Sam left the lean-to at dawn. “Stay here,” he said. “I’m gonna check me snares and see what I can find fer yer feet. By th’ look of ’em, they ain’t seen dirt for a while. I’ll try ta be back a’fore high sun.” Katra blushed. She knew he was right. The only times she … Continue reading Chapter 4: Reunion
Today’s word comes from First Reader. Follow me on Facebook: @jjshaunauthor. Today’s Word Part of Speech adjective Definition Exuding fragrance.Full of a specified fragrance.Having a pleasant odor; fragrant. History Redolent traces back to the Latin verb olēre ("to smell") and is a relative of "olfactory" ("of, relating to, or connected with the sense of smell"). … Continue reading Wednesday Word for August 26, 2020
“What the fu-” exclaimed Chase scrambling back. “Did you guys see that?” “See what?” asked Dreyah over her shoulder as she reached the base of the escarpment, unhooked from the line, and gave the rope a twitch to let Taliesin know that she had landed. “Kat … just …” he stammered. “Where’s Katra?” Dreyah asked, … Continue reading Chapter 3: Crystal Magic
“Heterosexuality is not normal, it's just common.”~Dorothy Parker American poet, writer, critic, and satirist Dorothy Parker was born on this day in 1893.
As a fantasy writer, how do you unfold your world in a way that is interesting and makes sense to the reader? Some writers fold elements of their worldbuilding into the action and setting as the protagonist moves through their environment. Others describe the surroundings, then launch the action, not always explaining how some elements … Continue reading DIY MFA: Imagining a Magical World
Today’s word comes from the news. Follow me on Facebook: @jjshaunauthor. Today’s Word Part of Speech noun Definition Secret agreement or cooperation especially for an illegal or deceitful purpose.A secret agreement, especially for fraudulent or treacherous purposes; conspiracy.A secret understanding between two or more persons to gain something illegally, to defraud another of his or … Continue reading Wednesday Word for August 19, 2020
Last week a small group of us rode our motorcycles to the 80th annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in western South Dakota. Many of our friends and family were concerned that the event would be a free-for-all for covid, and in some respects, they were right. It probably will be a super-spreading event. Because of that, … Continue reading Cruisin’ the Black Hills
Katra clawed her way to consciousness one painful realization at a time. Her last clear memory was entering a cave looking for her cousins, Elayna and Eliam, and climbing down a rope to a cavern filled with crystals. She vaguely recollected approaching and reaching out to the formations … then, she was here. Shivering, nude, … Continue reading Chapter 2: Confusion
If you read much, you already know novels are not limited to a single plot thread. A lot of books I’ve read have a main plot, at least one subplot, and a character arc. Your main plot is the scaffold on which you build the story and measure progress. Character arcs and sub-plots add depth … Continue reading DIY MFA: Growing Your Character
Today’s word comes from First Reader. Follow me on Facebook: @jjshaunauthor. Today’s Word Part of Speech adjective Definition That which cannot be removed, washed away, or erased.Making marks that cannot easily be removed.That which cannot be eliminated, forgotten, changed, or the like. History First used in the 15th century, this word comes from the Middle … Continue reading Wednesday Word for August 12, 2020
A piece of my scattered mind.
Tavern Tales
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