Finding My Groove...

It's been ages. I know. I hear you whimpering in the corner, having withdrawals of my snark, my dark wit.

It's okay. I'm here to give you a fix. Just a little one, sadly.

My creative processes have been getting derailed. Rather frequently, I might add. Maybe even a little hi-jacked. When we moved from Alaska to Washington, we were given a generous opportunity to stay with friends in a camper in their backyard. We have access to the house, we help clean, cook, things like that. It started out decent. But, as always, a bit of an unplanned, downward spiral. Not for us, mind you, for them. The dad's got stage 4 lymphoma. Both parents are up there in age and the mom is taking care of her spouse as best she can. But it's stressful and there's lots of people in the house.

I've been working on jewelry out in the garage. We all worked to clear up an area where we could paint miniatures, play Dungeons and Dragons, I could make jewelry, etc. Maps are all over the table now. So are paints and figures.

I was writing a little bit here and there, but I have to say... the camper is pretty crowded with me, hubby, the two cats and our computers on the fold down kitchen table. It's comfortable, it's old. Like me. But sitting on the bench/sofa or the bench in front of my computer isn't exactly comfortable for very long. It is better than being up in our friend's room. 3 computers, desks, chairs, a bed and three big people. Meh. It got crowded, it got loud. Well, from our talking and laughing. We all had headphones.

Needless to say, it's been... interesting. However, the good news is, hubby and I are pretty close to getting our own place and hopefully creating some steps to crawl out of our huge hole of money issues. You know, crap. It's a bit of an overwhelming experience, I have to say. The whole move, me becoming a grandmother, my son graduating and both kids out on their own.

We've transitioned slightly, but soon it'll be me and hubby on our own and we haven't had that in a very long time. Well, he hasn't had that in a while, me... I haven't been on my own in well, 43 years.

It's either been kids or parents or whatever. Plus the fact that we have to start from scratch since we left (got rid of) so much stuff. It's all stuff that affects me, my creative processes. I can't focus much on more than one thing at a time, let alone just one thing at a time. So hopefully, things will smooth out in a few months. I'm still line editing, writing on my other stories, making jewelry and drawing. I have to do something creative or I go crazy, I tell ya!

But I miss my blogger peeps most of all. My support, my community, my kindred souls. I hope you are all well and hope to see you all soon, more often!

Fantasy Flash Fiction...

The two brothers met and clashed on the battlefield. Each fought with a ferocity unmatched by any other warrior. Each fought for their claim of the land, their honor, and the one woman they both loved. Many wars had been fought over lesser slights than this. Many had been fought over greater insults than this, but most wars started by two men setting their sights on one woman of undefined beauty. More often than not, the reason would be swept over with politics and other, more genuine reasons, but the heart of most wars started in the heart.

Artwork found on a fantasy wallpaper site, artist unknown at the moment.

Fantasy Flash Fiction...

Surrounded! They kept advancing, even after she fired her last arrow, dulled all but her last blade. Now, with nothing left but a staff and dirk, the odds were against her. She wouldn't let them take her without a fight. She'd use her bare hands if it came down to it, without a doubt, until her last breath.

 ~Artwork by Yulin Yao.

Some New Writing...

I've worked a little bit on my second book, going through it, editing and all that. I sent it out to several of my friends and betas asking for their help and got some really good feedback on it. Now I'm tearing it up, line by line, polishing it to as much perfection as I can muster. It's slow going, but it is going.

I got involved in writing something else, though. I recently had some really good ideas for (and yes, I know how hypocritical this is going to make me look) paranormal/romance. Not a lot of emphasis on the romance, but it is in there, so I have to acknowledge it.

I've had this story in my head for some time. Even started a notebook with all the details I would need to get it started and I keep writing up notes. I even started to write it out, but it didn't sound right. I couldn't get the voice right. It sounded too... BLAH!

So I opened up a new file the other night, with the intent of writing down something fun. I needed to kick-start my writing, get me in the mood. Well, I ended up writing on this story in first person.

I've never written in first person before.

Hell, I've never written paranormal or even romance before.

Yes, I have vampires.

NO, they are not sparkly nor are they cuddly.

I'm having fun with it. It'll be interesting to write it and get all the info in there that I want.

But I'm writing. It's helping alleviate some stress. The jewelry I work on is my other therapy. Things have just been topsy-turvy around here. That will all change again, soon. For the better. It just takes time. Have a good rest of the week, everyone!

Fantasy Flash Fiction...

Here is another piece of flash fiction for you, including the picture that prompted it. Enjoy!

The remains of the Old Gods seemed to watch silently as the heroes passed. They had ventured once to the earth, wanting to better acquaint themselves with the beings they created. However, those beings were primitive and, not understanding who the deities were, waged war and slaughtered their creators. The Gods were weak in their Avatar state, even though they were giants. Once killed, their essences remained, haunting this lonely mountain pass.

Fantasy Flash Fiction...

Another Monday, another week. But here is something to help ease you into the workdays.

They stood back to back, weapons at the ready. One of the beasts charged from the darkness. Syl raised her sword, attacking when it got close enough. A howl of pain resounded through the forest as she bloodied her blade, and others encroached on the clearing.

Ramblings...

I have not adhered to my normal blogging schedule, and for that, I apologize. Life is hectic, jewelry has taken control of this vehicle I call Life. But I am getting to a point where that is slowing a bit. Just enough to give me some breathing room.

I'm doing line edits to book two when I am able to, I promise, it's getting there!

I can't say whether or not I will get back to regular blogging, but I do know it won't be for some time. so thanks for hanging in there and putting up with me. I know you'll all be here when I return. I do read your comments, even as I am just hopping on to check things "real quick". I don't always have time to answer, and I don't leave many comments on other blogs any more all due to time constraints.

I miss you all horribly. If I can keep up with the flash fiction fantasy stuff, I will. But as it looks right now, I may not.

Wish I could offer up more of an explanation, but, well, it is what it is.

Miss you all and see you soon!

Fantasy Flash Fiction...

It's Monday! I know, nothing to be happy about, but here is something to help boost your creative minds for the week.

~Artwork by Steve Bolduc

There wasn't much more Urnf could do these nights. Shunned from his brothers, chased out of human cities by torches and swords, he decided it was best to find some other hobby. Pickings had been slim for adventurers in need of something to slay, or even to hire him for muscle. Sighing heavily as he came to terms with getting older, Urnf plucked the catgut strings on his guitar. The music, such as it was, made even the bravest of nighttime creatures flee, seeking some other place in the forest for the night.

Just A Little Something Extra...

Well, now that the April A-Z Blog Challenge is over, I can share some things with you. April tends to take up a lot of my creativity and time, so extra posts were just out of the question.

Over on Facebook, I was invited to be an Admin on "The Fantasy Tavern" page. One thing I have really enjoyed doing over there is adding fantasy artwork with a short 'caption'.

By caption, I mean flash fiction. Some of the artwork was pulled from wallpaper sites, I have yet to research the artist. But if the artist is known, I will list it.

So I thought I would share some of them with you now that the A-Z is over. Enjoy!

"They stood like stoic statues, forming the line, the barrier the enemy would have to break through. They were the King's Protectors. If they fell, so would the King, and none of them wanted that shame and disgrace tainting their families while they passed on into the Afterlife."