Category Archives: WIPpet Wednesday

April 22, 2015

WIPpet Wednesday: It’s Love… Really

Welcome to WIPpet Wednesday, when the WIPpeteers share a quick snippet for a work in progress. It may be raw, it may be first-draftish, but it’s usually entertaining.

I actually have a bit of first draft today from Sworn. Though the book is on its third draft, I’m adding a few scenes to round out subplots and character development and help make the story flow more smoothly… at least, that’s the plan.

Possible spoilers if you haven’t read Torn, but I think I’ve edited out any big bombshells.

Eight paragraphs (2+2+4 for 4/22) from Nox’s POV. She and Aren are trying to figure out a way for her to keep Sorcerers out of her thoughts even though she has no magic to protect herself with. The first attempt didn’t go so well, but they’re having some good bonding moments.

“You’re not going to hug me, are you?” I asked.

His hands flexed again, but stayed resting at his sides. “No. Wasn’t thinking of it. Shall we give it another try?”

“Give me a minute.” I imagined a heavy stone wall in my mind, blocking my thoughts and emotions in, presenting a nearly blank facade to Aren. “Go.”

My wall shattered.

“Gods damn it, Aren, go easy.”

“No one else is going to hold back if they attack you. If you’re going to learn this, you’re going to do it properly. There was some resistance there, though. It was a good effort.”

I glared at him, though without real ill-will. “Don’t patronize me, you condescending ass.”

He grinned wider than I’d seen in far too long. “Then don’t complain when I treat you as an equal, you vile, heartless harpy.”

I do love good-natured insult wars. Actually, friendly banter is one of my favourite things to write. Sometimes insults give more insight into a relationships than outright declarations of love.

And that’s my deep thought for the day.

For more WIPpet madness, click here! Big thanks to our host KL Schwengel for wrangling all of us every week. If you’d like to join in on your own blog and link back, feel free! Visit the others, say hello, and they’ll try to do the same for you. They’re a good bunch. Really. Just make sure your work in progress snippet relates to today’s date, and you’re good to go.

Thanks for stopping by! Hope you’re all having a fantastic week.

14 Comments | tags: fantasy, insults, sample, snippet, work in progress, YA | posted in Sworn, WIPpet Wednesday

April 8, 2015

WIPpet Wednesday – Parties and Sorrow

By Kate Sparkes

*yawns*

*growls*

Sorry. I’m still getting over my post-party crash after the Torn release party on Facebook last week. Big thanks to everyone who came out! I had so much fun chatting with all of you, and loved seeing your responses to posts.

And giving stuff away. I really like doing that, too.

And BIG, HUGE, MASSIVE thanks to those who have picked up the book, read it, reviewed it, sent me lovely messages or posted on my facebook wall, shared tweets and blog posts, or told friends to pick up the series… you’re superstars, and I’m so grateful. You make this possible.

(insert cheesy, tear-filled gratitude montage here)

For anyone who’s not familiar with what we’re doing here today, WIPpet Wednesday is when we (the WIPpeteers) post a short snippet from a work in progress that relates in some way to the date–say, eight lines from chapter four for April eighth, or 12 words for 4+8… that kind of thing. Our math can get a little zany as we try to make a passage fit the date rather than the other way around, but that’s part of the fun!

As Torn is no longer a work in progress, we’ll move on to book three today. I’ve just finished reading through what was my second draft. There are a lot of changes I want to make, big and small, before it goes to alpha readers.

But guys? It’s going to be AMAZING. It’s going to be my favourite of the three by the time it’s released, and you know I love the first two.

TITLE SPOILER AHOY

I’m going to start calling book three by its proper title here. The first intrepid readers have had a week to discover it on their own at the back of Torn. I wanted to leave that as a little surprise just for them, but all good things must come to an end. Stop reading if you want to finish Torn and find it for yourself.

We good?

Okay. So today’s WIPpet Wednesday snippet comes from chapter 35 of Sworn. Two paragraphs (8/4=2) that I think say a lot about what’s to come without giving too much away.

Rowan’s POV.

The thick forest made passage difficult, as did the exhaustion that had already drained my arms, and the black sorrow that threatened to overwhelm my heart.

I couldn’t think about what had happened, and I couldn’t think of anything else.

–

*waits to hear the anguished cries of our WIPpet host, KL Schwengel*

For more WIPpet fun, click here! You never know what the WIPpeteers will share. Might be magical, bight be silly, or sexy, or terrifying. Enjoy! (and this is an open event, so feel free to jump in on your own blog and link back! The more, the merrier)

22 Comments | tags: bound trilogy, fantasy, snippet, sorrow, YA | posted in Bound Trilogy Book 3, WIPpet Wednesday

March 18, 2015

WIPpet Wednesday: Goodbye

By Kate Sparkes

Now it’s time to say goodbyyyye…

Yes, that’s how I’m figuring out my math this week for WIPpet Wednesday. This is the last week that Torn is officially a work in progress. Tomorrow I upload the final version to Amazon, and that’s it. And because WIPpet Wednesday demands that we match our snippet to the day’s calendar/date in some way, I’m going to give you a goodbye… well, it’s almost goodbye.

Chapter 4, Rowan’s POV.

“I’m going to miss you,” I whispered.

I kissed him hard, fiercely, trying to force every word we hadn’t spoken, every opportunity we’d been denied, and everything we’d miss after he left into a single gesture and moment.

His magic surrounded me, cold and dark, as familiar to me as my own. I always noticed it in these moments, when our bodies and hearts entwined. He said mine was like sunshine, bright and warm and filled with promise. I found his no less beautiful for its chill, and wished I could keep it with me after he left.

*sniffles*

For more WIPpet fun, click here to see what the other WIPpeteers are up to. Thanks to out heaust with the meaust, KL Schwengel for facilitating the festivities!

And with that, I leave you. It’s time to get back to work, to finish the last-minute touch-ups. I’m really enjoying this read-through. Less than two weeks until everyone else can do the same!

What are you all up to this week?

20 Comments | tags: goodbyes, kate sparkes, snippet, torn, work in progress | posted in Torn, WIPpet Wednesday

February 25, 2015

Wednesday’s Writing Stuff

By Kate Sparkes

Exciting title, no? It’s been kind of a crazy week, I’m a little off-kilter, and that’s actually the best I can do.

Quick update:

Torn is off for copy edits and proofreading, which means I have a few weeks to ~~freak out~~ get back into revisions on book three, which needs some adjustments after Torn‘s big edits (and just because I’ve come up with a few ways to give the story a more satisfying conclusion).
We had the cover reveal for Torn on Monday. Big thanks again to everyone who helped out by sharing or posting the reveal on your blogs! It made it a great party.
So pretty!
Pre-orders are up, too. It feels like this is really the point of no return, but I… *looks over shoulder, whispers* I feel good about the timing on this. Still releasing in March (31st), but leaving time in case things go wrong.
And Bound is on sale for 99 cents this week, in case anyone missed THAT on Monday, as well.

WIPpet Wednesday

I guess we only have a few weeks left when I can call Torn a work in progress.

Holy carp.

As always, potential spoilers ahead. I’m trying not to give away twists or surprises (or the main plot), but if you’ve read Bound, you might guess who’s being described here.

And be happy. I can’t be held responsible for that.

2 paragraphs from chapter 25 for 2/25, from the mysterious 3rd character’s POV. She’s just met some strangers, and isn’t feeling particularly warm toward them.

I guess you’ll meet her when we do the prologue reveal in a few weeks… 😀

One look at him told me I had better not let my guard down. It would be far too easy to be overcome by his obvious charm. Skin the same color as the woman’s, eyes like the depths of a lake on a summer day, black hair that he brushed back from his face in a gesture that was somehow bashful and self-confident at the same time. His smile revealed the hint of a shallow dimple at the corner of his mouth. I glanced lower, taking in the challenge. Broad shoulders, a muscular body obvious even under layers of clothing. Big hands with long fingers gripped the reins in an awkward hold.

I’d always had a weakness for beauty. We saw so little of it in Cressia.

Hmm…

For more WIPpet Wednesday, click here. The WIPpeteers (including our host, KL Schwengel) post snippets of works in progress every Wednesday, and it’s always fun to see what they’re up to. The only rule is that the snippet has to relate in some way to the calendar date. If you think that sounds like a good time, jump in on your own blog! We don’t bite.

Hard.

22 Comments | tags: Bound, bound trilogy, fantasy, indie, kate sparkes, magic, pre-order, snippet, torn, WIP, YA | posted in promotion, publishing, Torn, WIPpet Wednesday

February 18, 2015

WIPpet Wednesday – Full of It Edition

By Kate Sparkes

Hmm. Four blog post drafts in my folder, and not one happens to be a WIPpet Wednesday entry for today.

Past me is such a jerk.

For anyone not familiar with the rules, on WIPpet Wednesdays we post a snippet of a work in progress that relates in some way to today’s date. I’m going to be boring today and post 2 paragraphs from chapter 18 of Torn for 2/18.

I’m removing a character’s name to prevent big spoilers, but of course, anything comes with the risk of telling you something about the story. You’ve been warned.

From Rowan’s POV:

[My captor] cleared his throat, and I opened my eyes. “Whatever you’re thinking, stop now. They’ll go easier on you at the prison if you cooperate.”

I could have made a good guess at how full of excrement that statement was, but didn’t speak. My voice would have trembled.

I’ll give you a longer one some day. Promise.

OH, but speaking of Torn, and for anyone who missed it on Monday, I’m taking sign-ups if anyone would like to help with the cover reveal on February 23rd. E-mail me at kate.sparkes (at) live.ca if you’d like to help out on your blog. It’s gonna be fuuuuun…

Click here to see what the other WIPpeteers (including our host, KL Schwengel) are up to!

–

ROW80 Update

Torn is with beta readers this week, which leaves me a bit of a self-doubting, insecure mess. It’s nothing to worry about. This is normal for me, and I suspect for most writers, at this stage. There’s more pressure to produce on a deadline this time, which isn’t helping my nerves, but it’s in good hands.

If all goes well, I’ll be announcing the release date with the cover reveal.

And the blurb/cover copy.

*squeak*

And maaaaybe a sale on Bound for anyone who hasn’t grabbed it yet. Because Monday is my birthday, and I’m feeling generous, and I know you’re all going to want to get caught up before Torn comes out. 🙂

(Yes, I still get excited about my birthday after almost 34 years. I consider every spin around the sun a gift, and it’s a great chance to look back on a fantastic year–even if it was a bit of a roller coaster!)

So other than freaking out, what have I done since my last update? I’ve booked a formatter for the paperback version of Torn, corrected a few typos in the same of Bound (which had already been corrected in the e-book, but PDF files are so much harder to edit) and re-uploaded the file, ordered a proof… walked my big dog… cleaned out a kitchen cupboard… cleaned up a lot of messes courtesy of a tiny dog who doesn’t want to do his business outside…

Okay, most of that’s not writing-related, but I’m a little stuck here. I don’t have time to get back into revising book 3 before my betas finish with Torn.

Reading. I should go read. With tea. And cats.

YAY!

ROW80 is a blog hop, and a lot of authors have interesting stuff going on. To check it out, for more information, or to jump in at any time during the round, click here!

16 Comments | tags: cover reveal, fantasy, kate sparkes, sample, snippet, torn, WIPpet Wednesday, YA | posted in promotion, Torn, WIPpet Wednesday

February 11, 2015

WIPpet Wednesday: How is it even Wednesday again? edition

By Kate Sparkes

Man, Wednesdays are getting SNEAKY. Didn’t we just have one?

*checks calendar*

Huh. Seven days ago. I need a second opinion.

Oh, well. I have good and brief writing-related things to share this today.

WIPpet Wednesday

Simple WIPpet math today: Two sentences for the 11th (1+1). From Torn, no context because I like to make people guess and squirm. I’m mean like that.

But at least I’m honest about it.

“You didn’t think about what your little adventure would do to anyone here, did you? You just met tall, dark and evil and followed him out of the country, not once considering the consequences.”

Ruh-roh!

To see more of what the WIPpeteers are up to (you know, that fun and fabulous group of writers sharing a quick snippet of a work in progress every Wednesday, relating it in some way to the date), visit this link. Thanks to KL Schwengel for hosting! And if you’d like to join in on your own blog, go ahead! We’ll probably be gentle with the initiation.

*evil laugh*

But seriously, there might be cookies.

—

ROW80

Wednesday also means an update on my goals for A Round of Words in 80 Days, which is fun (goal post here). Not much to say except…

MASSIVE EDITS/REVISIONS/REWRITES ARE DONE.

I’m in the process of going through again and trying to catch the little things I screwed up while I was fixing bigger issues. It’s gone well so far, though I’m just approaching the hard part (ie the entire second half of the book) now. So far I’ve been catching little things–sentences that could flow better, characters repeating actions, redundant explanations, but with the amount of stuff I changed in the back half, I’m a little on edge over what I’m about to find.

It’s this kind of morning.

Wish me luck.

That said, I’m hoping to get this thing done and out to my 2nd round beta readers on Friday evening.

Then they can tell me what I missed AGAIN. And then I fix that, then copy edits/proofing.

It’s a long process. *weeps about not rushing art, in a terribly dramatic fashion*

Oh, and for anyone who missed the post on Monday, check this out! Not a ROW80 goal, but having my book in a box set with fifteen other amazing authors… including Mercedes Lackey… well, it’s a little cool. I am somewhat excited.

Actually… I used to pass this horse farm when I drove to work, where these gorgeous horses would race through the fields, all grace and power and flowing manes.

And behind them, every time, trotted a wee donkey, head held high, doing his best to keep up.

I AM THAT DONKEY. And proud to be a part of this temporary herd. 🙂

—

There. Do you see how short and non-painful all of that was this week?

Be sure to stick around. Next week (on Monday, unless I forget that Monday is coming), we’re going to have a post about cover art, maybe a wee teaser of… well, you know. A cover for something. Cover reveal sign-ups, too! Please please please.

This is all getting so close.

Deep breaths, Sparkles. Deep breaths.

20 Comments | tags: fantast, snippet, work in progress | posted in Torn, WIPpet Wednesday

January 28, 2015

WIPpet Wednesday – Awkward Spoiler Avoidance Edition (and a lesson learned)

By Kate Sparkes

WIP it… (duh nuh nuh nuh)… W-WIP it real good!

Sorry, I was tired of getting Devo stuck in my head every time WIPpet Wednesday rolled around. Thought I’d try Salt n’ Peppa. You know, instead of “Push It”.

It’s not actually better. Live and learn. *sigh*

WIPpet Wednesday is the day where we post a snippet from a work in progress that relates in some way to the day’s date. I’ve been having a lot of trouble participating lately, because a) I’m busy, and I don’t post if I know I can’t get around to comment (though I sometimes miss a few who post late–sorry! I’ll try harder!), and b) I’m seriously running out of spoiler-free snippets from Torn.

Like… even saying who’s in it is a spoiler, aside from the obvious suspects.

So here’s what we’re going to do. I’m going to share a big snippet, and I’m not going to say who’s in it. The POV character (herein referred to as “I”) is female and a Potioner, and that’s all I’m saying. The other party in the conversation is a dude, and… we’ll call him Y here.

Warning: If you’ve read Bound and really don’t want to know whether certain species are going to show up again, skip it. You’ll probably guess. I doubt anyone will be disappointed, but there you have it. 🙂

Okay, it’s super obvious. Just don’t say I didn’t warn you.

19 (short) paragraphs. WIPpet math: 1+1+8+2+0+1+5 = 18, plus one to grow on.

—

I’d only need one more ingredient. I brought out one of the daggers that my unfortunate soldier friend had left behind.

“Can I help?” Y’s voice drifted from the trees behind me.

“You’re getting quieter,” I observed. “I barely heard you coming.”

Y stood up straighter. “I’m working on it. I don’t think I’ll ever be as graceful on land as I am in [awkward redaction], though. What are you doing?”

“Trying to be prepared. You might not want to see this.”

The shadows covered much of his face, but I caught the concerned furrow of his brow. “Do you want me to leave? Whatever it is, I can handle it.”

The firm set of his jaw and the look in his eyes told me he wasn’t lying. I wondered what he’d seen in his life. Such a strange man. I couldn’t deny I was glad to have his assistance, and his company. Something about him calmed my mind, even as his presence tended to do the opposite to my body. I could ignore that, though.

“You can stay, if you want to,” I said. “Hold the bowl for me.”

He stepped into the clearing and cupped the bowl in his hands, holding it out from his body. “Like this?”

“Perfect.” I slipped off my cloak, then tried to roll up my sleeves. They were too tight. The whole thing would have to go. I thought about asking Y to close his eyes. We didn’t need to complicate things further.

Don’t be silly, I told myself. You’re both adults. He’s seen more, and probably prettier.

Y’s eyes widened as I unbuttoned my shirt, then swallowed hard as I slipped it off, leaving me in a thin under-shirt in the cold woods.

I waited for his gaze to return to mine. “Don’t [oh, so very redacted] go around naked most of the time?”

“Yes.”

I raised my eyebrows, and fought back a smile when his eyes wandered again.

“It’s just different with you,” he said. “It’s fine. Carry on. Please.”

I took a deep breath and traced the tip of the dagger over the skin of my arm, trying to decide on the best spot to get what I needed while doing the smallest possible amount of damage. I settled on the top of my forearm and stroked the tip of the dagger gently over my skin once, twice, three times, building my nerve.

“Use my blood, if you want,” Y said.

“No. Thank you. I’ve had worse injuries.”

“So have I.”

Well, my work here is done. Smoothly done, Sparkes. SMOOOOTHLY DONE.

O.o

For more and probably less awkward WIPpet Wednesday fun, scoot on over here to the linkie, and feel free to join in on your own blog. Thanks to KL Schwengel for hosting!

But seriously, guys, I think I’m out for a few weeks.

—

ROW80 Update

On the only goal that matters at the moment: Still editing. I think I have about eight chapters left to go, only two of which are full rewrites.

*cough*

Yes, it makes things harder. Yes, it’s more work than I thought I’d be doing two months shy of the projected publication date. It’s going to be worth it, though.

I’m done stressing about dates. Some people might be irritated if things are delayed by a week, but once the book’s out, no one will care. As I’ve said before, I’m not half-assing anything to meet a deadline.

My readers deserve my best. No shortcuts.

For the record, there will be no promises, speculation, or hints about the next book’s release date until after edits (professional, not self-edits). We’re looking at the same kind of space between books as we were this time, but beyond that, my lips are sealed.

Having a deadline is motivating, but it’s useless when it stresses you out too much to do anything.

Consider that a lesson learned.

ROW80 posts or to learn about the event, click here

30 Comments | tags: #ROW80, blood, fantasy, potion, romance, self-publishing, WIP, work in progress, writing, YA | posted in Revision, Torn, WIPpet Wednesday

January 21, 2015

WIPpet Wednesday: Oh, Dangit Edition

By Kate Sparkes

Hellooooooooo! WIPpet Wednesday again, where we WIPpeteers share a snippet from a work in progress that relates in some way to today’s date, and then we all get into our jammies and have sexy pillow fights.

Wait. No.

It’s just the sharing part, and also linking our posts. Sorry about that.

I think I can get around to everyone’s posts this week, which means I get to participate, hooray! If I can just find something from my current WIP (Torn) that’s not too spoilery…

Okay, here we go. I guess the fact that Aren’s in the book isn’t a spoiler. Here he’s speaking with someone who has challenged his ideas about the appropriate uses of magic. Not the first time he’s heard the arguments, but this guy is really getting under his skin…

4 paragraphs for 1/21 (1+2+1)

My upper lip curled. “You have no idea. I believe that you’re educated, that you know much about magic. But you’re sheltered here. What do you know about the world I have to survive in?” Every conversation I’d had with people who disapproved of my skills crowded in on me, fueling my anger. “You can’t possibly—” A wave of dizziness hit me, and I sat down on the bed. “What did you do?”

He didn’t respond, but watched me as he traced his finger over the rim of his wine cup.

I shuddered as a cold sweat broke out on my face. “You son of a–”

The world went black.

So there you go. For more WIPpet fun or to join in on your own blog, visit the linkie thing here. And thanks as always to our host KL Schwengel, who fears neither the reaper nor the rewrite.

You go, Schwengel.

—

ROW80 Update

Edits on Torn just keep rolling on. I’m getting through a few chapters a day right now, but I’m getting close to a big challenge. I’m not going to go into details, because a) spoilers, and b) I don’t really feel like pulling back the curtain and revealing the machinery that makes my books work. Let’s pretend it’s all inspiration and fairy dust, and the stories just fall from the sky complete and unchanging. It’s not like planning and building a castle! It’s like uncovering an artifact!

Hey, I can dream, can’t I?

I may or may not have the house to myself for a few days this week, which means WORK! YAY! I’m hoping I’ll be able to get through Difficult Thing #1 before the family gets back, leaving only (mostly) in-depth line edits and Difficult Thing #2 to get through in the next few weeks.

And I’m actually looking forward to the significant-yet-compact challenge of #2, so there you go.

So… it’s hard work, but it’s goin’ goooood.

Was that vague enough for everyone? Yes? Okay, then.

Oh, and I HAVE COVER ART. I can’t stop looking at it. SO pretty. I keep looking at it when I need motivation to keep editing. *sigh*

It’s only about a month until the cover reveal…

For more from ROW80 participants (A Round of Words in 80 Days to the uninitiated) or to learn more about the event (program?), click here.

So tell me: How’s your week going?

26 Comments | tags: fantasy, kate sparkes, snippet, torn | posted in Torn, WIPpet Wednesday

December 10, 2014

WIPpet Wednesday: Seriously Running Out of Stuff to Share

By Kate Sparkes

Like, seriously.

I have three works in progress. Technically four, but vampires are definitely back-burner right now. Practically off the stove, though I’ve had ideas for… you know what? Let’s do the ROW80 update first so we can talk about that.

ROW80 Update

It seems I’ve been a good little writer. I usually suffer from a constant fear of running out of ideas, because while my muse is good at keeping me entertained and always comes through for me, he’s also a bit of a stingy arse sometimes. I’ll have characters show up out of the blue, but no story to go with them. Or I’ll know that there’s more to a story, but I’m not allowed to see it until I finish the first part. In a way, it’s a blessing. It keeps me from trying to spread myself too thin. In another, it’s incredibly frustrating, because WHAT IF THIS IS ALL I HAVE TO OFFER?

No fear. Apparently finishing the draft of book 3 and reading it over earned me a bit of respect, and a few nights ago I filled a bunch more pages in my idea journal.

What I actually end up working on will depend on what readers want, of course. But if you like the world that Bound is set in, if you like the characters or are curious about certain bits of history… no spoilers, but you’ll be happy with my recent brain-vomit. I’m not going to say what or how much, but this world alone could keep me busy for the next four years.

But… I also had ideas for my vampires. If you’ve been around for a while, you might remember Shivva and co. Resurrection got fantastic responses from beta readers, but I haven’t had time to do anything with it. I also haven’t had time to finish drafting Sanctuary… but now I have ideas for three more novellas after those, and a bigger world than I expected.

And then there’s miss Catalen Sparrowhawk, who we’ve gotten to know a bit these past few weeks. I have no idea when I’ll get back to her, but I hope it’ll be before “Steampunk and related sub-genres” become as eyeroll-inducing to the general public as vampires are.

Not that that stopped my vampires from saying “shut up and write.”

So that’s my update. Lots of ideas, and I need to learn to manage my time better if I want any chance of getting them out to you before I get hit by a bus or something. Quality over quantity is always going to be my goal, but damn. It’s exciting to see the potential for quantity, too.

Today: visiting WIPpeteers/ROW80 people, on to scene 2 of book 3.

WIPpet Wednesday

So here we are. Guys… I’m about out of things to share. Torn will be off for editing soon (how soon depends on a few factors that I won’t go into right now), and I’m about out of non-spoilers. And book 3, which I’m revising now, is ALL SPOILERS. I can’t show you some great snippets because just saying who’s in them would be Torn spoilers.

One more from Torn, and than I might be out for a few weeks.

Today is 12/10… so 3 very short paragraphs (1+2=3). No context. Two characters in conversation.

“Thank you. So what happens now?”

“Life goes on as it should, I suppose,” I said, remembering Celean’s words.

Florizel snorted and tossed her head. “Nothing is as it should be. Life will go on, but for now we settle for things as they should not be, or we strive to make them right.”

The head tossing will make more sense when you meet this character. 🙂

Okay, that’s really it, until it’s time for pre-release teasers. Mwa ha.

For more WIPpeteer fun, click here for the linkie. Lots of authors posting from works in progress, lots of genres, lots of… like, words and stuff. Thanks to KL Schwengel for hosting. If you want to join in, post a snippet from a work in progress on your own blog, and make the selection relate somehow to the day’s date. Then link back, and be sure to visit everyone else. It’s just more fun that way. 🙂

For details on ROW80 (when is this round over, anyway?), click here.

17 Comments | posted in ROW80, Torn, WIPpet Wednesday

December 3, 2014

WIPpet Wednesday: Awkwarrrrrd

By Kate Sparkes

Okay, let’s start with a confession: I’m sharing from a project that’s technically on hold. Much as I love Cat and her story, I have worldbuilding issues there that I need to work through, and I promised my editor I’d try to get some more pre-editing done on Torn, so that’s what I’m doing.

Sparrowhawk & Son is still a work in progress, though, so here we go. Catalen has been forced by her new employer to have a medical exam done. She’s not too happy about the idea, but she’s been promised that she won’t be poked or prodded.

6 paragraphs (3+1+2 for 3/12)

No poking or prodding, my ass. I should have specified that personal questions make me as uncomfortable as physical examinations do. My eye isn’t the only secret I’d prefer to keep.

This room is cold, and not exactly private. Sure, the doctor pulled a curtain around the bed so no one can see me, but the nurses’ hushed murmurs drift through from outside. They can sure as hell hear me.

“Are you sexually active?” The doctor is this roundish old guy with a skinny neck who reminds me of a turkey I once saw.

I shrug, and the open-backed gown they’ve got me wearing slips down my shoulder. “I’m not sexually passive.”

He looks at me over the top of his glasses. “I’ll just mark yes. Any chance you’re pregnant?”

“I’m promiscuous, not stupid,” I tell him. He gives me that look again, and I sigh. “I’m always careful, okay? Always.”

For anyone new here, WIPpet Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by KL Schwengel where we (the WIPpeteers) share a snippet from a work in progress that relates to the day’s date in some way. For more entries, see here–there’s usually a good range of genres, and often work that’s more polished than my first draftishness here. Want to join in? Post to your blog, link back on the linkamajigger, and be sure to visit and comment on other people’s posts.

Apologies to anyone I missed last week (which is everyone who posted after late Wednesday afternoon, I think). Not having my laptop stinks, especially when we’re away for the weekend.

—–

ROW80 Update

On to A round of Words in 80 Days, which I keep forgetting to link back to on their blog. Oh, well. Still nice to have some accountability, even if it’s just in my head.

It’s been an interesting week.

Writing:

First thing: I pulled off that NaNoWriMo win before we went away. Just barely, but I did it. Between that and my insane month-and-a-bit before that of drafting Bound book 3, I’ve written about 130,000 words of first drafts since the end of September. Not a lot for some people, but I’m pooped. Never mind the two weeks of editing I did in there… yeah.

Editing:

I’m not sure how to say this. We’ve hit a series of small snags on Torn. Nothing to panic about. It’s just that my editor can’t take it until a bit later than estimated (not his fault, just the way things worked out. These things happen). On top of that, I might not even be able to see his notes until the new year. Why? Remember how my laptop died, so I have to use my old desktop? Turns out it’s too old to run the current version of Microsoft Office (or the current version of Windows), so I can’t put Word on it to see Track Changes. No, I didn’t have Word installed on it before, because I use Scrivener and kind of hate Word.

I can’t get my laptop fixed until I get it into FutureShop (hi, pricey service plan!), which means a 4 hour trip to St John’s. I tried to order a mac laptop (which I need anyway) as a replacement. It would have been perfect. Delivery by December 10, a more reliable computer, everything I need…

OOPS, they won’t deliver to a PO box, and we don’t have home delivery. Wait… I need to find out whether I can get that with expedited shipping.

I’m rambling. Sorry.

Just frustrated. And none too happy with Microsoft, either. *glares*

BUT… I’m still moving ahead, and currently using AutoCrit to catch repeated words and other issues to try to save time on editing later. You’d think at this point that I’d notice when I’ve used “hideous” twice in one paragraph, but it’s all a blur to me. And it’s so rewarding when they tell me “nice job!” for not having any dialogue tag-related adverbs in a chapter.

“YAY, ME!” she shouted shoutily. Oops.

Please wish me luck in either getting my computer fixed, getting a new one, or finding a hard copy of an old version of Word.

Reading

Started Deathmaker (Dragon Blood Book 2) by Lindsay Buroker, and I’m so glad I did. I’ve been having a lot of trouble really becoming immersed in books lately, but this one did it for me on a long car ride in a way that nothing else I sampled over the weekend did. It’s book 2 of a series (not sure how that happened, but it was on my Kindle), but I didn’t have any trouble getting into it. Good story so far. I did have a moment of “Aaaah, crap” yesterday when they announced something to do with gem power (which is what they use in Sparrowhawk & Son), but hey. It’s all been done before, and I’m sure there are major differences. It’s just a jolt when you see a concept/idea/familiar bit of action from your work in someone else’s.

Anyway, I think I’m going to need to pick up more of Lindsay Buroker’s work if the story ends as well as it starts. Really great stuff. And for writer types, especially independent authors (or author-publishers, or whatever term you prefer), her blog is a fantastic resource.

I also wish I was as prolific as she is. Maybe some day, but I don’t think I’ll ever be “finished first draft at beginning of November, publish the book by Christmas” fast, even on shorter books. I need more time than that. So jealous, though…

More ROW80 here.

25 Comments | tags: #ROW80, doctor, fantasy, first draft, gempunk, sample, snippet, WIPpet Wednesday | posted in Recent Reads, ROW80, WIPpet Wednesday, writing

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Category Archives: WIPpet Wednesday

WIPpet Wednesday: It’s Love… Really

WIPpet Wednesday – Parties and Sorrow

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Wednesday’s Writing Stuff

WIPpet Wednesday – Full of It Edition

WIPpet Wednesday: How is it even Wednesday again? edition

WIPpet Wednesday – Awkward Spoiler Avoidance Edition (and a lesson learned)

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disregard the prologue

Category Archives: WIPpet Wednesday

Vines and Vices (All the Queen’s Knaves book one)

Urban Fantasy (writing as Tanith Frost)

Bound (Bound Trilogy Book One)

Torn (Bound Trilogy Book Two)

Into Elurien

At Any Cost (Bound Trilogy prequel novella)

The Binding (Short Story)

Follow via Email

Kate Sparkes

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