MeiLin Miranda's Blog, page 29
June 20, 2012
Book Three Is Officially Under Way
I've been taking notes, doing research and pondering since book two launched, and a little before, really. But today I began actually assembling the story for book three. That, for me, constitutes the real beginning of the writing.
You're going to see duels, desperate escape attempts, heartbreak, a little hot sex, and the story of Ilhovin and Macca--which doesn't go quite the way it did in the first draft. Don't worry, the basics are there, but some elements will be radically different. Featured characters include Lord Litta, Rodder Pawl, Connin, Brinnid, and of course Temmin, his retainers and his family. We'll be in Inchar, the Northern Wastes and Sairland. And we'll discover the great secret Allis and Issak used to blackmail Litta in book one.
As soon as I have the first draft finished I'll be putting up the Kickstarter for editing and production. Don't look for it for a while, but look for it!
June 18, 2012
What I'm Up To: an excerpt from "The Machine God"
I'm currently working on the History book 3, the related story collection Whithorse and the collaboration The Machine God, part of a set of novels we're calling The Drifting Isle Chronicles. I'm going to share with you a bit of The Machine God. As things stand, this is the opening of the book. I'm really excited about it, and I hope you'll get a little idea of what the book's going to be like.
Chapter 5 Part 1 | Son in Sorrow | IHGK Book 2
Temmin spent another morning dragging his mother out to ride, and in spite of herself, she almost bloomed in the fresh air and sun. Temmin began to wonder if perhaps he should stay, but after breakfast, alone in his study, his vows to the Temple convinced him otherwise. Donnis would be here any day, and with Neya's Day so close he couldn't ask for further leave. When Donnis came he would be easier in his mind. He would make sure she continued prying Mama from her rooms into the wider world.
June 15, 2012
Fermenting
I love doing weird stuff, especially when it turns out delicious:
This is a bottle of "cherry drink." I don't know what else to call it. It is sweet, tart, slightly fizzy, and full of healthy probiotics. It's very slightly alcoholic, as in so slightly I don't worry about letting the kids have it. Also it's the prettiest shade of cerise!
I'm a fan of fermenting stuff--pickles, sauerkraut, kimchi, kombucha--and my guiding light in these things is a gentleman named Sandor Ellix Katz. He's just put out a massive book on fermenting all kinds of foods, from fruit, vegetables and milk to meat. It's called "The Art of Fermentation," and it's genius.
I made the cherry drink following his instructions for "country wine": sugar water and cherries in a gallon sun tea jar. The cherries had been frozen, so they didn't have their natural yeast; I added a very little bit of champagne yeast after it became clear it wasn't going to start on its own. I let it sit for three days and then put it up in EZ Caps at the same time I put up a gallon or so of kombucha. Into the fridge.
It's best served very cold, mixed with the kombucha. Very refreshing, pretty in the glass, and good for you.
Chapter 4 Part 10 | Son in Sorrow | IHGK Book 2
No matter how vivid a dream might be, it could never match the book. It immersed Temmin so thoroughly he could not remember being anyone but a miserable pregnant girl running from her own father. The winter cold faded from Temmin's bones as he came back to himself. He shook out his arms to make his shivering stop. "If I were…being…a person in the book, and that person died, would I die too?"
June 14, 2012
What Can I Do for You?
I'm sitting here working on a couple of books (Book 3 of the History and "The Machine God (The Drifting Isle Chronicles)") and a short story collection ("Whithorse"). You're doing whatever it is you're doing, waiting for them--and boy, I'm so glad you are. I can hear you out there breathing, and it inspires me to keep writing.
But it occurs to me that there's going to be a wait for you until those books get out to you. I can't write any faster than I am, and I can't take any more time for side projects other than what's already on my plate. That is, I can't do any Gulch right now.
So, keeping that in mind, what I want to know is: What can I do for you? How can I keep you guys happy in the interim?
I'm considering doing some Google+ Hangout readings of the History, just getting on there and sorta live podcasting "Lovers and Beloveds." I'm thinking it might be a good warm-up for the audiobook. Maybe answer questions.
Anything else you'd like to see? I'm trying to learn what it is I do for you to begin with--why you come to me when there are so many well-written books out there and interesting authors to choose from. Learning that will help me give you more of what you want from me--or perhaps need from me, since I don't always give you what you want. 
June 11, 2012
Last chance to get "Lovers and Beloveds" free!
I'm using up the last of my free Amazon promotion days today through the 13th. That means you can download my book "Lovers and Beloveds" free from the Kindle store, right this minute!
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0043EX1S2
If you're non-US, just substitute your local Amazon for amazon.com and you'll find it. Viz:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0043EX1S2
http://www.amazon.fr/dp/B0043EX1S2
Etc.
The book is DRM-free--all my books are. You can convert it into any format you need via Calibre, and remember that just about every device now has a Kindle app if you don't want to convert the file.
The book currently bears a rating of 4.6 stars at Amazon over 28 reviews and something like 4.15 at Goodreads over 102 ratings. If you know people who like Victorianesque epic fantasy with a strong sexual aspect, pass them this link and thanks for your support.
Chapter 4 Part 9 | Son in Sorrow | IHGK Book 2
Lassa missed her moon. Twice.
She consulted a Sister in secret. "There must be something you can do, some way to stop the child?"
"We do not end pregnancies, especially royal ones," huffed the priestess.
Soon Lassa could no longer hide her blossoming belly from her lover. "You're with child? Lassa, you were not meant to be the mother of my children! You were to be everything but that! Did you not listen to the Sisters? Had you paid so little attention to their teachings?"
"You insisted even when I told you it was the wrong time of my moon!"
An turned purple. "You dare blame me for this! I have no use for you at present--I despise pregnant women. Go home to your father. When your confinement is over you may return."
June 9, 2012
From the disorganized piles of squee: Goblin Cider
Yes! BPAL reviews are back. For those of you new to the site, I collect this stuff; it's a small etailer perfumery run by the amazing "nose" Elizabeth Barrial that makes stuff like you've never smelled before. I promise. The scents are based on literature, mythology, films, comics, astronomical events, full moons--not the usual celebrity scents that all smell alike. It is phenomenal, heady stuff, and when I can afford it, I buy it.
The newest line in the HUGE BPAL catalog is based on the film Labyrinth, and today's scent from that collection is Goblin Cider:
A dark, earthy ginger cider.
I am a fool for apple scents, so a sample of this was a no-brainer even without the Labyrinth tie-in.
Wet: This reminds me a lot of another BPAL I have, Playing with a Loaded Gun, which is a ginger musk. This is a sweet ginger, a dried rather than fresh one. The apple is very sweet, not tart, and cooked rather than fresh. Not my favorite apple scent, but I still like it.
Dry-down: The two together remind me more of a gingery apple strudel or baked confection than cider. There's a definite sorta pastry or cake thing going on.
Impressions: This strikes me as a fall scent, in the same family as other apple BPALs like Lambswool and Fearful Pleasure. Because I have bottles of those, I don't think I need a full bottle of this. But as those other two were limited editions Never to Be Seen Again and this is in the general catalog, when I run out I'll know where to turn.
June 8, 2012
Chapter 4 Part 8 | Son in Sorrow | IHGK Book 2
Almost a spoke after Lassa's awkward exchange with Inglatine, An appeared in the bower doorway; behind him came a page carrying a pretty lacquer box. "Gifts for my wife and her ladies to celebrate the blessed event to come." The boy opened the box to reveal several small cases. An opened one; it contained a mirror. The ladies-in-waiting each received one, silver chased with patterns in the Sairish style; the Princess's mirror was the same, though decorated with costly mother-of pearl and rich enamel.
Lassa's mirror outshone the Princess's. It had no case; its back formed a stand. Gems inlaid its gold rim. Inglatine didn't seem to care. She thanked her husband and placidly adjusted her veil. Lassa accepted her mirror, knowing she should not but afraid to refuse. An's attentions and gifts must soon be paid for, a thought both frightening and thrilling.
