Locket Load is a new short story I am working on. The main character is a dedicated agronomist who rebels against petty rules on a distant planet. She wants to stay home and create a better world, but she may not be able to.
While hiking, I found myself musing about her problems. Through the magic of fiction could see the terrain of her planet superimposed upon my own surroundings. Where I should have seen green and brown vegetation amid muddy swamps and blue lakes, I saw the red and gold of her planet and smelled the ozone of the dry air. In lowland forest where I should have seen birds and animals, I saw her running through the field, her green dress flapping at her calves.
My watch buzzed to let me know that I’d achieved my step goal for the day. That brought me back to our world. I gazed around and nothing looked familiar. At first I thought it was because I still had part of my brain in another world, but no. It didn’t look familiar because it wasn’t. I was lost. Trapped between swamps, lakes, and the cliffs above Nonconnah Creek, I wandered for an hour trying to find my way back to Steve and in the end had to climb several slopes, slosh through a shallow swamp, and cross a deeper body of water by walking across a beaver dam.
That is the power of fiction. It can take you places, but beware of where it leaves you when the spell breaks.
Time for Gratitude!
Every week I experience things that make me better and that I’m grateful for. Some are books, podcasts, websites, or videos. Some are simple experiences. I share them here.
We had two new people attend the Thursday night meeting of Memphis Writers. They seem like a good fit and I hope that they will continue to attend. I suggested to both that they attend the Saturday night meeting.
I read two books of short stories featuring cats by Kristine Kathryn Rusch and they were just delightful: Familiarity: A Winston & Ruby Collection and Five Feline Fancies. My favorite story was from the second book: The Poop Thief, but there isn’t a bad story in the lot of them. The stories are engaging and the cats feel real.
I ran into Suzanne and asked her some quick questions about ancient Alexandria. She was kind enough to loan me two books and offer to go to lunch with me and answer questions. I’m very excited about the chance to talk to a legitimate Egyptologist who has actually spent time considering where to hide bodies in ancient Egypt. Life is good!
I am enjoying NaNoWriMo because I’m enjoying telling stories and hosting write-ins, but I’m not making fast progress. I’m ok with that. As long as I’m writing new words most days of the week, I think I’m good.
If you’re in the Midsouth and want to join me in a few writing sprints this November, I’ll be at the Panera Bread in Germantown Tuesday and Wednesday mornings from 10am to 1pm and I’d welcome the company!
Primary Novel Goal: 12,500 words per week
Additional Writing in Secondary Novel, Short Story, Farland or DWS Class Assignment, or Sea History Adventures blog: 1000 words per week
Primary Novel Editing: Half of the Book by January 1, 2019 and complete by January 16.
First three chapters of the Primary Novel sent to Eric Flint for review on December 6, 2018.
Healthful Unprocessed Diet through December 31, 2018.
Here is where I stand as of today:
Whomsoever Saves One Life (Primary Novel): 43,938 words
Ten Reasons the Pirates Always Win (Secondary Novel): 15,125 words
Completed Sea History Adventures Blog Entries: 2
Short Stories Completed: 2
Writing Assignments (This Week): 400 words
Healthy Eating Streak (started on Sept. 27, 2018): 53 days