Writing, the process

We found a garden slug travelling up the garage door the other day. It was a beautiful shiny black, moving so slowly I could have gone for lunch and come back by the time he moved about twelve inches. We have them here in various colours—tan, brown, spotted, as well as black. I’ve seen them crossing our gravel driveway, and wonder what benefit there can possibly be to travel at that pace across what must seem a desert of sharp stones on a smooth slimy stomach.

On the other hand, and in contrast to the slugs, we also have the Pacific chorus frog. They are so tiny, they often back into the petals of my dahlia blooms and wait there to catch flies or mosquitoes as they fly past. They are fast, I’ve only been able to catch one in all the time we’ve lived here on the west coast—or the wet coast, as we like to say. And unlike the slugs, they are loud. In February and March when the frogs emerge from the wetlands and begin to mate, it’s hard to sleep for the noise they produce.

Writing is a lot like these two little animals. Sometimes the process is so slow, it’s like watching paint dry, and about as exciting. Other times it leaps ahead so I can hardly keep up with the flow. One book will take six long months to write. Another will pop out in six weeks, and just need another two for editing. There is no predicting it.

Life happens. So when I am working on The Last War: Book Six and halfway through I have to start reading at the beginning yet again, to get a grasp of what has happened so far and what has yet to take place, I think of the slug moving slowly across the sharp gravel. And if I ever get to a point on this book where I can leap ahead to the finish, I’ll celebrate loudly like the little chorus frog.

What little animals inhabit your world?

Sci fi series – The Last War: Book One – on sale now!

A big thank you to all who entered the contest for  a free copy of My Best Mistake! I know I promised to choose four winners, but I ended up choosing 24 people to receive a free copy of the book!  I was so impressed by all the wonderful stories that readers sent me, and very much enjoyed reading them all. It was great fun and I extend my heartfelt thanks!

 This week’s book is on sale!

The Last War: Book One, Khandarken Rising is on sale for 99 cents only!

Here’s the link – Amazon

Buy now —  Sci fi /fantasy at its best!

Khandarken Rising, Book One by SylvieGrayson

Major Dante Regiment must find a way to protect Beth,as the Emperor is not the only one causing chaos in Khandarken

The Emperor has been defeated. New countries have arisen from the ashes of the old Empire. The citizens swear they will never need to fight again. Bethlehem Farmer is helping her brother Abram run Farmer Holdings in south Khandarken after their father died in the final battles. But when Abram takes a trip with Uncle Jade into the northern territory and disappears without a trace, suddenly things are not what they seem and no one can be trusted.

Major Dante Regiment is sent by his father, the General of Khandarken,to find out what the situation is at Farmer Holdings. What he sees shakes him to the core and fuels his grim determination to protect Bethlehem at all cost.

What readers say about The Last War series –  Major Dante seeks justice for Beth in the tough world of Khandarken. Loved this book and couldn’t stop reading. Ready for more in this superb story. 

Sylvie Grayson is amazing. Her books always seem to have layers in them and this one is no different. It makes the reader think about how a society deals with massive war and its aftermath, all in the context of what is actually a pretty darn great yarn, full of just the right amount of action and romance. The result? Wow, what a book. Great stuff. Great fun.

Book Giveaway – Sept 25 – Oct 1, enter now!

Win up to 20+ eBooks & Gain Access to Deals & Steals on even more! I’m participating in this promotion, so enter now!

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(2) Grand Prize “Gift Baskets” of ALL eBooks!
(20+) Winners of Individual eBooks (randomly selected titles)Authors Participating: Stephany Tullis, Judith Hudson, Rebecca Barrett, Helena Fairfax, Larissa Reinhart, Traci Wooden-Carlisle, Suzanne Jenkins, Effie Kammenou, Martina Boone, Hayley Wescott, Jessica Lourey, Maggie Christensen, Suzanne Kelman, Dani Haviland, Sylvie Grayson, Jodi Thomas, Barbara Bard, Fanny Finch

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Queen–I want to ride my bicycle

The weather is cooler and I went for a long bicycle ride yesterday. I ride along the road to get the best exercise—up and down the hills, some that are quite steep where I have to stop at the top of the hill to catch my breath and have a drink of water. Then I ride back home along the trails, which go up and down at a much more sedate pace, which suits me well as I’m tired by then.

Fall is definitely in the air. The huge maple leaves are falling heavily. Some of them are more than a foot in width. The colour is neat, but not as intense as in the east where the leaves turn a delightful red. Ours are more orange and yellow, depending on how fast the thermostat sank in the last few weeks.

I’m working on a new book—Book Six of The Last War, but it is coming slowly. There has been a lot of ‘life’ that has gotten in the way. None of which I regret. We’ve had family birthdays, family visits from near and far. We’ve had a new driveway put in, which is great because now the wave of dust from every vehicle is gone—what a relief.

So, as Queen so ably put it—

I want to ride my bicycle,

I want to ride my bike.

I want to ride my bicycle

I want to ride it where I like.