Gosh, did I score on music this winter.
Sure, there’s some sweet Christmas music in there (Yay, more Alan Silvestri!) but also plenty of fantasy and adventure, too. It’s the sort of gathering that makes me eager to close my invites me to hide from my kids for a few minutes with headphones, a chance to close my eyes and explore the possibilities…
…but which way do I go?
It’s a crossroads moment, to be sure. Maybe I need to be like Anastasia, and wait for a sign, like a magically house-trained dog covered in Don Bluth cuteness.
Whenever I feel tired of writing, this song makes me excited to get back into it again. There’s adventure in the mind, hidden deep in trees born of words and dreams. One just needs to take that first step in to see.
Perhaps that first step transports you into the night. Something stalks you in the dark…or perhaps you are the stalker, hunting the threat before It escapes among the Innocents.
Rain begins to fall, and you fall into line, the world unsuspecting of the mystery that runs amok in night’s grit and fervor.
Or…
Perhaps that first step transports you to impossible heights. Clouds kiss your feet.
Your comrades call to you, waiting for you to join them in the descent down, down to where adventure rides sunbeams and waterfalls, tunnels through ancient tombs of fallen kings.
Or…
Perhaps that first step transports you into the heart of The Storm. Lightning flashes, and you see the grey, grassy field you’re in goes on, and on, and on in all directions but one.
Lightning flashes, and you see you are not alone.
Lightning flashes, and you see nothing.
You hear a breathing not your own.
Lightning flashes, and–
Who knows?
So many stories, so little time!
But I’ll make the time. I have to, since now I’m creating new fiction to be shared with newsletter subscribers. You can see the hub for it on the home page of my website now: “Free Exclusive Fiction from the Wilds.” When you click there, you’ll see whatever the new fiction is for the month: a Fallen Princeborn story, maybe, or something for my Shield Maidens of Idana. A character dialogue, perhaps, or maybe just a standalone story I felt like writing. Every month will bring something awesome, so awesome it’s gotta be locked up with passwords, mwa ha ha ha! The newsletter will have the password to unlock the fiction.
(And now I suddenly feel like I’m in a Zelda game, going to such’n’such place for the yadda yadda key to unlock the neato treasure. Ah well, you get me.)
In the meantime, I’m still working on the novels for my Fallen Princeborn Omnibus. Still teaching and family-ing. But Bo’s got me mixed up in a challenge that, by default, I’m going to inflict on you.
In the briefest of terms, Whole30 says eat meat and produce, nothing else: no dairy, no grains. Coffee and tea are okay so long as you’re not adding stuff to them. You do this for 30 days to “reset your gut,” as it were, training it to burn fat instead of sugar for energy.
Bo really wants to tackle his weight this year, and I want to support him by doing it, too. I think we all learned last year that I’m not the best at adhering to diets, so I’m hoping that by holding myself accountable here, I can stay on task and therefore help Bo stay on task.
This means I’m going to try blogging for 30 days straight.
Not, you know, extensive pontificating for 30 days. Just honest reflection on how it’s going. Maybe something cool I’ve read, or some awesome quotes to get you thinking as you write or read. Some interviews of amazing Indie writers, some more music to inspire, and hopefully a “lessons learned” post about series writing that touches on a legit gripe many readers have about storytelling today.
And since I’m try to trim m’self down with Bo, then let’s just top this off with a sale on my novel, Fallen Princeborn: Stolen. For the entire month of February, Stolen will be 99 cents.
So, bring on the February! Bring on the cold, the coffee, and the dreams of stories not yet finished, not yet begun!
Something tells me it’s going to be a crazy-beautiful adventure. 🙂
Read on, share on, and write on, my friends!
Odd. I made a 60 second improvisation of a Hans Zimmer on Instagram a couple of days back ~ George
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Great minds… 😀
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Amazing choices of music. Brilliant.
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Thanks! 🙂
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I like these music choices, more to add to my expanding Prime library. If it crashes it’s probably down to me. I hope you and Bo’s challenge goes well. You know what I’m going to join you. Was talking with Robyn (Autism in our Nest) about dropping sugar. Already dairy and gluten free. So it’s worth a stab. Look forward to your daily blogs. It would be a good time to start a novel about being stranded on a remote island with little food…… xx
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Good for you! And I bet you could get that novel going–I have a feeling my words are going to sound like someone sleep-typing with my half-conscious zombieness. You’ve got the writing chops. 🙂
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I’m not like you, you have real talent, an In The Night Garden script is probably beyond me…. The Zombie state is perfect for your Transfomers at Christmas blockbuster.
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Wow, we are just making an epic stew with that christmas story… 🙂
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Blogging for 30 days straight, Ms Lee? You’re a better man than I am Gunga Din, that’s for sure. I shall do my level best to keep the men in white coats away from your door!
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Oh I’ve no doubt I’ll be in need of their services before the month is out, I’m sure! 🙂
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Reblogged this on lampmagician and commented:
Great Read 🙏❤❤
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Ooo – I saw the Philip Glass album there! I’ve got Glassworks, which I LOVE – but the Best Of album would also be a good one to get:)). Best of luck with the trimming down – Himself is in desperate need of shedding several stone and I could also do with losing one, too. I am hoping to start up a Zumba class soon, once I feel I’ve got a bit more stamina back. I am back to enjoying, rather than enduring my Pilates class, but I also need to add in some extra walks – I spend faar too in front of my computer…
And I’m impressed with your February daily blog!
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Thanks and thanks! We’ll see if I can swing this daily thing. It’ll almost be like NaNoWriMo, but without rhyme or reason… the TRUE literary abandon! 🙂
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I’m looking forward to the abandonment…
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Jean, I wish I had one quarter of your energy and focus. I’m impressed! Take care —
Neil
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Thanks! We’ll see how long this drive lasts. My school term just started, so I might change my tune before too long. x
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Love all this music! It is so wonderfully story-telling.
My heart is torn in two – one half wants to start a diet for the sake of solidarity and support, the other just screams nooooooo 😀
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LOL! No, do NOT do this one unless you’re a die-hard with a huge bet to win. I’m already cheating whether Bo knows it or not, but I’m not going to flaunt bread and peanut butter in front of him, because he really wants to do this. I’ll just hide my naughty sugar whenever I can. 🙂
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If you keep with requirements by 50%, it is not a failure. It only means that your victory is 2 month away instead of 1, and it is all right. Just make sure you eat a smaller slice every next time. You can cheat your body with this trick 🙂 Keep going! xx
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I’m lovin’ your math–works for me!
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❤
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