What the heck am I doing?

The answer is writing. Writing and writing, and podcasting a little.

In spite of the failure of last week, which isn’t really a failure at all but a disappointment, I’ve been busy putting the oldest story I think is worth telling back in order. It’s a bit like turning a 50-piece puzzle into a 1,000 piece puzzle. The picture is similar, but the pathways are different, and there’s lots more to the whole. I call it editing, since it’s technically a rewrite, but honestly it feels more like writing.

Writing characters I created when I was still a teenager can be a little surreal though. I had the concept early, I just didn’t have the tools at the time to write it. Then later, when I had the tools, I didn’t have the guts to do some of the stuff I’m doing now. Sure, it’s not going to change the world of fantasy writing; it’s sword & sorcery, after all. But I think I’m doing enough things differently that readers will enjoy it.

One character in particular has been wonderfully cathartic to write. Her name is Chira, and in essence, she is a machine of death and destruction. She is somewhere between a Mord Sith and River from “Firefly”–she’s gritty, and her fighting style is crazy. She carries somewhere between eight and ten weapons on her at a time, and she’s obsessed with martial training and strategy. I don’t know what it is, but maybe I just need a little more female warrior in me these days. Writing scenes with her lately has been absolutely thrilling for me. She is also a smart-ass. Heh.

Other than that, the writing is intriguing because it’s got so many characters in the scenes. Rarely do I have less than five people together, since they travel that way, and it’s really exciting writing scenes with lots of banter going back and forth. Not to mention, one of my characters is a real joker, and this is the first time in a while that I’m writing funny stuff. It’s weird, because I’m a funny person in general, I just take myself (and maybe my characters) a little too seriously sometimes. It’s a bit refreshing!

I am also blogging for GeekDad, so that’s been taking up some time that I usually use here. I’m going to try and put together a more strict schedule to ensure I post here more often, but I can’t promise anything due to the energy and unpredictability of being a mom!

“So it’s magic. Like you were talking about before,” Peter said, the word heavy in his mouth. He still felt a bit idiotic talking about magic as if it were real.

Tengel nodded, looking Peter in the eyes. “It feeds on magic. Like I said.”

Peter took the meaning in Tengel’s words, but hesitated to give words to it. “You’re implying that he sent the abael after me due to my own magical proclivities.”

“Good word proclivity,” intoned Quinn, as he drew up to the two of them. As the fire stoked, Peter noticed how brilliant Quinn’s hair was—when it caught the light it kindled like copper. “Proclivity. Sounds like a disease though, doesn’t it?”

“You haven’t got magical proclivities,” said Tengel.

“Of course I don’t,” replied Peter.

“Just magical possibilities,” finished the healer.