National Novel Writing Month: RESOLUTION!

"Thirty days and nights of literary abandon!"

I first encountered National novel writing month ( or as first timers lovingly abbreviate- nanowrimo- and seasoned vets coolly type " nano") three years ago on a hot november day.  I had just moved in the spring from my beloved Montana to Northern California to be near my fiancee.  I was jobless, living with my future in-laws, and a touch homesick for my friends and family in the mountains.  Nano became a welcome relief! Anglebird and I encouraged eachother from afar. My novel was a miserable mess of sloppy plot points but I had fun!
Another year rolled by.  I got married. By the time November rolled around I was in my second trimester and working full time.  I signed up for Nano with good intentions which quickly went down the drain because the baby overtook the organizational part of my brain.  In short, I forgot it was November and what I was supposed to be doing.

This year: I will be a professional JUGGLER:  I'll be working full time, chasing after a 6 month old, and writing on the fly. I fully resolve that I WILL write during nano!!!

And now to end with a poignant and inspiring quote:

" Time is a' wasting
the Turkey is a' basting
And we all want to eat
but what a stink!
What a smell!
could it be hell?
no, it's our feet.
what a neat feat
to ruin our trick or treat.


Lackscroft and Roe

To Stay or Go (Iana's Story #36)

I keep reminding myself, this is a story, you can't just summarize what's happening. Something dramatic must happen, action, and emotion, and above all keep it short. That always was been my goal, to keep it short and still have something happen. Iana is still preparing for the upcoming fight, but at what cost? 

#36 To Stay or Go

I found Aunt Rosemary standing near the far end of the long table. Several village men sat on one side eating a stew made old potatoes and dried leeks from last years harvest.  I didn't run, but I wanted to. Aunt Clo sat near the fire knitting away, balls of yarn in her lap and all around her feet. Aunt Luna held one of the yarn balls and helped unravel it, all the while telling one of her outrageous stories to Aunt Clo. Aunt Rosemary was counting out seed packets, then placing them carefully in a large bag at the end of the table. I looked down inside it.  She'd packed up her smaller tools, and had a sketch book and several thin journals. I don't know where she put her larger journals. 

I noticed she wore a simple wool dress, sturdy boots and her long brown cloak rested on the bench. Traveling clothes.

"You're leaving?" I asked, trying to keep the tremor from my voice.

What is Necessary (Iana's Story #35)

Where will Iana's resolution to fight lead her? What will happen between her and Joli next? Sometimes I ask myself all these questions, and then I wonder, where is this story going? Does it even make sense? Read on, and let me know.

#35 What is Necessary
I stopped to rest a moment near the chapel door, which was still boarded up until the chapel roof was repaired. That wouldn't happen anytime soon. 

"I can't believe you're doing this." Joli stood further back on the stone steps watching as glass shards fell, littering the ground like snow. "Have you no heart?"

Preparing for Battle (Iana's Story #34)

Previously. Iana's story continues. . .

#34 Preparing

Ten days was not much time. Everyday felt shorter than the next, yet it seemed like those ten days stretched on forever. If not for Olwen we would not have been ready. He was remarkable. No wonder the castle hadn't completely collapsed, what with Mother's firm meticulous control and Olwen capable of filling any role and finishing any task no matter how impossible. He juggled more than a juggler. 

#33 Iana's Story (A Recap Episode)

You might have noticed that I took the summer off, staring in May actually. Now that the end of August is almost here, back to school thoughts roam around my head and its back to the usual.

Not that I'm giving up summer completely. I'm planning one last camping trip this weekend. Hurrah! 

I must also confess, I've been somewhat fighting with Iana's story, and what happens next. Finally its out here, after months of wondering and worrying does this work? It feels so permanent to post it here for you to read. Well, I'll fix it later if I have to. The next scene will come sooner, tomorrow actually, since this one is mostly recap of what's happened. You'd forgotten the story, admit it you need a recap of what's happened.


#33 Iana's Story
We would fight. We must fight. There was no other choice. Giving up, or giving in like my sister Joli was the same as death to me. I refused to do something so stupid, and I had no intention of letting Joli throw her life away. Not even for love.

I told Olwen everything. We stood in a small alcove away from the rooms where I told him what I knew, from the very beginning, from the time I spent in Catha, our life there, until the moment I received Mother's letter demanding our return. If only my last desperate attempts to remain in Catha with Lady Amelia Hildegale had worked! 

#32 of Iana's Story: Troublesome and Strange

I've put up Letter Ten, even though you can't really comment on it Terrwyn. I still wanted to put it up. I couldn't resist. We've revised 42% of the story. Almost halfway, perhaps I should get on with the letter Eleven, then we'd be at halfway. 

In the meantime, I had this already written and I'm finally posting it. After a troublesome argument with her sister, Iana's troubles continues.

#32  Troublesome and Strange
My room was too cold to consider sleeping in it, not unless I covered the window again. I wasn't going to tackle that task on my own. 

The wind howled through the glassless, gaping hole. The night sky was black as a cave, no moon or stars visible out there. I wrapped an extra wool shawl around my shoulders and hurried out into the hall, only to run straight into Olwen. He caught me with one arm. In his other he held a short candle. He wore an alarmed look on his face, and concern in his warm eyes. "I heard a loud crash and then shouting. Are you hurt, your highness?"

He must have been standing in the hall for sometime. How much shouting did he hear? It was dark enough now at least the shadows could hide my blushing. Was it Olwen? I wondered. Olwen and Joli? The thought was just too silly, I dismissed it immediately. "No, I'm fine. A little bruised maybe, but it's no more than I deserve," I told him.

"Is there anything I can do for you, Princess?" he asked. 

Bravely Broken #31 Iana

Iana and Joli. Joli comes from the french word for pretty. Iana is from . . . actually I have no idea. I think I just made it up. The confrontation between the sisters continues below. How easily we say things - or shout things - we don't mean to our family.

Bravely Broken

I waved to Joli from the window, tipping backwards unsteadily. She hauled me inside, dragging me roughly off the sill and down I crashed to the floor. My landing was not elegant, and I would certainly have bruises tomorrow.

"Didn't you hear me knocking earlier?" I asked.

Her face turned from pale to a livid purple, as it does when she is angry or embarrassed.

"Since you weren't answering," I complained. "I had to come around from the outside."

"That's no excuse."

"Sorry, I wanted to talk."