Finally Writing

Yesterday saw my long service leave from work start. Ten glorious weeks. It is very much needed, I was on the edge of burnout at the end of last year and only made it through to now knowing that this leave was booked. I've been a teacher now for 33 years, and I can honestly say it has never been a harder job than it is today. I rather hope to be doing a lot of writing, although there are also some family matters that will require attention. I'm about half way through the third book in the Muse Chronicles science fiction series now. It still doesn't have a name, but I'm not overly bothered by that - book two didn't get it's name until it was almost finished. Of course I think about the lack of title, but not too often. Only about a dozen times a day. Because of the way the second book, "Swan Dive", finished, this one gave me the perfect opportunity to try something new in my writing. New for me that is, other authors like Becky Chambers use this techniq...

"Swan Dive" my fifth novel and second in the Muse Chronicles series has been officially put to bed and sent off to the publisher for their consideration. Now the nervous waiting starts. Also, I should hear late July about the Wyld Magick short story I submitted for an anthology. Usually at this point there is a bit of space to do something else, but the way Swan Dive ended I just had to get straight into writing the next one. In the week and a bit since I started I'm already 10,000 words in. I don't expect this pace to stay, especially with my paying job needing some attention, but even if nothing happens with the series I'm having fun. Sometimes the story just demands to be told.

 And at just over 90,500 words, that's "Swan Dive", Book 2 of the Muse Chronicles done. Loads and loads of editing to do now of course, but in a way that is easier. And I need to start book 3 because of the ending to this one that the characters forced on me. Heaven help me if they ever unionise! Back of Book Blurb With Midway Station continuing to be built and the threat to faster than light travel around the solar system solved, Captain York, Ruby, and the crew of the Betty Luck have been enjoying some well-deserved normalcy in their lives. Until, that is, they have a run in with a young girl with powers not unlike Ruby’s. That encounter causes the Betty Luck to be on the run from a would-be pirate king, and Ruby needs to decide which secret is more important to keep; the stable sentient AI that inhabits their ship, the powers of this strange young girl, or her own abilities as the Muse of Music. And in this case, making the wrong decision is sure to invite tragedy.

 **Incoherent screaming** I'm less than 2000 words away from finishing writing the 2nd book of the Muse Chronicles. On the way in to work this morning my characters completely changed the ending on me. I hate the new ending. Yes, it makes more sense, it is more dramatically appropriate and it is a far superior set up for book 3, but I still hate it. Stupid characters.

 Huh. I guess maybe I am a real author now. Just found out my book has been read and added to Meta AI's learning system. I hope they at least bought a copy...

I've written a short story (6300 words) that I plan to submit for a Three Raven's anthology that is coming up called "Wyld Magick". The anthology is about the encroachment of civilisation on wild places from the point of view of Forest Fae. I've pitched my attempt with the idea that it might be a good fit for the final story in the anthology. But let's face it, if they were to merely mention it in an addendum I'd be happy!  :)