With the end of October, and my first day off in November, I found myself out at the writing cabin once more.
Lisa Burton, my robotic assistant, had on her skull jeans but this time they were tucked into some knee-high black boots. That's as good a sign of the changing seasons as any.
“Are you tired of your Morticia dress now?” I asked.
“No. I love the dress, but I'm not in love with the straight hair. I think I like my curls more than I thought. Besides, Macabre Macaroni is over and it's time to move on.”
“Yeah, my promotions are over too. There is an extended blog tour, but I have very little to do with that now. It will run without me, other than checking comments.”
Lisa went about her chores, dropped off some coffee for me, and I dug into an advanced reading copy of a great novel a friend provided.” I made it through four chapters when Lisa interrupted. “Lorelei is here and she wants to see you.”
“She knows where my office is. Tell her – ” I yelled down the hall, “Come on back, Lorelei.”
Lorelei wore dirty sweats and her hair was a mess. Her feet were tucked into a pair of old slipper socks. This is the beautiful Greek Muse who inspired so many wonderful ideas. The classic beauty who enjoyed being looked at.
“Um, hi… That's a new look for–“
“Go ahead and say it. I'm fat!” She collapsed onto the sofa in my office. Lisa sat beside her and hugged her while casting me a concerned look.
“What's new in your life? It's been a while since you visited us.”
“Nothing's new. You've been out promoting since September. Lisa went on her tour for the second Experimental Notebook. Even your Macabre Macaroni stories were written months ago.”
“Look, I've been writing, I swear.” I opened the app on my iPad and turned it toward her. “See, these are the short stories about The Enhanced League.”
“Oh sure.” She wiped a tear away. “I can still inspire a decent bit of micro-fiction. Maybe a short story on a good day. I get tired even thinking about novels.”
“I intend to get back to the Yak Guy this month. It's languishing at about forty-two thousand words. It needs another fifty-K or so to be finished.”
“I'm sure you'll come up with something. At least you have your outline to go off of.”
“Sure, I have an outline, but the story drifted back in Act one. I need you to get me through it.”
Lorelei wiped her eyes and sat a little straighter. “You do? I mean, that's more than a short story, but since it's already started I might manage it. It's going to require a bit of working out, maybe some fruits and vegetables along with all the ambrosia I've been drinking.”
“Yeah, it's going to take an effort on my part too. I haven't looked at it since the first promotions back in September. I need to read it, check the outline, and get back to work. It's going to be different than guest blogging, working on short stories, and all that.”
Lisa said, “Sounds like things are going to get lively around here.”
“I have a list of short stories, and I can't promise they won't get some keyboard time too. Is that alright?”
“Of course,” Lorelei said. “I sent them to you.”
“You sent me some bigger ideas. I don't know if I can make them into novels though. I made notes, but they might only make it to novella length. Is that okay?”
“I don't know. I just want you to be creative. You have to decide if there's a market for them or not. Let's work through The Yak Guy Project. If you get it finished, maybe I can figure out how to make them longer.”
“I think they have merit. I like the one about a story from the monster's point of view. I just don't know if it should be a tragedy or have some kind of heroic ending to it. I also like the one about the couple who have to live underground for three months to avoid the parasitic sun.”
“Parasitic sun?”
“Yeah, that's what I decided to call it. A gas giant planet ignited. It's much larger than the planet with people, but dwarfed by the real sun. That way it only becomes a problem when the two pass each other in orbit. It's like two suns for a short period of time. I even came up with a title, Estivation.”
“I like it. I'll work on them both, but let's get Yak Guy finished first.”
“I'd better make some time to read through it again.”
Lisa took Lorelei's hand. “You'll be back in goddess shape in no time. In fact, let's give Craig some space so he can read. I'll do your nails, it will make you feel better, I promise. Maybe we'll look at your hair too, if that's okay.”
***
There you have it. Looks like I have some work ahead of me, but it's fun work. There could be some word metrics this month.
*For all the new followers, Lisa Burton is my personal assistant and the spokesmodel for my writing career. She's also a robot. Lorelei is my Muse, like actual classic Greek Muse.
I enjoy these conversations, Craig. Metrics would be good.
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Happy to see Lorelei’s return. Good luck with the projects.
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It’s time for me to get back to something productive. It’s also the part I enjoy.
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Thanks for leaving a comment on my story 🙂 I really appreciate that you read it.
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I have no clue what you are going to title the Yak Guy Story, but I will forever more know it as the yak guy story. LOL…..You’ve been so busy…it’s high time things slowed down and you could mellow into thee writing mode again. I have to do the same if we’re gonna have a book two in the Naked Eye series. Loving the fallish wallpaper BTW. We don’t get any of this gorgeous color in perpetually green Florida. I sooooo want to hear the crunching of leaves underfoot.
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Autumn is in full swing here, and it’s pretty. There are other places that get the full show, and we can’t compete with the Northeast. Eastern Idaho puts on a great autumn display though.
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The visual you create of you sitting in your writing cabin with the different characters coming to talk to you and get on your case is so wonderful, I can totally see that as a movie.
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Reblogged this on Anita Dawes & Jaye Marie.
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I am a little envious of all the help you have, Craig. Life must be such fun with them there, working alongside you. Seriously though, I love the way it all works so well. Brilliant!
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Thanks for the reblog. I have a hunch we’re all about to get a workout. Time to start writing.
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😲 I can’t believe you neglected your Muse for so long! Poor Lorelei… look what you did to her! Love your writing cabin posts.
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This promotion stuff is no fun, but it has to be done.
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It does, you’re right. Part and parcel of being an Indie… sigh.
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A neglected muse is clearly not a happy muse! But it does sound like you and Lorelei are going to be soaring along in no time. BTW, I really like the sound of the monster story, but then you know me and monsters!
Nice November wallpaper too. And this time I picked up on the header 🙂
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Glad you like the new look around here. I’m making slow progress on my reading. I had to stop with the last line of “The Mothman knows.” I’m dying to get back to it.
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LOL! I hope you like this one 🙂
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Awesome so far.
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I always love these stories. This one makes me wonder how my muse must be looking after all my months in grad school – wondering the wilderness with hair full of sticks, no doubt. 🙂 good luck with the upcoming projects!
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I think I saw a Dorito in Lorelei’s hair. We both have some kinks to work out, but new words are going to happen.
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😊agreed!
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I love the idea of a parasitic sun. Way cool. Glad you’re about to get back in the writing groove again.
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Those two projects will have to wait. Concentrating on one makes me accomplish more. The idea is a good one though, in a “one too many for the lifeboat” style. I’ll have to do some research on fun things like starvation and more.
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I do enjoy these posts, Craig 🙂 Glad to hear you’ll be spending more time with Lorelei again – this promotional stuff does tend to tear us away from actually writing, doesn’t it? 🙂 I need to visit my Muse as well – she keeps sending me songs and snippets and reminders of the stories that are waiting for me…
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I’m looking forward to getting back to the part I enjoy.
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Excellent 🙂 It’s the part I like the best, too
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Love how well these two females fit into your writing world. Genius idea. 🙂 🙂
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Thanks, and I hope to get back to normal very soon.
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You are welcome to whatever is normal for you. 🙂
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Thanks. Your normaly may vary, known to cause warts, etc.
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To each his own… 😀 😀
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More marketing genius!!
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Glad you liked it. Lorelei hasn’t actually appeared in quite a while.
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Nailed it! Poor Loreli, in her bathrobe and slippers. The image of a beaten-down muse is hilarious!!! My muse looked similar over the summer. Good luck with Yak Guy.
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I’m sure she’ll get back to normal in no time. Novels always start off new and exciting. I’m in the middle now and it becomes a slog. After getting through it, the end becomes an exciting time again. I’m used to it by now, and just have to dedicate the hours.
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This was good! Thanks for stopping by my page, YOU WERE MY FIRST!!!
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That’s kind of cool. I’m sure there will be many more.
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