The Pen of a Ready Writer

...There's always someone in worse circumstances. Which I found peculiarly inspiring. I just found out that one of my contest compatriots is also cutting words to make her manuscript fit the requirements.  Only she is cutting it down from 33k words. Wow. I thought that cutting from 24k was bad. But, hey, if she can cut 13k words from her story, I certainly can stop whining about cutting 4k from mine. Link arms with me.  We can do this. P.S. Also, please join me in a round of applause for my compatriot.  Because she is amazing.

     It was almost dawn when the prince let her go.   Rayen wiped the weariness from her eyes and headed straight to the bakery. Coups or no, her family still had to eat.   But just as she reached the door, a figure stepped from the shadows.   It was Danwell.      “You did it.” He murmured, admiration in his voice.   “Targallin is on our side. Help is coming from the East.   The prince will be overthrown.   Our people will have a chance of survival.”      Too exhausted for sarcasm, Rayen pushed open the bakery door and donned her apron.   “I’m glad.”      Danwell followed her.   “I was wrong to doubt you, little badger.   I’m honored to have you on our side.”      Rayen glanced at her finger.   The inkstain had almost faded.   “My ‘sweetness’ and your ink.”   She rubbed her finger thoughtfully.   “Watch them ch...

I've spoken before about how I love woven stories.  That's one reason I love Charles Dickens -- he weaves so many threads, all inter-twining, into his final masterpiece. But editing such a story is a nightmare! I just deleted 5 entire chapters from my Snow White retelling.  But that means I have to read through every single other chapter, deleting threads that are no longer relevant.  --Those deleted chapters were foreshadowed and hinted at, random objects were put in place for later use, the first half of humor was layed out so you would laugh when you read the chapter.  --And then, once the chapter itself was deleted, the hints that were hidden in the deleted chapter are gone, so your later chapters are lacking the foreshadowing, hinting, placement of objects, et cetera, that would have been wrapped up in that chapter.       No scene is one layer.  You have your primary objective but a million other tiny things are happening.  ...

     Hello, delightful friends!       I am continuing my fun event.  It is called A Friday Quote.  I have been doing it since the first Friday in August.  I was going to stop in November, but I'm going to do one last one next week.  Here's how it works: IN THE COMMENTS BELOW:       Post a quote of something YOU wrote THIS week. Or Something you edited this week (of something you previous wrote).     Don't make the quote too long because I don't want you to spoil your story.  Probably 5 sentences or so would be a good amount.  But that is a guideline and not a rule.      You don't have to participate every week.  But you can participate any week that you write.       And it will be so much fun to see everybody's quotes.      And, for me, it will be a reward for writing this week.  :D  Next week will be the ...

     Rayen pulled her apron off and dusted flour from her leggings.   The letter in her boot poked at her leg – a constant reminder that she had a purpose awaiting her.   “I’ll be back by dawn,” she said to the baker as she folded her apron and laid it over the counter.       He nodded without a word.      The rattle of the carriage caught up with her on the way home.   Was this the summons that she was waiting for?   Rayen paused as it stopped beside her.   It was the same royal carriage that had first discovered her nearly six months before.   Then, it carried the prince.   Today, it carried only his manservant, Callun.       Callun swung down as soon as the carriage stopped.         Rayen surveyed the carriage in scorn.   “Rather late in the evening, isn’t it?   Has the prince no concept of beauty sleep?” ...

     Hello, delightful friends!       I am continuing my fun event.  It is called A Friday Quote, and I shall play this game every Friday from August through November.  Here's how it works: IN THE COMMENTS BELOW:       Post a quote of something YOU wrote THIS week. Or Something you edited this week (of something you previous wrote).     Don't make the quote too long because I don't want you to spoil your story.  Probably 5 sentences or so would be a good amount.  But that is a guideline and not a rule.      You don't have to participate every week.  But you can participate any week that you write.       And it will be so much fun to see everybody's quotes.      And, for me, it will be a reward for writing this week.  :D      Enjoy!

Hello, writerly friends!      I have 1 person who is currently alpha-reading for me.  I need a couple beta readers.  Please comment if you are willing!

     I finished my first draft.     Boy is it rough.     But it is done, and I can hardly believe it.     Seriously, I was starting to think that I would never finish this story.      I'm a little overwhelmed with the editing now required.  The deadline still looms dauntingly before me.      But, hey!  I thought I wouldn't make it this far, and yet here I am.  Who knows what can yet be accomplished?

     Hello, delightful friends!       I am continuing my fun event.  It is called A Friday Quote, and I shall play this game every Friday from August through November.  Here's how it works: IN THE COMMENTS BELOW:       Post a quote of something YOU wrote THIS week. Or Something you edited this week (of something you previous wrote).     Don't make the quote too long because I don't want you to spoil your story.  Probably 5 sentences or so would be a good amount.  But that is a guideline and not a rule.      You don't have to participate every week.  But you can participate any week that you write.       And it will be so much fun to see everybody's quotes.      And, for me, it will be a reward for writing this week.  :D      Enjoy!

     The inkwell tipped, sloshing two spatters of black liquid onto the desk.   Rayen impulsively reached forward, dipping her forefinger into the puddle.   It turned her fingertip black.   She wiped her thumb across it, watching the ink spread from thick to thin.        Danwell looked up from the letter he was writing.   Light from the candle flickered, casting threatening shadows against the wall.   “This is not a mission for a child.”      “I know.” Rayen raised both her eyebrows, daring him to make the response she knew was coming.      “Then stop sticking your fingers in messes like a 4-year-old.” He folded the letter with crisp precision.   From a drawer, he pulled a stick of sealing wax.   For a moment, he held it over the candle.   Then he let a drip fall onto the folded letter.       “Aren’t you going to s...

     Hello, delightful friends!       I am continuing my fun event.  It is called A Friday Quote, and I shall play this game every Friday from August through November.  Here's how it works: IN THE COMMENTS BELOW:       Post a quote of something YOU wrote THIS week. Or Something you edited this week (of something you previous wrote).     Don't make the quote too long because I don't want you to spoil your story.  Probably 5 sentences or so would be a good amount.  But that is a guideline and not a rule.      You don't have to participate every week.  But you can participate any week that you write.       And it will be so much fun to see everybody's quotes.      And, for me, it will be a reward for writing this week.  :D      Enjoy!