A Worthy WiP

 Why this Work In Progress (WiP)? What about it resonates with me?

Well, this WiP--with the working title of Worthy--is the first of a futuristic-fantasy trilogy that examines a world where humanity's avarice, cruelty, and selfishness are regulated and policed. Where there is a distinct line between upholding the laws of society and addressing the corruption of an individual's nature.

One thing this real-world pandemic of disease and disinformation has brought into sharp focus is that there are those among us who are willfully--even gleefully--horrible people. They roll out of bed with the intention of fucking over people for no better reason than to feel a frisson of power. I despise those folks so deeply that my coping mechanism is to spend time deep-diving into a society where that vicious desperation for control is mitigated, where there is a third party who sees through actions and soundbites into the composition of an individual's nature and simply eradicates the source. What sort of society is that? Is that a utopia or does it breed new problems? Is depravity hardcoded into human nature? Is everything that makes humans bad simply rooted in an unfulfilled basic need? (Shout out to Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs!)

Oh yeah, for sure, never fear, there's plenty of magic and whodunnits and conspiracies and slow-burn romance and all that good stuff. Hell, it even has a plot and a few substories to boot. Shocking, I know. Writing it is as disturbing as it is cathartic...which, makes being an author totally worth it.

Why This WIP?

This week's post topic is Why this WIP? What about it resonates for you?

Well, my current WIP--City of Ruin--is my second romantic fantasy novel under contract with City Owl Press and releases later this year. So that's why this WIP ;) But also because I really love the story, and I've been able to employ certain storytelling elements (ones I can't mention!) that make my writer's heart happy.

City of Ruin is book two in The Witch Walker trilogy, a continuation of Raina Bloodgood and Alexus Thibault's story. Their passionate tale is just getting started in The Witch Collector, book one. There's so much more unveiling left to do and secrets to bring to light, and I'm having a blast placing the puzzle pieces for readers. It's this--the story weaving--that always gets me excited.

If The Witch Collector sounds like a book you might enjoy, and if you haven't given it a try, I'll drop the buy links here. You can also add it on Goodreads!

Four-Footed Writing Companions

It's hard to see the void who's positioned himself between me and the keyboard, but that's Raven. He's appointed himself my newest furry writing companion. Provided it's not too hot. Or there's nothing interesting happening on the back deck.  He's not as experienced as the editors and writing companions who filled the position before him, but I'm confident he'll learn. Perceval and Arya want to be my editors. They've perfecting the art of walking across my keyboard. In Arya's case, she particularly likes to stand on keys. Just to make sure she really gets her point across.

 Crow likes to be in the same room so he can offer moral support while I work, but he's more of a thinker than a doer. He looks on from his sunny spot on the cat tree while I write. I'm required to pay a pet tax by skritching his chin if I get up to grab tea or a snack. All of this four-footed company is most welcome as our senior editor died on Monday afternoon. Miss Cuillean had retired from her position about four months ago, but out of respect, no other cat would take her place while she battled her final illness. Now that she's moved on, the younger cats are seizing their opportunities and I have all the furry contributors in the middle of what I'm doing that I can handle. 

Alexia's Furry Editor

There are few jobs as solitary as writing.

That is, unless you have a furry editor that pokes their nose where it doesn’t belong…on your keyboard, across your screen, on top of your hands. But we still love them!

I have a Siberian husky for a writing buddy. When I first started, his name was Loki. He kept my feet, and my heart, warm. He was by my side as I finished my second fantasy novel. And someday, when that book gets its chance to be published, it’ll be in his memory. At least for me.

Now, I have a new furry editor! Ullr the husky pup. He’s better at feeding my muse—by which I mean he demands more walks. But, he is two. So it’s expected. 

Ullr is getting better at keeping my feet warm.
And he’s quite accomplished at closing my laptop! But his best quality is his soft fur that works better than any stress ball or fidget. All I have to do is sit and give him some long scratches for my mind to relax and hone in on my story. It’s very zen. Of course, he’s also incredibly talented at getting in the way when I’m doing yoga—so maybe it’s a trade off. 

There’s good and there’s frustrating with Ullr. All I know is I would be much lonelier at my writing if I didn’t have his furry butt beside me. Here’s to my furry editor!

Do you have a writing buddy your craft would suffer without?

Jeffe's Furry Editors

 First things first: the Romancing the Vote auction is live! I'm offering six months of author coaching to the winning bidder and the bids are climbing! This is an important cause and tons of great stuff from all kinds of wonderful industry folks. Go forth and bid!

Our topic at the SFF Seven this week is an homage to our furry editors. I have two, my Maine coon cat buddies: 

Isabel, who specializes in floof and loving. She is not entirely helpful, so far as keyboard access is involved, but she's the best at purring companionship. Total win.

I took this picture today. Jackson visits my writing desk daily, politely sitting to the side of the keyboard (win!) and staring at me until I pet him (not ideal). Observers have accused him of whispering the books into my ear. I will neither confirm nor deny. I can only say that, as a ghostwriter, he works pretty cheap. 

Wintery Writing Companion

 Ahhh a tribute to our furry writing companion(s)?

Checks the outdoor temp.

A balmy 21 degrees.🥶

Leans back in chair

Eyes the porch

Spots this winter baby and all her DNGAF glory:

Oh, I know it's cold out there. She's a husky. All that floof? Multiple layers of furry insulation. She'd rather be lolling in the snowdrift that's beyond the frame of the photo but is settling for the outdoor couch. This same girl leaps into bed at the asscrack of dawn during a snowfall to inform me that The Great White Wet is happening and that I ought to be joyful and when, oh when, am I taking her outside to frolic?!?

See that look on her face? That's the look of "unless you're bringing me a cookie, it hasn't been two hours since our last outing, so get back to work."  sigh Such a taskmaster.

I wouldn't trade her for the world. 💖

Furry Editors

This week's post topic is An Homage to Writing Buddies: Be they furry or friendly!

I'm pretty sure I've shared pics of my baby dogs before, but since we're bestowing a little special honor on those who help (and sometimes hinder) us through this writing gig, I'll be sharing a few more.

This is our old girl Harley. Harley is the sweetest German Shepherd in existence. She is 15 years-old and hates getting her picture taken. She's a beautiful queen. Super gentle. Astonishingly smart. And she's been at my side for a very long time, watching me write several books that will never see the light of day--and some that will. She's my best friend.

This is Roscoe the English Bulldog. Where Harley is my BFF, Roscoe is my child--the baby that cannot be without his mom. He's painfully cute and his hobbies are sleeping, eating, and shoving my laptop off my lap so he can plant his eight pound body on me. As you can see, he is ever at my side and constantly trying to figure out how to get closer.

And this is Nash, Roscoe's brother. Nash is...well, Nash. He's so sweet sometimes and a bit of a handful absolute terror at other times lol. He keeps things lively in our house, that's for sure! Sometimes he just wants me to be done with writing, and when that happens, he does this 'stare down' thing. It's what I call the HURRY UP stare. He's also been known to use his paw to slam my laptop closed if I don't pay attention to him. Needless to say, I unfailingly let him win.

And those are my furry editors, always at my side. I love them with my whole heart.

The perfect place to listen to The Mars Strain

 

I’m a mood reader, as evidenced in my most recent Insta reel with the stack of books I had to bring on vacation. I didn’t know what I would feel like reading, so I had to bring a variety! 

Mood Reader: someone who selects their 

reads according to their current state of mind

And since I’m a mood reader I’m loving the topic of the week: set the mood for a perfect read! Catching a few pages on the bus or in a waiting room is great, but being able to slide into a story when all you have to do for the next hour is read truly immerses you into the story. 

We all know you’re far more likely to keep reading when you’re cozied up in a comfy spot with a warm blanket while it rains outside.  But what if there’s no rainstorm or snowstorm? What if your next read is an audiobook about a lab girl who battles an alien organism alongside her astronaut ex? 

First Step: Download that audiobook and grab a comfy pair of headphones! 

Next: Drive, fly, hop a bus to Florida and NASA’s Kennedy Space Center—the place where the majority of The Mars Strain takes place!

Finally: Stroll through those front gates and hit play! Hear Jules’ story as you walk where she would’ve been! 

Of course…if you can’t listen to The Mars Strain while walking in Juliet’s footsteps—hello bucket list—it also works great during any commute, while repainting a wall, or gardening! 

How do you like to get into the reading mood?