Author: Sharon

And if you lie, you will lose it

This morning’s cat census here

Tuesday. Sunny and already warm. Trash and recycling at the curb patiently awaiting the advent of the trash truck.

Back with Jethri today and writing the rest of a sticky scene. It still needs work, but, hey! First Draft, amirite? The WIP now stands at 51,490ish total words. Next scene, tomorrow, already sketched in on the pad, and ought to be more fun.  For writer values of “fun.”

I have, I think, figured out what to do with the character from Chicago, and her friends, too. Now, all I have to do is find time and energy to do it. I know — some of us wish we had such problems.

This morning, I purchased a ticket to view Coyote vs ACME on Thursday, September 3, which makes next week Media Rich, as I’m also seeing a play on Sunday.

Social butterfly, ayuh.

Crafts, this evening, and before that I have chores, correspondence, and lunch to cope with.

So! What’s on your schedule today?
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So. . .somebody just stole my recycling.

I mean, not the mixed recycling that is in the covered wheeled bin, but the broken down cardboard boxes that were in the open recycling box. I s’pose somebody needed cardboard?

I wouldn’t — well, I don’t — care, particularly, except that I’m in a very wobbly state where I’m kind of second- and third-guessing everything, and when I looked out the window, and saw the bin was empty, while the rest of the trash was still where I’d put it, and the wheeled bin was still upright and had its lid down — I thought that maybe I’d been inattentive enough to have put out an empty bin. Which is nonsense; getting that bin out is non-trivial, and I clearly remembered that there had been cardboard in the damned thing when I dragged it out to the curb earlier.

Sigh.

Speaking of which, I just read some advice in an advice book on how to remember if you’ve done one of those things that you’ve been doing daily for decades, today, and the advice was to PAY ATTENTION.  Which, while reasonable, isn’t, oh, I dunno, helpful.

Anyhow — off to do my chores.

Today’s blog post title courtesy of Eric Clapton, “It’s in the Way That You Use It”

 

Where the grass is green and the girls are pretty

Finishing up on Monday:

And that’s 2,323 total new words outta the kid from Chicago, who has finally run out of steam. I’ll tuck it away for a couple days, if nothing else explosive happens. Jethri is getting a day off, and I? want a nap.

Yeah, that’s gonna happen.
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Well. Rookie suggested Guided Napping on the couch, and I took him up on it.

He’s really been working on his technique. Got a solid 45 minutes and feel human again. For values of “human” that include widowed writers beset by importunate characters.

I’ve got a few chores to do, but basically, I do believe I’m done for the day. I’ll read a few chapters of the bookclub book before it’s time to serve up Happy Hour.

Everybody have a good rest of the day. Stay safe. I’ll check in tomorrow.

Just an urchin livin’ under the street

So, that wasn’t the morning I had planned.

Alert readers will perhaps recall that yesterday a character wandered into my head, claiming to be from Chicago.  I said something along the lines of, “That’s nice, dear,” and went about my legitimate business, which is, as alert readers will also recall, The Further Adventures of Jethri Gobelyn ven’Deelin.

This morning as I was taking my shower and singing along with the radio, here comes the character again, and she not only brought her Sensei with her, but a bubbling threat of backstory and forward story, too.

Which is, of course, Just What I Need, standing as I am at the 50,000-word mark of a contracted-for space opera.

But!  The character was noisy.  The character was taking on weight.  So I got out of the shower, pulled on some clothes, shoved my wet hair back behind my ears and went to Steve’s office, passing neither Go nor the teapot.

I sat down, turned on the computer, opened a file and said, “OK, Kid.  You got an hour.  What’s on your mind?”

One thousand two hundred eighty-nine words and 65 minutes later, I hit a stopping point, or the kid ran of out breath — however you like it — and I was able to grab some breakfast (cottage cheese with apple butter, and a toasted slice of the bread I made yesterday, with cow butter).

I am now a jazzed-up mess, second cup of tea to hand, and wondering if I’m going to get back with the kid for another round, if I ought to check in with Jethri, or just throw in the towel and dance naked down Rte 104.

And how’s your morning going?

Portrait of the author humoring a character:

Today’s blog post title brought to you by the character from Chicago, and Axl Rose, fronting Guns n’ Roses, “Paradise City“

Books read in 2026

50  Swordheart, T. Kingfisher (re-read) (e)
49  Carousel Seas (Archers Beach #3), Sharon Lee, narrated by Elizabeth Rogers
48  Carousel Sun (Archers Beach #2), Sharon Lee, narrated by Elizabeth Rogers
47  Carousel Tides (Archers Beach #1), Sharon Lee, narrated by Elizabeth Rogers
46  Diviner’s Bow (The Redlands #3), Sharon Lee and Steve Miller, narrated by Eileen Stevens
45  Ribbon Dance (The Redlands #2), Sharon Lee and Steve Miller, narrated by Alex Picard
44  Kin Right (Korval in Exile #7 AND Tinsori Light #3), Sharon Lee and Steve Miller (unedited manuscript)
43  Salvage Right (Korval in Exile #6 AND Tinsori Light #2), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller, narrated by Eileen Stevens
42  Trader’s Leap (Korval in Exile #5 AND The Redlands #1), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller, narrated by Eileen Stevens
41  Accepting the Lance (Theo Waitley #7 AND Korval in Exile #4), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller, narrated by Eileen Stevens
40  Neogenesis (Theo Waitley #6 AND Korval in Exile #3), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller, narrated by Eileen Stevens
39  The Gathering Edge (Theo Waitley #5), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller, narrated by Eileen Stevens
38  Alliance of Equals (Korval in Exile #2), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller
37  Dragon in Exile, (Liaden Universe® beginning the Korval In Exile arc), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller
36  Sourdough, Robin Sloan (e) (bookclub)
35  Necessity’s Child (standalone in the Liaden Universe®), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller, narrated by Eileen Stevens.
34  Dragon Ship (Theo Waitley #4), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller, narrated by Eileen Stevens
33  Ghost Ship (Theo Waitley #3), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller, narrated by Eileen Stevens
32  Saltation (Theo Waitley #2), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller, narrated by Eileen Stevens
31  Fledgling (Theo Waitley #1), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller, narrated by Eileen Stevens
30  The Talisman Ring, Georgette Heyer, narrated by Joe Jameson
29  A Gentleman Far from Home (Lord Julian 11) Grace Burrowes (e)
28  Black Sheep, Georgette Heyer, narrated by Natalie Simpson
27  Cotillion, Georgette Heyer, narrated by Raj Ghatak
26  Platform Decay, (Murderbot) Martha Wells (e)
25  A Gentleman in Moscow, Amor Towles (e) (bookclub)
24  Fair Trade (Jethri Gobelyn #3), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller, narrated by Eileen Stevens
23  Ribbon Dance (Liaden Universe #26), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller, narrated by Alex Picard
22  Trade Secret (Liaden Universe #17), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller (e)
21  Sea Wrack and Changewind, Sharon Lee, narrated by Alex Picard
20  When the Wolves are Silent (Sebastian St. Cyr #21), C.S. Harris (e)
19  An Heir of Distinction (Bad Heir Days #5), Grace Burrowes (e)
18   Longeye (Fey Duology #2), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller***
17   Duainfey (Fey Duology #1), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller***
16  *Crystal Dragon (Liaden Universe® #10), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller
15  *Crystal Soldier (Liaden Universe® #9), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller
14  Seeking Persephone (Lancaster Family #1), Sarah M. Eden (e)
13   Theo of Golden, Allen Levi (e) book club
12  *Balance of Trade (Liaden Universe® #8), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller
11  *Scout’s Progress (Liaden Universe® #6), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller**
10  *Local Custom, (Liaden Universe® #5), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller**
9   *I Dare (Liaden Universe® #7), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller**
8   Cuckoo’s Egg, C J Cherryh, (audio first time)
7   *Plan B, (Liaden Universe® #4), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller
6   Getting Rid of Bradley, Jennifer Crusie (audio first time)
5   *Carpe Diem (Liaden Universe® #3), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller
4   *Conflict of Honors (Liaden Universe® #2), Sharon Lee & Steve    Miller
3   *Agent of Change (Liaden Universe® #1), Sharon Lee & Steve                 Miller
2   A Gentleman in Possession of Secrets (Lord Julian #10), Grace             Burrowes (e)
1   Spilling the Tea in Gretna Green, Linzi Day (e)

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*I’m doing a straight-through series read in publication order

**I screwed up and moved right on to I Dare from Plan B, therefore deviating from publication order.  I will now amend myself and go back to pick up Local Custom.

***I’ll be re-issuing Duainfey and Longeye as an e-omnibus later this year, and so I need to read them!

Remote writing

So, Sunday. Dim and damp. Big breakfast of scrambled eggs with inclusions. Need to make something for lunch realsoonnow.

One thousand two hundred five new words written today, putting the WIP well over fifty grand — 50,570(ish), for those keeping a spreadsheet.

I’m contemplating a nap. I prolly won’t take one, ref make lunch, above, but jeezlouise is it a day for a nap.

In totally unrelated news, this morning I was thinking about Something Else, and a character wandered into my head, as they do, this one bearing the conviction that she’s from Chicago. Well. Everybody’s gotta be from someplace, I guess.

How’s Sunday treating you and yours?
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Bread’s in the oven. Remote arrived. I have achieved a kludge blu-ray system by which I need to start the disc playing manually, but once that happens, I can use the remote to start the movie, fast forward through previews and all like that, which is to say!

I will, indeed, preorder a copy of Hadestown, and when it arrives it will be more than a pretty ornament.

I would like it noted in the log that my test disc was Jupiter Rising and that I did not watch all of it.

I am a Tired Woman, for whatever that’s worth.

Everybody have a good evening. I’ll check in tomorrow.

Dance with me, I want to be your partner

How does that dance go? One step forward, two steps back?

Today’s writing session saw me delete one of the two scenes I wrote yesterday in favor of a better scene that I will write, um . . . *squints* probably Monday? Because! Today’s writing session also saw me making Meticulous, Step-by-step Notes for the next five scenes. No, I don’t know how many words that will be.

The WIP currently stands at 49,370ish words.

And I really do need to go to the grocery store.

After lunch.

How’s your day progressing?
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Back from the store. Groceries put away. Strawberries over ice cream et. Desk cleared. Duty to the cats dispatched. Got some pots ‘n pans to wash, after which it’ll be Coon Cat Happy Hour, and I’ll be pouring a glass of wine and finding someplace comfy to sit and read.

Everybody have a good evening. I’ll check back in tomorrow.

Today’s blog post title brought to you by Orleans, “Dance With Me,” recorded in a Simpler Time.

Friday evening

Aaaaand that’s enough fun for one day. I’ve downloaded the user’s manual for the Sylvania blu-ray DVD player, and ordered in a remote, because a review of the material on the Sylvania site for this particular blu-ray player (manufactured in 2010, for those who have their BINGO cards out) indicates that this remote is missing from my collection. I have decoupled the DVD player from the VHS player, figuring to solve one problem at a time*.

I’ve also put the house back together, done all the PT homework, overthought the scenes I wrote this morning, but didn’t Figure Anything Out. As far as I know, I guess I should say, because honestly, I’m just the typist, here.

I’ve also amused myself by putting stickers on my new rolling cart. I should go back over my notes for Class One, but it occurs to me that I’m probably overthinking that, too, so yanno what?

It’s Friday. I’m gonna have a glass of wine and, oh, read a book.

Everybody have a good evening. I’ll check in tomorrow.
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* Yesterday evening was enlivened by trying to figure out did the DVD player work? My first opinion was YES, followed by NO. I dug out four? five? remotes from behind the TV, but none of them would allow me to move from the screen that says “TA-DA!The DVD is loaded! If you wanna watch the movie, hit PLAY.” Nothing I did convinced the on-screen PLAY button that I did, indeed, want to watch the movie. And so we come to today.

Friday’s cat

This morning’s editor was paws-on:

Friday. Sunny, breezy and cool as I type here in Steve’s office, both sliders open to the day, and sleeping cats all around me.

Sarah has been and gone, leaving a clean house behind her.

I’ve written about 1,150 new words, but stalled because I have to Figure Something Out. The WIP right now stands a bare 170 words from 50,000. Well. Maybe I’ll Figure It Out and not only finish the scene, but cross over into Half Done, Optimists Edition.

For right now, and what will be a good assist in the Figuring Out Department, I need to put the house back together and decide whether or not I want to go to the grocery store. Actually, I don’t have to figure that out — I don’t want to go to the grocery store. What I have to decide is do I need to go to the grocery store.

First thing, though — put the house back together.

So. Are you going to the grocery store today?

Where were we?

Earlier today:

To the best of my knowledge, it’s Thursday.

It is definitely sunny and breezy. The weatherbeans are calling for warmer than it has been, but not Stoopid Hot. Windows and sliders are open at the moment, but the pest control guy is due in an hour, so I’d best close up before he gets here.

Only about 820 new words today, finishing out the scene I was working on yesterday. Did some tweaking, which lost me some words, there, but that’s writing for you. The WIP currently weighs in at 48,680ish words, and 207 manuscript pages. Or, short form: progress is still progressing. Jethri’s got a meeting with the Combine commissioners coming up, and there’s some other business elsewhere that needs to be checked in with, so I’ll just be puttering around the house, and letting the backbrain work.

I ordered in a drag-behind cart that goes up and down stairs! It’s supposed to be delivered today, and I’m excited. Also, go! me! for thinking ahead of time about how I really don’t want to do my back the favor of carrying my Stuff to class in a bag over my shoulder.

I have a ticket for Unabashedly at the Opera House on August 30, but I haven’t yet been able to nail down tickets for Coyote v. Acme. I also need to decide if I actually want to buy the Hadestown DVD. In theory, I should be throwing/giving Stuff away, not acquiring more. Well. Maybe I ought to make sure that the DVD player still works before I get out the credit card. There’s a plan.

So! What do you have to decide, today?
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My teaching cart arrived, and has been constructed (go! me!) I am now officially ready to rock ‘n roll.