Weekend Writing Warriors April 1

Weekend Writing Warriors is a weekly blog hop where participants post eight to ten sentences of their writing. You can find out more about it by clicking on the image below.

Continuing a scene from my first book, Ghosts of Innocence.

Shayla has stolen the identity of a newly-appointed senior public servant, and infiltrated the Palace in disguise. She has previously fallen foul of her new boss, Mabbwendig ap Terlion, Master of the Emperor’s Domestic Household, and is confronting her again in the cavernous staff dining hall. Mabb has been tormenting a series of unfortunate individuals among the hundreds of people crowding the hall. She called on a very reluctant member of Shayla’s staff to sing to the crowd. Shayla rescued Tanya from humiliation but in turn is expected to provide entertainment.

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"That, I will provide." Shayla leaned across the table to Bo Branson. "Access the public music library for me."

Bo's scroll appeared from the depths of her sleeve. She unrolled it on the table.

"Find 'The Serpent's Passing' from The Dragon Prince."

Jojo smiled. "My favorite opera."

"Be ready to send it to the dining room's public address when I say so." Shayla removed her boots and threw off her heavy robes, to reveal leggings and a close-fitting tunic.

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Exciting news! Nearly there! The paperback proof copy of The Ashes of Home arrived last week. I’m working through it this weekend, and if all looks good I am ready to hit ‘Publish’.

Ghosts and Ashes side by side 

Weekend Writing Warriors March 25

Weekend Writing Warriors is a weekly blog hop where participants post eight to ten sentences of their writing. You can find out more about it by clicking on the image below.

Continuing a scene from my first book, Ghosts of Innocence.

Shayla has stolen the identity of a newly-appointed senior public servant, and infiltrated the Palace in disguise. She has previously fallen foul of her new boss, Mabbwendig ap Terlion, Master of the Emperor’s Domestic Household, and is confronting her again in the cavernous staff dining hall. Mabb has been tormenting a series of unfortunate individuals among the hundreds of people crowding the hall, and has just called on a very reluctant member of Shayla’s staff (Tanya) to sing to the crowd. Note: Tanya is from one of the northern fishing provinces, the same ethnicity as Shayla’s adopted identity.

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Tanya edged into the center of the hall, one reluctant step after another, each step accompanied by jeers and catcalls.

"Hold!" Shayla stood. With a jerk of her head, she motioned Tanya to sit. "If my staff's talents displease you, I pay this bail from my own purse."

Mabb snarled as Tanya scuttled back to her seat. "Fishlanders swim together, hmm?" Her lips formed a thin line. "We still need entertainment, Master of Circuses."

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Weekend Writing Warriors March 18

Weekend Writing Warriors is a weekly blog hop where participants post eight to ten sentences of their writing. You can find out more about it by clicking on the image below.

Continuing a scene from my first book, Ghosts of Innocence.

Shayla has stolen the identity of a newly-appointed senior public servant, and infiltrated the Palace in disguise. She has previously fallen foul of her new boss, Mabbwendig ap Terlion, Master of the Emperor’s Domestic Household, and is confronting her again in the cavernous staff dining hall. Mabb has been tormenting a series of unfortunate individuals among the hundreds of people crowding the hall, and has just called on a very reluctant member of Shayla’s staff to sing to the crowd.

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Shayla looked along the rows of people filling the hall. Is nobody going to speak out? Some faces showed glee or anticipation, some people whistled and stamped their feet. But many eyes were downcast, haunted, shamed, relieved not to be the focus of attention themselves.

"Or maybe voice hoarse today?" Mabb's mouth twisted in glee. "If you want out, I set a bail at..." she pursed her lips, "fifty francs."

Some people gasped. Others cheered. The bestial din grew.

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Writing news: I’ve just received PDFs back from the book designer for The Ashes of Home. I’ll be proof-reading them carefully over the next few days, in the hope of completing and publishing by the end of the month!

Weekend Writing Warriors March 11

Weekend Writing Warriors is a weekly blog hop where participants post eight to ten sentences of their writing. You can find out more about it by clicking on the image below.

Continuing a scene from my first book, Ghosts of Innocence.

Shayla has stolen the identity of a newly-appointed senior public servant, and infiltrated the Palace in disguise. She has previously fallen foul of her new boss, Mabbwendig ap Terlion, Master of the Emperor’s Domestic Household, and is confronting her again in the cavernous staff dining hall. Mabb has been tormenting a series of unfortunate individuals among the hundreds of people crowding the hall, and has just called on a member of Shayla’s staff to sing to the crowd.

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A young woman at the next table stood. Shayla's eyes narrowed. She recognized her, a clerk from Colin's staff. Her red skin and rounded features suggested a Traplinki provincial, like Brynwyn.

Even from where she sat, Shayla could see her tremble. Tanya faced the head table, tears welling in her eyes.

"What? New Master of Circuses not taught you to sing yet?" Mabb shook her head. "Sad times, how she make spectacle fit for Emperor when own staff not sing?"

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