Sunday Wrap-UP

Today is the first scheduled break from the A to Z challenge. I've decided that today's post will be to talk about other things going on this past week that may have been missed while posting selections from The Dragon's Circle.

1. THS Rocks Detention:The Series My students have completed the second episode of their webseries. I'm really happy with how this is turning out. They are motivated and involved in all aspects of production in spite of certain technical difficulties. Episode 2 is influenced Casablanca which I completely encouraged since I think more high school students should watch the classics.

2. Nunset Boulevard - The show goes up in two weeks. I'm rather excited about it but I do have to admit I will be happy once the run is over. It's been a lot of work especially since I'm co-producing as well as playing Sr. Amnesia.  Once it's over I will be happy to have my evenings back, well, at least until auditions for Trailer Park in June.

3. CampNaNo - Slow goings. I wish I could report that I was on track to finishing 65,000 words by April 30th but it may take longer than that. The good news is my word count continues to  increase (3476 and counting) and I have ideas for where the story is going to go next. No matter where I end up at the end of the month it will be more than what I started with March 31st.

4. School - I don't think my students are the only ones who are counting down the days until summer vacation. I am so ready. Even the little things are starting to bug me, such as their questions dealing with information they were taught first semester (What's an Ion? Really, friend?). I just have to remind myself to take a deep breath, the year is almost over and then I can start fresh with (hopefully) a better game plan in place so that I don't end up with the end of the year slump of forgetfulness (Electrons are in the nucleus? Did you truly just tell me that?)

I think that about wraps it up for this week. I'm looking forward to tomorrows post for the A to Z challenge. It's G day and I've got a good bit for it.

F is for Finn

“What’s the matter?” Finn asked, breaking Toby out of his thoughts. “You look worried.”

The markings on Finn’s neck were more prominent in the daylight and that added another burden to Toby’s shoulders. What had he done to his best friend? It was impossible to know as no human had ever worn the marks of a Bonded Soul. Harp hadn’t been much help, barking at him to keep his thoughts to himself instead of answering any real questions.

“It’s nothing,” Toby shrugged, not wanting to speak his thoughts out loud. “I’m tired, that’s all.”

Word Count : 3333 (Deja vu)

It's been a busy day filled with tee ball. I hope to find an hour or so to sit down and write again today. It's funny - I find more time to write when I'm at work then when I'm at home.

Thanks to all who have left such wonderful comments! I'm really enjoying this blogging challenge and meeting so many interesting minds. With one week down and three to go I'm certain there will be even more surprises and spectacular blogs to come.

E is for Eirre

Toby had never seen the gates of Donegall but he had heard of them. It was standard practice for the orphaned boys to attend school. It was required if they hoped to still have a bed that night. Toby didn’t remember much from those studies but what he did remember had to do with the History of Eirre - especially the capital city.

The city was a fortress and the one area where all four races lived and worked, although times had changed over the past twenty years. An uneasy peace had fallen over the city after the Fall. The Red Flame, an elite band of Wizards had taken control, casting out the other races from the inner city. The Wolves were placed at the head of the Guard tasked with policing the non-magic humans and the other sub-races. Many Cats and Magpies lived on the outskirts of the city, if they still lived there at all. But that was as it should be. Wizards were the best equipped to rule over Eirre and they were all better off with the Magistrate in command.


Word Count: 3333 (It's a magic number)

The story is moving in an interesting direction. While I have a general idea for the direction I am enjoying the little surprises that are popping up. This is a great distraction from my usual fretting over the submissions I've made for Book 1: The Raven's Pearl. I'm still crossing my fingers on that but it may be a good thing it hasn't been picked up yet. I will keep finding that silver lining!

D is for Donegall

The capital city of Donegall was divided into sections, each dedicated to one of the Four gods. A statue of each graced the open gates, protecting the city in case of attack. It had been years since the gates had been used and the statues themselves showed signs of their age. Many who passed beneath their outstretched arms rarely gave the statues any thought - the identity of the stone monoliths were lost to time.

Beneath the arms of Taia, the child, was a ivy covered door. It was a nondescript door, easily looked past and forgotten to those that had little business to be there. But to those in the know, the door contained a very special stronghold. The door remained locked and only a select few that knew the password could convince the ivy to release it’s iron grip and allow the person entrance. Once inside, the person could disappear without detection. It was used by many over the years for a variety of purposes - good and bad. The current password holders could not proclaim to be either but only observers, watching and waiting for the best moment to strike.

Word Count: 2243

I've changed the capital city in my world! I like Donegall better, although this means I must go back and edit the first book to fit. One of the benefits of not publishing the first book yet means I have more wiggle room and I can fix any continuity errors that pop up. Still a bit behind in my word count but I figure as long as I continue to write every single day, no matter what I end up with at the end of April it will always be more than April First.

C is for Caspian

“He’s back,” he said simply, hoping that the tremors stayed out of his voice.

“Which he?” Her voice was serious. Good, perhaps she would listen to him for once.

“Caspian.”

The name made Jesse visibly whiten and she sat down on the dusty chair that was thankfully just behind her. “No,” she said, shaking her head slowly. “He can’t be. He’s dead. That’s what Luna and Aidan said; that’s what Henri told us.”

“He believed two country wizards whose loyalties are questionable. It doesn’t matter. David believes he is alive and you know the lengths he will go to find him.”

“Just because the Magistrate thinks Caspian is alive doesn’t mean that he is,” Jesse reasoned, even though to Alex it sounded as if she was in denial. “If he was alive all these years we would have heard something.”

“I’m not entirely sure about that,” Alex said with a frown. “He is a Cat, after all. They take care of their own.”

Word Count: 1639

Still plugging away! I'm behind but the flow is slowly coming back. Plus, I'm starting to get the feel for the direction this book will go. I find it interesting that it's started out with Caspian being spoken about in hushed tones. Something tells me that what I thought was the Fall in the last book is really only the beginning of the story.

B is for Blue Beads

"

On the edge of the table farthest from the door there was a glass filled with small blue beads. Alex’s hand shook as he reached inside it and plucked a single bead. He dropped it on the ground and stepped on it, the bead crunching under his boot. A small blue light shot out from under his boot, lifted straight in the air before disappearing. Alex could breathe easily now. Henri would be there soon and he could relieve himself of the information before finding the nearest pub and crawling into a bottle. All he had to do was wait, although it was uncertain how long he would have to wait before anyone replied to his message. He could be stuck in the safe house for hours - perhaps days before anyone would reply. And that was under the assumption that someone would reply."

Word Count: 918

Slow going, I have to admit. And the urge to revise the above paragraph is burning! So many redundancies! However, I will ignore the urge and press on! I at least want to make it over the 1000 hump today. I'm pretty far behind in my goal but as long as I keep writing a little each day I will have something by the end of the month.

A is for Alex

To kick off the first day I thought I would post a little something regarding a new character in The Dragon's Circle, the sequel to The Raven's Pearl  (Formerly The Wizard's Pearl)

Name: Alex McGill
Age: 32
Race: Human Wizard
Short Selection:
"

Alex McGill was in trouble. It wasn’t a new experience for him. Being from one of the oldest families in Thrall he was bound to cross paths with someone who didn’t like his face merely for the sake of his name but this sort of trouble was different. He was scared and Alex was the sort to admit such a thing outloud. He had his pride to think of, thank you very much. "

Role he will play: That remains to be seen but I have some interesting bits for Alex later on. I think he's going to end up being an important player.

CampNaNo Wordcount: 273

Words Left for today: 1,894

I have T-Ball and Play Rehearsal yet tonight. This is going to be very interesting to say the least.