Novel progress

It's been a few weeks since my partner and I made any progress with our Ripper novel.  Actually it's probably only a couple of weeks, but it feels much longer.

What with work, family, different time zones and the NFL, lol, it's been hard finding time to get some words put down together.  We can and do write independently when there is little character interaction, coming back together for comments and editing.  But when we have our characters together we like to write together.  It's a much more enjoyable and encouraging experience and we are left with a serious sense of accomplishment.

So, in the last couple of days, I am delighted, sincerely delighted, that we have actually managed to get two whole chapters written but for editing.  It finally feels like the wheels are in motion again.

Given up on the fairies...

I made it eighteen chapters through Martin Millar's Good Fairies of New York and I am ashamed to say that with the temptation of new books I have removed my favorite bookmark, folded down the corner - just in case- and returned the book to my shelf.

Musical Fairies,as I said before, just don't do it for me.  The main human characters are too ordinary or nice to care about.  There was just nothing that gripped me. If any of you would like my copy please drop me a line - it's yours.

Onto new reads, I have taken the advice of my writing partner and got myself some classics in an attempt improve the flow of our symbiotic writing.  The first on my list is The Tropic of Cancer, by Henry Miller.  The book was banned for thirty years by every English speaking country when it first came out in the 1930s.  And, having read the first forty five pages or so, I can see why. 

Depending on your frame of mind, one could summarise that the author hates women and goes out of his way to reduce them to nothing more than pretty (or not) sex objects.  Me, however, I already see a love of life and an appreciation for the lust and passion that should drive us all.  Although t,he text has been littered with many offensive words and the foulest word of them all, what I will refer to as the 'C' word, most frequently, it is thoroughly entertaining, so far.  The prose is wonderful and moves at such a pace that you are left no choice but sit back and enjoy it.

The Red Asylum, Issue One - LIVE!!

That's right, months of planning and reading and design have come to fruition in the first historic edition of The Red Asylum, where I can proudly claim to be co-editor.  It's out now

Click on the front cover to access.

Struggling with Fairies

'The Good Fairies of New York' by Martin Millar was recommended to me by Amazon as I had bought Millar's 'Lonely Werewolf Girl' and rated it highly.  However, the 'Good Fairies' although mildly entertaining, is not engaging me as much as other books have.  Normally Amazon recommendations have been spot on for me.

My preferred genre is paranormal romance, epic battles and violence.  Reading about sweet little fairies who play the fiddle and try to help people doesn't really do it for me.  I like imposing, physically strong characters who grab my imagination.  Musical sprites may be a step too far from my chosen path.  I have a personal code of never leaving a book unread, I want to give it a fair chance, and I'll give anything a try.  When I start something I like to finish it, but this time...

My writing partner has recommended several classics authors and books for me, especially after I criticised his long sentences, lol.  Having ordered them from Amazon, I'm eager to get stuck in.  I've never been one for classics and could probably list those that I have read on one hand.  But with the writing of our Ripper novel in itself it a learning experience, I'm hopeful by reading material he is also impressed by we can improve the fluidity of our writing.

Back in the saddle

I'm pleased to share that today, after what feels like months of inaction, I finally made a new submission.  A piece I wrote called The Tree received some excellent comment and critique from fellow WB members, enough to encourage me to send it out to a pro-paying market.  Whether or no I am successful remains to be seen.  But it felt good to get something new out there.

Lost in Time

Saturday already, where has the week gone?  I have been busy all week joint-working on the Ripper novel.  We're getting excited as we explore different avenues with our main characters.  Joint-working, as I already said, is a lot of fun.  But in the last few days we've also had some disagreements, nothing serious and by no means a test of commitment or friendship, but certainly a test of our patience, lol.  Thankfully we got through them well and the story is all the better for it.  But as we shut the door on the festive season and my two weeks annual leave comes to an end, I realise that in order to achieve our dream of getting it finished and sold we are going to have to knuckle down to some serious work, making the best of all the time we have.  Messages and such are being sent back and forth at a pace each advising the other of shifts, schedules and commitments in order to pinpoint those precious hours we can both get on-line at the same time.  Being five hours in the future does nothing to help our situation.

Meantime life at home is slowly returning to normal.  My daughter started back at school last Tuesday, I followed her out the door for work on Friday.  My husband and son resume their weekly routines come Monday.  And I am reminded just how little time I really have to myself.

Thank goodness for time savers like my slow cooker which can prepare a meal for a family of four, while said family get on with the day.  And for my clothes airers which allow our clothes to  dry without the need of an iron or tumble drier.

Oh and before I go, don't forget the historic first issue of The Red Asylum is due out immanently! 

So, 2011, here you are.  I have high hopes.  Pro-Plus and double ended candles at the ready.

Well that cat is out of the bag...

My new writing project was unveiled on Writer's Beat a few days ago.  A Jack the Ripper novel with a huge difference.  But even more unique, I'm writing it with a friend and fellow WB member.  We've been playing with the characters for over six months, but only recently decided to try and make it into something more.  We hit the ground running; fifteen chapters in about two weeks.  The distance between us - oh only a few thousand miles and five hours .  But our styles are blending exceedingly well and we've had some great feedback from other members who've read it and cannot see any seams in our work.  It's great fun to be writing with someone who's own writing I have always enjoyed.  We're both dedicated to seeing the novel through and getting it published.  High hopes indeed.

In other news, a couple more shorts have left my fingertips.  Its been a while and certainly felt good to get some independent work done again.

The Red Asylum gathers pace ready for the first edition's grand release later this month.  Being listed on Duotrope really made a fantastic difference.

And enjoyably, as the rest of the country goes back to work today, I still have a few more leisurely days at home.