The weather is turning in Santa Fe, but I sat in the grape arbor anyway, in my new wrap, and waxed on about coffee, pastries, and writing. As one does.
Today is the first day of the #fantasyromancetrifecta, the release day of Grace Draven's PHOENIX UNBOUND! https://www.amazon.com/Phoenix-Unbound-Fallen-Empire-Draven-ebook/dp/B078QTNK41 Congratulations to Grace! I'm also talking about my friend Margaret's visit, seeing where Georgia O'Keeffe lived and worked, and the pleasure of hanging with friends.
I'm back at work today - and talking a bit about my days off, including separating irises AND how to give them away to your friends. I also give updates on progress on THE ORCHID THRONE, THE ARROWS OF THE HEART and give the scoop on the upcoming SEASONS OF SORCERY. To read the back cover copy for THE ARROWS OF THE HEART, look here: https://sffseven.blogspot.com/2018/09/coming-soon-arrows-of-heart.html
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.
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.
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.”
I'm closing in on the ending of THE ARROWS OF THE HEART, so I talked about that, and referred back to previous discussions on work, play and happiness. Also experienced some unusual bird sightings and talked about financial independence and my friend Megan Mulry.
A beautiful summer evening on the patio last night. Today I mused about how beauty - the concept of paradise - uplifts us and is an antidote to the aspects of life that can be crushing. I talk about the architectural control in Santa Fe making it a beautiful city and how the Capitol building and Civic Park in Denver follow the same principles. I also talk about marketing and advertising, and how those influence the subconscious, too.
Today is the release day for EXILE OF THE SEAS! 
