total Word Count: 95,000

I'm behind my schedule of two chapters per month, but this stretch has been tough. It's new material. Basically, I have to transport my characters from Denver to Chicago. They're going by train, so it'll take them about a day and a half. Trying to keep the conflict up during the ride is a challenge. Hopefully once Paul and Sean meet, it'll be easier. Some rewriting will be necessary, but it shouldn't be as much. Of course, I've said that before.

Work In Progress Wednesday

I think I missed this last week since I was still catching up with WisCon. At least I'm not as sick anymore, though I still have some congestion and a barking cough. Here are my stats on Across Two Universes:

Currently On: Chapter Nine, Page 98
Total Pages: 288
Total Words: 93,000

Still painfully slow, but I have painfully little time to write. At least that should change this weekend. I'm off to California for a business trip. I'll be presenting some of the research I've done at a food expo. I'll be gone for several days, which will be rough on the whole family. At least I should have more time to write over the weekend and at night.

Work In Progress Wednesday

Here's a quick update:

Currently On: Chapter Nine, Page 89
Total Pages: 284
Total Words: 91,000

It's not much progress, but I had to delete a scene and start over, plus I didn't get any writing done over the weekend, as Alex napped very poorly. At least I finished the scene that was giving me so much trouble. Still, I'll be glad when I get Paul and his friends into Chicago so they can meet Sean.

I probably won't get much writing done this week, as WisCon starts this Friday! I'm on three panels (keeping up with science, paradoxes of time travel, and engaging the public in science), and I still have to prep for them. Remember the blog chain on wish fulfillment in fiction? That's going to be a panel, but I'm not on that one. (I did suggest the topic, however.) Hopefully I'll be able to attend parties and meet people this year; I didn't do too much last year since I had to stay at the overflow hotel. I also plan to pick up some prizes for contests, so keep on reading!

Work in Progress Wednesday

Just a quick update, as I have to get back to my day job.

Currently On: Chapter Nine, page 86

Total Pages: 281

Total Words: 90,000

My goal for the writing throwdown was to finish Chapters Seven and Eight. I finished Chapter Eight over lunch, so this makes me a winner!

(Yes, this is the official badge of the RallyStorm Throwdown.)

Now let's see if I can get through Chapter Ten by the end of the month. There's always another challenge out there!

Work In Progress Wednesday

Just a quick post, since it's getting late:

Currently On: Chapter Eight, page 81
Total Pages: 286
Total Words: 92,000

Hopefully I won't cut so much I end up with a novella instead of a novel. That would be harder to market. ;)

It's almost the end of April; according to my plan of editing/rewriting two chapters a month, I should be done with Chapter Eight. At least I'm working on it, so I've made up some time. I didn't get much done over the weekend, and I didn't do anything today. (It was our "date day"; I'll blog about it tomorrow.) But we're headed into the last week of the throwdown, so I need to finish this chapter soon. I do have to research some things before I get much farther, though. Hopefully this next week will be productive.

Work in Progress Wednesday

I forgot to check my wordcount after lunch today, but I did note where I am in the story:

Currently On: Across Two Universes, Chapter Seven, Page 75
Total Pages: 290
Total Word Count: 94,000

I think I'm close to finishing Chapter Seven, possibly by the end of the week. I do have to figure out the logistics of Chapter Eight (I'm writing new scenes), but at some point, I think I may actually stop tossing everything I've previously written and just edit text. Wouldn't that be something? It would be nice, because May is going to be busy for me. I'm on three panels at WisCon Memorial Day weekend, then the following weekend is Alex's birthday party. The weekend after that, I'm off on a business trip. (At least I should get to read/write while I travel.)

As long as I'm blogging, I'd like to remind people that there's less than a week left to follow my blog and become eligible to win a $10 gift card from Barnes and Noble. You can see my original post here. And if you refer someone who then follows me, you have a chance to win a second gift card. The drawing is next Tuesday, the 28th. Don't forget!

Work In Progress Wednesday

Here's my progress on Across Two Universes since last week:



Currently On: Chapter Seven, Page 69

Total Pages: 290

Total Words: 94,000



I feel like I made some good progress since last week, but I know I still need to go back and tweak some things before I'm satisfied.



Since last week, I decided to join a Writing Throwdown suggested by Elana. My goals are modest compared to some of the other participants: I just want to edit/revise through Chapter Eight by the end of the 30 days. Of course, my writing time is pretty slim to begin with, but I'd love to exceed my goal if possible. It depends on how many new scenes I feel compelled to write. Anyway, if all of us meet our goals, Bobby Flay will show up and cook us dinner. No, wait, I'm just saying that to be funny. But I bet I could beat Bobby in a science fiction throwdown. When is he going to walk through the door?

Also, I've joined the Dark Side. That's right; I'm now on Twitter. There's so much writing discussion going on there I feel the need to keep up, though I was sick of the "Blankfail" the first time I heard that being used. My username there is ulbrichalmazan. I'm still trying to get the hang of tweeting and hashtags and following, so any advice would be useful. Anyway, where are the cookies? The Dark Side promised cookies. I hope they're chocolate chip.

I better finish this post before I have a late-night snack.

Work In Progress Wednesday

First, thanks to all who've started following my blog, whether you've been lurking for a while or you've just discovered this blog. I stopped at Barnes and Noble this afternoon after my dentist appointment (I took three hours off) and picked up the gift cards for the drawing and some books. You can tell I'm a writer because I was so excited about having some free time to work on my book that I didn't worry about my fillings until I was in the dentist's office. The fillings were actually to protect some recessed parts of my gumline, so it really was quick and painless. (No numbing shots needed, and I was done in less than fifteen minutes.)

Anyway, here's where I'm at:

Currently On: Across Two Universes, Chapter Six, Page 61
Total Number of Pages: 301
Total Word Count: 98,000

Currently I'm working on a scene from Yvonne's point of view. This is Yvonne's first POV scene in the novel. Even though I've been working on this story for several years, my characters keep evolving. Yvonne is a bit of a people-pleaser in that she does whatever others want from her. She's an interesting contrast to Paul, who was raised to think for himself. She's also much more spiritual than he is, so they're going to change each other in interesting ways.

I won a contest on Elana's blog, so my prize was a critique of the first ten pages of my novel. I spent the afternoon revising it before sending it to her. Let's see how much red text is in the file when she returns it. (big grin) I may do some more revising before I forge ahead in the story.

OK, time to go pick up Alex from daycare.

Work In Progress Wednesday

As usual, my writing time has been very limited this last week. I still managed to make some slight progress:

Currently On: Chapter Six, Page 58
Total Pages: 298
Total Word Count: 97,000

And just to add some substance to this short post, here's the theme song for my current scene (my hero, Paul, is trying to persuade his love interest to help him after she's been avoiding him). The lyrics fit the situation pretty well: