Tag: writing

Taking Colour

Vet appt for new puppy, Yuki, this morning. All seems well but he’s a little tired and cranky from a couple of shots. Then I had to repair one of our toilets; normally not a big deal but my left hand is not very functional right now (switd?) due to a ganglion cyst, so I nearly threw my back out contorting myself.

I now think I can turn this into a novel. That means one thing which implies another: a 50,000-word count minimum (currently just over 12k) and I cannot just jettison the reason I started this; that is, Colour. There is precedent in my other works where a demi basically tells a human, “follow me,” and expects it to be done. And here it is again. I have a suspicion this mature lady is about to have her world turned upside down.

Enjoy my content? Buy me a beer!

Continue reading “Taking Colour” →

Colourful Sunrise

Busy weekend. Nearly three hours at DayJob (Saturdays are usually only two) followed by putting the shelve together. After Mass and paying bills on Sunday, I had to haul said shelf and copies of my books to the mall… where they are having a car show. And thus no place to park. I cheat and use my wife’s cripple tag which also makes me have to walk less. Consult with the store owner about where to set up, put out books, decide that sucks, re-arrange books, re-consult with owner, and leave. I still had more to do about the house – putting the toilet overhaul off until Tuesday – so no time to write. As I anticipated that I did not feel guilty. But after nothing over the last two days, today’s installment is a little longer.

More politics. It looks like Aurie is winning and it also looks like she nearly blew it by going too far, too fast. Except for the Canadians, who have played nice with them for nearly three generations of the Change, the good folks of the Northern Federation are a socially conservative, quiet lot. Very wary of change.

Enjoy my content? Buy me a beer!

Continue reading “Colourful Sunrise” →

A Data Dump of Colour

Wherein I mine three? Four? Different books of Machine Civilization for Aurie to thoroughly confuse her friend with a real-world demonstration that when, some posts ago, the princess said, “we demis think fast!” she meant it. To each other and humans.

I like how when Colour probes some of Aurie’s defenses, she gets the polite equivalent of “not telling” right back at her. Like y’all, I’m beginning to understand that there are things Machines know demis won’t get and things demis know humans won’t. A future both simpler and vastly more complicated.

Side note: lots of about-the-house projects this weekend so we’ll be back on Monday.

Enjoy my content? Buy me a beer!

Continue reading “A Data Dump of Colour” →

Changing Colour

I’m going to try to accelerate this story and turn it into a book. My cover designer and her children in Germany are reduced to sneaking into the woods at night to glean firewood for the coming winter. A so-called first world country. F*cking Progs. If I can turn this into a book that’s another $300 for her and her fam.

With Filk’s arrival, Aurie turns the teasing up to “11.” A little exposition. And then a demonstration of raw power.

Enjoy my content? Buy me a beer!

Continue reading “Changing Colour” →

Questions of Colour

This is a cheap and dirty way of exposition for an author to tell his readers something: Q&A between characters. Those of y’all who have been following MacCiv for years know all of this but if I turn this into a novella or novel, it is my responsibility to make sure the future reader knows what is going on.

There have been elective monarchies in human history. They tended to fail quickly. Elective within a family is an idea Dr. Jerry Pournelle mooted in his CoDominium future history. Empress Faustina allows many local forms of government, including democracies and republics, but tolerates none of that at a national level. When she is good and ready, she’ll designate an heir.

What if she is hit by lightning or a truck? I do not know. I don’t think there would be a civil war (and if there was, it would be between Laszlo and Aurie; the rest of the family just doesn’t care or want the awful responsibility of running an empire) but I cannot say for certain.

I’m going to write a little more this evening. Three whiskies in hot-head Filk vs. perfectly sober demi-human Aurelia? This will be a hoot. I hope Colour can keep the peace under her roof. See everyone on Monday!

Enjoy my content? Buy me a beer!

Continue reading “Questions of Colour” →

A Colourful Relation

Given how Empress Faustina is an asshole and her niece is following in her footsteps, that fact they attract people such as that to them is no surprise. So, here’s a new tertiary (I think?) character.

And for those of you who asked: yes, the titular character makes her reappearance in the next installment. I must have a lot of softies reading my works as I seem to get more “likes” when it’s cute girls doing cute things rather than politics. Maybe I’ll start a small war to see how that’s appreciated?

In the mean time, we have learned that Aurie can be a charming person if she likes you. Cross her “specialness?” Well…

Enjoy my content? Buy me a beer!

Continue reading “A Colourful Relation” →

Diplomatic Colours

Aurie begins talks with those who govern the Northern Federation. She knows that they know that she could stomp on them like a bug, if she so desired. Coming from that position of strength, Aurelia instead tries to be nice.

From a diplomatic standpoint, there are two items on the table. The first is addressed here and I’m writing the other for tomorrow’s installment. After that, we’ll get the two friends back together.

Enjoy my content? Buy me a beer!

Continue reading “Diplomatic Colours” →

Colour-less

Research over. Back to the story.

It is a little surprising to me that coming from such a close, loving family, Aurelia is a hard person. From being a part of the imperial family? That didn’t seem to affect her parents or younger brother (who in Obligations of Rank left the imperium just to get away from the politics). Perhaps serving in the legions since she was seventeen and having to make hard, life-or-death decisions (such as helping use a fusion weapon on civilians in St Louis) did it? I’m finding out more about her just as y’all are.

Enjoy my content? Buy me a beer!

Continue reading “Colour-less” →

Different Coloured Hats

This brings up to about 4000 words. I an realize that I said yesterday is correct: I do not know the government nor politics of the Northern Federation. It’s core is Maine and New Hampshire, with affiliated territories from Vermont and central and western Massachusetts, making it about the smallest of the entities to survive the Change (which, I saw, is still called the Breakup by them). Until I understand their situation this far along, I cannot see Aurelia’s reaxion.

Saying all that to say this: unless I have a sudden revelation, which has happened, I’m taking the weekend off to study the problem. Aside: I do think, because of the time and the meeting, that Aurie will spend the night in their territory. Possibly at the house of one of Colour’s brothers.

Enjoy my content? Buy me a beer!

Continue reading “Different Coloured Hats” →

Colours, sights, smells

We learn a little more about the cultural differences between the Northern Federation and the imperium. My suspicion is that besides their Boston campaign, the NF has been in “glorious isolation” since the Breakup and learned to keep to themselves. I’m trying to imagine what the shock of Aurie’s army must be to the one’s who run their country.

Hmm. Who does run the NF? Who sent Colour and her team? Well, now; guess I had better figure that our before I go much further.

Enjoy my content? Buy me a beer!

Continue reading “Colours, sights, smells” →