Wednesday, October 14, 2015

Taking the Towel Back Out & More Realms Faire Games

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Last week I wrote that I was throwing in the towel on my WIP after months of frustration with it. Apparently the WIP didn't like that idea, as right after I wrote that post I got inspired to go take the towel back out and work on the story. And to my amazement, I actually finished the first draft over the weekend! Once I started writing again I couldn't stop.

So I think that story still wanted to be told and I am more than happy to oblige it. I have tons of work to do as the first draft is garbage, but I am excited now about tackling it.

This story is a follow-up to Polar Night and Polar Day but is set in Chicago instead of in Alaska. The antagonist is a ghost this time, or a sort of ghost, who has connections to the Civil War. I came upon this photo on Twitter from the Chattanooga National Military Park this week out of the blue and it seemed like another sign that this story is meant to be finished. Isn't this a haunting shot? I love it.

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I'm looking forward to being able to share more about the story in the coming weeks.

Thanks again to everyone who left comments on my post last week. I really appreciated all of the encouragement and advice!


The Realms Faire is getting closer and I am excited to spotlight a few more games today from my fellow participants.



House Bookworm - Riddle Me This
I am a book so popular they made a movie of me. Within the what if realms I lie. Horror? Fantasy? Or am I Sci-Fi? A riddle every day during the Realms Faire for you to take your best guess and have a chance to win a prize most splendid.
For your guessing pleasure, visit Cherie Reich's blog every day November 9-13 to make a guess and be entered for a daily prize.


House of the Hero's Dilemma - hosted by Tyrean Martinson
Hero's beware! Here at the House of Hero's Dilemma, a new cliff-hanging adventure will dangle new heroes above the depths of destiny or despair. In 100 words or less, a hero will face a danger in story form.
Each day, the people of Realsmdom will decide the fate of these heroes in three sentences or less. If fateful endings are giving answer in poetic form, an extra entry for prizes will be awarded.
Daily e-book prizes will be awarded via random name-pulling from the entries. Everyone is invited to participate.
People of Realmsdom, you have the power of storytelling might to decide the fate of the would-be heroes. Will they die in glory or shame, live in victory or defeat? It is up to you.




House Waibel - The Stockade Brigade
Warrants of arrest have been issued for select authors accusing them of witchery and wizardry. The pillory has been erected and the trial dates set.
Good people of Realmsdom, I call upon you to bear witness to these trials and offer your testimony for or against the author's crimes.
Points will be awarded for wordsmithing a comment in your best Olde English afore 8 of the clock in the Eastern time on the following scale:
5-Ye speak as one from the days of Queen Bess.4-Ye could pass muster as a Ren Faire cast member3-Ye could pass as a Ren Faire attendee2-Ye wouldn't be foolin' yer mother1-Ye stand out like the sun in a cloudless sky
An e-book will be given every day to the witness who scores the most points. Fear not, your daily score will be accumulated and the person with the highest score shall receive a special prize at the end of the week. So, brush off your Olde English and prepare to testify.

For all of the info on the Realms Faire, including a full list of this year's games, visit M. Pax here



21 comments:

  1. Yeh for WiPs that speak up! :)

    And "haunting" is a great description for that photo.

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  2. So happy for you that you finished the draft. And for me, because I want to read it!

    What a great photo, no wonder you were inspired to write.

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  3. Yay for picking up that towel and finishing! And three cheers for Realms Faire! :)

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  4. Yes! Take that towel back! I had a similar experience with one of my WIPs. It just didn't want to be written until I went away and realized the thing was basically done, just needed a few more scenes inserted, and then it was like, "Why wouldn't I work on this?"

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  5. Oh, wow, congrats! Glad to hear your WIP finally allowed you to finish it, at long last. Can't wait to learn more about it! The little you've shared sounds great already... :)

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  6. That is wonderful news! Congrats on finishing the first draft! See? I told you not to give up on it. :D

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  7. That's awesome news! I'm glad you found your writing mojo with that story again! :) It sounds like a great story. It's ironic to me that even though I wrote off horror a long time ago, I keep finding writers like you who manage to suck me back into reading it . . . because you are so good at writing it and your blog posts make me so interested in your books before I read them. You rock, Julie! I love how you capture both the essence of a place and the essence of your characters in your exciting novels.

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  8. Well done, Julie!! Thank goodness for that. It is a horrible feeling to ditch something - it constantly gnaws at you - so I'm glad the inspiration flew back at full pace. Wishing you lots of fun with the redrafting. It'll be fab!! I'm sure. Have a great rest of the week. I adore the photograph!!

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  9. Good for you! Maybe Killer Stilettos has hope.

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  10. Sounds like the inspiration towel smacked you. Maybe taking the pressure off yourself is what did it. Neat story idea.

    Yay for Realms Faire! So close! Aaaa!

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  11. Good for you. It's interesting how we can find the will to go on once we admit to ourselves that something isn't working. It's like that removes a roadblock in the mind. Maybe it's like backing up just a little to retrench for one final push at the stubborn wall blocking our path.

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  12. Yay for finishing your draft! If only my own WIP would bite me like that. But I think it's a bit different in the editing stage than the writing one :/

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  13. Hi Julie - so pleased the WIP is talking to you .. and you're now set with the concept and can get it smartened up and ready for publication. Realms Faire is nearly here ... cheers Hilary

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  14. Isn't it funny how just when you are ready to give up, a picture gives you that re-awakening. It sounds like you are off to a great start

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  15. The Ghost + Chicago + Civil War...That sounds awesome, intriguing. Looking forward to hearing more about it. Will it be an E book or printed?

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  16. Yay, big applause for not giving up. Your first two books were super reads, but I think your upcoming plot is absolutely delicious! Can't wait!

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  17. Yay, glad you finished it! Maybe you just needed that mental break from it. That is definitely a haunting photo and lovely photo.

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  18. Look at that! Playing a little reverse psychology worked out lol. Glad you finished first draft and are excited you'll keep it going after all. Love the picture, sure gave me a chill!

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  19. Maybe you just needed to trick your brain. However you did it, I'm glad. Being stuck can be frustrating. I'm a bit stuck on a project and it's driving me batty.

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  20. I am so glad you were able to finish that first draft. Congratulations.

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  21. YAY!!!!! So glad your characters decided to shout at you!!!! And getting it done in a weekend is amazing!!!!

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