Melanie Nilles

Honestly, I’m not doing it on purpose. I’ve been sooo busy rewriting Dark Angel that I haven’t thought of much else in the last four weeks, least of all blogging. The good news is that I’m almost done. Almost. I still have 10-20K to go, and the ending isn’t going to be the same as the original, much to my mixed emotions. I’m disappointed, because it makes my job of writing harder, but I’m glad, because it will leave it open to turn it into a series, which was my hope way back when I started. This way is best for the story, rather than myself.

Otherwise, I split my time with family and my horse. The writing time takes place around being a wife, mother, horsewoman, etc. But I get 2-3 hours total a day for writing, around everything else, and that doesn’t mean I can sit right down and start writing.  I often need a good half hour of quiet time to wind down after a busy morning or afternoon.  I write during naptime and after my kids are in bed.
In the meantime, be sure to keep checking for updates on Dragon Prophecy and, soon, Dragon Legends. As editing for the second book gets underway, I’ll start posting excerpts of that and eventually the appendices for the second story. If you haven’t already done so, go on and check out both appendices, the character interviewsm and the world map for Dragon Prophecy on the series page.

In the meantime, here’s something fun, compliments of our not-so-little-anymore Harlee Quinn:

moar funny pictures

Here are some pics after Beau raced and bucked and generally showed off in the round pen, and cooled down with a longeline lesson. He’s modeling my old blue wraps, which really stand out against his dark bay color. The hunter green wraps I have look better on him.

He’s looking more adult all the time. For the longest time I thought of him as baby-faced Beau, but he’s filling out now and everything is changing. Unfortunately, he’s still a bit of a shaggy beast. He grew a thick winter coat and isn’t giving it up too quickly.

Have I ever mentioned how much I love him? Star could not hold a candle to him. She was moody and made me resent going to see her. Beau is so full of life and play, but calm once he gets that out of his system, that he energizes me. He fills me with that joy every time. he may not be a $10,000+ warmblood, but he’ll go far (I’m thinking at least 3rd level dressage) and his personality is just what I needed. He’s the right horse for me at this point in my life.

I would sacrifice a lot to see that he has the best care I can give him. Right now that means treating the cough that hasn’t gone away since he was sick in December. The Aeropulmin seems to be doing the trick, and I hope the vet is right that it could clear out his lungs of whatever has been bothering him. Hopefully the one 100 mL bottle will be all I have to buy (It’s expensive!). If not, I’ll get the scoping done that wasn’t done a few weeks ago when I had him in.

God, I feel so blessed to have the opportunity to own him!

I was going to post last night, but yesterday wore me out. Ever have one of those days that you’re so brain-dead by the end that you can’t focus any more? Yeah? Well, that was yesterday for me. It’s been a long week. Now, I’m glad it’s at an end. Hooray for weekends!

Anyway, I’ve been slowing a bit on the rewrite of Dark Angel. While I don’t think I will finish by the end of this month, as I had hoped (so it could go back to editing and get published–sorry for anyone waiting on that), it will definitely be done next month. I could still finish this month. You never know how the creativity will flow some days. I can have a 500 word day then a 5K word day. There are too many factors involved to explain why–weather, sleep patterns, family, horse, cats, housework, etc. All affect my mood and that’s the biggest influence on creativity, for me at least.

As of last night, I had about 32,500 words of the rewrite done. Around the half-way mark. Woohoo! Not quite what my goal for this point would be, but in the ballpark. I slowed down this last week a bit and got behind my goal. I hope to catch up as I’m going into some scenes I’ve been eager to write since the planning of the rewrite.

Why not write them while I think of them? I’m a linear writer. I can plan ahead, but I prefer to write in order. I can go back later and edit, but in the initial writing, I have to work with the right order of events. And those scenes I plan way ahead tend to change, usually for the better.

In other news, I’m still waiting for the pre-release of Dragon Prophecy to turn into actual availability. And I’m waiting on edits for Dragon Legends, which looks like it will be delayed a couple months. I expected that after the four month delay on Dragon Prophecy. Don’t kill the messenger. It’s all in the hands of the publisher right now.

I’ve been so busy with rewriting Dark Angel that I haven’t taken much time for writing blog posts, as you may have noticed. For those curious about my progress, after almost two weeks, I’m about a third done with the rewrite. I’m trying for 2,000 words a day, but am falling a little behind. I do have a life, after all. I wish I could afford to be a full time writer. Unfortunately, that’s not going to happen anytime soon. For now, I’ll do what I can to get done with the first draft of the rewrite, ASAP. Then it’ll be on to editing Dragon Legends, which will also be delayed, probably by a couple months. I’ll post updates here and on my livejournal blog at starlet97.livejournal.com. (Some posts there are private, so you’ll have to friend me to read them.)

Since many of your are awaiting the actual release of Dragon Prophecy, I’ll give you another teaser with a snippet today. I’ve posted quite a few, so hopefully I won’t be repeating anything.

Damaera sighed at the arguments over the use of the different regiments and their best defense against Tyrkam. Each sought a full legion of soldiers to protect their lands, yet none wished to conscribe the men to build those forces.

Tired of the useless debate, Damaera quietly exited the hall. Voices rose in anger, echoing through the room. The closing of the door relieved her of the same old discussion.

The meeting would not last much longer. They had begun to repeat the same opinions several times. Soon, the king would tire of the head-butting and end the session for another day.

Damaera strolled the halls, realizing from her tiredness that her grief and lack of appetite had weakened her. She would rest until the evening meal. Though she doubted any food would appeal to her, she would make her appearance. Her heart dragged behind her from the torment of losses inflicted by circumstances of the last few moon cycles.

For those who wish to know more about this story, visit the series page of my website for downloads.

(cross-posted from my livejournal, May 3rd)

Okay, as of tonight, I have 12,500 words on the rewrite done. Not exactly where I wanted to be, but I took most of today to refresh after major burnout this last week. (Try watching seven kids for ten hours a day for at least four days a week. I had one day–one day–with two of them gone. They’re all supposed to be part-time! I can’t keep up like this.)

Anyway, Here’s a rough sample of what I’ve done, as my Saturday snippet:

Raea hurried out her bedroom door and caught a sneer from Dave, who dripped into his room with his towel around his waist. Ew! She did not just see that! He was her cousin, for God’s sakes! That was just…gross. The brat always tried to make her life miserable. She would bet good money he had used up all the hot water too.

Sure enough. She barely had enough tolerable water for a five minute shower and ended up not washing her hair. After a quick make up job and dressing, she flew down the stairs.

“Have a nice shower?” Dave asked from the front entry, where he and his younger brother, Eric, tied their shoes.

She’d make Dave eat that grin on his face, but he’d never let her live it down if she showed any weakness now.

“Very nice. Thanks!” Raea smiled, hoping to erase his gloating.

His lip stiffened, and he turned away, nudging Eric out the door ahead of him.

Yes! That was so worth the fake pleasantry. With a real smile on her face, she grabbed a breakfast bar and carried it to the coat closet by the front door.

Still in early-draft stage, but that’s how it’s looking so far. Much better than it was!