C.M. Simpson's Blog, page 108

Progress Report—July 29-August 1, 2018

Last week, I came to an almost complete stand-still. the pain in my left arm meant I had to rest it, which meant limited typing, and an increased need to sleep, but more time spent learning the business side of this crazy career.
Progress: July 29-August 1, 2018New words produced: 7,933Outlines and Notes: 43Words compiled: 0Works completed: 0Works edited: 0Covers created: 1 (Jalaya)Works formatted: 0Works published: 0Works released: 0Works submitted: 0Competitions Entered: 0Bloggery: 0Hours at Desk—July 29-August 04: 20 hours 40 minutesHours at Desk—July 22-28: 71 hours 52 minutesHours at Desk—July 15-21: 63 hours 8 minutesHours at Desk—July 8-14: 69 hours 48 minutesHours at Desk—July 1-7: 35 hours 36 minutesJune Hours at Desk: 230 hours 5 minutesMay Hours at Desk: 302 hours 6 minutesApril Hours at Desk: 167 hours 41 minutesMarch Hours at Desk: 201 hours 43 minutesFebruary Hours at Desk: 183 hours 50 minutesJanuary Hours at Desk: 180 hours 3 minutes

New Cover—Jalaya

When I started this gig, I didn’t have a budget. Things are a little better, now, but still not up to the point where I can hire a cover artist for four covers a month. I’m getting there, but it isn’t, now. However, I have improved my skills in creating my own covers, and some of my earlier stories deserve better. You’ll see more cover upgrades as the year progresses, and I expand out to other sales platforms, but this is the first—for a story that won my heart a second time: Jalaya.
Jalaya will be re-released this week, and I’ll announce it here. In the meantime, I hope you like the new cover as much as I do.


Michael has helped the villagers survive the invasion for ten years. This year, he cannot. Cut off from escape, their only hope of salvation is to return to the village, and pray. Returning to the village means returning to his fiancé, forced by a secret family tradition to remain, when duty called him to leave. But reunions will have to wait. First Michael and their daughter have to bring their people home.

Progress Report—July 22-28, 2018

The week before last went very well for writing, but then disaster struck as I overworked my wrist and forearm, and gave myself a dose of RSI-related tennis elbow… which is when everything stopped. In spite of that, this is what got done:
Progress: July 22-28, 2018New words produced: 47,917Outlines and Notes: 3,691Words compiled: 0Works completed: 1 (Long Hair)Works edited: 0Covers created: 0Works formatted: 0Works published: 0Works released: 0Works submitted: 0Competitions Entered: 0Bloggery: 2,647Hours at Desk—July 22-28: 71 hours 52 minutesHours at Desk—July 15-21: 63 hours 8 minutesHours at Desk—July 8-14: 69 hours 48 minutesHours at Desk—July 1-7: 35 hours 36 minutesJune Hours at Desk: 230 hours 5 minutesMay Hours at Desk: 302 hours 6 minutesApril Hours at Desk: 167 hours 41 minutesMarch Hours at Desk: 201 hours 43 minutesFebruary Hours at Desk: 183 hours 50 minutesJanuary Hours at Desk: 180 hours 3 minutes

First Words—July 26, 2018: Carlie Simonsen

Well, today’s words happened. The day started slowly, but I caught myself falling into the old pattern of distraction, and moved straight into writing. I not only did extra words on the latest Life Goes On book, but I also managed to catch up the words that I didn’t make yesterday on Long Hair—and finished the book. It is now waiting editing… and maybe a new cover. Long Hair #1
Michael hauled himself through the railings as the two girls moved away to crouch in the shadow of a tall structure rising up from the deck. It looked like someone had stuck a three-storey building on the deck, but Mr. Kembo had called it a bridge castle.
At the time, Michael had thought it was a weird name, but, crouching next to it, he decided it made sense. The whole thing was a bit like a small castle. He was very glad he didn’t have to climb that, too. He crouched down by the railing, until Joe came into view, and then helped him through, before they ran over to join the girls.Life Goes On #4  The two of them started to sketch, sitting together in companionable silence and losing themselves in their art. It was the happiest Hannah had felt in a long time. They sat that way until Hannah’s mum knocked at the door.
“Brianna, your parents are here to pick you up,” she said.
Both girls reached for their phones. Hannah was surprised to see the time had flown so fast. Brianna looked at her blank screen, and then put the phone back down.“I forgot it was flat,” she said----------------------------------------------------------------

Would you like to read more? 
Currently available titles in the Wheelchair Romance series include: Legacy of Dreams , Legacy of Hope , and Legacy of Hearts . Long Hair is currently available in its short form, which will be updated with the new and longer version currently being written.
  NOTE: There will shortly be a series name and cover change to better reflect what the series is more about.

First Words—July 25, 2018: Carlie Simonsen

Yesterday, the words went slow. I struggled to adapt to the new writing routine, and how to fit things in. Honestly, there are days when I want to give up and ‘just go with the flow’ so to speak, but I can’t. I need to make the new routine work, and I’m told that takes time and persistence. So, Day 5 of the new routine was a struggle, but words got done on two of the four projects. Today, I’m going to do better.Long Hair #1 She had kept her eyes on Mr. Kembo as she’d answered Michael’s question, and she didn’t take them from the oni’s face while she waited for his response.
Mr. Kembo didn’t look very happy, but he didn’t say ‘no’ straight away. Michael followed Helena’s gaze, aware that everyone was watching Mr. Kembo, and waiting for his reply. Helena had a point. If her mother was unconscious, and she could wake her up, then they’d need her. None of them was strong enough to carry her out of a ship.
Mr. Kembo returned the young siren’s stare. His eyes grew dark with thought, and he sat perfectly still, just staring through the space in which Helena sat. Just when Helena had started to look uncomfortable, he closed his eyes and sighed. Bowing his head, he nodded, and then he lifted his face so he could look Helena in the eye. Life Goes On #4
“He is such a pain,” she said, and Brianna smiled.
“He always was.”
“Yeah…”
“But they’re really worried about you.”
“I’m fine.”
Brianna gave her a look, the kind of look that said she was kidding herself, or lying.
“Sure you are. So, what was the last thing you sketched?”
“But I haven—”
“Or your latest photographs,” Brianna pushed. “It’s been weeks. You must have done at least one…”
Hannah blushed, and opened her mouth to protest, but Brianna was ruthless.
“Or your next walk. I know you, you’re full of plans…”
“Hey! That’s not fair!” Hannah protested, and Brianna’s face softened.
“No, it’s not,” she said. “What do you want to do about it?”
----------------------------------------------------------------

Would you like to read more? 
Currently available titles in the soon to be retitled Wheelchair Romance series include: Legacy of Dreams , Legacy of Hope , and Legacy of Hearts . Long Hair is currently available in its short form, which will be updated with the new and longer version currently being written.
  NOTE: There will shortly be a series name and cover change to better reflect what the series is more about.

First Words—July 24, 2018: Carlie Simonsen

On Tuesday, I had the first words of the day completed by 7 a.m…. and then I wrote a bunch of first words blog posts, so I didn’t get started on the worlds for Long Hair until after lunch. Of course, once I got writing, I came to a fight scene and had to research how some of the moves might be countered, which led to other fighting techniques that were useful to know for my adult science fiction It wasn’t until after 5 p.m. that I really got down to it. Talk about your slow beginnings!

Long Hair #1
Knowing that Mr. Caswell needed her alive, didn’t make him feel any better. Michael ran after the net, but stopped as soon as he’d crossed the road. It was gone, and Helena’s mother was gone with it. In the meantime, there were more Ninjas to deal with—and Kay Lin and Joe might need help. He ran back to his friends, kicking a Ninja off Joe, as Kay Lin got free of hers.
The three of them formed a triangle, facing off against half a dozen Ninjas on each side. It didn’t look good. The Red Fire Ninjas could get them all in one go, and there didn’t look like there was going to be much they could do to stop them.

Life Goes On #4  Hannah watched her parents leave. She studied how Brianna didn’t move as they passed her. Brianna stood with her arms folded at the door, and didn’t seem to know where to look. She looked at Hannah’s parents as they passed, which was understandable. Hannah would have looked at them, too. Her dad was pretty scary when he was mad.
Brianna looked around Hannah’s room, which Hannah found funny. It wasn’t like Brianna hadn’t seen it before. Sure, her parents had changed things to make it easier for the wheelchair, but they hadn’t changed them that much. It seemed like a long time, before Brianna actually looked at her.
----------------------------------------------------------------   Would you like to read more? 
Currently available titles in the Wheelchair Romance series include: Legacy of Dreams , Legacy of Hope , and Legacy of Hearts . Long Hair is currently available in its short form, which will be updated with the new and longer version currently being written.



NOTE: There will shortly be a series name and cover change to better reflect what the series is more about.

First Words—July 23, 2018: C.M. Simpson

On Monday, I realised that I hadn’t built a glossary, or series ‘bible’, for my current fantasy series, and I spent quite a bit of time going back to the first book for important details like the king’s name, the naming convention for the sea elves, the name of the elven land, little things like that. Note to future self: always build a glossary of terms, names and whatever as you go; it saves a tonne of time later. As a result of having to do that research, I ran out of time to work on Mack ‘n’ Me ‘n’ Odyssey #4. Here are the first words from Monday:

The Priestess, the Prince & the Dragon’s Children
Tarquin breathed a sigh of relief, and then came and stretched out beside me. I looked up at where he had propped himself on one elbow and was looking down at me. He reached across me with one hand, brushing a stray lock of hair out of my face, and stroking my cheek.
“I love you,” he said, and I smiled, feeling the unexpected prickle of tears at the edge of my eyes.
He found another strand of hair, and tucked it away from my face. When he was done, he draped his arm around me.
“I have missed you,” he said, and I knew he meant not just the months he’d been away at sea, but the hours he’d spent away from me during the day.
“I have missed you, too,” I said, which was true. His absence formed a hollow in my world.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Would you like to read more? 
The first book in this series, The Priestess, the Prince & the Dragon is currently available on most platforms.

First Words—July 23, 2018: Carlie Simonsen

Belated first word reporting for Carlie from Monday
Wheelchair Romance#4
What’s the use? she thought. My life’s over.
And she hurt.
It was pain that came for no reason, and pain that might never go away.
Hannah looked around her room, and didn’t see anything she wanted. She only saw things that she used to be… including the old boots she used to wear when she visited the hills.
What good were they, now? She didn’t need them, anymore.

Long Hair #1

Helena gasped, and Miss Castellano frowned. Michael thought she looked like she was trying to work out a particularly difficult problem, but Sanje hadn’t finished.
“Mr. Kembo sent us to provide extra protection for Miss Helena, and the rest of you.”
From the way he said it, though, Michael guessed that the rest of them came a very distant second in importance. It was Helena that Mr. Kembo was most concerned about, even if he was worried for them as well. Miss Castellano looked from one to the other of them, and then cleared her throat.
“I think you need to start explaining yourself,” she said, looking at Nico.
----------------------------------------------------------------

Would you like to read more?  

Currently available titles in the Wheelchair Romance series include: Legacy of Dreams, Legacy of Hope, and Legacy of Hearts. Long Hair is currently available in its short form, which will be updated with the new and longer version currently being written.



NOTE: There will shortly be a series name and cover change to better reflect what the series is more about.

First Words—July 22, 2018: C.M. Simpson

Last Saturday, as part of the new writing schedule, I worked on two novels. One is the fifth book in the Mack ‘n’ Me ‘n’ Odyssey series, and the other is the second book in the Lords of the Five Kingdoms series, set on the world of Tallameera.

The Priestess, the Prince & the Dragon’s Children
“Very well,” I said, and settled to the floor, ignoring the way Chushka tutted.
I was just about to open my soul to Iarius, when Chushka nudged me. Drawing a swift, sharp breath, I turned, but all thought of scolding her fled when I saw the cushion she held. She caught my look, and smiled.
“There is nothing in all the holy books I’ve ever heard of that says Iarius expects his priests to kneel on hard flagstones when they seek him—and I’m sure you can pay him better mind when you’re knees aren’t complaining of a hard, cold floor.”
She was right. There really was nothing in the books that said I had to be uncomfortable when I prayed. I suspected that it would be useful, though, to stop me from drifting off to sleep while I waited for a reply.
Mack ‘n’ Me ‘n’ Odyssey #4Either way, we’d ended up going to Alpha 9, retrieving a missing data packet, and leaping off a balcony some ten thousand feet above the Carafakt. Tens had picked us up in a teleport beam before we’d gone more than a thousand, but it had still been one Hell of a ride.
And it wasn’t one that I wanted to repeat. I looked over at Mack, and my heart sank. He really was serious.
Damn straight, I am, Cutter.
Well, that told me.
----------------------------------------------------------------

Would you like to read more?
The first book in the Lords of Tallameeraseries, The Priestess, the Prince & the Dragon is currently available on most platforms, while the first three books and the short story in the Mack ‘n’ Me ‘n’ Odyssey series: Mack ‘n’ Me: Origins, The Depredides Dance , Mack ‘n’ Me: Blaedergil’s Host, and Mack ‘n’ Me: Arach are also available. The fourth book, Mack ‘n’ Me: The Transporter’s Favour will release shortly.

First Words—July 22, 2018: Carlie Simonsen

Belated first words for Carlie from last Sunday:
Wheelchair Romance#4
Her dad patted her shoulder, and sighed, again.
“Well, it’s breakfast time,” he said. “If you change your mind…”
Hannah didn’t change her mind. The morning out in the back yard had left her feeling tired and just a little bit depressed. Seeing the hills hadn’t helped, either.
After breakfast, she wheeled herself back to her room. She didn’t want to do anything, but she didn’t want to do anything, either. She wanted to do something. The tic-tac of claws on the wooden boards of her bedroom floor told her the puppy had followed her.

Long Hair #1
Michael rolled his eyes at his mum.  “Mr. Kembo said we had to feed them,” he said, “or they’d get grumpy.”
He eyed the two bodyguards, and then added, “And we’re not allowed to feed them after midnight.”
“Hey!”
Well, that was about right. Both the guards looked old enough to remember the movie Michael had stolen the line from; he’d only seen it because his mother had said no child should grow up without it. His mother started laughing.
“They’re a little big for gremlins, don’t you think?”
“Yeah, but just think of how much havoc they’d create!” Joe had obviously seen the same show.
Helena looked puzzled.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Currently available titles in the Wheelchair Romance series include: Legacy of Dreams, Legacy of Hope, and Legacy of Hearts. Long Hair is currently available in its short form, which will be updated with the new and longer version currently being written.



NOTE: There will shortly be a series name and cover change to better reflect what the series is more about.