“Of the People” just went into the queue at Lit and SOL.  I also finished the first draft of “Marked for Vengeance”, and it is off in the hands of first readers.

I’m still working on the Danica transition, and brainstorming on my Valentine contest entries.  The other stories are still simmering too ^_^

I had a major flash of inspiration on my next Laresa chapter, so it’s off and running.  At the rate I’m writing, it will probably be done very soon.  I put Danica off to the side for a moment, not wanting to lose this forward momentum.  It will be nice to have this chapter finished well ahead of my scheduled submission date.

Roust is back to work, so I should start having things post very soon =)

The second chapter of Devils and Dreams ( or Demons and Dreams, haven’t decided yet ) is underway.  Remember, I’m going to post this story complete, so that each chapter will come out one after the other on consecutive days.  Those who are on the mailing list will get an email when the first chapter posts, so you’ll know when it comes out.

Of the People, the follow-up to Deified, is finished as well.  I believe I’m very likely to continue filling in the gaps between my story in Deified, and SEVERUSMAX’s tale in chapter 16.  The character of “Dark Beast” that he mentions in his story is coalescing well in my mind, as is the tale that goes with him.  I’m likely to continue after this, telling the story of her enslavement to the Nazis that turns her bitter and bitchy at the beginning of his tale.

I’m almost ready to start typing out Chapter 21 of Laresa.  I’ve read Red’s, and BT is almost done, so I’ll have those two chapters to build from.  I know the general outline of DLs as well, so I think I have enough to mold my story and get it going.

It’s likely nothing will come out at Lit until after the new year, but it’s possible that something might squeeze into the queue at SOL before New Year’s day.  All depends upon how many drafts things have to go through, once I put Roust back to work after Christmas *laugh*

I figured out that thing with the Danica story.  I have a title for it now too, “Devils and Dreams”.  It’s currently about 60k, which is about half of a typical “Danica” chapter.  That’s also approximately the length I’m planning for the chapters of “Sisters of the Mists”.

So, this transition story is also going to come in chapters, and that means that the first one is done.  I’m going to wait and release the story when it’s finished, however, so you’ll get a nice big dose of Danica, day after day, until the whole story has been told.  Lit releases chapter stories submitted all at the same time one per day by default.  It will be good practice for me with the new chapter length.

This is closer to my typical chapter length on everything else ( about 30-40k ) so I’m finding it easier to write than I did the final few chapters of Danica.  I was geared for 100-120k in the beginning, but that has changed now.  With a little luck, that means there won’t be too many delays once I launch SOTM.

(Remember that abbreviation, I’ll be using it frequently to shorten the title of Book II)

I’ve also started on the follow-up to “Deified” ( Laresa’s World Ch. 15 ) finishing out Nathifa’s story.  This was originally supposed to be part of the official chain, but the story was already so long, I decided to cut the official chapter short and just finish the story later.  If you check out the Laresa’s World page on my website, you can see the cover to “Of the People” there =)

Likewise, I have a tiny bit of the follow up to “The Blinding White” ( Ch. 10 ) started, finishing James’ story as well.  On top of that, I’ve pretty much brainstormed my way through the next chapter ( 21 ) and have my central plot points set in stone.  I just need some inspiration for a setting, and a new Master to weave them in with.  I even have a starter in my head for a tale from “Outlaw’s Redemption” ( Ch. 5 ) telling some stories about the decade Laresa spent with Clint.  Those are likely to be website exclusive stories, not posted on Lit or Storiesonline.

Obviously, my Laresa muse is in full gear.

Never fear, my Danica muse is running well too.  Obviously D&D ( haha! ) is already started, but I have a good outline of the first few chapters of SOTM ready to go too.  I’ve already mentioned that the next two Arts Ardane stories are also ready to roll.

The new Arilee story, the sequel to “Blackhawk Hall” has also been crystallizing in my head, so I could pretty much start writing that one at any moment as well.

All in all, it’s been my motivation, and time, which has been holding me back lately.  I certainly don’t have anything remotely resembling writer’s block.  I have more stories floating around in my head, ready to go, than I could type out in a week if I did nothing else when I was off work.  ( and that’s just fantasy stories.  That doesn’t count the ideas to post as Les Lumens or LST3Ks )

My time isn’t improving much, but my motivation appears to be recovering.  I’ve written quite a bit the last few days, and I’m actually picking up steam, rather than losing it.

Now, it’s just a matter of whether Roust can keep up with me *laugh*  He’s posting his own work ( finally! ) and has taken on another excellent author, Sweet Witch, so he has a wee bit of a workload now.  His work is worth the wait, though, so no complaints from me.  I’d rather wait a couple of days, and have him give a story the full treatment, than have him rush through it.  I don’t want to push his other authors, or his own work, out of the way either.

That’s all for now, I’m back to writing.