INtrinSicliValud: Blog

Posting early, due to Turkey Day.

Well, whether you loved her as much as I did, or hated Laura and her husband, Dave, the story is at an end with today's posting of the final chapter/epilogue. Sigh.

The next chapter of "Aiden and the Ring" should be up today as well. Fun times on the lake continue to heat up as they discover their new selves. It's the last chapter I have updated, so I will double down and try to get the following chapter ready for posting next Thursday, bar too much holiday madness.

Next week, the first chapter of "The Immortal" will take Laura's slot. We'll see if you enjoy his story. It's a long one and is more of a serialized adventure/harem tale than a neat novel/novella. If it works, I have a bazillion chapters to post as I get them cleaned up. If it flops, I will burn it with fire and move on.

In the new works sheds, I am within striking distance of finishing up my sci-fi novel rough draft for NaNoWriMo at 50k+ words. It will sit and stew for a month before undergoing editing. Likewise, because the muses are evil little critters that won't shut up, I have two draft novellas almost finished and they too will go into hiding until I am ready to edit them.

And last but not least, as promised, I am hammering out plot details for "The Student" prequel, which will be longer since that one was a stroke story, and drafting the sequel short story to "On Her Own Terms."

No, I'm not quitting. It's just that I completed the final edits on "Owning My Image" yesterday and I will miss Laura and Dave. When I originally wrote their love story, it was the first with a full character arc and I paid more attention to the mechanical bits. As I have been editing it, I have tweaked the evocative, introspective tone of Laura's voice. And I will miss that. And her. And Dave, her loving husband.

In any event, the next two chapters are submitted and should be posted shortly. The final chapter with a short epilogue will post next week. Unfortunately, its score is still below the cutoff so the sketched-in sequel may have to wait awhile for full-development. But it's a bit of a tear-jerker and will see Laura become the woman hinted at all along. In case you couldn't tell, I rather enjoy writing a mix of action and lengthier character growth/twisting.

"Aiden and the Ring" Chapter 6 has also been submitted for posting. Based on the rising score, ya'll seem to like where its headed. All I will tell you is that it's going to get much, much wilder, but hopefully in a more reflective way as Aiden and the others deal with his new capabilities. Still looking at 21 total chapters, but they do take time to polish for readers.

A note about next week. Here in the US, it's National Tryptophane Nap Day next Thursday and I've got family coming in to help eat turkey. Hence why I finished up "Owning My Image" and have the next chapter of "Aiden and the Ring" ready to launch on WEDNESDAY. I debated skipping a week, but decided to keep close to my schedule. It's better for my discipline-keeps me focused.

Well, it's midway through the month of November and I took a hard look at my barn full of half-finished, mostly finished, and needs-to-be-updated stories.

There are 64-64!

So, here's what I have decided. Well, the site's math has decided for me. After I complete my 50k word NaNoWriMo draft, I will focus on finishing the follow-ons to the highest scoring stories. "The Student" is getting a prequel and "On My Own Terms" is getting its sequel. It only makes the most sense to reinforce success and both those stories scored in the 7s.

Other already posted stories may get further expansions, but newer stories with higher scores will leap to the front of the queue. As much as I love all my characters and their stories, there are only so many hours in the day. It makes the most sense to work on stories considered at least "good" by all of you.

Of course, I will continue to update and post chapters of "Aiden and the Ring" and "Owning My Image." As per the above, their overall scores, once complete, will determine if/when I write sequels/prequels.

Oh, one more bit of news. When I first started down this crazy writing path, I scribbled out a meandering urban fantasy world-based serialized fiction story. After much gnashing of teeth, I have begun upgrading/editing "The Immortal." So look for those chapters to appear while I write newer material.

And last, but certainly not least, a note regarding feedback. Thank you all so much. Your comments and inputs are invaluable to me. Rather than using the story Comments feature, I prefer site email, where we can have detailed discourse over concerns, plans, and ideas. Those who have already emailed me know how much enjoy those discussions.

Here in the US, it's Veteran's Day, so I raise a mug of liberally fortified coffee to all my brothers and sisters. We did dumb things. We did scary things. And we did things that nobody will ever know to keep the world safe. We are a family united by sacrifice. Take care of each other.

In the rest of the world, it's Remembrance Day. And I raise my mug to salute all who never made it home, who lie mourned and unmourned, in cemeteries and in unmarked hallowed ground. May the guns one day finally fall silent. Please.

***

In today's "Owning Her Image" chapters, Laura comes face to face with the results of her over-the-top night of drug and alcohol fueled debauchery. Will her marriage survive? How? Who actually does own her image? Oh, my poor, sweet Laura.

Meanwhile, in this week's "Aiden and the Ring" chapter, Aiden and Gina reflect in the aftermath of their first encounter. This one is slower to give them a bit of a break before we speed up once more.

I do hope you enjoy and, as always, feedback is most welcome. You are the fuel that keeps me posting.

Apologies. The correct Chapter 4 for Aiden is submitted and on the way. Never ignore the "Low Caffeine" warning light.