Back to the Grind
Aug 13, 2023 4:01 pm
And more stories!
I'm home! And I miss Greece. I've only been home 2 weeks and I'm already jonesing to go somewhere else. Literally my biggest complaint about traveling is the beds! I need to figure out a way to carry an eggshell foam mattress with me or something. Does the rest of the world sleep on rocks or are my hips just that spoiled? And air mattresses are just as uncomfortable and bulky. Sigh. Can I have magic please? Just one spell "Comfortable Bedes!"
Oh well. I've been home and I have actually gotten a bit done. Balanced Luck was sent out to the betas at 117k, so it should be pushing 120k by the time all the edits are done - it is a LONG book, so I hope you enjoy. I've gotten one feedback already and that reader loved it, so... I hope you do too.
I've also started on my thriller involving Scott Randolph and I'm finishing the world building for my epic fantasy. I'm still not sure how that one is going to come out. It might be one HUGE book or two long books. We'll see how the story goes. The reason I'm debating is selling a 250k word book is hard. Lots of people don't want to read something that huge, but two 125k books might be more reasonable. A lot of it depends on the story and how fast it goes, but this world is different than anything I've ever read--at least I think it is. I'll share more as soon as I finish the world building. There's even a MAP!
Book Recommendations!
I know you're jonesing for the next book, but check out this while you wait for November to get here.
This is a free prequel to a dystopian YA series. Magic & Aliens. Stranded on a planet everything depends on five elders. Their failures means their people will lose the elemental powers forever. Check out Banished and see if the world calls to you.
You need something meaty to sink your eyes into? Try over a 1000 pages of aliens, mercenaries, corrupt officials, and corporate greed. Check out Alien Alliance now.
Weekly Micro Story
Dancer
"I want to be a ballerina, momma," Lori said in a soft voice watching the woman pirouette on a pillar. The moon behind her and the red smoke created a perfect image, one to remember for all your life.
"Hmm," Jeanette replied. She kept a heavy hand on her daughters shoulder making sure she didn't move.
Lori looked up at her mom. "You could be one. You're pretty and skinny."
Jeanette forced a smile, her teeth gritted. "Mmmmhmmm," was all she could get out. Together they continued to watch, as did the rest of their town.
The dancer, once her best friend, spun and twirled as the pillar below her burned. In theory if she could dance on the smoke she would live. In practicality every second she lived was one more gold coin for her family. One chance they had to survive their loved one's death.
"So pretty, momma," Lori said again and Jeanette wondered if killing her daughter now before the mad god heard her words would be better than watching her dance unto death for a chance that her family might live.
"So I see we have another dancer in a few years," a voice said over her shoulder.
Jeanette's heart turned to ice as she looked up to meet the eyes of the mad gods priest. It looked like she should have killed her. Her hand clamped down on her eight year olds shoulder, knowing it was the last time she'd ever touch her daughter again.
~*~
This went a little dark. Not sure why, but my mind grabs odd stuff from pics. Next week I'll be talking about Dragoncon. If you want to see me there I'll be at a booth most of the time OR check the Dragoncon App to see where I'll be.
Mel
Schedule 2023: (so far)
Dragoncon: August 30 - Sep 4 (Atlanta, GA)
20BooksVegas: Nov 6-10 (Las Vegas, NV)
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
