I've finished THE ORCHID THRONE revisions and have been refilling the well - talking about downtime after work, reading, editor brain, and how annoying it is when movie monsters won't die.
Taking a walk today with Jackson, a preemptive strike against his autumn restlessness, and talking about the domestication of cats and dogs (as one does), along with worldbuilding and perfectionism.https://mcpigpearls.blogspot.com/
Talking today about knowing where a story starts and how that can be difficult, along with taking critique in general. I mention Kushiel's Dart by Jacqueline Carey and answer a question from a listener on Exile of the Seas. The morning glory photo is a bit out of focus, but I love how the throat looks full of light.
Our topic this week at the SFF Seven is The Book You Didn’t Want to Read and Ended Up Loving.
This was kind of difficult for me to answer, because most of the books that spring to mind when I cast back and try to recall which I didn’t want to read are the ones I ended up hating. If I ended up loving them, I kind of forget that initial pain. Like childbirth.
Talking today about revisions for developmental edits on THE ORCHID THRONE, and revisions in general - what to cut, how to know, the importance of post-production. I mention the somewhat inaccurate adage that commands writers to kill their darlings and Ann Patchett's advice on clearing the pipes by writing lots of words. Here's the article I mention on How the Original Star Wars Was Saved in the Editing Room https://www.themarysue.com/star-wars-saved-editing-rocketjump/
Today is the release of EXILE OF THE SEAS, so I'm mostly talking about that, release days in general and why they're on Tuesdays, finishing THE ARROWS OF THE HEART and a bit about Georgia O'Keeffe. As one does.
Around the shifting borders of the Twelve Kingdoms, trade and conflict, danger and adventure put every traveler on guard . . . but some have everything to lose. ESCAPED
Once she was known as Jenna, Imperial Princess of Dasnaria, schooled in graceful dance and comely submission. Until the man her parents married her off to almost killed her with his brutality.
Now, all she knows is that the ship she’s boarded is bound away from her vicious homeland. The warrior woman aboard says Jenna’s skill in dancing might translate into a more lethal ability. Danu’s fighter priestesses will take her in, disguise her as one of their own—and allow her to keep her silence.
But it’s only a matter of time until Jenna’s monster of a husband hunts her down. Her best chance to stay hidden is to hire out as bodyguard to a caravan traveling to a far-off land, home to beasts and people so unfamiliar they seem like part of a fairy tale. But her supposed prowess in combat is a fraud. And sooner or later, Jenna’s flight will end in battle—or betrayal . . .
“The storytelling is lush and vivid, some parts, particularly the peeks into Jenna’s psyche, so beautiful and raw, they make your heart hurt.”
~Julie Fine on Goodreads
“(…) a sweeping piece of fantasy that captured my imagination and I’m blown away by this authors talent.”
~Marta Cox on Goodreads
“Jenna’s character is one of the best that I’ve read in terms of development. I may not have read the first book, but she grows so much during the course of this book that I didn’t feel like I was seeing her for the first time.”
Final day of completing THE ARROWS OF THE HEART, so I'm talking about my process, finishing books, and the importance of observing our own creative process.
Today is the release day for EXILE OF THE SEAS! 
Our topic this week at the SFF Seven is short term, mid-term and long-term planning.