I started to write a post–actually two posts–but neither of them are ready for prime time. So rather than throwing something substandard up here, I’m opening the floor to reader-dictated content. Do you have any questions for me? About my inspirations or the status of various writing projects? About my writing process? Comments on my stories or blog posts? Anything I’ve written, either as a story or post, is fair game for questions!
(I’m in and out of the house all afternoon, so it may take a while for me to respond, but I will.)
I’d like to hear a little bit about Kai—either about her story or about what it’s like writing her, how the story came to you, favorite things about her or her story. Something like that anyway…
Also, would love more Sir I stories and—drat it, has it been long enough to forget her name? I do love the adventures and cuteness of little people.
Kai was born out of a desire to explore what it was like to be the “bad” twin in a culture where twins were viewed as a human singleton and a demonic imposter that had hijacked the mom’s womb. You can guess which of the two categories Kai fell into. The only reason she wasn’t gotten rid of at birth was because new ways are superseding old ones, but that superstition is deeply ingrained. It doesn’t help that Kai *is* cursed with shapechanging (among other odd behaviors). She grew up very wild and bitter, and lashed out badly in her hurt and anger. It’s been a slow process of healing.
I love her world, one I refer to fondly as the “paper fan world”. My husband helped me build it, which is why it’s so complicated. 😀
I try not to post too much about my kiddos (Sir I., Miss M. and the Baron), because I know I have the mommy tendency to go on and on and on about them. They have said funny things recently, but I can’t think of any really… oh, Sir I. did compare Mary [from the Little House books] with Toph from Avatar. He said, “Mary’s like Toph. Only she sees with her fingers while Toph sees with earthbending.” Which I thought was cute, and not a comparison I’d come up with.
Sounds like the same reason I try not to go on and on about my characters (much as I love them). :grins: But that is so cute.
I love the idea behind Kai. (and I can hardly wait for the book!)
Well, the book’s on hold until I can figure out where I went wrong with it. I got to about 70-80K words and stalled out. I just need time to sit down with it and figure out what happened–which I totally will do!–but I’ve got more manageable novella projects going on right now that I want to get done first.
Enough people have asked about Kai that I guess her story’s not as hopeless as I think (in my darkest times) it is. 😀 Thanks for the confidence boost!
Thanks for the information about Kai. I still think the excerpt you put on here a long time ago was awesome and would make a stunning book.
Hearing more about your writing, what you are writing, a little even about a character or two would be welcomed by me.
And I love hearing about the little ones and the things you get up too – like the Japanese paper dolls. They were just so special. I looked at the site for printing the paper.
By putting snippets on your website, you provide windows onto another world which is different from mine 🙂
I think the important word there for me is ‘snippets’. They are interesting, easy to read, with maybe a link or two, about anything and everything which comes your way and interests you.
It’s why I keep visiting and reading 🙂
Oh, funny, that. See, here I was, thinking I was being so thoughtful and considerate by NOT boring my readers with snippets of my work. I don’t want to be the blogger who just yaps yaps yaps about her own stories all the time. I’ll add snippets to my repertoire here, once in a while.
Thanks for telling me what you like. I appreciate your visits and comments!
I must admit, I personally wish more writers would yap about their stories. But then, I’m a crazily voracious reader.
(But then, I do the same thing on my own blog, wonder whether it’s okay to yap and try to keep it off the front page. Hmm. There must be something wrong with my thinking somewhere)
I think you need to find that sweet spot where your interests and your readers’ interests intersect. What kind of reader do you want to attract? What do you want to post up on the blog? Where’s the common ground?