Forthright .'s Blog, page 207
February 6, 2018
Editing Mode
You may have noticed that I haven’t been updating my fanfics. (Though you’ve been kind not to mention it.) One of the main reasons I haven’t been keeping up is because I’ve been in full-on Editing Mode. For some reason, I work best if I focus on one or the other.
This time, the culprit is Imperceptible. Do you have any idea what it’s like to read something you wrote a decade ago?
TT___TT
Ninety-nine chapters of old habits, wordy phrasing, sudden shifts in POV, clunky dialogue tags, stray typo...
February 5, 2018
Amaranthine Teasers
Since the print editions of Tsumiko and the Enslaved Fox are turning up in virtual bookstores (like Amazon) with the availability to pre-order, I thought you might like to know a little more about what you’re getting into. So … here is the first of many Amaranthine Teasers as we count down to release day (2/22).
Pretteh. In my humble opinion, the print editions are quite fetching, thanks to many details in the design. We went for a classic vibe…
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Petals. And there are flower petals strewn throughout the pages. Yep, that’s right. STREWN. (It’s not every day you get to break out vocabulary like that.) Behold, screen caps!
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Oooh! Does this count as a teaser? The bottom of Page 4 (for forthy) ::twinkle::
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Those petals also show up on the book’s spine. ::zooms in::
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Now, for those whose lifestyle necessitates a more digital sort of library, the ebooks are coming. (But alas, they have almost all of the pretteh streamlined out.) Digital editions will release on the same day, February 22, 2018. I’m sure they’ll be showing up soon in all the usual virtual venues.
Have you pre-ordered your copy?
FORTHRIGHT on Amazon >>
February 4, 2018
Nooooooo.
I’ve set up an author profile on Amazon, and they seem to think I must be into bondage. (Clearly having “enslaved” in a book title is giving the bots ideas.)
They do not know me very well. ::facepalm::
Book-spotting!
I received a PM this morning on ff.net, letting me know that one of my fandom readers (you sweet thing, you!) had pre-ordered Tsumiko and the Enslaved Fox. ::gasp:: A quick check shows that the print edition of the book is indeed available for pre-order on Amazon. (Digital isn’t showing up yet, but it should soon.) Pinch me!
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Is it showing up internationally? How about other venues?
February 2, 2018
Foxy Countdown
Some good questions have been cropping up across the threads. Rather than simply pass notes and whisper behind hands, let’s share my answers with the Whole Class. ::wink::
Will your books have 100-word chapters?
No! Tsumiko and the Enslaved Fox (and the rest of the books in the Amaranthine Saga) will have nice, long, “proper” chapters. This is a novel of some substance, with more than 450 pages in the print edition. Or … to put things into more familiar fandom terms, Tsumiko’s story hit 96,000~ words.
Will Hisoka-sensei be a cat demon?
Not exactly. The good sensei is not a demon/youkai because I’ve introduced the Amaranthine people. As stated in the story summary: “They are our myths and legends come to life. Neither human nor animal, yet embracing qualities of both, the inhuman races inspire both awe and fear.” Even so, you’ll know your beloved sensei at a glance. Hisoka Twineshaft is a member of the cat clans, and he retains his pewter pelt and orange eyes. In fact, after many centuries teaching at the reaver academy, he’s affectionately referred to as Sensei by many of his former students.
Twenty More Days!
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January 23, 2018
Clumsy 095: A Man’s Word
Disclaimer: I do hereby disclaim all rights and responsibilities for the characters in this topsy turvy tale… especially for the one who started it. A nod of recognition is bent towards Rumiko Takahashi for her creative prowess.
Chapter 95: A Man’s Word
It happened again. Strokes and kisses left Kagomaru breathless, but then Sesshoume left their bed, shot him an unreadable look, and left.
She started it. She wanted it. But he’d promised not to impose. If she withheld herself from anything more intimate, he had to respect that. I gave my word.
Maybe he shouldn’t have given his heart as well.
Flopping onto rumpled blankets, Kagomaru pressed fists to stinging eyes and bit his lip to hold in a sob.
A soft rap, and the open panel slid wider, revealing Sesshoume’s father.
The demon sniffed, swore, and sighed. “A word, son-in-law.”
Original Posting Date: January 23, 2018
Prompt: Withheld, suggested by Sylv
Words: 100
Summary: She was the most sought-after demoness at court, but no suitor could conquer her. He was only trying to feed his family when his stray arrow felled a mythical beast. A kind-hearted man. A fierce lady. A romance told in bits and pieces. Genderbent SK. Begins here. To scroll through archived chapters, use the Clumsy tag.
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January 20, 2018
Clumsy 094: Cut Short
Disclaimer: I do hereby disclaim all rights and responsibilities for the characters in this topsy turvy tale… especially for the one who gets a taste. A nod of recognition is bent towards Rumiko Takahashi for her creative prowess.
Chapter 94: Cut Short
Kagomaru knew the shape of his wife’s face, the exact shade of her stripes, the way her voice mellowed when she spoke with Rin, the subtle changes that made her eyes so expressive. He treasured every detail, but he’d wanted more.
Having it left him breathless and greedy. Did she understand how much this mattered? That he welcomed her sudden fervor for the same reason he’d waited? She needed to know.
“I love you.”
Sesshoume stared down at him.
He didn’t dare move.
“Hnn.” She kissed him again—softer, slower—rose gracefully, opened the door, and vanished into the morning.
Original Posting Date: January 20, 2018
Prompt: Fervor, suggested by Bubbleloveworld
Words: 100
Summary: She was the most sought-after demoness at court, but no suitor could conquer her. He was only trying to feed his family when his stray arrow felled a mythical beast. A kind-hearted man. A fierce lady. A romance told in bits and pieces. Genderbent SK. Begins here. To scroll through archived chapters, use the Clumsy tag.
January 16, 2018
Clumsy 093: Too Good to Be True
Disclaimer: I do hereby disclaim all rights and responsibilities for the characters in this topsy turvy tale… especially for the assertive one. A nod of recognition is bent towards Rumiko Takahashi for her creative prowess.
Chapter 93: Too Good to Be True
Kagomaru’s heart thundered. He was—mostly—accustomed to the little licks and nuzzles Sesshoume delivered in her sleep. This wasn’t that. “Erm… are you awake?”
She pushed him down and trapped him under the weight of her body, growling softly.
Before he could frame an apology, she nibbled along his jaw and nipped his lower lip.
Her eyes are open. Lost for words, Kagomaru wavered between relief and panic. I will mess this up. Someone will interrupt. Or… I’m the one who’s not awake?
Then her mouth sought his, and every thought was replaced by the dizzying weightlessness of elation.
Original Posting Date: January 16, 2018
Prompt: Weightlessness, suggested by escargotpudding
Words: 100
Summary: She was the most sought-after demoness at court, but no suitor could conquer her. He was only trying to feed his family when his stray arrow felled a mythical beast. A kind-hearted man. A fierce lady. A romance told in bits and pieces. Genderbent SK. Begins here. To scroll through archived chapters, use the Clumsy tag.
January 15, 2018
FAQ: Amaranthine Saga
Who’s Curious? As people are finding out about the upcoming original series, there have been questions. I can (and do) answer them, but those answers are scattered across assorted PMs, review replies, and several comment threads here on my blog. So we’ll do a few FAQ posts leading up to release day (February 22). I’ll also collect some of these questions and answers in the comments over on this site’s Amaranthine Saga tab.
Is it true that the books are linked to your fanfiction?
Yes. For readers familiar with my stories, the ties will be obvious. I’ve borrowed from several of my favorites, taking pieces of their plots or settings and adapting them to fit into the Amaranthine universe. But I don’t simply retell those stories. They’ve become something new.
Which fanfics will you use?
I’m keeping that a secret because it’ll make upcoming reveals more fun.
Will Sesshoumaru and Kagome be there?
In adapting my fics, one of the biggest revisions I had to make was to the main characters. No one wants to read seven versions of SxK … oh, wait. That’s exactly why we read fanfiction! However, in building the Amaranthine universe, I needed a new cast. Some of you will probably still try to back-hack my writing. “I found Miroku!” or “She might as well have named him Inuyasha.” But if I do my job right, the stories will take on a life of their own.
Why did you label Book 1 “the first miko”?
Are all of the main characters in your series shrine priestesses? No. While this certainly hints at the legacy of Japanese culture that helped inspire my fandom storylines, miko refers to the main characters’ first names. Book One is about Tsumiko. In Book Two, I’ll introduce Kimiko. Book Three’s story belongs to a lady named Tamiko… and so on.
More questions? Ask away!
January 5, 2018
Clumsy 092: Presumption and Perversity
Disclaimer: I do hereby disclaim all rights and responsibilities for the characters in this topsy turvy tale… especially for the one who is too comfortable. A nod of recognition is bent towards Rumiko Takahashi for her creative prowess.
Chapter 92: Presumption and Perversity
Sesshoume woke in a tangle with Kagomaru, who seemed only too happy to mold his body to hers. Which might have been forgivable if he’d been asleep. But his fingers traced territorial circles against her lower back, encouraging her to arch against him.
Her growl held little ire.
“Good morning,” he murmured. Sleepy. Soft.
Dredging up annoyance was growing more difficult. Sesshoume yawned and nipped her husband’s ear. “Presumption.”
Kagomaru chuckled. Calm. Controlled.
And some perverse part of her—intuition, instinct—wished to take him by surprise. To wrest control by asserting herself in the most basic game of all.
Original Posting Date: January 5, 2018
Prompt: Territorial, suggested by Aijoinu
Words: 100
Summary: She was the most sought-after demoness at court, but no suitor could conquer her. He was only trying to feed his family when his stray arrow felled a mythical beast. A kind-hearted man. A fierce lady. A romance told in bits and pieces. Genderbent SK. Begins here. To scroll through archived chapters, use the Clumsy tag.
