Here's a hint - it doesn't work.

I'm trying to do both and my word count is telling me I'm failing at that aspect of it. Or at least what I think it should be. ~Goes to check her word count tracker~ Hmmm only 19196. Not good. I really try to break 30k a month. But I should get it over 20k between today and tomorrow.

Faded Luck is slowly coming together, but this is one of the harder books I've ever written. I will never plot things out again. I'm still working on the process that works for me,this wasn't it.

I did get to talk to Jim Butcher for about 30 seconds. Asked my one question, we'll see if anything comes out of it. The conference itself was interesting and I don't think I'll really know what effects it will have until later this year. But I do know that I'm doing better than I thought. I just need to continue on my way (and finish the book!)

Otherwise, the big news is that I have been accepted back at Dragoncon this year! So that is where I'll be in September. I'm looking forward to it.

So I hope you are staying safe and are bundled up as the last hurrah of winter seems to be lashing at us. I know I've got my coffee and words to write. But until then why not take a trip next door. Well the galaxy next door. After all, we should be good neighbors, right? Discovering Your Neighbor is an entry into sci-fi and galaxy spanning adventures. Get this free story and see what happens.

That is all for me this week. I have stories to write.

Four Gold

Cara crouched behind the low wall as the town guards crunched on by. The icy snow provided an excellent early detection system. Only when silence lay heavy did she rise and slid toward the building.

Most shops had extensive magical security, but she'd shopped here earlier today verifying they only had simple locks. Something any street kid could pick. Or an experienced adventurer. It took her less than a minute to get in and she shut the door behind her, then waited for her eyes to adjust.

The little shop was crammed full with tiny jars and boxes, the scent of spices so overpowering no nose would be able to separate them out. Luckily the owner was very meticulous and everything was labeled.

Cara pulled three tiny vials from her belt pouch and set them on the counter. One more quick scan and she relaxed as there were no alarms. Magic could kill, but she was very skilled at detecting and avoiding it.

She lifted the door labeled cinnamon. Black dust exploded into her face, getting her eyes, mouth, and nose.

"What the-achoo! Achoo! ACHOO!" The sneezes kept coming as she was sneezing so hard she couldn't breathe. Her eyes were watering and burning. Frantic she stumbled over to the water jug and dumped it over her face.

"Achoo!" She splashed water again, desperate for the pain to stop. After what seemed an eternity of sneezing, it faded and she looked up to see the shopkeeper.

An old woman, one arm on her hip, the other holding a lantern.

"You had no defenses," Cara gasped out.

"Oh child. Do you think magic is the answer to everything?" Dorthea replied.

"You owe me two gold and I'll make sure to tell everyone how you were brought down by an old spice woman. Make it four gold and I'll keep my mouth shut." The smirk looked all too comfortable on Dorthea's face.

Cara pulled out the coins, four of them, and handed them to Dorthea. She really should have known better than to take a suckers bet from a night out drinking. Because she was the sucker.

Hey, if you haven't left a review on Drafted Luck - please go do so. I'm almost at a thousand reviews on it! Woot!

See Ya!

Mel

Schedule 2022:

Feb 9-13: Superstars Writing Conference - Colorado Springs, CO

April 23: Atlanta Self Publishing Conference - Atlanta, GA

June 17-19: LibertyCon - Chattanooga, TN

Dragoncon Sep 1-5: Atlanta, GA

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