Elizabeth Sharp's Blog, page 18
May 13, 2011
Blog hop
For those of you looking for it, there is no blog hop this week. As of midnight last night I still couldn't get onto Blogger and don't have time today for more than this quick note to let you know it will be back next week...
May 12, 2011
*Happy Dance*
Natural Selection is finished. I lowered the word goal, but I'm OK with it. I'm happy with the story and though the goal was 65,000 words, my true goal was to be over 60,000 at the end of editing. So I will just have to be mindful of the fact that I only have 300 words worth of wiggle room to keep it in the target range. I can't get two people to agree on what length something officially becomes a novel, but I believe the general rule of thumb is >50,000 words, and I think I'm gonna go with that. The book is by no means done, I still need to do a final grammar edit, then it goes to my editor. Then I will edit it again. It is my goal to get the next edit done by the end of the month. As an incentive, I don't get to read the newest Sookie Stackhouse book until I finish this next edit. Before I get started on this newest edit though, I'm going to start blocking out and preparing to write Book Two of the Forces of Nature series, Second Nature. I hope to have it done by the time Natural Selection is ready to be published. It took about a month for Natural Selection so I'm hoping to do something similar with Second Nature. I have the cover about half done, so it will be added in with all the other pending covers i need to work on. I need to spend more time working on those, but the writing group is a siren's call I cannot seem to resist.
As the incentive reward for getting this done, I now get to read HP Mallory's A Tale of Two Goblins. If you haven't read her books and are interested, they're on sale for the next 4 days for $0.99! You should probably check that out because they're awesome. I'm off to go read now.
*Happy Dance*
Natural Selection is finished. I lowered the word goal, but I'm OK with it. I'm happy with the story and though the goal was 65,000 words, my true goal was to be over 60,000 at the end of editing. So I will just have to be mindful of the fact that I only have 300 words worth of wiggle room to keep it in the target range. I can't get two people to agree on what length something officially becomes a novel, but I believe the general rule of thumb is >50,000 words, and I think I'm gonna go with that. The book is by no means done, I still need to do a final grammar edit, then it goes to my editor. Then I will edit it again. It is my goal to get the next edit done by the end of the month. As an incentive, I don't get to read the newest Sookie Stackhouse book until I finish this next edit.
Before I get started on this newest edit though, I'm going to start blocking out and preparing to write Book Two of the Forces of Nature series, Second Nature. I hope to have it done by the time Natural Selection is ready to be published. It took about a month for Natural Selection so I'm hoping to do something similar with Second Nature. I have the cover about half done, so it will be added in with all the other pending covers i need to work on. I need to spend more time working on those, but the writing group is a siren's call I cannot seem to resist.
As the incentive reward for getting this done, I now get to read HP Mallory's A Tale of Two Goblins. If you haven't read her books and are interested, they're on sale for the next 4 days for $0.99! You should probably check that out because they're awesome. I'm off to go read now.
May 8, 2011
Creativity
Creativity is as unique as each person. There are many ways to define it and many ways to express it. Merriam-Webster defines creativity as the ability to create. But what does that mean precisely? For some, creativity is making something from nothing. Others think it is turning nothing into something. There are so many ways to express yourself creatively.Whether your thing is fashion, art, home decorating or writing, there is a way that you express your creativity. What makes it flow? Where does it come from? The answers to these are unique as well. What works for me may not work for you. So let me tell you about my creativity.
Creativity is in my bones, my blood, my very being. Sometimes I feel like if I don't find a way to express myself creatively I will burst. I have many outlets for these impulses: writing, art, beading, hair styling, sewing, plastic canvas and cross stitching.I'm sure there are other's but those are the ones I can think of off the top off my head.
Why am I writing about Creativity? Because I feel like mine is stifled right now. Between my day job, 4 Corners, my life and editing, I feel like my creativity is so divided I don't have any left. This isn't a complaint about any of it, because i love it all and I"m so very glad to have all of it going for me. But I'm tired. I want to start plotting on Second Nature. I want to finish editing Natural Selection. I want to work on a book cover for both Michelle and Bookish Snob. But I sit at the computer and I have no energy or creativity left. I hope I'm just tired and the next few days off will help.
In an effort to work on this Tuesday I will be attempting to unplug. One full day without internet or leaving my house. My plan is to just edit. i want to finish fluffing Natural Selection and I haven't found anything to add in the last two chapters. But they are the smallest chapters in the book so there has to be something I can add. I need to rally my critiquers for ideas I think. But for tonight I'm gonna do some work on my Scribblings book and plot some stuff for Second Nature.
May 5, 2011
Let's go to the hop!
It's Friday again and time to hop! Our numbers have been dwindling so decided to use our initial linky to try and get more people hopping by... And quick poll, how many of you have noticed I messed up the type on our logo and never pointed it out? Or have you all, like me, stared right past it? I left it on my own page to see if you can find the problem, but it is fixed on all of the coding.
There has been a lot of talk among some of my writer friends about the things that make us feel like a writer. For me the moment of validation was the first time someone read my work and told me, "This is really good." I was ten and the story was "The Mystery of the Dark and Twisted Lane", a mystery that any adult had figured out in about two pages. Of course the fact that there were only three characters, and one was a corpse and the other the cop investigating might have given something away. But despite the lack of mystery, I had characters people could relate to, settings people could see, and a plot that while predictable kept you reading anyway. Sadly I no longer have this travesty of a story, not by any determined destruction, but by the careless attitude inherent with my age. From that moment on I knew I was a writer. It's just taken the rest of the world a little bit of time to catch. With this in mind, I have selected this weeks question.
What moment has validated you and made you feel like a writer? If it hasn't happened yet, what do you think it will be?
Please join me in welcoming VK Tremain with this weeks answer.
And now for how you can join:
The rulesFollow me, Elizabeth Sharp, the originator of this hopFollow the featured author of the week, VK Tremain.Copy the image code found below and paste it in your blog. Add your name to the link at the bottom of this post while you are here.Copy and paste the rules in your blog, as well as this week's question.Answer the questionFollow, follow, follow. This is about networking, people, making connections with people in your community. So talk to us. We don't bite!If someone stops by, says hi and follows you, the polite thing to do is follow back.Comment here and introduce yourself and you just might find a new follower or two. Breaking it down, copy the code in the box below and paste in on your blog under the "edit HTML" tab.
<center><a href="http://somesharpwords.blogspot.com/20... http://somesharpwords.blogspot.com/se..." target="_blank" ><img border="0" src="http://somesharpwords.blogspot.com/20... http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m5... " /></a> </center>
I have customized the rules for you blog, so grab them here and add them to your own page!
The rulesFollow this blog.Follow Elizabeth Sharp, the originator of this hopFollow the featured author of the week, VK Tremain.Go to Sharp words and copy the image code found there and paste it in your blog. Add your name to the link at the bottom of the post while you are there.Copy and paste the rules in your blog, as well as this week's question.Answer the questionFollow, follow, follow. This is about networking, people, making connections with people in your community. So talk to us. We don't bite!If someone stops by, says hi and follows you, the polite thing to do is follow back.Comment here and introduce yourself and you just might find a new follower or two.And finally add yourself to the Linky list below. I have decided to go back to the original list, so we have an ongoing list of hoppers...
This last part is optional. Some people like to have the list on their own pages, if you do, here's a link to get the code....
Follow Friday Linky code
That's all their is to it. Happy hopping everyone!
There has been a lot of talk among some of my writer friends about the things that make us feel like a writer. For me the moment of validation was the first time someone read my work and told me, "This is really good." I was ten and the story was "The Mystery of the Dark and Twisted Lane", a mystery that any adult had figured out in about two pages. Of course the fact that there were only three characters, and one was a corpse and the other the cop investigating might have given something away. But despite the lack of mystery, I had characters people could relate to, settings people could see, and a plot that while predictable kept you reading anyway. Sadly I no longer have this travesty of a story, not by any determined destruction, but by the careless attitude inherent with my age. From that moment on I knew I was a writer. It's just taken the rest of the world a little bit of time to catch. With this in mind, I have selected this weeks question.
What moment has validated you and made you feel like a writer? If it hasn't happened yet, what do you think it will be?
Please join me in welcoming VK Tremain with this weeks answer.
There were a few things that combined made me feel like a writer; however, it all started when I sat down at the computer and wrote the first words of GIFT OF BLOOD. The act in itself was so fulfilling and addictive that I began to identify as a writer. As my story continued to develop, my character's world followed suit, and their voices in my head urged me to write on.My addiction grew with each word I typed. The nail in the coffin was when I started my VK Tremain Facebook page, blog, and Twitter account. By that point I already acknowledged myself as a writer, but through social media I put myself out there. The public would see me as a writer, and I risked rejection and disinterest. To my delight, the opposite happened. I was encouraged! For that, I have to thank the members in the HP Writers Group, who are awesome and wonderfully supportive, as well as the incredible feedback through blog comments and my Twitter and Facebook friends. After so many years of searching, I had finally found my path in my life.I am content even if I never reach celebrity status or get offered a publishing deal. I am a writer because, quite simply, I write. Some of my earliest memories consist of me curled up, lost in a paperback. My dream is that one-day I will have the honor to pay it forward and give that feeling to other readers. Whether I ever get paid or not doesn't matter. I write for the love of my characters and for the world that I have created. I write for self-expression, and I write to entertain. Hopefully, one day, I will get that big paycheck that everyone thinks writers receive. I will live in luxury, sipping martinis in my beachfront property as I tap away on my laptop. Hey a girl can dream, right? But in the mean time all I want is to share my love, passion and creativity.I can't imagine not writing now; it's a part of who I am.
And now for how you can join:
The rulesFollow me, Elizabeth Sharp, the originator of this hopFollow the featured author of the week, VK Tremain.Copy the image code found below and paste it in your blog. Add your name to the link at the bottom of this post while you are here.Copy and paste the rules in your blog, as well as this week's question.Answer the questionFollow, follow, follow. This is about networking, people, making connections with people in your community. So talk to us. We don't bite!If someone stops by, says hi and follows you, the polite thing to do is follow back.Comment here and introduce yourself and you just might find a new follower or two. Breaking it down, copy the code in the box below and paste in on your blog under the "edit HTML" tab.
<center><a href="http://somesharpwords.blogspot.com/20... http://somesharpwords.blogspot.com/se..." target="_blank" ><img border="0" src="http://somesharpwords.blogspot.com/20... http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m5... " /></a> </center>
I have customized the rules for you blog, so grab them here and add them to your own page!
The rulesFollow this blog.Follow Elizabeth Sharp, the originator of this hopFollow the featured author of the week, VK Tremain.Go to Sharp words and copy the image code found there and paste it in your blog. Add your name to the link at the bottom of the post while you are there.Copy and paste the rules in your blog, as well as this week's question.Answer the questionFollow, follow, follow. This is about networking, people, making connections with people in your community. So talk to us. We don't bite!If someone stops by, says hi and follows you, the polite thing to do is follow back.Comment here and introduce yourself and you just might find a new follower or two.And finally add yourself to the Linky list below. I have decided to go back to the original list, so we have an ongoing list of hoppers...
This last part is optional. Some people like to have the list on their own pages, if you do, here's a link to get the code....
Follow Friday Linky code
That's all their is to it. Happy hopping everyone!
And here you thought I'd dropped of the planet...
I try to update regularly, but I have been letting things slide lately. I have SO many irons in the fire right now, I don't know if i"m going or coming. I'm going to experiment this coming Tuesday and say absolutely no phone or internet between eight and five except a lunch break. We'll see how effective i can be without the distraction, or if I'm even capable.
I pushed until the last second of my deadline to get my short for the upcoming anthology published. For those of you not aware of my work with 4 Corners press, we are working on a dream anthology with works by our six members and the two winners of our dream contest. I just finished my short and I love it. It has been sent to my editor. I want to take a second to thank VK Tremain for their AWESOME assistance, especially given the time crunch I was under.
My goal going forward is going to be make more time for writing so I don't feel guilty for neglecting friends and family because I spend every waking second glued to a computer. I need to take a step back from the internet and use it less often... Anyway, this was my attempt to let you know, yes, I"m still here. Yes, I"m still working on stuff. No, I don't have specific dates for any release. And as always to say thank you all for your continues support....
I pushed until the last second of my deadline to get my short for the upcoming anthology published. For those of you not aware of my work with 4 Corners press, we are working on a dream anthology with works by our six members and the two winners of our dream contest. I just finished my short and I love it. It has been sent to my editor. I want to take a second to thank VK Tremain for their AWESOME assistance, especially given the time crunch I was under.
My goal going forward is going to be make more time for writing so I don't feel guilty for neglecting friends and family because I spend every waking second glued to a computer. I need to take a step back from the internet and use it less often... Anyway, this was my attempt to let you know, yes, I"m still here. Yes, I"m still working on stuff. No, I don't have specific dates for any release. And as always to say thank you all for your continues support....
April 28, 2011
Hop to it
Well, better late than never I guess, I have our guest all lined up. Join me in welcoming this week's featured writer, MD Christie!
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The Question: Who has been most supportive of your writing?
Now here's MD with her answer:
Your rules1) Follow this blog.2) Follow Elizabeth Sharp, the originator of this hop3) Follow the featured author of the week, MD Christie.4) Go to Sharp words and copy the image code found there and paste it in your blog. Add your name to the link at the bottom of the post while you are there.5) Copy and paste the rules in your blog, as well as this week's question.6) Answer the question7) Follow, follow, follow. This is about networking, people, making connections with people in your community. So talk to us. We don't bite!8) If someone stops by, says hi and follows you, the polite thing to do is follow back.9) Comment here and introduce yourself and you just might find a new follower or two.
Your picture:
<center><a href="http://somesharpwords.blogspot.com/20... http://somesharpwords.blogspot.com/se..." target="_blank" ><img border="0" src="http://somesharpwords.blogspot.com/20... http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m5... " /></a> </center>
And the linky:
If you want your own linky:<a href=http://www.inlinkz.com/script.php?id=... the InLinkz code</a>
I'ma bad host and promise a return to my normal standards soon, but no promises next week...
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The Question: Who has been most supportive of your writing?
Now here's MD with her answer:
OOOOHHH, that's a really good question!! Several people have been supportive of my writing... My Husband, Children, and my Parents have all been extremely supportive. Without the blink of an eye they were on board with my being a full time writer. I know that I am very fortunate to have such a great support system.
However, I don't think I could get through the bumps in the road and the day to day life of a writer without my amazing writers group, and my friends and partners in crime, the women of 4 Corners Press! They are who I can turn to and trust, they are so supportive of me and I know they have my back, they walk the same walk and understand where I'm coming from. They want to see me succeed as much as I do! So thank you to my Writers Group & 4CP Partners... you have no idea how much I treasure each of you!
My advice to any aspiring author, or established author for that matter is to have a support system of fellow writers, it's the best tool you can have!
Your rules1) Follow this blog.2) Follow Elizabeth Sharp, the originator of this hop3) Follow the featured author of the week, MD Christie.4) Go to Sharp words and copy the image code found there and paste it in your blog. Add your name to the link at the bottom of the post while you are there.5) Copy and paste the rules in your blog, as well as this week's question.6) Answer the question7) Follow, follow, follow. This is about networking, people, making connections with people in your community. So talk to us. We don't bite!8) If someone stops by, says hi and follows you, the polite thing to do is follow back.9) Comment here and introduce yourself and you just might find a new follower or two.
Your picture:
<center><a href="http://somesharpwords.blogspot.com/20... http://somesharpwords.blogspot.com/se..." target="_blank" ><img border="0" src="http://somesharpwords.blogspot.com/20... http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m5... " /></a> </center>
And the linky:
If you want your own linky:<a href=http://www.inlinkz.com/script.php?id=... the InLinkz code</a>
I'ma bad host and promise a return to my normal standards soon, but no promises next week...
April 24, 2011
Love and the Land of Melcor (Part One - Peter's Story)
So today I thought it would be fun to give you a peek into my own twelve year old mind. When I said I had stories squirreled away from my childhood. This is one of them. I don't promise it is good. I deliberately presented it in it's unedited form, so you can see the writing skills I had at the time. I only corrected my spelling. If you like it and want more, I might work on adding more over the weeks. I have no intention of ever publishing this as a book, but thought I'd share it...
*********************
Peter swirled the wine in his mug as he sat musing. He had watched three life-long friends led off in shackles, one executed for a murder he did not commit, one for a purse he did not snatch and on for adultery she did not commit. Prince Jack had to be stopped.
"Forgive me, Father," he muttered as he went to his sister to tell her of her upcoming nuptials.
********************
Peter watched as the prince eyed Kimberly. The Bentons both had red-gold hair and silver green eyes. He eyed Kim's hair bobbing from its piled mass of curls. Her well tailored red dress was cut low and accented with fire opals, glittering at her neck, wrists, ears, and dangling from the chain in her hair to the middle of her forehead. She was beautiful in the bright sunlight.
He was a more masculine version. His matching hair was cut short and his features were more masculine. He wore blue silk trousers and a coat with golden embroidered brambles on the sleeves and the collar.
"No! I'm not going to marry Prince Velcro! He's... he's... he's... Quite unsuitable!" He hated when they argued. He wanted to keep her ignorant of the true reasons.
"You have no choice!" he shouted harshly. Then his voice softened. "Kimmy, you're a lady. He asked for your hand, refusing your dowry. What could I say?"
Kimberly was relentless. "How about no? It's worked before," she added with sarcasm.
Peter lost his temper with her childishness. "Kim, you'll swallow your attitude and marry the man. He come's for you at sunset."
"Please, Petey, no. Please, I'll do anything!"
"My mind's made up. You shall marry him. Go home. You need to prepare for your wedding."
Kim ran off in tears.
He was sorry he had to do it, but it was necessary.
********************
Peter had riled the villagers and gone to the palace. It had been a month since he had married his sister to Jack and the unnecessary killing hadn't stopped. Today another man was led off for a theft that had not even happened.
He marched to the castle at the head of the men. A a short, red-haired woman stepped out, the villagers prepared to attack. A cry was raised as they realized it was indeed a woman. Peter felt hatred for the man who would send a serving girl to do his work.
"Go find your husband, woman," he said scornfully. "This doesn't involve serving girls."
The girl clenched her fists and her eyes flashed. Then a curious look spread across her face, followed again by anger. "Peter Michael Benton, how dare you speak to me this way! If Father heard you he'd roll over in his grave! I wake to see the home you sent me to being attacked, so I came to divert it. Little did I know it was my rude, insulting, inconsiderate, incorrigible big brother!" She turned to storm back inside.
"Kimmy?" Peter asked in disbelief.
"No there's more than one red-haired woman who knows your full name and is your little sister!" she spat sarcastically. "Dolt!" She turned again to go, then looked back over her shoulder. "Why are you attacking the castle?""We can't afford to let our king kill us one by one. We're fighting back!" Peter yelled hefting his ax and hating Jackson Tremain. The villagers chorused agreement.
"Let me speak to Jack. Stay put." She disappeared inside and the men waited impatiently.
When Kim came back out she was fuming and carrying a suitcase. She handed it to Peter and turned to the men.
"Kill him."
Peter held Kim as she sobbed, then helped her mount his horse.
********************
Peter stopped his horse and stood in the stirrups. He shielded his eyes from the sun with his hand."
"It's about an hour's journey," he said, glancing at Kim. Her mussed red hair and ruddy cheeks nestled inside the yellow cloak reminded him so much of their mother.
"Goody! Warm beds, hot baths, soft pillows, clean clothes... Let's go!" She heeled Sunrunner, her horse, into a run.
Peter felt dirty from the two week journey. He followed with a laugh.
********************
An hour later, he no longer felt like laughing. The beautiful palace of Tredom was in ruins. The outlying buildings still smoldered. The building was a hollow shell in the warm spring sunlight.
The surrounding garden was rubble. The once beautiful courtyard was littered with dead bodies. Peter felt anger swell within him. He'd kill whoever did this.
They entered the castle through the kitchen. Peter led the way with his sword drawn.
Hot stew was still cooking on the stove. Kim tasted it as Peter poked around. If the bandits hadn't left, they were dead.
"It's delicious!" Kim exclaimed. "Definitely royal!"
"They haven't been dead long. Their bodies are still warm."
"You touched one? Ugh!" The look of disgust she gave him made Peter have to smother a laugh.
"Well, let's take advantage of the situation and eat, sleep, and have good hot baths. Besides, you want to clean your gowns."
Kim brushed at her blue dress self-consciously.
"I'll clear away the dead bodies so we can stand it."
They dined in the strangely silent kitchen, bathed in an empty wash chamber and shared a large bed in a damp, dark room. As they lay falling asleep, Peter felt the loneliness close in around him and he fell asleep praying for love.
********************
Peter came into the sitting room, rubbing the small of his back. They'd slowly been turning the rubble into a home. It was beautiful, once they had cleared away the bodies. It was a rather pleasant place to live. Kim had sewn golden flags that fluttered and snapped in the wind. The few rooms they used were scrubbed until they gleamed. Kim had mopped for hours to clean them.
As Kim cleaned the palace for suitable living, Peter buried the dead. It was back breaking labor. As he flopped into a chair, Kim practically pounced on him.
"Peter, we've got a problem," she said, her eyes swimming with tears.
"What's wrong?" Peter felt panic chase away his pain and exhaustion.
"I'm pregnant!"
Relief flooded him. She'd had him worried. "Don't worry, Kimmy. I'll take care of you."
Kim curled up in his lap, the way she had when they were children. "I'm scared Pete."
"Don't be. We'll get through this," he said reassuringly. Somehow, he added mentally.
*********************
Peter ran to Kim's room and urgently shook her. She looked startled as she saw the wild look in his eyes.
"What's wrong?" she asked.
"Quiet. We're being attacked! Take my ring and go to Eltar, Astar, everywhare! Warn the people. Go!"
"Where will you go?" Kim asked annoyingly. Why wouldn't women just go?
"The other way. I'll draw them away and warn people along the way."
He helped her stand and pack in the darkness. They went to the stables then sadled their horses. As they were about to seperate, they had a softly whispered conversation.
"Be careful," he said. "They aren't from around here."
"Ok Peter. What about the baby? What if I go into labor?" she asked, frightened.
"Go to the nearest town." He glanced toward the torch-bearing intruders. Dread crept through his stomach. He felt tears burn his eyes. "Be careful... I love you Kimmy."
"I love you too Petey." Peter felt her tears as she hugged him. He never wanted to let go. Before she could see his tears, he spurred Charger into a gallop.
"God speed," he whispered to the night wind. "Keep her safe."
*********************
The rising sun woke Peter. He rubbed his eyes and sat up. The dirt didn't make a very good bed and his back hurt. He rose and went to the nearby stream. He tore a piece off of his shirt and wet it, cleaning the wound in his side he had laboriously hidden from Kim last night. After trying to stop the intruders, he supposed he deserved it. He winced as he stood and mounted. He had to keep going.
*********************
Ninya Meyers had been raised by her mother. Her father had been locked away in debtors' prison when she was very young. She had been taught herbs by the old woman in the village. When the plague had come, Ninya was the only one to survive.
As she roamed through the empty streets, a man with longish red-gold hair and silver green eyes bright with fever appeared. He was wearing a torn, blood-soaked green silk shirt and filthy silk pants. He was slumped in his saddle.
Ninya ran forward and grabbed the reins of the horse. She pulled the man out of the saddle. She felt for a pulse. He was a alive - but barely. She pulled him into a house and pulled off the filthy clothes. She gasped at the enormous hole in his side. She got some cold water and cleaned the festering wound. As her hands touched his skin, she realized he was icy cold. She ran into the bedroom that she used and grabbed every blanket she could find and took them to the man. Then she went and pulled the mattress off her Mom's old bed and drug it in front of the fire. Tugging steadily she pulled the man over to the mattress and lifted him into the soft, hay filled mattress. As she did so, her hand brushed his cold clammy skin.
As an after thought, she undid the buttons on her home-spun blue and gold dress and pulled it off. Her slip followed. Steadily she undressed, then climbed under the covers, using her own body heat to warm him. She didn't realize she was tired until she fell asleep.
********************
As Peter woke, he felt a light pressure on his chest. As he lifted his hand he felt a gauze about his waist. Someone had bandaged his wounded side. As he lifted his hand higher he felt silky hair. His eyes snapped open.
Slowly the blur above him began to take shape. The high ceiling was criss-crossed wit wooden beams. He closed his eyes and looked down at himself. Then he opened his eyes. The covers were pulled up to his waist, leaving his chest completely bare except for the bandages. His eyes widened as he saw the girl. Here blond hair was braided and came to the back of her knees. He scanned her delicate features and gave a start when he realized he was as undressed, as was she.
His movements having woken her, Ninya darted out from underneath the blankets. She was convinced he would survive. His skin was fiery hot. It sent heat from her head to her toes. She hastily dressed as she thought this. She fumbled with the buttons of her dress, then turned around.
"I see you are awake," she said.
"Yeah... Who are you" Better question, where am I?"
"I am Ninya, and this is the once proud town of Polk."
"But all the inhabitants of Polk were killed," he declared, standing up.
"I'm the only one who survived. I tried to save them, but none of my herbs worked. Only I survived. I still regret it." Her voice was cold, miserable.
"I apologize." Peter said. "Truly. I am sorry."
Ninya studied him. His red-gold hair was slightly grimy and he had a slight beard. With his large build he towered over her. Her dainty violet eyes met his large silver-green ones. Suddenly, without having broken eye contact, she was in the iron circle that was Peter's arms.
*********************
Twelve months later, Peter, having gotten others to warn everyone, had built a good population in Polk. He was content as their mayor. He paced the room as waited for Ninya, now his wife, to give birth. She had been in labor for six hours.
The midwife came out. "Lord Benton? You are the proud father of a bouncing baby boy."
"You're kidding!" Peter could not control his excitement, and he kept babbling.
After he calmed down, they led him in to see Ninya. Her blond hair was pony-tailed and the escaped strands were plastered to her forehead with sweat. I her arms she held their child.
"Hey gorgeous. How are you feeling?"
"I want to go to sleep, but I don't want this day to end. Just think. Yesterday we were just two married people. Now we're parents."
Peter kissed her forehead and took their son. "Hello Dylan Carter Benton," he whispered.
"I like that. Whatever made you think of it?" Ninya's voice was quiet.
"My father's name was Dylan. Your father's name was Carter." He held his son in one arm and, sitting on the edge of the bed, pulled his wife close with the other. "I love you Ninya."
"I love you too Peter."
In the midst of their extreme happiness, Peter missed Kim very much.
*********************
Peter swirled the wine in his mug as he sat musing. He had watched three life-long friends led off in shackles, one executed for a murder he did not commit, one for a purse he did not snatch and on for adultery she did not commit. Prince Jack had to be stopped.
"Forgive me, Father," he muttered as he went to his sister to tell her of her upcoming nuptials.
********************
Peter watched as the prince eyed Kimberly. The Bentons both had red-gold hair and silver green eyes. He eyed Kim's hair bobbing from its piled mass of curls. Her well tailored red dress was cut low and accented with fire opals, glittering at her neck, wrists, ears, and dangling from the chain in her hair to the middle of her forehead. She was beautiful in the bright sunlight.
He was a more masculine version. His matching hair was cut short and his features were more masculine. He wore blue silk trousers and a coat with golden embroidered brambles on the sleeves and the collar.
"No! I'm not going to marry Prince Velcro! He's... he's... he's... Quite unsuitable!" He hated when they argued. He wanted to keep her ignorant of the true reasons.
"You have no choice!" he shouted harshly. Then his voice softened. "Kimmy, you're a lady. He asked for your hand, refusing your dowry. What could I say?"
Kimberly was relentless. "How about no? It's worked before," she added with sarcasm.
Peter lost his temper with her childishness. "Kim, you'll swallow your attitude and marry the man. He come's for you at sunset."
"Please, Petey, no. Please, I'll do anything!"
"My mind's made up. You shall marry him. Go home. You need to prepare for your wedding."
Kim ran off in tears.
He was sorry he had to do it, but it was necessary.
********************
Peter had riled the villagers and gone to the palace. It had been a month since he had married his sister to Jack and the unnecessary killing hadn't stopped. Today another man was led off for a theft that had not even happened.
He marched to the castle at the head of the men. A a short, red-haired woman stepped out, the villagers prepared to attack. A cry was raised as they realized it was indeed a woman. Peter felt hatred for the man who would send a serving girl to do his work.
"Go find your husband, woman," he said scornfully. "This doesn't involve serving girls."
The girl clenched her fists and her eyes flashed. Then a curious look spread across her face, followed again by anger. "Peter Michael Benton, how dare you speak to me this way! If Father heard you he'd roll over in his grave! I wake to see the home you sent me to being attacked, so I came to divert it. Little did I know it was my rude, insulting, inconsiderate, incorrigible big brother!" She turned to storm back inside.
"Kimmy?" Peter asked in disbelief.
"No there's more than one red-haired woman who knows your full name and is your little sister!" she spat sarcastically. "Dolt!" She turned again to go, then looked back over her shoulder. "Why are you attacking the castle?""We can't afford to let our king kill us one by one. We're fighting back!" Peter yelled hefting his ax and hating Jackson Tremain. The villagers chorused agreement.
"Let me speak to Jack. Stay put." She disappeared inside and the men waited impatiently.
When Kim came back out she was fuming and carrying a suitcase. She handed it to Peter and turned to the men.
"Kill him."
Peter held Kim as she sobbed, then helped her mount his horse.
********************
Peter stopped his horse and stood in the stirrups. He shielded his eyes from the sun with his hand."
"It's about an hour's journey," he said, glancing at Kim. Her mussed red hair and ruddy cheeks nestled inside the yellow cloak reminded him so much of their mother.
"Goody! Warm beds, hot baths, soft pillows, clean clothes... Let's go!" She heeled Sunrunner, her horse, into a run.
Peter felt dirty from the two week journey. He followed with a laugh.
********************
An hour later, he no longer felt like laughing. The beautiful palace of Tredom was in ruins. The outlying buildings still smoldered. The building was a hollow shell in the warm spring sunlight.
The surrounding garden was rubble. The once beautiful courtyard was littered with dead bodies. Peter felt anger swell within him. He'd kill whoever did this.
They entered the castle through the kitchen. Peter led the way with his sword drawn.
Hot stew was still cooking on the stove. Kim tasted it as Peter poked around. If the bandits hadn't left, they were dead.
"It's delicious!" Kim exclaimed. "Definitely royal!"
"They haven't been dead long. Their bodies are still warm."
"You touched one? Ugh!" The look of disgust she gave him made Peter have to smother a laugh.
"Well, let's take advantage of the situation and eat, sleep, and have good hot baths. Besides, you want to clean your gowns."
Kim brushed at her blue dress self-consciously.
"I'll clear away the dead bodies so we can stand it."
They dined in the strangely silent kitchen, bathed in an empty wash chamber and shared a large bed in a damp, dark room. As they lay falling asleep, Peter felt the loneliness close in around him and he fell asleep praying for love.
********************
Peter came into the sitting room, rubbing the small of his back. They'd slowly been turning the rubble into a home. It was beautiful, once they had cleared away the bodies. It was a rather pleasant place to live. Kim had sewn golden flags that fluttered and snapped in the wind. The few rooms they used were scrubbed until they gleamed. Kim had mopped for hours to clean them.
As Kim cleaned the palace for suitable living, Peter buried the dead. It was back breaking labor. As he flopped into a chair, Kim practically pounced on him.
"Peter, we've got a problem," she said, her eyes swimming with tears.
"What's wrong?" Peter felt panic chase away his pain and exhaustion.
"I'm pregnant!"
Relief flooded him. She'd had him worried. "Don't worry, Kimmy. I'll take care of you."
Kim curled up in his lap, the way she had when they were children. "I'm scared Pete."
"Don't be. We'll get through this," he said reassuringly. Somehow, he added mentally.
*********************
Peter ran to Kim's room and urgently shook her. She looked startled as she saw the wild look in his eyes.
"What's wrong?" she asked.
"Quiet. We're being attacked! Take my ring and go to Eltar, Astar, everywhare! Warn the people. Go!"
"Where will you go?" Kim asked annoyingly. Why wouldn't women just go?
"The other way. I'll draw them away and warn people along the way."
He helped her stand and pack in the darkness. They went to the stables then sadled their horses. As they were about to seperate, they had a softly whispered conversation.
"Be careful," he said. "They aren't from around here."
"Ok Peter. What about the baby? What if I go into labor?" she asked, frightened.
"Go to the nearest town." He glanced toward the torch-bearing intruders. Dread crept through his stomach. He felt tears burn his eyes. "Be careful... I love you Kimmy."
"I love you too Petey." Peter felt her tears as she hugged him. He never wanted to let go. Before she could see his tears, he spurred Charger into a gallop.
"God speed," he whispered to the night wind. "Keep her safe."
*********************
The rising sun woke Peter. He rubbed his eyes and sat up. The dirt didn't make a very good bed and his back hurt. He rose and went to the nearby stream. He tore a piece off of his shirt and wet it, cleaning the wound in his side he had laboriously hidden from Kim last night. After trying to stop the intruders, he supposed he deserved it. He winced as he stood and mounted. He had to keep going.
*********************
Ninya Meyers had been raised by her mother. Her father had been locked away in debtors' prison when she was very young. She had been taught herbs by the old woman in the village. When the plague had come, Ninya was the only one to survive.
As she roamed through the empty streets, a man with longish red-gold hair and silver green eyes bright with fever appeared. He was wearing a torn, blood-soaked green silk shirt and filthy silk pants. He was slumped in his saddle.
Ninya ran forward and grabbed the reins of the horse. She pulled the man out of the saddle. She felt for a pulse. He was a alive - but barely. She pulled him into a house and pulled off the filthy clothes. She gasped at the enormous hole in his side. She got some cold water and cleaned the festering wound. As her hands touched his skin, she realized he was icy cold. She ran into the bedroom that she used and grabbed every blanket she could find and took them to the man. Then she went and pulled the mattress off her Mom's old bed and drug it in front of the fire. Tugging steadily she pulled the man over to the mattress and lifted him into the soft, hay filled mattress. As she did so, her hand brushed his cold clammy skin.
As an after thought, she undid the buttons on her home-spun blue and gold dress and pulled it off. Her slip followed. Steadily she undressed, then climbed under the covers, using her own body heat to warm him. She didn't realize she was tired until she fell asleep.
********************
As Peter woke, he felt a light pressure on his chest. As he lifted his hand he felt a gauze about his waist. Someone had bandaged his wounded side. As he lifted his hand higher he felt silky hair. His eyes snapped open.
Slowly the blur above him began to take shape. The high ceiling was criss-crossed wit wooden beams. He closed his eyes and looked down at himself. Then he opened his eyes. The covers were pulled up to his waist, leaving his chest completely bare except for the bandages. His eyes widened as he saw the girl. Here blond hair was braided and came to the back of her knees. He scanned her delicate features and gave a start when he realized he was as undressed, as was she.
His movements having woken her, Ninya darted out from underneath the blankets. She was convinced he would survive. His skin was fiery hot. It sent heat from her head to her toes. She hastily dressed as she thought this. She fumbled with the buttons of her dress, then turned around.
"I see you are awake," she said.
"Yeah... Who are you" Better question, where am I?"
"I am Ninya, and this is the once proud town of Polk."
"But all the inhabitants of Polk were killed," he declared, standing up.
"I'm the only one who survived. I tried to save them, but none of my herbs worked. Only I survived. I still regret it." Her voice was cold, miserable.
"I apologize." Peter said. "Truly. I am sorry."
Ninya studied him. His red-gold hair was slightly grimy and he had a slight beard. With his large build he towered over her. Her dainty violet eyes met his large silver-green ones. Suddenly, without having broken eye contact, she was in the iron circle that was Peter's arms.
*********************
Twelve months later, Peter, having gotten others to warn everyone, had built a good population in Polk. He was content as their mayor. He paced the room as waited for Ninya, now his wife, to give birth. She had been in labor for six hours.
The midwife came out. "Lord Benton? You are the proud father of a bouncing baby boy."
"You're kidding!" Peter could not control his excitement, and he kept babbling.
After he calmed down, they led him in to see Ninya. Her blond hair was pony-tailed and the escaped strands were plastered to her forehead with sweat. I her arms she held their child.
"Hey gorgeous. How are you feeling?"
"I want to go to sleep, but I don't want this day to end. Just think. Yesterday we were just two married people. Now we're parents."
Peter kissed her forehead and took their son. "Hello Dylan Carter Benton," he whispered.
"I like that. Whatever made you think of it?" Ninya's voice was quiet.
"My father's name was Dylan. Your father's name was Carter." He held his son in one arm and, sitting on the edge of the bed, pulled his wife close with the other. "I love you Ninya."
"I love you too Peter."
In the midst of their extreme happiness, Peter missed Kim very much.
April 21, 2011
4Corners Press
I am excited and honored to be part of a wonderful new venture with five AMAZING people! And today we are proud to announce the launch of 4Corners press!! Check us out the event and enter to win several cool prizes, including a great selection of gift cards, a blog blitz, or a beautiful necklace. There is an essay contest about dreams which will be included in an upcoming short story collection. You can find us on Facebook, Twitter, or our website.Who are we? Four Corners Press is an publishing company started by a group of independent writers. We have a talented staff to help prepare your book every step of the way. We are not currently accepting submissions but we are offering some ala carte services, like book covers, editing, promotions and so much more. See the website for details!
I am so proud an humbled to be working with these amazing women and hope we have a long, successful future together! And I hope you don't mind coming along for the ride.
Everybody hop!
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Welcome to the Writer's Follow Friday Blog Hop! Not sure if you qualify? If you have a blog to add, guess what, you're a writer! So check out the rules, grab the link and join the hop! We're small for now, but we hope to continue to grow.
This week's featured guest is Michelle Ferguson of Michelle Ferguson Books. I asked her to tell us a little bit about her before she got started with the question.
This weeks question: For me one of the most useful tool in my writing arsenal is Urban dictionary. What is your most referred to website for your writing?
Michelle's answer:
How do you join in the fun? So glad you asked. It's really quite simple.
The rules1) Follow me, Elizabeth Sharp, the host of this hop2) Follow the featured author of the week.3) Go to Sharp words and copy the image code found there and paste it in your blog. Add your name to the link at the bottom of the post while you are there.4) Copy and paste the rules in your blog, as well as this week's question.5) Answer the question6) Follow, follow, follow. This is about networking, people, making connections with people in your community. So talk to us. We don't bite! This post serves as the perfect place for you to say hello.7) If someone stops by, says hi and follows you, the polite thing to do is follow back.8) Comment here and introduce yourself and you just might find a new follower or two.
Breaking it down, here, in this box, is the code for the snazzy quill link to the hop. Copy it and paste it into your own blog in "Edit HTML" mode.
<center><a href="http://somesharpwords.blogspot.com/20... http://somesharpwords.blogspot.com/se..." target="_blank" ><img border="0" src="http://somesharpwords.blogspot.com/20... http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m5... " /></a> </center>
Next, get the question here and answer it in your own blog.For Elizabeth Sharp one of the most useful tool in my writing arsenal is Urban dictionary. What is your most referred to website for your writing?
Now, copy and paste these rules to your blog (they're a little different than mine and designed to help your blog)
The rules1) Follow this blog.2) Follow Elizabeth Sharp, the host of this hop3) Follow the featured author of the week.4) Go to Sharp words and copy the image code found there and paste it in your blog. Add your name to the link at the bottom of the post while you are there.5) Copy and paste the rules in your blog, as well as this week's question.6) Answer the question7) Follow, follow, follow. This is about networking, people, making connections with people in your community. So talk to us. We don't bite! This post serves as a perfect place for you to say hello!8) If someone stops by, says hi and follows you, the polite thing to do is follow back.9) Comment here and introduce yourself and you just might find a new follower or two.
Finally add your name to this list of wonderful blog authors by clicking the frog link at the bottom and adding your name and blog address. Make sure you actually answer the question and link to the hop. And please comment, we all like to hear someone out there is listening.
And now we'll see who's paying attention. Bring in a new hopper, or if you're a new hopper who just wandered in, comment below with a way for me to contact you and you will be entered for a chance to win a $10 Amazon gift card. All you have to do to enter is recruit a friend and you both are eligible. We're trying to grow and need all the help we can get! I do go through the blogs every week and have access to past linky lists, so don't try to pull a fast one. If you don't know anyone with a blog and would like to enter, post a link to where you tweeted/facebooked/myspaced it and you can enter that way as well. Help me get the word out!
And for those of you who would like to host the list as well, here's the coding for it....<a href=http://www.inlinkz.com/script.php?id=... the InLinkz code</a>
Welcome to the Writer's Follow Friday Blog Hop! Not sure if you qualify? If you have a blog to add, guess what, you're a writer! So check out the rules, grab the link and join the hop! We're small for now, but we hope to continue to grow.
This week's featured guest is Michelle Ferguson of Michelle Ferguson Books. I asked her to tell us a little bit about her before she got started with the question.
Mind blowing information about me--I'm at every Metal concert that comes to town--I love the paranormal and spend the entire month of October ghost hunting--Don't show me French fries, because I will eat them--Have crazy pets that I love dearly--Want it to stop raining so I can hike--Pretend I like to workout in order to phsyche myself out--Laugh at almost anything--If I could go back in time and meet one person it would be Queen Elizabeth 1st--Dream vacation is England--Okay that's enough boring stuff about me, I feel like I just answered a online dating questi onnaire
This weeks question: For me one of the most useful tool in my writing arsenal is Urban dictionary. What is your most referred to website for your writing?
Michelle's answer:
Google. I google everything. For Legion I googled Angel names in order to get character names.
How do you join in the fun? So glad you asked. It's really quite simple.
The rules1) Follow me, Elizabeth Sharp, the host of this hop2) Follow the featured author of the week.3) Go to Sharp words and copy the image code found there and paste it in your blog. Add your name to the link at the bottom of the post while you are there.4) Copy and paste the rules in your blog, as well as this week's question.5) Answer the question6) Follow, follow, follow. This is about networking, people, making connections with people in your community. So talk to us. We don't bite! This post serves as the perfect place for you to say hello.7) If someone stops by, says hi and follows you, the polite thing to do is follow back.8) Comment here and introduce yourself and you just might find a new follower or two.
Breaking it down, here, in this box, is the code for the snazzy quill link to the hop. Copy it and paste it into your own blog in "Edit HTML" mode.
<center><a href="http://somesharpwords.blogspot.com/20... http://somesharpwords.blogspot.com/se..." target="_blank" ><img border="0" src="http://somesharpwords.blogspot.com/20... http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m5... " /></a> </center>
Next, get the question here and answer it in your own blog.For Elizabeth Sharp one of the most useful tool in my writing arsenal is Urban dictionary. What is your most referred to website for your writing?
Now, copy and paste these rules to your blog (they're a little different than mine and designed to help your blog)
The rules1) Follow this blog.2) Follow Elizabeth Sharp, the host of this hop3) Follow the featured author of the week.4) Go to Sharp words and copy the image code found there and paste it in your blog. Add your name to the link at the bottom of the post while you are there.5) Copy and paste the rules in your blog, as well as this week's question.6) Answer the question7) Follow, follow, follow. This is about networking, people, making connections with people in your community. So talk to us. We don't bite! This post serves as a perfect place for you to say hello!8) If someone stops by, says hi and follows you, the polite thing to do is follow back.9) Comment here and introduce yourself and you just might find a new follower or two.
Finally add your name to this list of wonderful blog authors by clicking the frog link at the bottom and adding your name and blog address. Make sure you actually answer the question and link to the hop. And please comment, we all like to hear someone out there is listening.
And now we'll see who's paying attention. Bring in a new hopper, or if you're a new hopper who just wandered in, comment below with a way for me to contact you and you will be entered for a chance to win a $10 Amazon gift card. All you have to do to enter is recruit a friend and you both are eligible. We're trying to grow and need all the help we can get! I do go through the blogs every week and have access to past linky lists, so don't try to pull a fast one. If you don't know anyone with a blog and would like to enter, post a link to where you tweeted/facebooked/myspaced it and you can enter that way as well. Help me get the word out!
And for those of you who would like to host the list as well, here's the coding for it....<a href=http://www.inlinkz.com/script.php?id=... the InLinkz code</a>
