sharon_dubois

What went before: Had a nap. Wrote +/-720 new words, bringing the WIP to 57,600-ish total words.

Please do not send me Instagram links -- Instagram will not let me in, no matter how nicely I ask, which, honestly? Is probably Just As Well.

It really was a very pleasant day today, weatherwise. Sadly, it will be warmer again tomorrow, but then perhaps we'll have a thunderstorm or two to look forward to on Sunday.

For those interested in the Fate of Our Papers (not a joke; several people have Expressed Concern), I will at the end of this update provide links to our two archives: One at Northern Illinois University, and the other at the Cushing Memorial Library at Texas A&M.

I'm knocking off for the day to do a little embroidery, and fingers crossed that the cats will let me sleep.

Everybody have a good evening. Stay safe. I'll see you tomorrow.

Links:  Northern Illinois University       Cushing Memorial Library

Saturday, sunny and still cool. Windows OPEN.

Tali is playing with a spring. Trooper has had his envelope of gravy with meds stirred in. Rookie is on the prowl and Firefly is in one of the open windows in my office.

First cup of tea is brewing, which I will drink while completing the process of waking up. Breakfast will be half a blueberry muffin. Probably. Lunch will be the postponed-from-yesterday salmon cakes, with veggies.

So, I've been thinking about the WIP -- I know, What A Surprise -- and about Diviner's Bow, which was originally going to be a Completely Nother Book, dealing with Padi's adventures during the audit of the Iverson Loop.

Only, I got to thinking about the set up there on Colemeno, and the Matter of the Deaf -- not necessarily of the Haosa, though there was some of that. I mean, a society where two-thirds of the population are, by definition, non-people really isn't tenable. And while the Deaf on Colemeno have only just recently fought themselves to a seat at the table, where their voice could be heard, the Haosa don't even have that.

It never came up, but I'm guessing that, if the Deaf are allowed to, say, testify in court, their "disability" would prevent them from giving a Whole and True Account, and thus not be compelling evidence. And the Haosa! The Haosa might as well be norbears for all the rights they hold under Civilization.

Which comparison would, I expect, amuse the Haosa greatly.

So, that's how Diviner's Bow became a book about -- as so many of our books are stories are about -- What Does It Mean To Be Human, with a side of We're All Better When We Help Each Other, instead of Padi's Grand Adventures on the Loop.

In my naivety -- writers are -- no, I can't say that. There are writers out there who are Positive, Firm, and Stern; they take No Nonsense from their characters, and they are Realists about the business of their craft. That's admirable, and I'm in awe.

So I should say that, yes, I'm a wanderer, naive and gormless; quite often amazed, and delighted, with the process of writing and the shines that the characters get up to.

Thus! In my naivety, I initially thought that this book I'm working on now, nameless as it remains, would take up the Iverson Loop, only -- Shan was going to Tinsori Light (so far as he knows), and he had arranged for people to meet him there to assist in bringing systems and protocols into the present, and there's still the on-going business of never mind cleaning, but scouring the old core, and getting those repair bays gone, oh! gone and -- here we are at Catalinc Station.

And, I should say, I'm having a tolerably good time there, though the characters have informed me that, while my concerns are worthy, and they will certainly see those items I mention taken care of in good time, there are Other Matters that More Nearly Concern Them, which they'll be taking care of, front and center, and wouldn't I be better for a nice cup of tea over there in the corner and out of their way?

Readers have for the last -- oh, three? four? -- books been reporting that the title they've just finished reading is The Last Liaden Book. In fact, there are three (3!) more (more!) Liaden books under contract -- the one I'm working on right now, and two others. I'm not going to tell you what the other two are about, because, as I've just demonstrated, I'll probably be wrong. It is, as I've also said before, my Goal to give readers a soft landing, and the characters each a solid and sustainable base from which to go forward and grow, on their own, if need be. It's not like they really need authorial guidance.

Well.

Thank you for listening to my TED Talk.

Begin as you mean to go on...

SNIPPET ONE:
The red was beyond excellent. Jen Sin closed his eyes, the better to savor it, and heard Val Con speak.

"I see you're refining Theo's taste. But, the jade, Brother? Surely you might have taught her to drink something a bit less dear."

"It's not quite so dear," answered the rich voice of his cousin Shan, "when you have a connection, and a discount. And the jade suits her."

What went before: So, that's 1,121 new words written today in two shifts, bringing the WIP entire to +/-56,880 words.

Had a good chat with my friends at Holy Cannoli, where I can attest that the pumpkin chocolate chip cookies are still delicious.

I thought it was going to rain, and it did drizzle a little, but I had been promised a thunderstorm, to usher in a cooler tomorrow, and I'd still kinda like that, please.

Coon Cat Happy Hour has been served up and consumed, and I'm about to pour myself a glass of wine and go see if I'm still annoyed with Dr. Who, or if I can finish watching the episode I bailed on -- a week ago? Two? Whatever.

I have an early appointment with the chiropractor tomorrow, and then I'm pretty much Free until Tuesday.

But, I'm getting ahead of myself.

Everybody stay safe; I'll see you tomorrow.

Friday. Sunny and cooler. Windows OPEN. Station air is convenient, but I really prefer ambient conditions.

Woke up earlier than I had planned. Turns out that all four cats were low on snuggles, so we did that for a while before I got up and found, yanno, clothes.

The rosebush has survived another night; no sign of digging activity, though it did rain a little last night, so I'll have to re-up the hot pepper.

Breakfast was a peach cut up into cottage cheese with tea. More tea to hand, and probably more tea after that. I'll probably make salmon cakes for lunch; which is, among other things, guaranteed leftovers.

My phone updated itself last night, always an exciting time. The best new toy is a button that will allegedly identify music playing nearby. I used it successfully twice, but now it's not working, or maybe Google doesn't recognize Bon Jovi's "Lay Your Hands on Me," which I would say the chances of that are...low.

Anyhoots -- it's still early, so I guess I'd better do some of the chores I was going to do later, so I have more time to work, later.

I do have a doctor's appointment at 10, and a short stop at the grocery after, but that's all I've got to write about.

I can share another SNIPPET, for those who may be interested. Shan and Val Con are in rare form, I fear:

"However, if Val Con wishes to come the disapproving banker – "

Val Con raised his hands. "Acquit me! The red is everything that is wonderful, Master Trader, and I will prove my word by shortly having another glass. I thank you for your generosity on behalf of us all."

Shan eyed him. "I sense an upcoming bid for my cook."

"That," Val Con returned primly, "is not for me to decide."

"I believe you enjoy saying that," Shan said.

"I believe I do, too," Val Con answered, cordially.

And that said! What's everybody doing today?

Today's blog post title brought to you by Mr. Jimi Hendrix, "All Along the Watchtower"

Cat tax  Rookie and Firefly being coy, each in their own manner

What went before: That was a quick 1000-ish words. I must be on the right track. The WIP entire now tips the word meter at! +/-55,075.

I'm done for the day. Tomorrow's treats include the arrival of Ideal Electric, to subject the generator to its annual inspection, and, in the evening, needleworking at the library. We will also be looking for temperatures in excess of 90F/32C, which is never fun.

And on that note -- everybody stay safe. I'll see you tomorrow.

SNIPPET:
"The wine is well-chosen," she murmured in Liaden, then slanted a look up into speculative silver eyes, and added, "Damn, that's good."

"That the refreshment pleases you must gratify me," Shan answered politely. He sipped, sighed, and murmured, "Ain't it, though?"

Tuesday. Sunny, already warm, and aimed for hot, the first of three. Curtains are closed, station air is on; trash and recycling are at the curb.

Breakfast was roast beef and Swiss on whole grain bread with a side of cherries. Lunch will be, err, something.

Trooper is currently in the bathroom, eating his second snack on the day; my second cup of tea is to hand.

I woke up just before 7, but did not start the day with jets hot. There was, for instance, Tali to be stroked and murmured to, as she's decided that a little morning spoil before arising is good for her complexion, then Rookie got shut in the bedroom closet -- I swear to GHU I'm puttin' a bell on that cat -- Firefly made a Formal Solicitation to be brushed, Trooper had to have his first snack, and so on.

Looking at the to-do list, I may not get any writing done today, though if things go faster than expected, I may be able to grab an hour.

I called a critter removal service yesterday, but haven't heard back yet. I'll give them today, then move on to Number Two on the list.

And that's it -- another day in the exciting, drama-filled life of a working writer.

What's your day looking like?

Flashback to yesterday afternoon:  All paws wanted to inspect my new haircut:

What went before ONE: The rose in its new home. I have done many foolish things today and it's not even 10 am.

What went before TWO: So, while I was outside anyway, putting a rosebush into the ground, I weeded, and cleaned up the mess on the deck, discovering in the process that the pot the rose had been in was broken in the fracas.

When I came back in, after having expended some frustration, I swallowed some muscle relaxants, and iced my back while listening to These Old Shades. After lunch, I took a smol nap, with Firefly's expert oversight. I sat with the WIP for a bit and actually recorded an idea I had through an app on my phone, and sent! the! transcript! to myself at Gmail. It's really quite a good transcription. I'm impressed.

We are now nigh on to Coon Cat Happy Hour. Once that's served up, I'll have something to eat in order to buffer another dose of muscle relaxants and retire to mine bed with a cup of tea and These Old Shades and hopefully get a good night's sleep.

Everybody stay safe; I'll see you tomorrow.

Sunday. Cloudy and damp.

I am pleased to report that the rosebush has survived its first night in the front garden. I managed to have some solid sleep on that same overnight, and! have an idea for a scene that should be fun to write. Yes, yes, I know: a novel is not just a string of amusing scenes, but at this point, I'll take what I've got, reminding myself that Salvage Right was a string of amusing scenes, which I then had to patch together with a series of bridges. So, it can be done.

The first load of towels is in the washer.

Breakfast is just about finished with the cooking part -- sausage and cheese on a biscuit. Tea is brewed.

. . . and there's the bell. BRB.

. . .and back. Breakfast was good. Not healthy according to the cancer ladies, but I ate breakfast and that's a win. I have at least one yam, so lunch is covered; arguably, even a healthy lunch.

I wish to mention here that Rookie the Cookie's Best Trick Ever is coming when he's called, and if he cannot come when he's called, by reason, perhaps, of having gotten himself locked in a closet again, he will call out in answer multiple times, if necessary, until he's let out, whereupon, he will stand up on his hind legs and demand a cuddle.

This brought to you by Rook got locked into the linen closet while I was changing out the towels, and had no idea he was even in the hall.

My back aches the tiniest bit and I have, out of an Abundance of Caution, taken one more dose of muscle relaxants, and That -- fingers crossed -- ought to be the end of THAT.

So, I got When the Moon Hits Your Eye out of the library last Tuesday, and I've been reading a chapter or two at lunch to distract myself. So far, so good, though I did not expect a retelling of recent current events couched in metaphor. Notice me heroically avoid "whey."

My quandary is that I'm also reading These Old Shades in audio; I've read the first chapter of A Gentleman of Questionable Judgement; and! the first few pages of Stone and Sky, and that's too many books open, especially for someone who used to be a One Book At A Time reader. Given that I'm also writing a book, that's a little too much to keep in my head at once, so I'm cutting back, and will finish ...Shades and ...Moon, then flip a coin -- actually, no, I won't flip a coin, I'll go back to Stone and Sky, because the arrival of Peter's entire family, plus representatives of The Folly, with a fox, was too funny to put on hold for long.

All that said! How's everybody doing? And -- bonus question -- what are you reading?

Today's blog post title brought to you by Mr. Tom Petty, assisted by Mr. Eddie Vedder, "The Waiting"

Photo from yesterday afternoon:  Disheveled and Marvelous