L.Y. Levand's Blog, page 13
December 7, 2013
Isomorph Update!
So I've been working hard this morning, doing the very first edit of Isomorph. I hit the halfway point not long ago, so I'm hoping to get it done this weekend, and off to the first beta reader. ^-^
After beta reader number one, I do edit number two, and then it's off to beta reader number two, and edit number three. Then it can finally go to beta reader number three, and after that I go into the final edit. I'm hoping to get all of this done before Christmas, but we'll see. xD That depends on my beta readers, and I know all three of them are pretty busy right now.
Just thought some of you might like an update! Remember to let me know if you want a free copy in exchange for a review. :D
After beta reader number one, I do edit number two, and then it's off to beta reader number two, and edit number three. Then it can finally go to beta reader number three, and after that I go into the final edit. I'm hoping to get all of this done before Christmas, but we'll see. xD That depends on my beta readers, and I know all three of them are pretty busy right now.
Just thought some of you might like an update! Remember to let me know if you want a free copy in exchange for a review. :D
Caught (Free Fantasy Short Story)
Most of the squads had disappeared, off to forage, but the few still in view were hard to see. They had blended in with their surroundings.
"We'll have to be careful," Theta said softly.
"No getting caught?" Troy asked.
"No getting caught," Beenie said.
Those who could fly took to the air, and Troy scampered along below them. They all kept their eyes out for any sign of edibles.
"There!" Dew cried. She jabbed her long, thin beak in one direction, and then veered off to lead them. They followed her to a bush covered in glistening berries.
"If there's a way we can get all of these back, we'd have enough food for a while," Beenie said, landing in the dead leaves and looking up at the towering bush.
"Yeah," Theta agreed. "If there are other bushes like this, we might be able to pull this off after all."
"Let's get as much as we can carry, and see if we can get some help," Beenie said, pulled a leaf from the bush and cupping it like a basket.
"Good idea," Theta said, pulling berries off with both hands and tucking them carefully in Beenie's basket.
Troy scurried around, gathering berries from the low-hanging branches, while Theta, Dew, and Beenie flew up and around to reach the higher branches. They rigged carrying baskets for them all, and when these were filled to bursting, they made their way back to the catacomb entrance.
They shifted their baskets to keep from bumping them on the walls, and stepped inside. They had just taken their first steps into the darkness when Troy, who was the last one in, looked over his shoulder.
"Do you hear that?" he asked.
"What?" Theta asked, dread in her voice.
"Listen."
They did. And soon they heard what Troy's ear had already sensed. Something was crashing through the woods.
"Get inside!" Beenie said. "Quick! Shut the door!"
They did, dropping their baskets in their hurry; but they could retrieve the fallen berries later. Troy and Theta were pushing the door closed together, when Dew squeaked in surprise.
"Wait!" Dew exclaimed. "It's another squad!"
"What?" Beenie asked, pushing forward to see. "Why are they making so much noise? Don't they know that's a very bad..."
She trailed off.
"Oh, no," Theta said.
It was a squad, and they were making lots of noise. But they were making lots of noise for a good reason. Being quiet wasn't going to help them, because they'd already been found.
A swarm of gnomes followed them on the forest floor, shrieking and waving sticks that had been sharpened into points.
"We can't lock them out," Theta said.
"But if we don't, they'll find us," Beenie said. They exchanged glances.
"This is bad," Troy said, his whiskers quivering.
What do we do?" Dew wailed.
"We'll have to be careful," Theta said softly.
"No getting caught?" Troy asked.
"No getting caught," Beenie said.
Those who could fly took to the air, and Troy scampered along below them. They all kept their eyes out for any sign of edibles.
"There!" Dew cried. She jabbed her long, thin beak in one direction, and then veered off to lead them. They followed her to a bush covered in glistening berries.
"If there's a way we can get all of these back, we'd have enough food for a while," Beenie said, landing in the dead leaves and looking up at the towering bush.
"Yeah," Theta agreed. "If there are other bushes like this, we might be able to pull this off after all."
"Let's get as much as we can carry, and see if we can get some help," Beenie said, pulled a leaf from the bush and cupping it like a basket.
"Good idea," Theta said, pulling berries off with both hands and tucking them carefully in Beenie's basket.
Troy scurried around, gathering berries from the low-hanging branches, while Theta, Dew, and Beenie flew up and around to reach the higher branches. They rigged carrying baskets for them all, and when these were filled to bursting, they made their way back to the catacomb entrance.
They shifted their baskets to keep from bumping them on the walls, and stepped inside. They had just taken their first steps into the darkness when Troy, who was the last one in, looked over his shoulder.
"Do you hear that?" he asked.
"What?" Theta asked, dread in her voice.
"Listen."
They did. And soon they heard what Troy's ear had already sensed. Something was crashing through the woods.
"Get inside!" Beenie said. "Quick! Shut the door!"
They did, dropping their baskets in their hurry; but they could retrieve the fallen berries later. Troy and Theta were pushing the door closed together, when Dew squeaked in surprise.
"Wait!" Dew exclaimed. "It's another squad!"
"What?" Beenie asked, pushing forward to see. "Why are they making so much noise? Don't they know that's a very bad..."
She trailed off.
"Oh, no," Theta said.
It was a squad, and they were making lots of noise. But they were making lots of noise for a good reason. Being quiet wasn't going to help them, because they'd already been found.
A swarm of gnomes followed them on the forest floor, shrieking and waving sticks that had been sharpened into points.
"We can't lock them out," Theta said.
"But if we don't, they'll find us," Beenie said. They exchanged glances.
"This is bad," Troy said, his whiskers quivering.
What do we do?" Dew wailed.
December 4, 2013
Need Greeting Cards?
It's that time of year again! :D I don't know of anyone that doesn't like Christmas. Although I do have a cousin who claims she doesn't celebrate it (her family gets a Christmas tree, and she gives gifts, so I'm not entirely sure what she means).
My family doesn't typically send Christmas cards out, but I know there are people that do. So I pawed through our old holiday photos and found one I think you'll like. ^-^
Snowy Holiday Card by Duahcal
Check out other Holiday Cards at zazzle.com
My family doesn't typically send Christmas cards out, but I know there are people that do. So I pawed through our old holiday photos and found one I think you'll like. ^-^
Snowy Holiday Card by Duahcal
Check out other Holiday Cards at zazzle.com
November 30, 2013
A Mission (Free Fantasy Short Story)
"How soon do we need to go?" Beenie asked.
"Not just yet; we've got a few days," Horace said. "That'll give us time to scout out likely places and plan how we're going to do it."
"How did this happen?" Theta asked.
"You want a novel?" Horace asked. "It's a long story. And we don't know it all, either."
Beenie sighed. "There's got to be something we can do to fix this," she said. "But unless we know more..."
"It might all just fall apart?" Theta supplied.
"Exactly."
"I'm tired," Troy said, his nose twitching. "I'm going to go sleep. Maybe this will all be a big nightmare, and when I wake up everything will be all right."
They watched him scurry away, less energetic than normal.
"It all seems so hopeless," Theta said softly.
"There's not much else we can do," Horace said. "Let's get some rest. I think we'll be needing it."
The next few days were spent in frightened silence, with words spoken only when necessary. Beenie, Theta, Dew, and Troy stuck together, for some unknown reason. Perhaps they felt safer together. Dew and Theta had accepted Troy quickly as a replacement for the still-missing Matthias, and he followed them around when the three of them wandered aimlessly through the catacombs.
They all three kept a silent watch on the levels of food in the storage rooms, and it sank lower and lower with every passing day. They knew the time would come when they would have to leave the relative safety of the catacombs in search of food.
It could happen any day, Beenie knew. The planning had been left to the newly-formed council, made up of the fairy elders and a few forest creatures. Horace was part of this council, as was Mort and a few others. They would closet themselves in a room they had set aside for that purpose, and stay for hours on end. No one knew what they were planning, but they always looked defeated as they came out, and that didn't help the general atmosphere of depression that was now permeating the tunnels like poisonous gas.
One day, Beenie and the others were sitting in an out-of-the-way corner, not speaking, when Horace approached them.
"It's time," he said. "Help me gather the other squads, will you?"
They stood up, brushing dust from clothes, fur, and feathers, and followed him out.
It didn't take long to gather the remaining squads; there were few enough of them. Most of the rest had disbanded, given up, and were watching the proceedings with glazed eyes.
"We need food," Horace said quietly. "It's dangerous to forage right now, but we're running low on supplies. Go, find what you can. But be careful. I'll take you to the exit."
That was it? Beenie wondered. Surely in the time they'd spent locked up they had come up with a better plan than to toss them topside and let them do whatever they could.
As if hearing her thoughts, Horace continued. "We're trying to find a way to get through this," he said. "We'll keep working on it, but we need more time."
Beenie nodded, and the squads prepared to leave.
Horace took them to exit, and they all crowded around. The fairies were fluttering their wings in preparation for flight, and the birds had regained some of their nervous energy. It wasn't a happy gathering, but it had more life than that of the living areas. They were going to do something. Dangerous or not, it was better than waiting in the dark.
Horace opened the door a crack, and peered out. The sunlight flooded in, so bright that Beenie's eyes teared up. When her vision cleared, Horace was motioning them forward.
"It's clear," he said in a whisper. "Don't lead them back to us, and be safe."
The first squad slipped out the door and took to the air.
Beenie took a deep breath as their turn approached. "It's nearing fall," Troy said. Beenie turned to look at him, and on his other side Theta did the same. He looked from one to the other. "There should be berries, nuts," he explained.
"Yes," Dew said. "He's right. There should be lots of food nearby."
Beenie nodded. Maybe they could pull this off after all. Their turn to leave came, and they stepped out into the light, blinking.
"Not just yet; we've got a few days," Horace said. "That'll give us time to scout out likely places and plan how we're going to do it."
"How did this happen?" Theta asked.
"You want a novel?" Horace asked. "It's a long story. And we don't know it all, either."
Beenie sighed. "There's got to be something we can do to fix this," she said. "But unless we know more..."
"It might all just fall apart?" Theta supplied.
"Exactly."
"I'm tired," Troy said, his nose twitching. "I'm going to go sleep. Maybe this will all be a big nightmare, and when I wake up everything will be all right."
They watched him scurry away, less energetic than normal.
"It all seems so hopeless," Theta said softly.
"There's not much else we can do," Horace said. "Let's get some rest. I think we'll be needing it."
The next few days were spent in frightened silence, with words spoken only when necessary. Beenie, Theta, Dew, and Troy stuck together, for some unknown reason. Perhaps they felt safer together. Dew and Theta had accepted Troy quickly as a replacement for the still-missing Matthias, and he followed them around when the three of them wandered aimlessly through the catacombs.
They all three kept a silent watch on the levels of food in the storage rooms, and it sank lower and lower with every passing day. They knew the time would come when they would have to leave the relative safety of the catacombs in search of food.
It could happen any day, Beenie knew. The planning had been left to the newly-formed council, made up of the fairy elders and a few forest creatures. Horace was part of this council, as was Mort and a few others. They would closet themselves in a room they had set aside for that purpose, and stay for hours on end. No one knew what they were planning, but they always looked defeated as they came out, and that didn't help the general atmosphere of depression that was now permeating the tunnels like poisonous gas.
One day, Beenie and the others were sitting in an out-of-the-way corner, not speaking, when Horace approached them.
"It's time," he said. "Help me gather the other squads, will you?"
They stood up, brushing dust from clothes, fur, and feathers, and followed him out.
It didn't take long to gather the remaining squads; there were few enough of them. Most of the rest had disbanded, given up, and were watching the proceedings with glazed eyes.
"We need food," Horace said quietly. "It's dangerous to forage right now, but we're running low on supplies. Go, find what you can. But be careful. I'll take you to the exit."
That was it? Beenie wondered. Surely in the time they'd spent locked up they had come up with a better plan than to toss them topside and let them do whatever they could.
As if hearing her thoughts, Horace continued. "We're trying to find a way to get through this," he said. "We'll keep working on it, but we need more time."
Beenie nodded, and the squads prepared to leave.
Horace took them to exit, and they all crowded around. The fairies were fluttering their wings in preparation for flight, and the birds had regained some of their nervous energy. It wasn't a happy gathering, but it had more life than that of the living areas. They were going to do something. Dangerous or not, it was better than waiting in the dark.
Horace opened the door a crack, and peered out. The sunlight flooded in, so bright that Beenie's eyes teared up. When her vision cleared, Horace was motioning them forward.
"It's clear," he said in a whisper. "Don't lead them back to us, and be safe."
The first squad slipped out the door and took to the air.
Beenie took a deep breath as their turn approached. "It's nearing fall," Troy said. Beenie turned to look at him, and on his other side Theta did the same. He looked from one to the other. "There should be berries, nuts," he explained.
"Yes," Dew said. "He's right. There should be lots of food nearby."
Beenie nodded. Maybe they could pull this off after all. Their turn to leave came, and they stepped out into the light, blinking.
November 27, 2013
Featured Art Product of the Week!
Remember my sunset lamp? Now there's a clock, too! ^-^
Sunset Clock by Duahcal
Browse more Clouds Wall Clocks at Zazzle
Sunset Clock by Duahcal
Browse more Clouds Wall Clocks at Zazzle
November 25, 2013
A New Challenge! :D
I've discovered something that I really like to do on my website.
For those of you who browse around more than just my main blog, you might have noticed a few extra pages crop up in the past month or so. One is the Black Belt Testing Prep, and the other is for NaNoWriMo.
So that gave me an idea. I've just finished my series on health, and I was looking for something to do to replace it. Well, I already have two other blogs going to chronicle my (mis)adventures in two challenges. Why not do another challenge?
Once I'd decided that, I had to choose what kind of challenge, so I Googled thirty-day challenge ideas. (Because Google knows everything.) One idea caught my eye. Well, technically several did, but this one more than the others.
I've been wanting to learn Japanese for a long while. I blame Naruto. Anyway, I started learning it with my cousin months ago, before we both started working full-time. I gave it up then, because I was so busy. But the idea I saw was to learn another language. Click.
I can learn some more Japanese!
So over the next few weeks I'm going to be setting up for that. I'm not going to start right away, since I have lots going on right now, but hopefully I can get started in December.
Anyone want to do this challenge with me? :D You do
For those of you who browse around more than just my main blog, you might have noticed a few extra pages crop up in the past month or so. One is the Black Belt Testing Prep, and the other is for NaNoWriMo.
So that gave me an idea. I've just finished my series on health, and I was looking for something to do to replace it. Well, I already have two other blogs going to chronicle my (mis)adventures in two challenges. Why not do another challenge?
Once I'd decided that, I had to choose what kind of challenge, so I Googled thirty-day challenge ideas. (Because Google knows everything.) One idea caught my eye. Well, technically several did, but this one more than the others.
I've been wanting to learn Japanese for a long while. I blame Naruto. Anyway, I started learning it with my cousin months ago, before we both started working full-time. I gave it up then, because I was so busy. But the idea I saw was to learn another language. Click.
I can learn some more Japanese!
So over the next few weeks I'm going to be setting up for that. I'm not going to start right away, since I have lots going on right now, but hopefully I can get started in December.
Anyone want to do this challenge with me? :D You do
November 24, 2013
Book Review of Sora's Quest by T. L. Shreffler
Sora's Quest by T.L. ShrefflerMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
This book was wonderful. And I don't say that much. There was so little objectionable content (even for my exacting standards) that it's not really worth mentioning. The writing style was good, and sucked me in from the beginning. In fact, the only thing I disliked was a name. Calling a race of people Wolfies isn't too original, but that was the only thing I really noticed and disliked. I had to keep myself from reading the excerpt from the second book at the back because I knew it would drive me crazy. I don't have access to the internet on my kindle all the time, so I wouldn't have been able to go and get it. And I knew I'd want to!
The characters were believable, and unlike most of the fantasy books I've read recently, the tiny bit of the storyline that could be considered romance was very muted. In fact, I might not even go so far as to call it romance; more a hint of future emotions than anything so concrete as romance.
The ending was bittersweet, but I loved it. It was, in it's way, a happy ending. But it wasn't a perfect 'happily-ever-after' ending. That made it seem more realistic and believable.
I'm definitely going to be reading this again, and will be keeping an eye out for book two.
View all my reviews
November 23, 2013
Bad to Worse (Free Fantasy Short Story)
Beenie, Troy, Theta, and Dew all headed back for the catacombs, their minds full of what they'd seen. Beenie thought the most troubling thing was the gnomes excavating the tunnels; it meant that they were going to look for them underground. And, eventually, they would be found.
Beenie didn't like that.
They dodged tree branches and each other until they all landed in front of the entrance to the catacombs a few minutes later. They entered in single file, Beenie taking the lead.
As soon as they entered the main room, they were whisked away to a more private location by Horace, who didn't seem surprised to see Troy with them.
"What did you find?" Horace asked.
"Peter's definitely dead," Beenie said bluntly. She didn't think she had the strength to try and soften the blow. "And the gnomes are coming after us. They're excavating the tunnels."
Horace looked concerned.
"This is not good," he said.
"It's really bad," Theta said.
"No, no, you don't understand," Horace said. "I sent someone to check on our food stores. We only have enough for a few days. A week, if we ration it and no one cheats."
"A week?" Dew exclaimed. "But - but-"
"That's not enough time to do anything," Theta said, flabbergasted. "We escaped the gnomes for now, but what good is that going to do if we all die of starvation?"
"Nothing," Horace said. "Which is why it's bad."
"And it's too dangerous to just go out and forage," Theta said, ignoring him.
"But that's what we're going to have to do," Beenie said. "We could have called on the fairies to supply us, but they're all here now. We aren't going to have a choice, unless you want to grow fungus down here."
Horace shuddered. "No. There wouldn't be enough time to grow them, and I doubt everyone would eat them anyway. We'll have to forage, somehow."
Beenie didn't like that.
They dodged tree branches and each other until they all landed in front of the entrance to the catacombs a few minutes later. They entered in single file, Beenie taking the lead.
As soon as they entered the main room, they were whisked away to a more private location by Horace, who didn't seem surprised to see Troy with them.
"What did you find?" Horace asked.
"Peter's definitely dead," Beenie said bluntly. She didn't think she had the strength to try and soften the blow. "And the gnomes are coming after us. They're excavating the tunnels."
Horace looked concerned.
"This is not good," he said.
"It's really bad," Theta said.
"No, no, you don't understand," Horace said. "I sent someone to check on our food stores. We only have enough for a few days. A week, if we ration it and no one cheats."
"A week?" Dew exclaimed. "But - but-"
"That's not enough time to do anything," Theta said, flabbergasted. "We escaped the gnomes for now, but what good is that going to do if we all die of starvation?"
"Nothing," Horace said. "Which is why it's bad."
"And it's too dangerous to just go out and forage," Theta said, ignoring him.
"But that's what we're going to have to do," Beenie said. "We could have called on the fairies to supply us, but they're all here now. We aren't going to have a choice, unless you want to grow fungus down here."
Horace shuddered. "No. There wouldn't be enough time to grow them, and I doubt everyone would eat them anyway. We'll have to forage, somehow."
November 20, 2013
Weekly Art Product (Holiday Greeting Card)
I'm hoping to get more holiday-themed photos so I can do more of these kinds of things for Christmas! :D Is it selfish to hope for snow?
Thanksgiving Greeting Card by Duahcal
Browse more Greeting Cards
Thanksgiving Greeting Card by Duahcal
Browse more Greeting Cards
November 18, 2013
Conclusion (Health Blog Post #16)
Well...it looks like my health series is finally coming to a close. But before I end it, I want to tell you about this great website I found, called EatingWell.
There are tons of amazing recipes, and a meal planner. So if you have a hard time planning your meals, you can use that. :) You even have an option of counting calories with it to help you lose weight.
So, before I let this rest, I'm going to give you a few tips of my own to help you on your journey. And then it's up to you!
Tip #1: Try adding fruits or vegetables to your favorite recipes. I love pasta. But I found I love pasta with cooked broccoli, too. So I can add broccoli to my food to make it healthier.
Tip #2: Do you like meatloaf? This might sound a little strange, but when you're mixing it up, toss in a few cans of baby food, like carrots, peas, or green beans. Mix it in, and there you go! Stealth veggies. ^-^
Tip #3: Have fruit and whipped cream for dessert. Whip your own cream and avoid the additives - just remember not to eat too much! Fruit and whipped cream is delicious. Whipped cream also makes a yummy frosting.
Tip #4: Learn your spice rack! Spices add lots of flavor with few calories. You can use less salt, butter, all sorts of things, and make your food taste even more delicious. Try it with spaghetti sauce; get a can of tomato sauce, add a bunch of dried ground garlic and oregano, and toss in some browned hamburger. Quick, easy, and delicious.
Tip #5: Remember serving sizes. Even a serving of a good thing can be too much if that serving is huge. Listen to your stomach it will tell you when it's done. If you don't quite know when to stop, try fasting for a day. You'll understand what it feels like to really be hungry,and that will help you know when you're full.
So that's the end of my series! ^-^ I hope it was helpful, and you learned something!
I' m trying to decide what to do next; any suggestions?
There are tons of amazing recipes, and a meal planner. So if you have a hard time planning your meals, you can use that. :) You even have an option of counting calories with it to help you lose weight.
So, before I let this rest, I'm going to give you a few tips of my own to help you on your journey. And then it's up to you!
Tip #1: Try adding fruits or vegetables to your favorite recipes. I love pasta. But I found I love pasta with cooked broccoli, too. So I can add broccoli to my food to make it healthier.
Tip #2: Do you like meatloaf? This might sound a little strange, but when you're mixing it up, toss in a few cans of baby food, like carrots, peas, or green beans. Mix it in, and there you go! Stealth veggies. ^-^
Tip #3: Have fruit and whipped cream for dessert. Whip your own cream and avoid the additives - just remember not to eat too much! Fruit and whipped cream is delicious. Whipped cream also makes a yummy frosting.
Tip #4: Learn your spice rack! Spices add lots of flavor with few calories. You can use less salt, butter, all sorts of things, and make your food taste even more delicious. Try it with spaghetti sauce; get a can of tomato sauce, add a bunch of dried ground garlic and oregano, and toss in some browned hamburger. Quick, easy, and delicious.
Tip #5: Remember serving sizes. Even a serving of a good thing can be too much if that serving is huge. Listen to your stomach it will tell you when it's done. If you don't quite know when to stop, try fasting for a day. You'll understand what it feels like to really be hungry,and that will help you know when you're full.
So that's the end of my series! ^-^ I hope it was helpful, and you learned something!
I' m trying to decide what to do next; any suggestions?
