Today Calwyn, rat-fearing magic-user and master strategist, is my guest-blogger extraordinaire. Calwyn is the only living character of our original D&D party (not counting the first group of dunces who got themselves killed all together in our second session), and as such holds all the memories of past adventures and accumulated clues about the Eye … Continue reading D&D Chronicles: The (left) Eye of Varrien
I talk a lot about how much I enjoy the novel revision process. And I really do. I love building the story up and out and working in the detail, weaving the strands together, making them sing. As with nailing a well-tuned harmony, there's a thrill in getting it right. But... sometimes it can be … Continue reading Monday Journal: Revision rumblings
ZILLAH After our encounter with the wraith last evening, we are solemn and wary as we break camp in the dim shadows of dawn. We know what we are about do is dangerous, but all signs indicate the Eye of Varrien (or one of them, at least) lies within the barrow yonder... and to retrieve … Continue reading D&D Chronicles: In the depths of the barrow is a wurm and an Eye
Books. July. This is what I read. Debris - Jo Anderton I picked up a copy of Debris, Jo Anderton's acclaimed first novel (Angry Robot books) in the Veiled Worlds trilogy, in June at the launch of the third. And she very kindly signed it for me too. So, determined to get back on track … Continue reading July reading: Drought and Debris
Last week, indie publisher Turtleduck Press launched a new fantasy anthology that sounds like a LOT of fun -- especially if you're someone who's after more stories in which women seize control of their destinies. Under Her Protection: Stories of Women to the Rescue is edited by Toronto-based author and keen fellow traveller, Siri Paulson. … Continue reading Stories of Women to the Rescue
Today I bring you two very different images from my journeys through Spain a few years ago, inspired by the latest WordPress weekly photo challenge theme, which is ZIGZAG. The featured image (above) is from the Alcazar (palace) in Seville. It's a simple staircase descending into a tiled foyer, but I've always loved the angles … Continue reading Zigzag
ZILLAH The punt carries us downriver, out of reach of the arrows. The old woman -- Yag is her name -- instructs Ammonite on how to steer us to the northern bank. Those Testerris scum in Hyden's Ford have got their backs up... I think maybe Ammonite and Calwyn killed some of them, and we're … Continue reading D&D Chronicles: Trek through snow to the Lake of Tears
Winter sun. Wind. Waves. Words. Phillip Island in winter is quiet, serene, beautiful. With the blessing of a clear weekend, I hightailed down to the island this past weekend for some much-needed R&R and time alone with my WIP. It turned out to be one of the most relaxing and joyous weekends I've ever spent … Continue reading Sunday journal ~ time out at Phillip Island
Phillip Island is one of my happy places -- although I don't seem to get down there nearly often enough these days. On one of my first solitary writing weekends on the island, I took a walk along the beautiful southern coast to discover the wreck of the SS Speke in the picturesque Kitty Miller … Continue reading Relic
Still in mourning for Mary Stewart (read my tribute here), I re-read a couple more of her books in June. Set in Provence, France, Madam, will you talk? is the story of Charity, a young English widow, who's on holiday in Avignon when she befriends a young boy, David, whose father, Richard, has recently been … Continue reading June reading: more love and mysteries
Ellen Gregory 