Tracy St. John's Blog, page 37
October 20, 2020
WIP Wednesday - Clans of Europa: Tina
Claiming their Matara
“Do you see her?” Osopa pulled his gaze from the pale stare of naked fear.
“I hate that she’s terrified. Along with the rest.” Tukui also brought his gaze to the Nobek, as did Yorso.
Osopa found some solace in Tukui’s obvious discomfort. His Dramok saw the misery the Earther females suffered, and he was acting appropriately. Osopa had been half afraid Tukui would dive into attempting to charm the prisoners, who would no doubt reject such wrongheaded efforts. As goodhearted as his clanmate was, Tukui had a bad habit of not looking before he leapt.
Yorso bit his lip. “I wish we could do something to comfort them.”
“It’s not in our power to help any but one. We’ll concentrate all our efforts on her. Do you still prefer Tina, Osopa? Yorso and I agreed she’s a wonderful choice for our clan.”
Osopa drew a deep breath. His concerns that Tina might be selfish or egocentric hadn’t been proven. Despite her tears, she’d spoken to the other girls with some calming effect. He wished he knew what she’d said to ease the worst of their horror.
“From what I’ve seen so far, I’d choose her over the others.”
Tukui nodded. He glanced over the huddled captives, careful to not let his gaze rest overlong on Tina. No doubt he was trying to avoid spooking her too badly.
It fascinated Osopa to watch as the commanding cast of a born Dramok settled over Tukui’s youthful features. It was happening more often as the months under Captain Tranis taught him the leadership skills he needed.
With respect, Osopa suggested, “My recommendation is to get this over with quickly. That female—” he nodded towards the frail-looking blonde talking to Nobek Miv “—might interfere. The others look to her. If she tries to stop us from claiming our Matara, the rest may decide to help her. It will be traumatic enough for Tina without adding a struggle.”
Yorso paled at the idea of turmoil, but Tukui nodded. “Then let’s make this as fast as possible. Since this is more in your line of expertise, take the lead, my Nobek.”
Osopa wasted no time, not wanting to give himself the opportunity to second-guess what had to be done. He strode toward Tina and her three companions, weaving around two other clusters to get to her. Tukui and Yorso followed close behind.
The Nobek kept his expression impassive, as was proper for a warrior carrying out his orders. He showed no reaction to the females cringing from his approach. They cried out as he neared; heartbreaking sounds he pretended weren’t driving spikes in his chest. In the space of seconds, he stood over the knot of white-clad Earthers that included Tina.
Her eyes were wide. Her face had lost all color, but for the little dots of pigment standing in stark relief on her nose and cheeks. A surge of adrenaline shot through Osopa, readying him to catch her should she faint.
He held his hand out to her. “Valentina Novak. Come with us.”
She shrank from him, and he realized he should have ditched the stoicism for a smile. Or at least softened his naturally gruff tone. It was too late to fix the matter however. Tina called out to the startled golden-haired woman standing with Miv.
“Sister? They say I have to go with them.”
Osopa swooped down and scooped Tina into his arms. As he pivoted, Tukui and Yorso stepped out of his path. He noticed his Imdiko’s expression of rebuke.
I know, I know. I’m not handling it as well as I should.
He dodged as much of the tiny fist shooting at him as possible. Her blow grazed his chin as she screamed piercingly. The strike was barely noticeable, but his ears rang. He managed to secure her squirming body so that her arms were pinned against his chest. She kicked, and Tukui had to dodge.
Bedlam erupted.
Releasing December
October 13, 2020
WIP Wednesday - Clans of Europa: Tina
Excitement, then concern.
Fortunately, Tukui was no more than ten minutes later than usual. His handsome features, exuberant by nature, were avid with excitement. His wide-spaced eyes, purple like all Kalquorians, were positively shining as he walked into their quarters. While his smile came easily, he didn’t usually show his teeth the way he was at that moment.
Yorso jumped to his feet. “Is it true we’re getting a Matara?”
“Yes!” Tukui grabbed him by the shoulders and would have no doubt swung him around if there’d been room to do so.
The next few moments were filled with shouting and hugging in celebration. They could have been small children who’d been given a pet kestarsh instead of grown men. Osopa wouldn’t have given into such nonsense, but Osopa wasn’t there.
Why shouldn’t there be excitement at such incredible fortune?
Finally, they calmed enough for Tukui to pull out his personal com. “Our Nobek has been stingy with information. He barely dropped me two lines today, and only to say he had to concentrate on his job.”
“Considering his position and the fact he works directly with that hardass Commander Lidon, you can’t blame him.”
“I know, I know. It’s frustrating is all.”
“Patience, my dear Dramok,” Yorso reminded him, as if he hadn’t been on edge only minutes ago.
“He should be off guard duty pretty soon. Com, contact Osopa.”
“Osopa here.”
“How long until you’re available?” Tukui wasn’t yelling, but it was close.
“Hello to you too, my Dramok. My relief is here. I’m in the middle of updating everyone on how to handle things in my absence.” Osopa might have been discussing weather conditions, he was so controlled. Typical Osopa, to shield his feelings at such a momentous occasion.
“We’re coming down to the moon to have a look at potential lucky ladies.”
If Osopa had been composed before, he was downright cold now. “Tukui, that’s not the appropriate attitude. The women aren’t happy to see us. We’re invaders, after all.”
Tukui’s smile dimmed only a hair. “Well, no, of course they’re upset. We’ll be sensitive.”
Yorso crowded him to add, “Obviously. Stop being so gloomy, my Nobek.”
His tone forbidding, Osopa said, “If you’d spent the last hours dealing with weeping females and screaming children, you wouldn’t be in the best mood either.”
The vision of such cooled Yorso’s high spirits in an instant. Concern replaced elation. “Oh. But now that they know we won’t hurt them, they’re doing better, right?”
“They’re terrified. All the pretty words in the universe aren’t going to change that.”
Yorso gripped Tukui’s arm. “Maybe we should wait to meet them until they understand Kalquorians aren’t so bad?”
Tukui had deflated as well. However, his optimism had always been a stubborn characteristic, and it hadn’t fled despite Osopa’s warning. “They’re surrounded by Nobeks, my Imdiko. Our warriors aren’t the most comforting presence a scared female could ask for. No offense, Osopa.”
“None taken,” the clan protector sighed. “We’re at a loss as to how to soothe their fear of us. That’s without a doubt the realm of Imdikos. Especially given what they expect we’ll do to them.”
Yorso considered his research as his disquiet grew. “They’ve been told some pretty awful things about Kalquorians. Maybe an Earther Matara isn’t such a good fit for us.”
“If not an Earther, then who?” Tukui asked. “Do you think the handful of our own women who are left would look twice at us? By the time we’ve achieved sufficient rank, they’ll all be clanned anyway.”
He had a point. “Who knows how many Earthers will opt for clanning with us once the war is over? The Royal Council has already agreed there’ll be no more forced unions, even if we win.”
Though they had been his words, Yorso’s gut clenched as forced unions bounced around his brain. He didn’t like the connotation at all. But many of the Earthers on Kalquor had come willingly. Surely some of those on Europa would see the worth of three men who would conform to a Matara’s every need?
“It’s not the best situation, but we can’t turn down this chance for a female clanmate. It may be the only opportunity we get.” The way Tukui doggedly argued for it made Yorso think he was trying to convince himself as much as them.
Osopa’s tone had a note of defeat. “I can’t dispute that.”
“That settles it then. If we find a promising candidate, we can show her what a fantastic future she’s in for.”
Releasing in December.
October 6, 2020
WIP Wednesday - Clans of Europa: Tina
An impetuous Dramok hears good news:
Dramok Tukui kept his head down at his computer station, trying to look busier than he was. With the spyship locked in orbit, there wasn’t a lot for the navigator to do, however. All the action was on the small moon of Europa.
Even so, he performed an instrument calibration he wasn’t required to run and checked his unchanging readings. With Captain Tranis on the main holo-vid, his bearded face taking up the middle third of the circular bow of the bridge, Tukui didn’t want to attract attention for the wrong reasons. He’d done more than his share of that in his short career on the spyship.
He listened to the conversation between the captain and First Officer Simdow, a Dramok barely older than Tukui. Ever since hearing there were fertile women on the moon, every man on the spyship was eager for information. Like everyone else stuck on the vessel, Tukui wished he had been among those who’d gone to the colony to hunt for General Hamilton. And maybe encounter females.
Lucky Osopa. My Nobek had better be ready with details when he gets back. If Tukui’s taciturn clanmate dared to show up with no more than generalizations, he’d—
Tukui’s head snapped up, cutting his train of thought clean off. Had Captain Tranis just said the three-man clans on board would get their choice of Matara?
The holo-vid was set up so that those on either end could look each other in the eye. The captain’s gaze flickered to Tukui, and he visibly winced before saying, “Of course, if a clan doesn’t feel they can shoulder the responsibility—the heavy responsibility of caring for a Matara—they need not claim one.”
Tukui’s mind raced along with his heart, disregarding the obvious suggestion that Captain Tranis spoke for his benefit. A Matara? For his young, low-ranked clan?
It took all his self-control to keep a delighted grin from spreading wide. He somehow managed to maintain a composed expression. Of course he could handle caring for a Matara. Even he, as impetuous as he tended to be, was capable of doting and loving and telling a woman how wonderful she was. His fathers had made it seem easy.
Coming in December.
August 4, 2020
WIP Wednesday - Anatomy of a Scene Outline for Clans of Europa: Tina
Most know I'm not a pantser--someone who writes 'by the seat of her pants'. I'm a dedicated plotter. I outline. Vigorously. In fact, it's been argued my outlines are more on the order of first drafts. Which perhaps they are. They are quite detailed.
What follows is a typical outline of a scene. This is an early one in Tina, coming out late this year.
Stage Setup: spyship
Time/place: night at convent/bridge
Temp/season: comfortably cool for Kalquorians/na
Lighting: good overall lighting, excellent task lighting, colored indicators on control panels
Sounds: hum of engines, small beeps and buzzes, low conversation, light footsteps
Smells: Kalquorian musk, an ozone-ish electric scent
Props: Control podiums with computers, Tukui mans navigation, holo-vid screen
Symbols/images: Tranis’s slight disapproval of Tukui—due to his impetuous nature
Characters: Tukui, Simdow, Tranis, others on bridge
Dialogue and action:
(Tukui tries to look busier than he is, though with the spyship in orbit, there isn’t presently much for him to do, all the action is on the small moon below, yet with the captain on the holo-vid speaking to the first officer, he doesn’t want to attract Tranis’s attention for the wrong reasons, he’s done more than his share of that in his short career on the spyship, he listens closely however, ever since hearing there were women on the moon, every man on the ship has been eager for information, he wishes it was he who had gone to the colony instead of Osopa, his Nobek had better be ready with details about the place, if his taciturn clanmate dares to offer no more than generalizations he’ll—; Tukui’s head snaps up, did the captain just say the full clans on board would get their choice of Matara? Tranis notes the sudden interest from his navigator and visibly winces) T- Of course, if any clan doesn’t feel they can shoulder the responsibility—the heavy responsibility of caring for a Matara—they need not claim one. (Tukui’s mind is racing despite it being obvious Tranis was speaking for his benefit, a Matara? For his clan with only the first hints of growing rank? Of course he can handle such, all it takes is doting on her and telling her how wonderful she is, as his fathers have always treated his mother, a female lifemate! He wonders if Osopa has seen anyone likely and again chafes that he’s not down there to evaluate them for himself) T- Simdow, make sure when you pass the news along that you tell prospective clans to consider this opportunity with the greatest gravity. To consider all the changes having a lifebringer will make to every facet of their existence. (Tranis’s gaze again flicks to Tukui as Simdow acknowledges, meanwhile Tukui sends a message on the sly to Osopa to contact him asap)
Exit line: I realize you have a lot going on, but com as soon as possible, my Nobek.
POV: Tukui
Conflict: Tranis obviously doesn’t think Tukui is ready for a Matara
+/-: Tukui’s clan to get a Matara/he can’t pick one out yet
Climax: Tukui over the moon to discover he can claim a Matara, not considering all it entails
July 28, 2020
WIP Wednesday - Character Sketch of Imdiko Yorso
Height/Weight: 6’6”/245 pounds
Sex: Male
Hair: Black, shoulder length, photogenically mussed
Dress: black formsuit with green trim
Body: very toned and muscular, keeps himself in shape to show off
Face: big bright-eyes, adorable, sweet, earnest expression—especially when he’s teasing someone
Mouth: usually smiling, full lips
Imperfections: a bit naïve, sometimes too flirty out of habit, his manner tends to hide how intelligent he is
Age: 25
Birthplace: Kalquor
Home: Spyship, tiny quarters shared with his clanmates, kept neat because they have little room, tiny paintings on the wall, primitive weapons on wall, mirror (he checks his appearance often out of habit because he loved to date before being clanned).
Habits: Reading and researching—it’s his hobby as well as his profession
Job: Cultural liaison, not military
Name of Character: Imdiko Yorso
Timeline:
Year 0: Born to governess Matara Dulsen (she’s paid by her much richer sister—Dulsen clanned for love, not status), historian Dramok Roslad, training camp instructor Nobek Enra, historian Imdiko Adnun. Only child, raised in quiet and contemplative surroundings, spends a lot of time with cousins whom his mother teaches.
Year 3: So beautiful that vid-scouts convince the parent clan to put him in vid-dramas; coincidentally, he plays the son of Osopa’s father Mokta in one…but the boys don’t meet.
Year 5: Classified an Imdiko. Same year, his parents end his vid career because they don’t like the self-centered attitudes they see and the unreality of the life at his age. Though he doesn’t miss the demands, Yorso does miss being fussed over.
Year 12: After attending one of his historian fathers’ lectures about Kalquor’s past diplomatic works, Yorso finds himself fascinated by alien cultures. He begins studying the subject on his own.
Year 14: After his mother notes the encyclopedic knowledge Yorso has gained about Joshadans, Tragooms, and other cultures, she consults with leading educators she knows. His schooling takes a turn as he’s granted a scholarship to study his interest at college-level while continuing his basic education.
Year 17: Earth is discovered. Yorso excitedly follows the latest information on this species that looks so similar to his own, but is socially quite different.
Year 18: Completes basic school, continues studies in alien cultures. Has first sexual encounter with a Dramok, then starts dating around when he realizes how popular his good looks make him. Begs his parents not to arrange any clanships—he tells them he wants to concentrate on studies and become a diplomatic aide, which is partially true, but he really wants to slut around. They agree to let him pick his own clan.
Year 20: Finishes his studies and quickly lands an assignment to the Kalquorian minister to Plasius. Has a very good time on his few trips to that planet.
Year 22: Vies to work with ambassador to Earth, but doesn’t land the position. He takes a new job with ambassador to Adraf instead.
Year 23: With hostilities growing with Earth, Yorso recruited by Kalquor’s fleet after they note his interest in the alien culture. He’s not a member of the fleet, but a cultural advisor on Tranis’s spyship. He enjoys his work though he never gets to interact with the Earthers they’re spying on—advising Tranis and Lidon as they investigate the aliens and their movements. Has many relationships, but not in any hurry to clan.
Year 24: War with Earth breaks out. Most of the experienced crew is sent to destroyers, more as casualties call upon good fighting crew. Large turnover in crew brings on board many new young men, including new navigator Dramok Tukui and new weapons subcommander Osopa. With his pick of yummy Dramoks and Nobeks, Yorso is having a grand time despite the danger of their missions. Despite all efforts to remain fancy-free, Yorso is drawn to Tukui and Osopa bit by bit.
As with Tukui and Osopa, Yorso's timeline is cut short due to potential spoilers.
July 21, 2020
WIP Wednesday: Character Sketch of Nobek Osopa
This was my inspiration board for Tina. The fellows from left to right would be Tukui, Yorso, and Osopa.Osopa, the Nobek hero of Tina, is already an acquaintance. We encountered him in both Alien Conquest and Sister Katherine as the Weapons Subcommander, second to Nobek Lidon. He’s young but already a well-seasoned fleet officer. He’s the opposite of brash Tukui in many ways, but too much of a good thing can have its own disadvantages.
Height/Weight: 6’8”/260 pounds
Sex: Male
Hair: Black, shoulder length, wavy
Dress: black formsuit with red trim, boots, gold and silver bar denotes his rank as subcommander
Body: strong, well-muscled, moves with a dancer’s grace
Face: hooded ‘bedroom’ eyes, he looks sleepy unless he’s on alert, broad features
Mouth: rarely smiles or frowns, nice when he does smile
Imperfections: all business when he’s on duty even around clanmates, when he claims Tina he’ll do so very matter-of-factly though he cringes inside at her reaction—can seem cold though he doesn’t mean to; this habit of hiding behind an emotionless façade puts him at odds with his unclanned, infertile sister who cares for their widowed mother
Age: 29
Birthplace: Kalquor
Home: Spyship, tiny quarters shared with his clanmates, kept neat because they have little room, tiny paintings on the wall, primitive weapons on wall.
Habits: Building primitive-style weapons from scratch is his hobby
Job: Weapons subcommander
Name of Character: Nobek Osopa
Timeline:
Year 0: Born to heiress Matara Balnea, vid star Dramok Mokter, Mokter’s bodyguard Nobek Snem, Mokter’s personal assistant Imdiko Jumo. Older sibling, infertile Matara Teroz.
Year 4: Family lives in treehouse; Osopa manages to disable safety barrier and climbs out on limb, no fear whatsoever, pitches a fit when his Nobek father pulls him in, they already know he’s a Nobek and with their social standing and wealth, they get him in the best training camp money can buy.
Year 5: Osopa shows tremendous grace under pressure, he excels despite his young age, is promoted with older trainees, which affects him socially. He’s left mostly to himself, except when jealous older boys ‘put him in his place’.
Year 8: He understands there is some fuss over his sister Teroz, she’s sad and parents seem to be concerned but embarrassed all at once. She’s in therapy for coming up infertile.
Year 12: Osopa continues to advance beyond his years, has few friends and his family is focused on his sister still; she’s coddled but kept in the background; as a Nobek, Osopa is expected to mind himself for the most part; he keeps his own counsel.
Year 15: Fathers killed in shuttle crash, mother left brain damaged, older sister feels it’s on her to take care of mother, she does so because she loves her, but is quick to play the ‘poor me’ card whenever Osopa sees her.
Year 16: Osopa finishes basic training camp, he’s nominated for a prestigious Nobek-centered fleet officers’ school.
Year 19: Completes officers’ school, since he’s still on the young side, he alternates between assisting other trainees and practical service on vessels.
Year 21: Meets Tukui during fleet battle camps, at first the devil-may-care Dramok gets on Osopa’s nerves, but Tukui brings Osopa out of his shell and shows him some fun, Osopa likes himself around Tukui, they make an impression on each other. They begin to meet when able until Osopa (who is older) ships out for his first ‘permanent’ assignment.
Year 23: Osopa ships out on first assignment. He maintains contact with Tukui for a little while, though they date others. Bit by bit, they lose touch, especially after Osopa lands a plum assignment on a troop carrier.
Year 26: Tukui upgrades to the troop carrier vessel and meets with Osopa again. Though Tukui is still impulsive and Osopa as introverted as ever, they are delighted to discover there’s more than a mere spark between them. They clan.
Year 28: War with Earth breaks out. Tukui’s older brothers, both serving on spyships, are killed. Tukui and Osopa ask for an assignment on a spyship to honor them. Tukui is made navigator on Tranis’s vessel, while Osopa scores the weapons subcommander gig. There is a cultural liaison Imdiko on board who at first gives them the cold shoulder (he has his pick of yummy Dramoks and Nobeks and is in no hurry to get tied down).
The rest of the timeline is excluded to avoid giving out potential spoilers.
July 14, 2020
WIP Wednesday - Character Sketch of Dramok Tukui
Here is the character sketch of the Dramok hero of Tina. Tukui, at this early stage of writing, is good-natured but impulsive and somewhat irresponsible. It’s landed him in trouble and will probably do so again. He’ll need to grow up fast when it comes to being a good clan leader for our frightened and desperate-to-please Tina.
Height/Weight: 6’6”/240 pounds
Sex: Male
Hair: Black, mid-back length
Dress: black formsuit with blue trim, boots
Body: strong, muscled
Face: mustache and goatee, handsome, devilish aspect, resembles Sebastian Stan
Mouth: often curled in a knowing smile (this is unconscious—it’s like Ringo’s naturally sad face)
Imperfections: Speaks impatiently even when he doesn’t mean to—it’s how he was spoken to and he’s trying to break the habit of it but hasn’t quite done so. With Tina’s need to please, it will cause some issues between them. After a reprimand, Tranis is also aware of Tukui’s slipups and usually corrects him now with a mild, “Tone, Navigator.” Also rather impetuous, not always thinking things out—the more mature Osopa signals with a raised brow to warn Tukui to rein it in.
Age: 26
Birthplace: Kalquor
Home: Spyship, tiny quarters shared with his clanmates, kept neat because they have little room, tiny paintings on the wall, handcrafted weaponry on the wall.
Habits: Painting miniature canvases—a must since there is little room for supplies.
Name of Character: Dramok Tukui
Timeline:
Year 0: Born to artist Matara Nini, district leader (mayor) Dramok Geta, law enforcer Nobek Orki, Nini’s manager Imdiko Erkati. Older siblings, two Nobeks
Year 3: Wanders away from family during an outdoor district celebration, finds a cool place under stage skirting to nap, family and others freaked out searching for him, wakes near dark and comes out wailing for his mother, no harm done but parent clan still gets upset when they remember it.
Year 5: Tests indicate Tukui is a Dramok, though he has some issues with immaturity.
Year 8: Decides on a whim to travel on his own to visit favorite grandparent clan after his parent clan says they can’t take him, his older brothers on holiday from training catch him, give him a hiding for it.
Year 11: Both older brothers now unable to visit from training camp because they are in full-blown puberty and dangerous, Tukui takes it as a license to get away with everything they never would let him get away with—he is far too immature and impetuous in comparison to older brothers. It gets him in trouble, particularly with Dramok and Nobek fathers, whose discipline is soon forgotten when Tukui is distracted by what looks like fun.
Year 13: After another incident in which Tukui gets himself into trouble, he is sent to military school for Dramoks—not as physically demanding as Nobek training camp, but regimented and responsibility is enforced. Over the years, Tukui matures a bit better, but he still sometimes loses good sense to impetuousness. Is thrashed regularly by his brothers when they have occasion to catch him being up to no good. Also thrashed by his instructors because he’s developed that terse, impatient tone of his fathers.
The rest of the timeline is excluded to avoid giving out potential spoilers.
July 7, 2020
WIP Wednesday - Clans of Europa: Tina
Character Sketch: Tina
Before I write the first line of a new story, I dive into the characters. I find out what they look like, what interests them, and their background. What follows is a peek into the heroine of the book I’m outlining now, Tina. This isn’t the complete character sketch, as I’ve omitted what may lead to spoilers for the book. However, it is a taste of who Tina is.
Height/Weight: 5’6”/130 pounds
Sex: Female
Hair: Red, soft, long
Dress: Stiff, long-sleeved nightgown; sleeveless underdress shift; white dress of the convent aspirant white headscarf; socks; black boots
Body: slight, almost severe angles, very pale, freckles on shoulders, small and round breasts
Face: beautiful but often a bit sad, looks as if she’s seen all the cares of the world
Mouth: lovely, well-shaped lips
Imperfections: Not as curvy as some, worries too much about pleasing others, surrenders her own wishes to make others happy, working towards becoming a doormat
Age:19
Birthplace: Alexandria, VA
Home: Europa’s convent. Her sleeping cell is mostly bare, but she does have a cute rug made from fabric scraps, along with bits of soap and candle to be melted to re-use
Habits: cleaning, cooking, sewing—whatever she can do to be useful. Daydreams about the life she wishes she could have
Name of Character: Valentina Novak
Timeline:
Year 0: Born to low-level government worker David Novak and midwife Charlotte Novak
Year 4: Mother dies giving birth to younger brother, who also dies. Father, already a no-nonsense sort, grows more severe as he’s consumed by grief. When he’s not finding fault with Tina, he ignores her. She matures fast, learning to keep house in order to please her withdrawn, angry father
Year 6: Tina becomes very ill, hospitalized for a while. Her father is kinder during this time, but reverts to his old ways when she recovers. She misses much school and her grades slip, which he berates her for. Tina works harder than ever to win his approval, which she gains on very rare occasions.
Year 11: Tina gets her first period. Her father is disgusted, tells her she’s dirty. He withdraws even more from her.
Year 12: David dates a woman named Annabel, who dotes on him and Tina. Though they often go out without Tina, she’s delighted with the renewed warmth of a real family.
Year 13: David re-marries, and Tina hopes the joy will continue. However, she’s left out of many activities.
Year 14: Annabel becomes pregnant. Tina is excited to have a sibling…but she is sent off to the convent on Europa. She hears from her family perhaps once a year, when they send her a Christmas card. She’s never invited to visit.
Before you take too much of what I’ve put together thus far as gospel, please note that my characters will at some point start telling me, “I don’t want to do this. I want to do that. This is who I really am.” This sketch is a starting point only, a launching pad into the story.
Though some details and history will alter, perhaps drastically, it all begins with this initial development. I firmly believe that you can have a good story idea, but if you lack compelling characters, it’ll never come to life.
June 21, 2020
Next Up - Clans of Europa: Tina
It's time for me to write a new book. We're going back to Europa and its convent to find out what happened to Tina. You'll remember her as a fellow aspirant of Cassidy's in Alien Conquest. Tina was claimed by Clan Tukui. Tukui was the navigator for Captain Tranis's spyship. We only caught a couple of glimpses of him in Sister Katherine, but we saw a little more of his Nobek, Weapons Subcommander Osopa. Their Imdiko was also a crewmember, but he was absent from both Alien Conquest and Sister Katherine.
Hopefully, I'll have Tina completed by the end of the year. Until then, keep safe.
June 18, 2020
Silver Linings
When Bacoj learns he's been drafted for the war, he feels as if his world has ended. Yet it's because of this that he meets Vax, which leads to going to Dantovon and meeting Japohn. Then, when we get around to the events in Alien Salvation, being in the military is why he meets Lindsey. And in the end, he realizes his dreams of being an engineer, as we find out in a short story in Alien Interludes.Have you ever had something seemingly awful happen that somehow changes your life for the better? I lost a job a one time, and it felt as if the rug was jerked right out from under my feet. However, that led to me going back to college to pursue video production, which led to me meeting my husband when I began working in that field. Talk about your silver linings!
Preparing for war. Fending off a vengeful stalker. It’s the perfect time for romance on Kalquor.
In one day, Dramok Bacoj realizes his cherished dream only to have it snatched away. Then he meets the perfect man, Imdiko Vax. Unfortunately, Vax is a firm believer in career before love, so he’s unavailable for courtship. Or is he? Fending off a vengeful stalker, he turns to Bacoj for help, and discovers a romance he can’t easily set aside.
Nobek Japohn is all the protector a clan could hope for. However, the young warrior’s personality isn’t geared toward working well with others. Yet when he sees the handsome pair of Bacoj and Vax in the sort of trouble only he can save them from, long-shattered hopes rise anew. Maybe he can be part of a clan, if they’ll only give him a chance…
…and if a lunatic bent on murder doesn’t kill them first.
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