Valentine's Day Blogfest

Whew! Third blogfest of the month! I feel like I haven't been to see enough of the other awesome entries from I'm Hearing Voices and Origins yet, but I plan to keep visiting blogs for the rest of the week . . . in the hopes of halfway catching up. Thank you Cassie Mae and Hope, for today's Valentine's Day Blog Hop!

Here's my entry. It's not very hot, and yet I squirmed through writing it. Don't ask me how I can have an awesome marriage to a hot, sweet guy, and yet I can't really write romance . . . I just think it's better lived than written, but I keep trying to write it anway . . . I know every good story has at least a little romance in it . . . at least the ones I read so here goes:



The crow’s nest was too cramped for anything but companionable closeness. Clara felt Adrian’s hand on her shoulder, and she fought the impulse to lean into it. She gripped the rail as if her life depended on it.


“Are you scared of heights?” he asked, too close to her ear.


She startled and felt herself blush, as a tingly thrill ran through her. She swallowed quickly and said, “No, I’ve always dreamed of flying. In Skycliff I liked to stand on the ramparts above the cliffs and watch the gulls soar on the winds.” Then she stiffened her shoulders slightly, and tried to keep her eyes on the horizon. “To be up here is a privilege I don’t want to lose.”


“Clara,” he said, “you could at least look at me.”


Clara turned and gazed up into his green eyes. “You are strange, and wonderful, and amazing. But we just met, and I have duties to fulfill.”


“You think I’m wonderful, and amazing?” he said, smiling broadly.


She could feel heat run through her, and fire up her cheeks. She tried to misdirect him. “Do you have Captain Crannock’s permission to be here?”


“No.”


“Then, you’re distracting me from my duties.”


“Oh, like seeing that griffin pair on the horizon,” he said, pointing behind her.


“Where?” she said, trying to twist around to see, but he held her close to him.


“Just trust me,” he said, and he kissed her gently, his lips warm like cinnamon.



Happy Valentine's Day!!!!

I'm Hearing Voices Blogfest Entry #2

Rules for the Day: Dialogue Introduction: Have two characters introduce each other using only dialogue—no backstory, no internalization, just dialogue between the two. Max 250 words.




“Hoy there, lassie, I never caught your name, back there when we picked up you and your friends. I’m Gurnsey, you may have heard, ship’s crew and fellow refugee.”

“I’m Clara, thanks for waiting for us. I didn’t even know there were ships waiting to pick us up when we came out of the caves under Skycliff. I was just focused on getting out of the city, and staying alive, and then . . .”

“Then you nearly single-handedly defeated those Red Drinaii scum. You didn’t seem to need a rescue as much as a ship. You know you’re younger than I thought the Champion would be.”

“Champion? You mean, like in the prophecy? That doesn’t make any sense. I’m a sword apprentice. In the caves, in one of the Maker’s testing chambers, I was given this amazing crystal sword, but that doesn’t make me the Champion from the tales and prophecy.”

“Well, now I’m just a sailor, and refugee from the Far Islands, actually called Chain of Hope by my people, but I don’t think you’re going to stay just a sword apprentice for long. That sword isn’t just any crystal sword, not that I have one, mind you, but I’ve seen them.”

“I just want to help free my people from Sihrqayya. That doesn’t make me Champion.”

I'm Hearing Voices Blogfest Entry #1

I’m Hearing Voices Blogfest Entry #1 Monday’s Entry: Character on the Couch: Have one of your characters answer the following questions (to make this work to your benefit, choose a character who is the hardest for you to write.) Max 250 words (Not including the questions – only the answers).


On the Couch: Clara, my MC from The Crystal Sword. For some reason, I’ve been struggling with her in the third draft, and I just want to finish. It’s been like getting drilled at the dentist for what feels like an eternity – I know because I just had that happen just last week. (Must floss).


1. What is your biggest vulnerability? Do others know this or is it a secret?

Clara: That’s the issue right there. I have huge doubts about whether I can wield the crystal sword, even though I know I’m an awesome swordswoman. I found out that I really don’t like killing people, even when I’m defending my people from the Red Drinaii and Sihrqayya. Yet at the same time, when I was at my worst, most painful doubting moment, I received the crystal sword. It doesn’t make sense. Why would I be given such an honor, when I clearly don’t deserve it? And yes, everyone knows. Well, not everyone, but my closest friends and family know. My mentor, Master Dantor, thinks that the Maker gives us the swords we need to fill our weaknesses. But that still doesn’t make sense. If I have doubt when I’m wielding it, the sword might crack. I’ve seen it happen to other crystal swordsmen. If they lose faith, then they lose their sword. I’m expected to battle Sihrqayya and her Red Drinaii, or at least King Alexandros whose become a traitor to our people, and my sword will crack under the pressure if I don’t find a way to get rid of my doubt.



2. What do people believe about you that is false?

Clara: Other than my closest friends and mentors, and the student apprentices who escaped with me through the underground tunnels when our city was attacked, people believe that I’m a hero, a champion of light, truth, and faith. Those moments when I’ve been heroic I just surrender myself to the Maker, and I don’t feel like that’s anything that comes from me.

3. What would your best friend say is your fatal flaw? Why?

Clara: Salene would probably say I spend too much time alone, especially since my parents disappeared on a mission for the Triune Halls. She’s a wonderful friend, and I know out of everyone she probably understands best since her brother was killed five years ago by Sihrqayya’s agents. Her family is stuck in Skycliff, and they are probably prisoners of the King, or worse. She has to be hurting as much as I am, but it’s hard to start that conversation.

4. What would the same friend say is your one redeeming quality? Why?

Clara: She would say that I care deeply about my friends, family, and our people, the Septilians. Why? Well, once I was a sword apprentice because I wanted it. Now, I’m a swordswoman because my family, friends, and country need me to be one. She might have said once that I had a clear faith, but now . . . well, that's up for debate.


5. What do you want most? What will you do to get it?

Clara: Freedom for my friends, family, and people, freedom from evil and oppression, freedom to live and live with joy. When we're free, well, I might like to find someone like Salene has found Prince William, but for now I have too much to do. When those I love have that freedom, then I will be free. To get it, I will fight even when I feel doubts. I will push myself to keep going, and I will do everything I can to defeat King Alexandros, the Red Drinaii, and Sihrqayya.

If you want to join in on this awesome blogfest hosted by Angie at Live to Write, Edit When Necessary and Cassie Mae at Reading, Writing, and Loving It Or follow this link: I'm Hearing Voices Blogfest

In the midst of my interview with my character, I found the flaw in my story that I had been struggling with . . . and now I can fix it!!! Thank you Cassie Mae and Angie!

Blessings Blogfest

To celebrate the end of my 365 Days of Blessings Challenge, I would like to invite you all to participate in a:

Blessings Blogfest!

Here's out it works:
Sign up for the Blogfest. Put a cool picture link on your blog, and on May 31st, write up 10 blessings for the day! Then visit other bloggers, and see their lists of blessings! Let's share our blessings, and spread the joy!