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Late night rambles

14/3/2017

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It’s been a while since I’ve posted something, so I better bung a post together so no one thinks that I’m dead – not that anyone would ever have cause to think I’m dead.  Thunderstorms keep rolling over head.  I keep surviving them.  I’ve got to be damn near immortal by now.

If I’m rambling, it’s because I’m getting editing the story I wrote for nanowrimo in 2016.  The POV character, Ally St Sabina, talks like this.  Present tense.  Random.  Grandiose yet self-depreciating.  It’s hard to get into her brain, but once I’m here it’s like crouching in a warm gutter with snow falling overhead and I suddenly don’t want to leave.

This is a story I’m hoping to publish, whether through traditional-ish means or more DIY.  It’s gone through one round of me editing it, and then it’s gone around to three very special and patient friends of mine who’ve given it the once over.  Thank the stars for Solemn Coyote.  He is like a super writer.  I am like super fortunate to even be on the same planet as him.  This is the guy who keeps recommending awesome books. 

I’ve finished the Verus books by the way.  I think I started writing a review for the series, read it, deleted it, and replaced it with the words ‘Feast your eyeballs on awesomeness’. 

So yes, this Ally story.  I thought I’d have the second draft done by now, but this year’s crashed upon me like a tonne of bricks.  Who would have thought that a PhD would sap up so much of my time?  Sometimes, I wish I’d shut up and stop putting my hand up for thing.  Now I find myself part of a research committee for a pilot randomised control trial of a psychotherapy.  RCTs are apparently hot shit in the research world.

And then there’s my clinic placements.  I’m back working with kids again – yay – and I’ve put together what I officially call the ‘prize box’ but let’s not kid ourselves, it’s totally a bribe box.  Bribes work, ok?  Positive reinforcement, yo. 

Ah, not to mention the research design classes I’ve been taking.  Don’t get me wrong, I love learning about structural equation modelling, but if you asked me to actually do one I’d probably draw you an octopus. 

This year I’m also spearheading the Labyrinth 3K Short Story writing contests, with Tante Liz as my brilliant 2IC, collecting entries and posting polls like clockwork.  We’ve thus far survived two months without me standing behind anyone shouting, “write it!”.

With all of that going on, there’s been precious little time to work on the second draft.  However, I’ve managed to claw out one WHOLE DAY for editing this sucker each fortnight.  Don’t ask me how I did it. It may have involved a Lilliana Vess level deal with the devil.  It may have involved closing my eyes and singing ‘lalalala’ and ignoring some deadlines for psych reports.

Two new stories on fictionpress from the contests.  One even tied for podium position with T.Rasa.

Links:

The Promise - Birch is a handsome young tree that leaves the safety of his grove to fulfil a promise to a girl.

Blessed - The Church of Holysea has little tolerance for the wyrd and fantastical. No one is spared from their Inquisitions, not even in the town of Muirfield where Finch is trying to live out a simple life. Any other day, he would have blended into the backdrop of townsfolk, but on this day, he is asked to use his skills in one of the Church's Trials. All is not as it seems.
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    When I am not working, I write stories.

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