I've been all over the map with my writing recently. I'm working very hard at writing daily - so far, it's more like every other day, but that's still progress. I've written short bits for prompts, and some on this, some on that... I sat down and looked at my list of unfinished projects and had a firm word with myself about the situation. I need to concentrate and focus. I can use the prompt writing to scratch the itch for 'new' and I have to pick one, just one, longer work to finish before I start another.
Having consulted my Evil Muse, First Reader, best friend, and also my husband, about what I should write... he says 'I'd really like more of that space trader series' with that mischievous smile. So! More Tanager and her intrepid crew it is! I have actually been writing on that one, with my second choice from him being Supporting Ragnarok. However, in order to continue with Tanager's Flight, I need two things. One I have to slog through on my own - I need a series bible. The other, you can help me with.
I need action. Simply doing character development with the crew is not going to carry a book, not even a 'small story' book like the Tanager series is intended to be. I have some ideas, of course. Space pirates will reappear in this book, having made their debut in the book prior. The aliens will remain a somewhat distant threat, edging ever nearer. But... what else? What perils fraught with decision should face Jem and his merry band? I'm not going to touch a hair on Eby's long silky ears, I promise. He may even get to stand stud once he's a grown doggo in a world with very few others of his kind.
But I wanted reader's insights, because you are the ones I'm writing to amuse, after all. Yes, the First Reader always looms large in my inspirations, but your entertainment is what keeps me writing and publishing rather than shoving the whole mess in a drawer.
What do you want to read about?
And if you're interested there's an interview with me over at Rob Howell's blog. He wanted to have me talk about myself (ack, ptoo!) but also about the story I wrote for his upcoming anthology, When Valor Must Hold. I wrote a story and he edited it with me, and I'm very happy with the end result. That will make an appearance in the upcoming months, and there's a bit about my inspirations over at the interview.