Hi there!
I've been MIA for some time now. I ended up being distracted by my own inertia again. I think it's happened to the best of us at some point or another.
I dealt with the loss of two pets in a 45 day span, and it's taken a lot more out of me that I'd realized. The loss of a pet is never easy. Smirk all you want to but I get all schmoozy and snuggly with our pets. Yes, I consider them family members.
I am usually able to try and convince myself that I've emotionally distanced myself when dealing with the more unpleasant aspects of critter maintenance but when all is said and done, reality kicks in and my heart hurts. I cry. I get a bit depressed. Sometimes I feel guilty. Then I feel self conscious because I feel all of the above.
RIP to our beloved Shih Tzu Ming and our giant fuzzball Rowan Alexander. They were best buddies and generally slept together. It was still odd that through unexpected circumstances they went within a month of each other.
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I took part in NaNoWriMo again this year and did indeed complete a new novel. What is
NaNoWriMo you ask? It's when crazy people like me take part in a literary event where the goal is to write 50,000 words during the month of November-my final word count was 54,773.
Besides the personal kudos and self patting on the back, we get a certificate:
I'd planned to work off an outline I did last year but as usual a new story begged to come to life. It's different than what I've written before-no paranormal, no dystopian apocalypse. Now comes the really hard part-editing!
Here is the working cover and title for now :
Here is a brief excerpt but please bear in mind that this is unedited and might contain a bazillion mistakes and overwhelming amounts of purple. (See the blog post on "Purple"). I was lazy and figured it was easier for me to just cut and paste this straight from my NaNo page.
Synopsis
Mercy and Seth. Best Friends. An uncertain future. A story about boy and a girl.
Excerpt
The waves crashed around Seth, the power thundering through the surf as the gentler foam carpet encapsulated his feet. Mercy screeched as the cold surrounded her ankles. She ran back to the dry sand, giggling and laughing with the unspoiled innocence that often accompanies this stage of childhood.
“Got you!’ he shouted as he jumped into the next wave. Saltwater soaked her as it continued its journey.
Mercy's eyes sparkled mischievously even as the thought entered her mind. She ran forward, hoping to meet the next wave before Seth did. She would spin at the last minute and douse him in turn. As she leapt forward to greet the snowy white froth she couldn’t help but savor a moment of freedom.
Frozen in time, for mere seconds, she felt the elation of having no limitations or boundaries. She wondered if this was how the sea gulls felt as they skimmed the waves and slice through the coastal winds. The sun warming her skin against the brisk sea breeze, like a mermaid enjoying a lazy afternoon. The seals as they played among the larger, but gentle, swells farther out.
Not wanting to release that moment, she looked up at the fluffy clouds from where her guardian angels surely watched in amusement over their charge, waiting at the ready to carry her to the heavens should something go awry.
Her toes touched the water as she descended and she mourned, as gravity and the world around her regained their control. She could not bear the loss. She turned to tell Seth of the sadness of it all, but he was focused on something at the edge of the sand. He looked up at her and pointed down.
Now was the time! Mercy took a few steps closer and bent as if to see what he had discovered, but at the last minute, scooped up a handful of water and sea weed and threw it at him. Seth’s eyes registered shock, a momentary flare of anger, followed by same spark of mischief she had worn moments before.
The waves crashed around them again and again, the power thundering through the surf as the gentler foam carpet encapsulated their feet in a dance as old as time. She screeched as he started to chase her through the water.
Mercy ran back to the dry sand, giggling and laughing with the unspoiled innocence that often accompanies this stage of childhood. They spent many summers that way.
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I'm actually really excited about this one. For the first time that I can remember, my playlist won't leave my head. It's pretty cool too. I can post it if you want-just ask in the comments.
I am going to double post today in my attempt to make up my absence to you.
I hope your day is peaceful and serene.
Robyn :)
What am I reading?
I am reading a really neat book- "
Isaac's Storm" by Erik Larson. It's a well-written true story. Follow the link to a detailed description. I'm still in the first few chapters but it's one I have to be careful of reading at night because it's so hard to put down.
What am I up to?
Several friends and acquaintances are expecting or have had their babies in the last two weeks, so I am attempting to make a little something for each of them.
That's about it for now!
