Finn Short

Some of you are way better at this stalking thing than I gave you credit for. The newsletter had only been out for a few hours before many of you had uncovered the fact that the Finn short was in it. After which, I received several panicked emails from people who'd just joined and who were now asking very nicely for me to resend. 

Hence the reason behind this blog post that is coming a week earlier than originally planned.  Oh well, you know what they say about best laid plans. 

For future, and so nobody panics, I will always eventually make the shorts available via my blog and website. I'm not a big fan of making content exclusive. Though I may delay giving public access by a week or so. 

With the admin stuff addressed; a little message about the Finn Short.

The intersection between creativity and fandom is quite interesting. Without so many of you asking the question about Finn's tardiness in Threshold of Annihilation, I never would have taken the time to go "Huh. Why was he late?" 

And I probably wouldn't have written this scene. Which would have been sad. I enjoyed my time in Finn's head and I hope you do too.

Without further ado: 

Finn Short

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The Process Goes On

The betas have given me their feedback and the editor has weighed in. So far, I've distilled my notes into identifying three or four relatively big issues with a few minor ones scattered around. They're nothing truly ground shattering but I am going to need some brainstorming and creative solutions to address them.

Editing is an interesting process. No one really wants people to find issues with their work. At least not this writer. I want to have written a perfect book with which no fault can be found. Sadly, I've yet to do that nor do I think it's a possibility for the future. Feedback, whether from betas or even friends, makes a book stronger. It requires you to put a little thought into those things you might have overlooked otherwise. 

Because I put so much effort into the first couple of drafts and don't release the book until I feel I've made it the best I can, it can be daunting when people point out the flaws. Sometimes that means delving a little further into my characters' motivations or rethinking why something happened the way it did. The answer is usually there as long as I look hard enough. The upside is that sometimes it can lead you to something truly wondrous. 

Now to decide if that fancy cup of cold brew coffee from my favorite coffee shop will help me with this or if it would be better to buckle down and get editing. Choices.

Draft End

Facebook and Twitter people already know that I finished the second draft of Firebird 4 on Friday. I probably should have announced that via the blog as well but I was so exhausted I pretty much shut down for an entire weekend. Literally--I did nothing. 

The book tops out at 146,071 words. 5600 of them were written on Friday. By the time I typed the last word my wrists, elbows, and shoulders were telling me they were also done. 

Before you get too excited and think Firebird 4 is coming out next week, you should know it still needs one more pass before I can release to betas and editors. Too much has changed from the original and I need to make sure the edits I made actually work. Not to mention, my ending needs another run. As epic as it is, I was flying through the narrative for the last 10,000 or so. There are a few things that need to be fleshed out. 

After the third pass, it'll be out of my hands and off to betas and the editor. 

For now, I'm resisting the urge to dive back in immediately and start working. Sometimes rest is needed no matter how much your mind is screaming that this needs to be done NOW!

That means today (and possibly tomorrow) will be spent on admin tasks. Maybe I'll figure out the title so I can contact the cover designer. Definitely need to contact the editor and get that set up. 

It seems even when a draft is done there is so much to do.

Random snippet - Firebird 4

 Snippet awesomeness because I'm in an amazingly good mood today.

“I find the fact you consider me dangerous enough to be wary of highly flattering.”

Kira scowled. “Who said anything about me being wary?”

A teasing look settled on Graydon’s face. “You would only take precautions if you thought I was a threat. I’m gratified to know I’ve made such a good impression.”

Kira stared at Graydon like she thought he’d lost his mind. “Most people would feel sad to know their lover considered them dangerous.”

Graydon leaned forward. “Those people are not Tuann.”

Friday Snippet

 Happy Friday! To celebrate the end of the week, here is a tiny snippet from today's writing. As always, no promises it will make it to the end product. 

Snippet:

Raider smirked. “When have you ever known me not to accomplish something I set my mind to?”

“First time for everything,” she responded. 

“I won’t fail.”

There was a certainty in Raider’s words that told her to believe him. Some of it stemmed from their history and how often Raider had come through for her. Even when it would have been easier—and saner—to walk away. Instead, he’d stayed and done the hard things. 

His conviction was unshakable, as if the possibility of anything but success had never entered his mind. 

People underestimated how far willpower could take them. They let the weaknesses of their minds  dictate how high they could rise. True strength was finding your wall and overcoming it. Something Raider and all of the Curs had excelled at. 

Raider would make it through this experience or break himself trying.

Kira could only hope it wasn’t the second of those two options. She’d hate having to explain to her niece why the father Elena had just been reunited with was now a broken mess.

“I miss the days when I could order you to not be a dumbass,” Kira muttered under her breath.

Things were so much easier then. She could tell him what to do and there was even a chance—not a great one—but a chance, he might listen to her. 

Raider rubbed his chin to hide the smile she knew was on his face. “Technically, you still can. You never finished your exit packet.” 

Kira harrumphed. “What bullshit.”

He was going to do what he wanted. Kira could talk until she was blue in the face and it wouldn’t change a thing.

As Promised

 As promised, here is the tiniest of snippets. No idea whether it will be cut or not. Enjoy!

Kira planted a hand on the side of his face and shoved. “How many times do I have to tell you not to call me Grump Grump? It’s Kira. Sometimes Phoenix. Nix or Nixxy, if you’re very dear to me.”

Raider strolled toward them, an apple in his hand that he pointed at Kira. “Don’t forget Nixxy Poo.”

“No. Do not call me that. I hate that name.”

The next person who used it was going to get stabbed. Over and over again.

Maksym let Kira wiggle out of his hold with a pout. “But Grump Grump, you are so very grumpy.”

There was a crunch as Raider bit into the apple. “He’s got you there.”

Sneak Peak

 I probably shouldn't do this. Especially since I'm not entirely sure this is staying, but I couldn't resist. Here is a small snippet from the current WIP. It made me smile so I'm sharing it with you. Hope it brightens your Monday.

Snippet

Reluctance showed on Raider’s face before his expression firmed. “You know you’re not the only one, right? We’re all killers. Every person in your orbit. Don’t forget that. Don’t let it crush you.”

Tears burned Kira’s eyes as she blinked back emotion.

Raider’s grin was easy. “Well, maybe not the squirt.”

Elena’s head popped out of her nook in the ceiling. “Not true, sperm donor.”

Any trace of humor disappeared from Raider’s face as his expression turned severe. A wolf looked out of his eyes. The killer he’d said he was.

Kira shook her head at him, knowing violence was imminent. “Not me. I would never allow her to do something like that at her age.”

And Selene wouldn’t either. She knew how important it was to let the children in her care be children. 

They both were intimately familiar with the consequences of taking a life at a young age and agreed that wasn’t a fate they wished on those they’d saved.

Or at least that was what Kira thought they’d agreed on.

Raider’s fury was still hot as Kira looked up at Elena.

“When?” Kira snapped.

Caution finally entered her niece’s expression. 

Good. Elena could use a little more of that. 

Elena became preoccupied with fiddling with of the screw bolts holding up the panel beside her. “On Almaluc.”

“What happened?” 

And where was Wren and Auralyn while it was happening?

Kira and Selene had been very careful with Elena, giving her the tools to defend herself should the worse ever happen. All the while ensuring her safety so that such actions never became necessary.

The fact she’d done so on Kira’s watch made this all the more appalling. 

Elena’s feet kicked. “A tsavitee war drone tried to stop the Wanderer from coming to save you. I crushed him with the ship.” 

Kira blinked at her niece.

Raider choked. He crouched as Kira stood there speechless, his body shaking harder has he buried his face in his knees.