Loriendil's Reveries

A Reminder on Thanksgiving:

2011-11-24T09:43:00.001-05:00

Thank you, Mr. Lincoln (and my friend philangelus):

http://philangelus.wordpress.com/2011/11/24/thank-you-mr-lincoln/

\o/

Sample Sunday

2011-11-13T14:05:00.002-05:00

This is #SampleSunday, so I'm offering a sample from my book Deuces Wild: Beginners' Luck.

= = =

Muscles trembled and ached. His head thudded. Nausea passed through him in waves, making him swallow convulsively. Brago's Bands, what happened? Slap opened his eyes and blinked twice before realizing the room wasn't sideways, he was. The side of his face pressed against a cold floor. His hands were tied behind him, the bindings cutting into his wrists.

Tristan lay across from him, eyes shut, a slightly glowing net wrapped around his torso. Where were they? From the metallic, slightly oily smell, he'd guess a ship. And from the narrowness he could see, they'd probably been dumped in a hallway.

Boots appeared near his face.

"That's the one he wants all right. Keep that energy-mesh on him—he's a slippery one."

"We got him easily enough," a second voice said with sneering disagreement.

"Don't underestimate him. I won't rest easy till he's off our hands and we've got the reward."

"What about this other one?" A boot prodded Slap's forehead. "There's no reward on him. Shall I kill him?"

"When we could make a side profit? Look at his size! Sell him to a press gang. There has to be freebooters in port. Now help me get this one locked up. Then you can get rid of the big one."

Several men lifted Tristan. Footsteps faded away.

Slap struggled against his bonds and a hand grabbed him by his hair.

"He's awake." Laughter. A foot nudged against his ankles. "You're going on a trip, boy. A real luxury cruise."

Fury rose in Slap. He swung his legs and contacted flesh. A yell and thump. He lifted his head to see his victim scrambling against the bulkhead, holding a hand to his bloody nose.

Hands grabbed Slap's shoulders from above his head. He sat up and twisted. A body flew over him and flipped, landing on his back. Slap shoulder-dropped onto the man's chest.

The other man leaned against the bulkhead, one hand still on his nose. Blood dripped through his fingers. He dropped his hand to his holster.

Slap scrambled to his feet and dove at his captor. They crashed to the deck—the man softening his own landing, but Slap still struggled to get his breath. His cushion wasn't so lucky; he was out cold.

"Good for you, lizard," he muttered. He rolled off the body and managed to get to his feet again. His first victim lay unmoving, gasping shallowly. He bet he broke the man's ribs and sternum, and despite everything, he winced in sympathy. He'd been kicked by a horse once and suffered broken ribs. It'd been agony. He'd been unable to move or breathe without it feeling like knives were driven into his chest.

He strained his arms, but couldn't loosen the bonds. He eyed the corridor. Not far down to his left a hatch promised a way out. They'd likely been brought aboard and dumped unceremoniously until the captain, or whoever, had checked them over. So—that was the way out. But he needed cover, and a knife. His knife! He could feel the sheath on his back, but he'd bet it was empty. No way to tell with his hands tied—Brago's Bands, how was he going to get untied?

He looked down at the gasping man with what he hoped was a convincing snarl. "You gotta choice. You untie me, or I stomp you."

The man's mouth worked like a fish out of water, and he lifted a hand. Hoping he wasn't going to be stabbed in the back, Slap knelt next to the man. Fingers fumbled at his bonds, and as he felt the cords slacken, he strained and pulled his arms free.

Blood welled from gashes the cords had made in his wrists. He rubbed the circulation into his hands as he stood. "Thanks," he said to the downed man. "Maybe when we're through with you, we won't sell you to the freebooters."

Empty bluster, but perhaps because of Tristan's reputation he was at least half-believed; the man on the deck turned pale. Slap remembered his sheath and felt for his blade. As he thought, gone. "Who's got my knife?" he asked himself aloud.

"Braddon," whispered the man on the deck.

Slap grinned and bent over, taking the man's stunner. "Amazing how a little pain can make you rethink your position, huh?" He stepped to the unconscious one and relieved him of his stunner as well, tucking it in his waistband. "These'll do instead of my knife for now." He looked down the corridor and back down at his ersatz helper. "How many men are on your ship?"

"Twenty one."

"You two down, that's nineteen to one." If the man were telling the truth. Slap would soon find out. "I wonder what Tristan would say to these odds?" Without a further glance down, he muttered to the man, "Wish me luck."

This ship was larger than ol' Bertha, and who knew what doors led where. Hefting the stunner and starting down the hall, Slap wondered where Tristan was locked up. Two men came out of a door ahead of him, and Slap shot them. One fell immediately, the other staggered against a bulkhead, his hand fumbling at the gauss gun holster on his back. Slap fired again and snorted at the heavy thud. "Sack o' potatoes. Seventeen."

The first man wore a stunner. Slap tucked it in his belt. He swallowed taking the gauss gun—a nasty weapon. He gazed about. Where might they have Tristan? He opened the door the two had exited. Tristan! Blind luck!

His dark companion leaned upright against the bulkhead, awake, dark eyes glaring. The energy-mesh hissed, almost a sizzling sound. It must be set to max.

"What are you doing here?" Tristan asked.

"Looking for you, what else? How do I get this thing off you?"

"The controls are on a belt."

"Gotcha. I'll check the two guys who just left here." Slap peeked around the doorway and dragged one then the other into the room. He found a small box with several switches on it and yanked it off the belt. He thumbed a switch and the hissing stopped.

Tristan tossed the thing off with a look of disdain and rose. "What are you doing here?" he repeated. He took the gauss gun from Slap.

Slap scowled. "If it slipped your mind, we were both stunned and brought here."

Tristan narrowed his eyes. "I meant, why did you come looking for me. No time now. Let's go." He started through the door and jumped back—a blinding flare hit the left side of the doorframe. The entire edge of the jamb twisted in glowing ruins—the door within the scorched bulkhead destroyed. Tristan muttered a sharp word in his native tongue.

"PBG?" Slap hissed, fear rising through his gut.

Tristan eyed the damage and shoved backwards into Slap. "Or rifle. Get back."

"You're trapped in there," a voice called. "It doesn't matter to us if you give up or not. We get our reward dead or alive."

Slap's gaze darted around the room—no other doors. He grabbed Tristan's arm. "What do we do now?"

Tristan jerked free, lips thinned into a line. His gaze went to Slap's waist and he snatched one of the stunners from him. "Play them," he whispered. "Stall. Tell them the PB got me and you'll give yourself up, but only if they let you go free."

Slap licked his lips, a feeling of certainty, of trust in Tristan welling up in him. "You got your reward then," he shouted. "The particle beam got him. But I have stunners and a gauss gun, and I'll use them if I have to. Let me go, I've got no part in this."

"You'd just walk out when we killed your friend?"

Slap eyed Tristan prying the stunner's case open as he answered, "He wasn't no friend, just someone I hitched a ride with. 'Smatter of fact, with him dead, I can take his ship. I figure you've done me a favor."

Silence for a moment. Tristan was still diddling with the stunner, his slender fingers working quickly, face intent.

Then, from the hall, "And if we don't want to let you go?"

"Well, I figure being dead now is only hurryin' what I'd get in a press gang. And I reckon with this gauss gun I'd take a few of you with me, anyway. So what's say? You get your reward, I just inherited a ship. Call it square."

Tristan looked up, his voice low, urgent. "When I say 'now,' you rush with me, cover our backs—stun anything moving."

"Thing is," the voice called, "how do we trust each other?"

Tristan gestured as if tossing the stunner out the door and winked.

Slap grinned. "For starters, how about if I throw my stunners out to you?"

"Sounds fine."

From an angle, Tristan lobbed the stunner to the right, the direction the particle beam had come from. Shouts of alarm—a burst of light.

"Now!" Tristan hissed.

Slap almost tripped charging out the door, one hand on Tristan's back, spraying stunner fire behind them. Bodies fell, and he turned to see where they were going just as Tristan skidded and pushed against him. "Back! Back!"

Slap needed no urging—he could hear footsteps running their way from beyond the curve in the corridor. He trampled over bodies and felt a pull on his arm.

"Up!"

He saw the stairs and leaped up the steps, his breath ragged with panic. Behind, below, he heard a scream. He jumped up to the deck, belatedly checking for people. Tristan surged up to join him, eyes darting about. He waved a command to follow with the gauss gun and sprinted to their right. Slap stayed on his heels.

Tristan pulled up by a door. "Get ready to stun."

Before Slap could nod, the door slid open, and he peppered the room—the bridge from the look of it—with stun bursts. Two men slumped in chairs.

"Overkill, but effective," Tristan said, as he locked the door, glancing around.

"What do we do now?"

Tristan went to a small cabinet embedded in the bulkhead and pulled out several tools. With one hand, Tristan hauled a body out of a chair and let it flop to the deck. Falling into the seat, he began working on the console's cover.

Slap leaned back against the bulkhead on the other side of the room. The better to keep an eye on Tristan, the unconscious men, and the door. "What are you doing?"

"Taking advantage of opportunity and buggering their ship."

"Do we have time for this?"

"You have any place to go?"

"Yeah. Away from here." Slap put his hand up to push back his hat and realized it was gone. Great. He ruffled his curly hair instead. "Preferably alive."

"This won't take long. You have a few moments to catch your breath before we make a run for it."

Slap jerked a thumb at the door. "Just don't forget there's eighteen guys standing between us and a way out."

"Most are piled up on the deck. Just wait."

Wait. Right. Like Slap had a choice. He twirled the stunner then stiffened. "Hey, one of them has my knife!"

"If you want to go out there and ask kindly for its return," Tristan said, head bent to his work, "be my guest."

"But—"

"They took my whole bloody vest." His voice sounded bitter. Slap could understand why. Tristan's vest had lots of little secrets and unusual devices hidden in it. "We can replace whatever we've lost, but not our lives."

Slap leaned against the bulkhead. Tristan was right. But still, it burned. That had been a good knife.

"So what are you doing, anyway?"

"Let's just say I'm increasing the odds that they won't get this ship off planet any time soon." His lips spread in a grim smile. "Just in case we don't escape, they can't either."

Tristan set the cover in place and swiveled to access the communications console. He studied something for a bit, then seemed to be nosing in files.

Finally he stood. He returned the tools to the kit in the wall and turned. "Get ready!" Lifting the gauss gun, he walked toward the door.

Slap pushed up from the bulkhead.

A deafening flash—shock knocked him back against a console, his neck and spine recoiling like a whip. He blinked, unable to see, his body tingling with electricity, his back screaming with pain, his ears ringing. What? What? An explosion? He tried to straighten and fell to the floor. Smoke and burnt-metal tang invaded his nostrils, choking him. Crawl. Move. His hand bumped into something and he grabbed, felt. An arm. He squeezed his eyes shut and opened them. Things seemed furry and like negative images, but he saw Tristan, face pale, eyes closed, bloody. No!

Hands jerked him to his feet. With a roar, Slap swung fists, connecting with flesh. Three men, two down. The third he grabbed by the throat and crushed until he felt soft tissue and cartilage give before throwing him against the far bulkhead.

The ship fell silent except for Slap's gasping breaths. He looked down at Tristan and knelt by him. Blood poured from a wound in his chest. Fingers felt for a pulse at his throat. Weak, but there. Brago's Bands, Tristan, don't die on me! He pressed his hands against the wound, trying to staunch the flow of blood.

Footsteps thudded in the corridor. Slap fumbled on the floor with one hand for a weapon, any weapon. He snatched up a stunner, but before he could aim it, the first of two men skidded to a halt and called, "Don't shoot! We're here to help."

Slap didn't lower the stunner. He looked over the two intruders. They weren't dressed like the mercenaries. No space vests, and their dark blue clothes had straight lines, the jacket a high collar. They had a military air about them. "Prove it."

The man nodded toward Tristan. "He's hurt. We'll take him to a hospital."

Slap looked down at the bloody, still figure and licked his lips; his worry for Tristan battling with his fear to trust. He looked up and nodded. "Help him. Don't let him die."

= = =

If you like what you read, you can get Deuces Wild: Beginners' Luck in Kindle, Nook, and other e-book formats at Smashwords. The second edition of the print version will be available in the near future.

Writer's Cramps: Why Do You Write?

2011-10-09T02:34:00.001-04:00

http://loriendil.wordpress.com/2011/10/08/why-do-you-write/

So - why do you write?

Writer's Cramps: Emotional Connection

2011-10-01T01:00:00.000-04:00

Check out this week's column:

Writer's Cramps: Emotional Connection

Marc Martel

2011-09-25T00:21:00.000-04:00

I've been a fan of Downhere and Marc Martel for some time. I'm thrilled at the coverage he's getting with his "Somebody to Love" audition on YouTube. Go Marc!

Writer's Cramps: Are Publishers No Longer Necessary?

2011-09-25T00:12:00.000-04:00

Posting the link to this week's Writer's Cramps:

http://loriendil.wordpress.com/2011/09/24/arepublishers-no-longer-necessary/

Deuces Wild: 50% off!

2011-07-19T22:44:00.000-04:00

Cowboys, space ships, pirates, mercenaries - even aliens!
Get Deuces Wild: Beginners' Luck now - ebook 50% off in July!
Deuces Wild: Beginners' Luck

Don't wait - the money you save could buy you a half a cup of coffee!

Deuces Wild - 50% off in July!

2011-07-05T10:13:00.001-04:00

If you haven't gotten a copy of Deuces Wild, now's your chance, with 50% savings throughout the month of July.
And it's available in all e-book formats.

Deuces Wild: Beginners' Luck

With gangsters hot on their heels, a bereaved cowboy and cynical space pirate are forced to work together for their own survival.

What are you waiting for?

:)

Interview!

2011-04-21T12:18:00.000-04:00

Thank you A.M. Roelke for interviewing me:

http://bit.ly/DW_interview

:)

gardening again

2011-04-16T19:52:00.002-04:00

I haven't been able to care for my gardens and flower beds these last few years, but with the new medications I'm on, I will be able to do some gardening this year (with help from my kids). I'm looking forward to it!

Today, under the maple tree in my backyard, I saw Hosta peeking up through the ground, and Zephyr Lilies, and lily-of-the-valley, as well as new shoots of the Liriope. The Dicentra are blooming already, as are the tulips and the violets. The Aquilegia is up and the lamb's ears. It's looking so lovely, and knowing I'll be able to tend it this year has really made me feel alive.

(Now to figure out how to keep the wiregrass out of it!)

Delaware Authors' Event

2011-04-11T10:57:00.002-04:00

If you're within driving distance of Dover Delaware, why not come see me at the Kent County Public Library, this Wednesday, 13 April 2011. I'll be there from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Grinding

2011-04-02T12:50:00.000-04:00

Any gamer knows what grinding is. And that's how I feel about my writing right now. It's a grind.

Not the fiction writing. That's easy; my characters and story ideas won't stop capering through my head. My trouble comes with writing queries to agents and publishers. *sigh*

Without a good query, or a good proposal, I'll likely never attract an agent or publisher. Too bad my business writing isn't nearly as spiffy as my fiction writing.

Pfft.

Back to the grind...

Ray Gun Revival Teaser

2011-02-05T21:13:00.000-05:00

Ray Gun Revival Teaser

Too cool!

Deuces Wild - now in e-book!

2011-01-11T23:05:00.000-05:00

Yes, that's right, folks. Deuces Wild: Beginners' Luck is now available as an e-book!

Deuces Wild: Beginners' Luck e-book

If you have a NOOK, Kindle, or any other electronic reader, check it out! You can now take Slap and Tristan with you wherever you go!

Whoo!

Dead Robots' Society Interview!

2010-11-19T14:33:00.002-05:00

The Dead Robots' Society interviewed Johne and I about the changes coming in our zine:

"Pulling the Trigger on Ray Gun Revival 2.0"

http://bit.ly/9XZIZ5

Petition

2010-11-13T14:18:00.000-05:00

My short story "Petition" is up at Residential Aliens zine!

http://bit.ly/bh9raH

Delaware Authors Day

2010-11-01T10:54:00.001-04:00

Calling all friends and fans!

It's that time of year again - Delaware Authors Day!

If you are within driving distance, please come and see me this Saturday, 6 November 2010 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Delaware Agricultural Museum, Dover Delaware.

If you don't have my book Deuces Wild, now's your chance to get a signed copy!

Visit the Delaware Heritage Commission website for more information.

I'd love to see you!!!!1 (notice there's lots of exclamation points with a one at the end for emphasis - I'm that excited)

'tu

Sword's Edge - update

2010-10-24T12:42:00.000-04:00

Well, since I have actually had several people ask me within the last few days about my novel, Sword's Edge, due out in December, here's an update:

It won't be. Long story, not going into it.

Short version: starting from scratch looking for a publisher for my sword-and-planet series. Trying not to be bummed.

Calling Comcast Customer Service...addendum

2010-09-18T12:46:00.000-04:00

When on the line with Mr. Thick Accent, I asked if he was aware of any problems in the area, and he said no, not to his knowledge.

Sooo, about five minutes ago, I received an automated call from Comcast stating a problem affecting my area had just been resolved and I was given options to let them know if my service was restored or not (how should I know when it's intermittent?) and did I still want the tech to come on Monday.

Huh.

I'm impressed. Or is it depressed?

Calling Comcast Customer Service

2010-09-18T12:10:00.000-04:00

Our internet keeps fuzzing out for a few minutes at a time, so I called Comcast to see what was going on (after doing all the double-check things like unplugging the router, resetting the modem...).

The first time, I got disconnected because the phone is also hooked up through the same modem.

I called a second time from my cell phone and right after getting the notice that it was less than a minute till my call would be taken, they hung up on me.

I called a third time and they said they didn't recognize my home number, then said if I wanted to take a survey after talking to a tech, to press 1, if I didn't, press 2.
I pressed 1 and got a repeat: if I wanted to take a survey after talking to a tech, to press 1, if I didn't, press 2.
I pressed 1 and got a repeat: if I wanted to take a survey after talking to a tech, to press 1, if I didn't, press 2.
I pressed 1 and got a repeat: if I wanted to take a survey after talking to a tech, to press 1, if I didn't, press 2.
I pressed 2 and then was put in a queue to talk to someone.

Talked to a tech and explained the problem; she said she was in Mississippi and couldn't do a check of my modem and was going to transfer me to my area.

Talked to in-my-area-tech with thick accent who said he checked my modem and it's fine, it's the wiring, so they need to send a tech to my house. I say fine, when - they set up a time on Monday and then before hanging up, Mr Thick Accent says "Have a good evening." I look out the door to see morning sunshine - they passed me to a tech in MY AREA????

:headdesk:

So, since pressing 1 didn't work, this is as close as I can get to letting Comcast know I am not a happy camper.

a facepalm moment

2010-09-18T10:07:00.001-04:00

I am working on a story that takes place immediately after another story. The first story takes place in a snowstorm - the second high summer. I think I need to do some revising there....

Twiddling My Thumbs

2010-09-16T12:47:00.000-04:00

I'm at a place where I feel antsy yet helpless. I have a short story and a novel both due to be published soon, however I can do nothing; I don't know the editor's concerns for any changes yet, so I really can't work on either.

Waiting stinks.

I guess I'll go back to pondering ideas for a series title...

Consistency and Details

2010-09-14T13:32:00.002-04:00

I am determined to do my best as a writer to be consistent, and to check details. Why you ask? Two reasons.

One. This goes back to an author who lost respect in my eyes because of a forward in one of her books where she wrote she wasn't worried about consistency or going back to check details in her former books. The gist was this: It's just a story. So what if it takes three days on horseback to go from city A to city B in book one, and half a day on foot to go from city A to city B in book two? Get over it. It's just a story.

Two. I'm a geek. I go for details in everything. How can I not in my stories? Will I be able to get every detail right? Unfortunately, being a mere human, I will not. But I will try. I can give my readers my guarantee on that.

To Write or Not to Write?

2010-09-13T11:32:00.003-04:00

Suspension of disbelief. Those words haunt me. I can't let them go. I want to save them for times when I can do nothing about it, not just lump anything that seems too much challenge into that category. Unfortunately, that does often slow down my storytelling. I know I should just go with the mantra: "write first, fix later."

However, I've found that details (especially involving science) can dramatically change a story: oops, it can't be done that way - shall I invoke the magical "suspension of disbelief" or research to find out how it can (maybe only improbably) be done?

So does one continue to write knowing details might significantly change the story, or just keep going?

Smart or Heart - answered!

2010-09-05T15:13:00.000-04:00

In a recent post, I mused whether I should work on those stories which had a deadline, or the one which would not leave me alone.

Well, my heart won out. And I now have a new finished short story. Now comes the task of polishing it. Not even pondering where I will find it a home yet...

Letting Go

2010-09-03T10:06:00.000-04:00

It never ends. Proofing, finding oopses. It seems like no matter how hard you scrub a manuscript, there will still be imperfections. As awesome as it is having stories published, for someone as much of a perfectionist as I can be it's also a nightmare. I have to overcome this and allow my writing to be "finished." It's not easy.

A Necessary Chore

2010-09-02T11:29:00.002-04:00

Today's blog is mostly a whine. I'm scrubbing a manuscript.

I'm going to be doing lots more of this over the next couple of months, too. Not my favorite thing, but the end result will be awesome. DW:BL will available in e-book, and the first book of my Enaisi series will be out later this year as well. Not to mention a short story in ResAliens.

The outcome makes the proofing endurable; at least, that's what I keep telling myself as I plug away.

Blech.

Read It Again, Sam

2010-09-01T09:47:00.001-04:00

After yesterday's faux pas in my weekly lesson for the Fiction Writing class, I thought today I'd just quote a blurb from one of my old Writer's Cramps articles, "A gazillion read-throughs aren't enough!"

I think that says it all.*sigh*

Tackling a Dreaded Job

2010-08-31T09:34:00.000-04:00

I had a very difficult writing task to perform. I didn't want to do it, not only because the subject matter was emotional, but because I didn't want to face what it meant. And because it's a type of writing I just don't do well. But with a deadline glaring in my face, I finally rolled up my sleeves, sat down, and just did it.

It hurt, it feels badly written (like that one episode of Galaxy Quest Gwen complained about), but it's done. Rough draft anyway.

You'll be able to read it in the Overlords' Lair of Issue 57 of Ray Gun Revival.

*sigh*

Smart or Heart?

2010-08-30T12:02:00.000-04:00

I've been juggling stories all summer. I have alleged deadlines (nothing fixed, just due soon) for two of them, and might have a publisher interested in two others, so you'd think those stories would be top of my list.

Right?

So what has been on my mind? A short story I haven't got a home for yet. Do I give in and keep working on it, or shove it on the back burner to work on the alleged deadline stories? I know the smart answer, but my heart wants to pursue the short story.

Argh!

How Moms Write

2010-08-27T21:46:00.000-04:00

Boy, I can identify with this:

How Mom Writes a Novel

Oh yeah, baby!

Those Characters!

2010-08-26T11:45:00.000-04:00

I was talking to a fellow writer this morning and she complained one of her characters is mad at her, but she doesn't know why. He won't talk to her.

I've had characters who were uncooperative, so I could sympathize. What about you? Have you had characters who didn't want to cooperate? Have they stalled your story? Told you flat out that was not what they would do?

What have your characters put you through, and what did you do to resolve the situation?

A Comma and a Copyeditor

2010-08-24T12:07:00.000-04:00

Long ago, I wrote a Writer's Cramps article about how one can never proofread enough. As an example, I used a dratted comma that totally messed up the meaning of a sentence in a short story I had sold. I moaned at my stupidity for overlooking said comma, never checking my original manuscript.

I later found out that I hadn't added that comma, a copyeditor had. It totally changed the meaning of the sentence, and considering that sentence was backstory for my Enaisi series, I was really doing a face-palm. Not to worry, because that story's rights have reverted to me, and I now have that story on my website - corrected of course.

I've worked with copyeditors and have worked as a copyeditor on Ray Gun Revival. I will tell you, a copyeditor's job is not easy. We have to catch typos, fix grammatical and punctuation oopses, check formatting, and if done properly, do so without interfering with the author's voice. The toughest job I've ever done, writing-wise, has by far been copyediting.

Notice the "if done properly" in the above paragraph? I've seen copyeditors who will overlook typos and obvious grammatical errors to correct their personal pet peeves - to the point of totally rewriting paragraphs and destroying an author's voice and the tone of the scene.

The biggest, baddest story I've ever heard of "copyeditor hell" belongs to Piers Anthony. He contracted with a publisher to write a book in the '70s called But What of Earth? Long story short, the editor gave the book to a team of copyeditors who played god with it - changing the story, the characters' personalities and motivations, just totally ripping it to shreds, then they gave it to another writer who wrote up all the changes. The editor then published the book with both writers' names. When Anthony found out, he had a cow and went after them legally - since he had a contract for the book *he* wrote not some vaguely familiar thing "co-authored" by him and this other writer. (The other writer, for his part, didn't know what the editor was up to - he was sort of caught in the middle.)

If you want to read the whole shebang, Piers Anthony re-released the book some years ago with many of the notes of the copyeditors as footnotes. From an author's viewpoint, it's frightening to read those notes. Those copyeditors went far beyond their job description.

So the book tells two stories, the original story Anthony wrote (which is worth a read), and the publishing story. Every author and copyeditor should read this book, so authors know what to watch for, and so copyeditors can see the power-trip trap they (hopefully) don't want to fall into.

Comma Conundrums

2010-08-23T12:30:00.000-04:00

I know the current trend is to not worry about using commas. Let's just ignore them. We don't need them to join two independent clauses. Or hey, here's a thought, let's just put them where we want according to our whims!

Sure I'm a stickler, I know that. And commas have been my bane. I have always felt I didn't understand the myriad rules concerning them. I admit I am still learning new nuances of how to use them. And I've learned various rule books have differing views on what is correct. Great. So much for clear-cut answers when I need them. (As an aside, when in doubt, I use CMOS as my guide, just so I can be consistent within my own work.)

But it bothers me to read a book by a long-time author that can go sentences with no commas, even though they are needed to keep meanings clear. Is it the author, the copy editors? Does the publishing world not care anymore?

/rant

Here we go again...

2010-08-21T10:40:00.002-04:00

You would think I'd get used to my characters taking off and messing up my plots, but each time they do I throw up my hands and walk away in frustration, then have to force myself to come back.

Keep writing, yeah. I am, but I think I have a headache right now. Time to switch to another story and let this one simmer a bit.

Characters are as bad as kids; never do what they're told...

Living Dangerously

2010-08-20T10:32:00.001-04:00

Tristan has been driving me crazy lately, and taking my life in my own hands, I've been putting him off. I really want to get this short story of Alcandhor's finished. I hope Tristan doesn't get too peeved at me. Since I have a short story due out in a couple of months with Alcandhor in it, as well as a novel by Christmas, I guess that's why I'm letting him take priority.

Perhaps if I give Tristan a nice tisane he'll settle down a bit. What do you think?

Plugging Away

2010-08-19T09:20:00.000-04:00

I'm not giving up!

6482 words for this short story so far and I'm not sure I've found The Solution for the problem yet. I am, however, going back and changing one character's attitude just a little. Whether it's enough to fix the story, I don't know yet. We'll see...

Is It Enough?

2010-08-18T10:57:00.001-04:00

The constant gnawing fear of not letting my readers know what they need to know - it haunts me.

Every time I start another story in an already created universe, such as Deuces Wild, or the Enaisi universe, I wonder if I'm giving basic information needed to know What's Going On.

I don't want to infodump, or bore my readers, but do I give them enough for a foundation?

I went through that when I did the stand-alone story Deuces Wild story "The Grift" for Digital Dragon Magazine last spring. Also for a short story in the Enaisi universe entitled "Petition" which will appear in Residential Aliens in a few months.

And this is one case where critique partners may not be helpful because they are familiar with one's worlds. Ah me, no, not making this a pity party this time. Just scratching my head, lost...

A Little Whine

2010-08-17T13:57:00.000-04:00

I'm trying very hard to ratchet the tension and conflict in a short story that is just lying there pathetically. I just got a heavy revvie on how to end the story, but the conflict isn't good enough. What to do? What to do?

I need a literary torque wrench. Or a magic wand.

Okay, finished whining, back to writing...

Research ups and downs

2010-08-14T10:32:00.002-04:00

Doing research for novels can be so enjoyable; I do love learning new things, even if I can only comprehend the basics.

But it's also frustrating at times, because it seems the more I learn, the more complicated a situation becomes. It's difficult at times to not feel overwhelmed at some of the problems I create for myself with the stories I am trying to write. Oh well, the alternative would be to quit, and I couldn't if I wanted to; my characters won't let me.

I'm sure other writers have similar frustrations, which is a consolation, not to mention one definite upside of all of this is that I get to continue to cause great vexation for My Physicist™. Yes, definitely a plus!

a very strange feeling

2010-08-13T10:55:00.001-04:00

I love to reread novels. A scene will pop in my head and I'll think, "Gotta get that book out and reread it!" Nothing like curling up with a hot cuppa and a good book, after all.

At times I do this with my stories as well although it's not so cozy. I'll pull up the manuscript and have to sit at the computer to reread at least the section that had scurried through my mind.

This morning I remembered a scene that was one of my favorites and I sat down at the computer to pull up the story and stopped with a shock: it was already in print!

So with a very strange feeling of my mind being boggled, I picked up my own book and sat down in a chair with a cuppa and began to read Deuces Wild.

It's the little things in life you treasure...

Writer's Cramps

2010-08-07T21:05:00.000-04:00

New article up for Writer's Cramps. "Just Write - part 2":

http://loriendil.wordpress.com/2010/08/07/just-write-part-2/

Sword's Edge

2010-08-03T14:53:00.000-04:00

I am stunned. I have a publisher for the first book of my sword'n'planet series. More news as it happens.

POV - cont

2010-07-24T19:37:00.002-04:00

Next week's (31 July 10) class - more on POV.

http://loriendil.wordpress.com/2010/07/24/points-of-view-cont/

See you there!

Getting Un-bogged Down

2010-07-03T20:16:00.001-04:00

Next week's Fiction Writing class: "Getting Un-bogged Down"

http://loriendil.wordpress.com/2010/07/03/getting-un-bogged-down/

Believable Characters

2010-07-01T22:26:00.000-04:00

Saturday's Fiction Writing Class will be about creating believable characters.

http://wp.me/pGg8G-U

Join us 6 pm eastern in Twinity.

Sword's Edge

2010-06-17T13:54:00.000-04:00

A publisher liked the synopsis for my book, asked for full ms. Wow.

"Real" Books FTW

2010-06-13T23:42:00.002-04:00

I don't have anything against e-books, but for me, they'll always come in a poor second.

I have my reasons why, but here's some I hadn't thought of:

25 Ways E-Readers Can't Beat the Old-Fashioned Book

Good Enough?

2010-05-25T01:12:00.001-04:00

New Writer's Cramps article: "When is my writing good enough?"

http://loriendil.wordpress.com/2010/05/25/good-enough/

Writer's Cramps

2010-05-10T20:54:00.001-04:00

My Writer's Cramps article "Writing Made Easy" has been reprinted in Fear and Trembling:

http://fearandtremblingmag.com/item.php?sub_id=1241

Ray Gun Revival's Demise

2010-05-07T09:57:00.000-04:00

http://raygunrevival.com/Forum/viewtopic.php?t=3438

Writer's Cramps 2.0

2010-05-05T02:20:00.002-04:00

With great fanfare (okay, paper and comb):

http://loriendil.wordpress.com/

Um, yeah, so I have two blogs. But not really, cuz it's not a blog, it's my writing column (revived and dusted off), so it will be strictly how-to stuff for writing and the related writing class, and won't have things on it like how cute my dog is.

Cool, huh?

*blinks*

Right? Cool?

Or....

not....?

Deuces Wild review

2010-04-20T21:17:00.002-04:00

w00t! John Adcox reviews my book!

Throw-back SciFi in Deuces Wild: Beginners' Luck by L. S. King

Writer's Cramps

2010-04-18T12:07:00.001-04:00

My article "Speaking as an Editor" is now in Fear and Trembling zine: http://fearandtremblingmag.com/item.php?sub_id=1258

New Deuces Wild Story!

2010-04-10T20:06:00.002-04:00

A stand-alone Deuces Wild story, "The Grift," is in this month's Digital Dragon magazine.

Tell your friends! Tell your family! Better yet, go read it and tell me what you think!

Progress ... and stuff!

2010-04-10T15:46:00.004-04:00

With a friend's gracious help, I now have a synopsis finished for Book One of my Enaisi series. Now to write a query letter.

Also, I need to begin the rewrite of Book Two.

Oops, and let's not forget the next installment of "Deuces Wild." 'rolleyes

Superversive

2010-03-31T10:37:00.000-04:00

The failure of subversion in imaginative literature:
http://www.bondwine.com/essays/superversive/superversive.html

Was Heinlein a Fascist?

2010-03-31T10:33:00.000-04:00

Great article!

http://johncwright.livejournal.com/327024.html

Young Authors Conference

2010-02-27T14:00:00.001-05:00

Had an awesome time at the Young Authors Conference. The kids in my class were amazing! Future best-sellers, I'm sure!

Young Authors Conference

2010-02-26T23:13:00.001-05:00

Getting ready for the Young Authors Conference tomorrow in Laurel Delaware.
w00t! Nothing is as fun as being around kids!

Submitting a story

2010-01-18T11:09:00.001-05:00

Just sent a story to Asimov's. As Ellie Quinn says - Aim high. You might miss your target, but you won't shoot your foot off.

Writer's Cramps

2010-01-14T15:16:00.002-05:00

Fear and Trembling Magazine has republished my column on Pronoun/Antecedent Confusion:

http://fearandtremblingmag.com/item.php?sub_id=1226

Local Write-up

2010-01-08T12:34:00.001-05:00

I got a write-up in a local paper - too cool. However, they got the date of the Young Authors Conference wrong.

The correct date is on the events page of my website:

http://loriendil.com/events.php

Cattle Rustling

2010-01-04T11:57:00.002-05:00

Modern-day cattle rustling. http://bit.ly/8tEHwn Slap says it's on his home planet too, and he hopes they catch the lousy lizards!

RGR 55 is Live!

2010-01-01T00:43:00.000-05:00

Ray Gun Revival issue 55 is live!
Get your free space opera / golden age sci-fi goodness here!
http://raygunrevival.com/

Happy.....er, something...

2009-12-25T13:21:00.000-05:00

Please accept, with no obligation, implied or implicit, our best wishes for an environmentally conscious, socially responsible, low stress, non-addictive, gender neutral, celebration of the winter solstice holiday, practiced within the most enjoyable traditions of the religious persuasion of your choice, or secular practices of your choice, with respect for the religious/secular persuasions and/or traditions of others, or their choice not to practice religious or secular traditions at all, as well as a fiscally successful, personally fulfilling, and medically uncomplicated recognition of the onset of the generally accepted calendar year 2010, but not without due respect for the calendars of choice of other cultures whose contributions to society have helped make America great, (not to imply that America includes only the U.S., or that the U.S. is necessarily greater than any other country or is the only "America" in the western hemisphere, or that any portion of the Americas is in any way superior to any other continent, on this or any other planet) and without regard to the race, creed, color, age, physical ability, religious faith, sexual preference, or any other aspect of the wishes.

By accepting this greeting, you are accepting these terms. This greeting is subject to clarification or withdrawal. It is freely transferable with no alteration to the original greeting. It implies no promise by the wishers to actually implement any of the wishes for themselves or others and is void where prohibited by law and is revocable at the sole discretion of the wishers.

This wish is warranted to perform as expected within the usual application of good tidings for a period of one year (or other unit time of your choosing), or until the issuance of a subsequent holiday greeting, whichever comes first (not to imply that first is necessarily best), and warranty is limited to replacement of this wish or issuance of a new wish at the sole discretion of the wishers. Furthermore, if any discrepancies are found between this wish and any previous wishes, this wish will supersede previous wishes and, likewise, if any discrepancies are found between this wish and any future wishes, the most current future wish will supersede this and other previous wishes.

PS: Since my children did not sign the nondisclosure agreement; their lack of involvement, lack of contribution, lack of knowledge, and deducible lack of any guilt are hereby implicitly and irrevocably implied without any consequences to them, their stuffed animals, or their unborn descendants and heirs.

PSS: Ho-Ho-Ho!

Just Sayin'

2009-12-04T18:40:00.000-05:00

It's not about money, it's about having a passion to write!

I am not procrastinating!

2009-07-28T10:50:00.000-04:00

I should be working on my cover letter and synopsis, instead I'm working on a new short story.

w00t!

2009-07-17T22:34:00.000-04:00

My short story "Petition" has been accepted by Flashing Swords magazine - it should be in Issue 13!

Stalled

2009-07-05T12:46:00.001-04:00

Manuscript revision stalled. Need geneticist. Or biologist. Or some sort of -ist. *sigh*

The End in Sight?

2009-07-04T15:49:00.000-04:00

Less than 200 pages to go in editing and proofing my manuscript...

Geeky Mom

2009-07-01T13:50:00.002-04:00

My older son came over yesterday, lugging all his computer stuff. I asked what he was doing (I knew, but moms have to ask those sorts of stupid questions), and he said "Combat day."
His internet connection is significantly slower than mine, so occasionally, on a day off from work, he drags his stuff to my place and sets up to play Eve Online with his buddies.

However, yesterday our internet connection was down all day. I made him sit down while I delivered the dire news. He took it well, only growing slightly pale. He bolted out of the chair, grabbed his gear, and headed for the door. "Gotta get home and get set up by two o'clock."

I waved good-bye and laughed as I shut the door. Most moms would be hurt or upset by such behavior, but being a geeky, gaming mom, I understand. I hope my son realizes and appreciates that.

New DW chapter

2009-06-27T19:23:00.000-04:00

RGR#53 is out, with the latest Deuces Wild chapter! Read all the back chapters for Book 2 on my site: http://loriendil.com/

like I need this...

2009-06-22T19:41:00.001-04:00

Came up with a fantastic line. Now to write a story so I can use it.

It's a law:

2009-05-14T15:22:00.001-04:00

...no matter how many times you scour a ms for typos, etc., you *will* find one immediately after sending it to a publisher.

Updating...

2009-04-20T15:18:00.001-04:00

Updated my website: http://loriendil.com/

RGR 52

2009-04-20T12:03:00.002-04:00

Ray Gun Revival Issue 52 is out! We're trying a new format, and have some great stories to offer.

And - don't forget to check out the latest episode of Deuces Wild: Threshold of Escape!

Deuces Wild

2009-04-06T01:43:00.000-04:00

A short chapter, but the rough draft is done. Now to wait for feedback. Hurry, hurry!

Plugging a Pal

2009-04-01T10:44:00.001-04:00

w00t! My buddy Stuart's book is published!
http://marcherlordpress.com/store/product_info.php?cPath=2_11&products_id=20

sigh

2009-03-29T15:02:00.001-04:00

I found another plot hole in my novel. Drat.

Hamlet: Facebook edition

2009-03-27T14:52:00.001-04:00

Hamlet: Facebook edition

I Will Survive!

2009-03-18T13:55:00.002-04:00

For all my homeschool friends:
I Will Survive

RGR Issue 51

2009-03-11T00:58:00.002-04:00

After many struggles with the Dark Side and technical difficulties that only Scottie could appreciate, Ray Gun Revival Issue 51 is finally out!

http://raygunrevival.com/Published/RGR_0051_2009.pdf

Please excuse the blatant self-promotion if I give a special push to read Deuces Wild!

getting busy...

2009-02-10T14:44:00.002-05:00

I seriously need to work on query letters... *sigh*

2009-02-10T13:41:00.001-05:00

I need some kimchee....badly...

2009-02-10T01:33:00.001-05:00

It's Late, it's late, it's late, it's all too late... G'night all.

P&E Top Ten

2009-02-09T23:59:00.002-05:00

Ray Gun Revival made Top Ten in The P&E poll!

My friend Jane Lebak's book made the Top Ten as well!

And - one of our writers and a "regular" on the Ray Gun Revival forums, made #1 spot for SFF short story!

Way to go, all!!

2009-02-09T13:56:00.001-05:00

Boy, am I tired of adverts about how Hollywood stars stay slim and young-looking. Blech!

2009-02-09T11:25:00.001-05:00

Life's small joys: page-load error on a pop-under ad.

Young Authors Conference

2009-02-07T13:38:00.002-05:00

Young Authors Conference was awesome! The kids were great! But we didn't have enough time, which wasn't all the conference's fault (although half a day doesn't seem like enough); I babble like Miles Vorkosigan at times.*sigh*

I hope some of the kids that didn't get a chance to read their hooks send them to me. What a great group of kids! Wait, I said that already, didn't I?

2009-02-05T14:42:00.001-05:00

I'm considering playing around with WordPress, but my pride doesn't want me to consider not writing out my own code myself.

2009-02-05T11:23:00.003-05:00

Read my interview on the Sci-Fi Genre Review: Interview with L. S. King

Forbidden Words in CBA

2009-02-04T20:38:00.004-05:00

Forbidden Words List of the Christian Booksellers Association (the CBA)

2009-02-03T13:59:00.004-05:00

w00t! Ray Gun Revival has hit 50!

Starfire Contest!

2009-02-02T23:51:00.004-05:00

Stuart Stockton, a friend and former crit partner, is having his first book published this spring. To kick off the happy event, he and his publisher are having a contest. I'm happy to help promote Starfire; I heartily recommend it!

To find out more about the contest, and Starfire:

I encourage you find out more about the lore behind Starfire; click either banner below. Knowing the story, I really can appreciate the hook in both banners, and couldn't choose.
Here's a question - which banner intrigues you more?

2009-02-02T02:19:00.001-05:00

Didn't want Superbowl, don't care. Sleep would be good. Gonna try...

2009-01-31T09:54:00.001-05:00

Did some desperate dozing after dawn, but no real sleep. Long day ahead...

2009-01-31T04:54:00.001-05:00

Yay -- emergency laundry done. Bedtime!

2009-01-31T00:54:00.001-05:00

More real life - wheeee! Not. I'm off! ==whoosh==

2009-01-28T20:44:00.001-05:00

Home from work, cleaned kitchen - am I allowed to go back to being sick now?

Loriendil's Reveries

A Reminder on Thanksgiving:

Sample Sunday

Writer's Cramps: Why Do You Write?

Writer's Cramps: Emotional Connection

Marc Martel

Writer's Cramps: Are Publishers No Longer Necessary?

Deuces Wild: 50% off!

Deuces Wild - 50% off in July!

Interview!

gardening again

Delaware Authors' Event

Grinding

Ray Gun Revival Teaser

Deuces Wild - now in e-book!

Dead Robots' Society Interview!

Petition

Delaware Authors Day

Sword's Edge - update

Calling Comcast Customer Service...addendum

Calling Comcast Customer Service

a facepalm moment

Twiddling My Thumbs

Consistency and Details

To Write or Not to Write?

Smart or Heart - answered!

Letting Go

A Necessary Chore

Read It Again, Sam

Tackling a Dreaded Job

Smart or Heart?

How Moms Write

Those Characters!

A Comma and a Copyeditor

Comma Conundrums

Here we go again...

Living Dangerously

Plugging Away

Is It Enough?

A Little Whine

Research ups and downs

a very strange feeling

Writer's Cramps

Sword's Edge

POV - cont

Getting Un-bogged Down

Believable Characters

Sword's Edge

"Real" Books FTW

Good Enough?

Writer's Cramps

Ray Gun Revival's Demise

Writer's Cramps 2.0

Deuces Wild review

Writer's Cramps

New Deuces Wild Story!

Progress ... and stuff!

Superversive

Was Heinlein a Fascist?

Young Authors Conference

Young Authors Conference

Submitting a story

Writer's Cramps

Local Write-up

Cattle Rustling

RGR 55 is Live!

Happy.....er, something...

Just Sayin'

It's not about money, it's about having a passion to write!

I am *not* procrastinating!

I should be working on my cover letter and synopsis, instead I'm working on a new short story.

w00t!

Stalled

The End in Sight?

Geeky Mom

New DW chapter

like I need this...

It's a law:

Updating...

RGR 52

I am not procrastinating!

sigh