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For those of you who are new readers of my tales, I welcome you and appreciate the time you have chosen to spend with me. It's time you can't get back, so I endeavor to make it worthwhile.
Just a brief history of "The Dragon Tamers." 20+ years ago, I first wrote a tale of some helpless bitch who gets caught by the hot commander of a dragon squad... and then they fucked... forcibly. Roscrow said "that bitch is mine" and that was how I wrote it. I liked it that way because rape fantasies are a thing. Roscrow... not so much (and if you've been with me for a while, you've probably noticed that he's the voice that talks the most). That was, uh, not quite how he meant that. The readers, however, loved it. After several "keep going" and "more please," I took glimpses of Roscrow and S're's world and created... a sex story with plot-ish. Mostly just sex. S're wasn't special other than being the main character. Roscrow wasn't special other than being in love with her. A few years later came the version that is still available on my other pen name, Woofajuana. I hit an unscalable plot wall because again, it was not how it was meant to be. So, start again and finished it a second time. I'll spare you the details with the failed publisher offer and just say I went ahead and self-published it without an editor or proof readers of any real sort. It was up for a short time, then I took it down. I was told things didn't make sense. Well yeah. I didn't really understand their world too well. It wouldn't make sense for Roscrow to not know what a Tamer is as a born and bred Guardian. And as a Guardian, Roscrow would never rape. So, had to write it all again. And here we are. No rape this time. None. Plenty of mention of it, though, and there will be threats to have her forcibly bred, but the act itself won't happen.
Since I started posting the story again, I've had a lot of emails to my old, otherwise dead email account (the same one I had back when it was first posted on a very blue site I do not care to mention), as well as messages here and everywhere else I post (even the new site!). I'm still shocked by how many people not only read and liked it, but remembered it! I had no clue where I was going with any of that. If half of you folks had been so vocal 10 years ago, things might have been different. As it is, I've had a mix of surprise, joy, and confusion. One of those confusions was the name. "You added the 's' so I thought this was a sequel?" Nope, sorry. I added the 's' to show S're is no longer the only Tamer, just one of a kind among the many. However, after receiving a few such messages, I admit, this story IS really only about her. I've thought of "The Eternal Dragon Tamer," and adding the 's' will be the sequel. (S're has kids, after all... and so does Roscrow... rapscallion.) I've already seen other novels with the generic name right on Inkitt. So, you guys are likely to be seeing a title change. Maybe not freely posted, but for the published version, most certainly.
Another common confusion has been the leap between "Girl in the Snow" and "The Call."
The first is supposed to be Jasper's memory of the event. It's not S're's memory. That's why there's no perspective from her. It's a second prologue of sorts, not actually the first chapter. The only thing I really want to change about it is making him even more unsure if all his actions are really his own. This comes up later. It's kind of a big deal. (For the new readers, Jasper first started out as a nameless character S're flirted with... then he got a name... then they fucked... and now, he is a main character. I consider it Roscrow's punishment for taking so long to tell me he was an elf! If you love Jasper, I'm really glad. This version of him has a real life model, and I live with him.)
Now for that jump to "The Call." I really thought having Jasper say "for the last nine years" would make it obvious this is a time jump. How they met the rest of the crew comes up slowly through the story. We already know Diana was rescued by Jasper. We'll be getting more into Slina when she can speak again. Black will be back, and quite soon after their return to the mountain. Just a heads up... Roscrow is a shameless racist. Even since the very first version where Roscrow finds a library after a Sarlykein attack- which evolved into the city of Academy- I've always had the sense he hates those lizards. But, besides the length of the appendix, this time jump has been the second most mentioned issue from readers. Okay. I hear you and appreciate you. I think I've solved the problem with an extra paragraph. Why did I start the chapter that way to begin with? A saw a writing prompt that was nothing but that first sentence. "I heard that I make you nervous." And Jasper answered back. I couldn't figure out how to adjust it because, well, that's what he said! After a few weeks of thinking on it, I think I have that answer. On next new chapter drop, I will also post my fix to that chapter.
I remind you all, this is a rough draft, I'm just trying to get the story told. If I don't post, I lose motivation. I would have taken a much longer hiatus if I didn't have you folks waiting. You are why I am keeping a pace. I'm not going to post all of my fixes. Some things will be kept for the published version so it's worth paying for. Otherwise, I'd have to stop at the last few chapters, and I'd rather not. If you like me, support me by buying it when it becomes available. I just hate gate keeping and the millions of needles in everyone's arms these days. However, I do want to provide my readers with a coherent tale and deal with mass confusions for new readers. So, any time there is such an issue, please feel free to voice it, and I will (eventually) come up with a fix that I'm happy to post. Same thing for "Rat and Dragon."
Long story short: I will post a fix to that jump next week with the new chapter. Until then, you'll all be finding out just what interesting changes I've made to R&D from that one's previous draft. I think you'll like it. I hope you all have a pleasant day. And if not, at least it's a day.
So, I stepped away from SOL to let everything blow over. During that time, I joined a new site much like this one only smaller (please feel free to ask me, but I will not openly mention because the webmaster wants to stay under the radar to avoid exactly the kind of thing Lazeez just dealt with) and made some new friends and while talking about my editor, picked up a new one. A seasoned veteran who edits for some of the bigger names right here on SOL. He expressed interest, so I directed him to "The Rat and the Dragon." And guys, I have learned SO much! See, Psycho knows when something's wrong and corrects it. Most of the time, I agree with him, but I didn't really know WHY. It just sounds better. Well, my new editor has the answers.
If you know anything about grammar rules and names and all that, you've probably noticed I have a habit of "dangling modifiers." I had no idea what that was, or that I was doing that. As my husband pointed out, I was raised speaking a language where the subject is often implied, so a dangling modifier does not stump me, I understand what's being implied... but I also understand how in proper English, that can be confusing. I will be working on that going into the future. Seems easy enough to fix. When I went to Psycho and told him about all these things I'm learning, he says "Oh, yeah. You do that a lot." Gee, thanks, saipaki! XD
To that end, I have so much editing to catch up on! I've been avoiding editing "In the Enemy's Territory" in an attempt to bring Kupper back (please?) but Psycho has finished the darkest chapters that took him so long and is getting to the fun parts. I would also like to be finished with all the editing of Rat and Dragon by Saturday so I can drop all of it at once, along with the new chapter. Since changing the events of chapter 12, it caused a ripple effect all the way up the chain to when they get to the fortress, as well as removed an entire chapter of fluff. We will be holding hands with the original draft one last time before kissing it good bye and venturing into the new and unknown. I'll give you a hint: he's big and green and scaly... and pissed.
As for today's chapter of "The Dragon Tamers," it was supposed to be longer. A good deal longer. Buuut, I want to get this editing done, so I'm holding onto the buffer and breaking it up even smaller. In the published version, the two may be put back together because this chapter doesn't really have much going for it, but to keep active while I focus on my hottest story, I split the parts up at the natural scene break. It makes 1,500 words; that's short but decent. Doing it this way gives me another month of buffer time. So, the fun part that was going to happen this week won't. Hope you still enjoy the chapter, and I will see you all next week!
I didn't want to post anything until I was certain I was ready, but I have completed the next chapter of "The Rat and the Dragon" on time! There were a lot more changes needed than I originally thought, so I sort of had to start over and I didn't know if I could. For once, the two spoke in harmony and *poof* there were words. Channels like that are nice. If only I could get that from Kupper. Friend, where have you gone? Probably busy blowing shit up.... Anyway, that's right, there's a chapter for tomorrow!
Remember how I said their hate is the most important statement of the story?
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Stepping back once more, Cylthan could feel the heat of Roan’s body behind her. She didn’t want to admit it felt like a relief. If anything, it infuriated her that he was the safest one to have at her back right now. Glaring over her shoulder, she bared a sharp tooth at him. “I hate you.”
She definitely saw the grin that came and went while he tried to hold his concentration. “Prove it. I’ll believe it if I’m dead by the end of this.”
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They say that a lot.
As for next week on Dragon Tamers. Is it finally the show down between the young and old? Or perhaps Roscrow can talk his way out of a fight? No, of course not. The Q'Hu wouldn't know civility if it came up and shook their hand... right?
I'm afraid civility will have to slap Roan with both hands before he comes around....
You would think a small log cabin surrounded by pastures, trees and snow capped mountains with no internet or cell signal would be so relaxing that you could get some writing done... but add in kids, dogs, and broken plumbing, and let's just say, I've had to take a long walk through a field of yellow grass and lingering patches of snow to find some peace and quiet, and just one bar on my phone to send this, with both of my dogs faithfully following. Man, I love dogs. What I don't love is my ADHD brain that forgot to set up my next chapter like I should have. But, I did save it on Inkitt so I can copy/paste into SOL's text box. I do try to keep my word, but like I tell my kids, unless I promise, it's only a plan and plans can change. You know, like having that next chapter for The Rat and the dragon completed....
As for Dragon Tamers, just know, every time Roscrow's Glimmer detectors break, that's me. YOU SHALL LOOK UPON THE LIGHT OF GODS, WANNABE! He will begin making comments about some god being after him, and everyone will tell him he's crazy. He talks in my head, I talk in his head, so we're both nuts in our respective worlds! Also, this chapter was going to be longer, but I decided to move that conversation to the train ride so they have something to talk about that's more dynamic and seminal rather than the bit of bickering between S're and Roscrow over Jasper's involvement that was already written. The two men will have their moment to settle the score soon enough. So, it's a short chapter.
I hope you all enjoy. I'm going to disappear back into the wilds of Utah before I have to return the concrete hellscape.
Just to reassure (and for any who missed it), Chapter 12 of "The Rat and the Dragon" will be posted tomorrow! I hope you guys like it. If, by chance, you don't see it up on the wall by end of day (never know how long the processing takes), definitely check directly with the story. It has happened once before that the chapter was posted, but I did not receive an email to confirm it, nor did it show up on the homepage or anywhere other than directly in story that the chapter had been posted. I heard that was an issue some other authors had experienced, as well. Hopefully, that won't be an issue, and it'll all be up and ready for you folks.
It will be officially spring break in just a few more hours, and I will not be anywhere near my computer for the rest of the week. I'll figure out the automated posting feature and have the next chapter of "The Dragon Tamers" ready to be queued for Friday in case I'm not back in time. Guess I'll go to alternating weeks for the time being.
Every time my editor gets to another chapter of "In the Enemy's Territory," the elves all vanish, and Roscrow is aggressively cursing in the corner trying to fend off the werewolves with a stick. (Saipaki, you're supposed to throw the stick!) Also, the editing process takes up what little time I have for writing. I had a real strong run there, everything was going so smoothly, all the elves were sharing so nice, and then I got blindsided by a drama llama, and there's genuinely nothing I hate more than drama. I get enough of it inside my own skull, thanks. I'm pretty good at managing my own mental illnesses, but mix in someone else's much less multiples, and my grip is not that strong. At least those few months of quiet I did have got me as far as it did, so now it's just "fill in the blanks." You'd think that would be easy... but that's the whole reason there were any blanks to begin with. What does go there? The tug-o-war in my head between the two species is exhausting and time-consuming, but I'm slowly getting better at... well, I guess compartmentalizing the wolves when they are not in use. Like throwing treats into their kennels and closing them in while they're distracted. If my editor takes more than a couple of days, that's usually a big enough window to air things out and at least get Cylthan to talk. Roscrow just... does what he wants. (I wonder what they call it when your mental illness is aware of you? Personally, I call it Roscrow, but I'm sure there's a more scientific name.)
If, by chance, I get another good chunk of chapters ready to go, I'll return to weekly posting. If not, I will stick with this alternating thing for a bit. Real life is not as much fun as fantasy life. Although, I dunno if I'd want to be in Cylthan and Roan's spot right now....
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