Middle of America
May 19, 2024 4:25 pm
When you estimate gas costs for a trip, triple it!
So I am in Rapid City, SD at the moment and I have to say it is a gorgeous area, cool town and close to Yellowstone. All in all I rather like it. I took pics of the Aurora Borealis when I was in Washington, then pics of the mountains in Idaho, and pics of the Grand Tetons. I'll add a few (but only a few, I'm not cruel). Then here in SD I went to Crazy Horse and Rushmore. It's been cool, but I'll admit I'm ready to be home. My body aches from all the driving and I miss the cats and my bed. Though over all the beds have been damn nice.
I've only managed of=ver 16k this month, but I should break 30k I hope before I leave for ConCarolinas. Then I swear I'm spending the month of July hiberating and writing. But on the bright side the UF Victorian series is coming out very tight and fascinating, my epic fantasy might be better than I thought, and the cozy mystery works. So yay.
Otherwise - look at my pretty pics!
And here are a few (very very very few) of my Aurora Borealis pics. Really I took lots. It is also fascinating to learn your camera sees WAY more colors than your eyes.
I'm hoping to be home by the middle of the week. Fingers crossed.
Book Recommendations!
So all I can say is I am binging Dungeon Crawler Carl in audiobook form, recorded by the amazing Jeff Hays. You can check it out here. It is Audible only (boo) but you want to support a small business and great authors - check out Soundbooth Theater. I tell you, it's gonna make normal narration hard to listen to. Regarding DCC - look if you like crazy over the stop story, have ever gamed, and love never knowing what is going to happen next, give it a try. Really it should be a horrible book - but Matt Dinniman has made it an amazing ride. And if you want to see what a true addiction sounds like, check out the free Audio Immersion version of chapter one - available here.
Weekly Micro Story
Next
Shimazu stood in the garden, his katana resting on the chest beneath the tree. The body of the latest challenger lay on the ground, katana unbloodied. Their katanas were always unbloodied.
Ritually Shimauz pulled out a silk cloth and cleaned his katana. The the calls of the birds and the splash of the waterfall filling the area as he restored his blade to pristine beauty. The noise of those waiting for their chance to die a low hum. When not a fleck of blood remained, he returned it to the sheath at his waist. With solemn reverence he went to the fallen warrior and removed the katana from his grip.
Shimauz looked at the garden eyes narrowed. He jerked his head once and strode six paces, towards the pool of water, in line with the cherry tree and sank the blade into the ground. Three more blades and that design would be finished.
By the time he moved back into the ritual arena the caretakers had already removed the body, leaning the coins in a neat pile. The armor and clothing would be removed, sold to maintain the garden and temple. The body treated with honor as it was washed, anointed and cremated, the ashes spread from the waterfall.
Shimazu placed the coins in the chest, then turned. All was pristine. He looked at the waiting challengers. To defeat him would bring honor, the contents of the chest under the tree, and his katana. No one would win today.
"Next?"
~*~
Yep, you've read it before. But brain dead and I need to stock up on stories. But you'll enjoy what is coming.
Mel
Schedule 2024:
ConCarolinas - May 31-June 2 Charlotte, NC
LibertyCon - June 21-23 Chattanooga, TN
DragonCon - Aug 29 - Sept 2 Atlanta, GA
Deep South Con - Oct 11-13th, Helen, GA
Remember find me here:
Bookbub - follow me! You'll see books I recommend and alerts to releases.
If you are on Tiktok, it is kind of working. Nothing impressive posted there yet, but look for @meltodd_writer
