Category: writing

Amplifier 4: the re-reading of

Though I have Amplifier 5 all roughly outlined, I’m finding it difficult to force myself to focus on the first draft while the editor has Archivist 2. I’ve been writing Dusk, not Emma, for almost a year straight, and I have two side projects, not counting the short stories, that are occupying a lot of my brain space. I’m also likely a little burnt out – as we all are with the ongoing Covid19 restrictions/concerns – and, of course and annoyingly, the constant headache always makes writing interesting as well.

Anyway! I made myself a new desktop image, and I’m rereading Idols and Enemies (Amplifier 4) to get back into Emma’s headspace. I’m going to try to read slowly (not a strength of mine 😂 ) and I’ll be sharing some favourite bits over on my social media sites (possibly with some annotations). That should help hone my focus!

MCD’s current desktop/computer/treadmill desk setup.

Idols and Enemies is the fourth book in the Amplifier Series, which is set in the same universe as the Dowser, the Oracle, the Reconstructionist, and the Misfits of the Adept Universe series. It is bundled with The Music Box (Amplifier 4.5).

Reading order:

Click here for the full reading order of the Adept Universe.

Archivist 1.5 update and an excerpt

Writing update: Compelling Infinity (Archivist 2) is off to the editor (aka SFG) for story editing. Finally! With the increase of pain (tried hormone therapy from Feb to July which helped with a ton of my other symptoms but unfortunately worsened the constant headache), my writing capacity was really slowed down. Thankfully, while I’m still in constant pain, the level has decreased enough that I’m managing to write most days again for at least a couple of hours.

Which leads me to the excerpt from Archivist 1.5 below. I need to get it sent off to SFG as well, since he’d probably like to read it sooner than later for story purposes.

I’m still not certain if I will simply give this short away to everyone who wants it or make it a preorder giveaway. And then I’m not certain if I should tuck it at the back of Archivist 2 (which technically would be out of order) or tuck it in with the Adept Universe shorts when I get them all bundled together. A preorder giveaway is certainly super fun, but it is a lot of extra work on my part.

Anyway!

This made me laugh out loud this morning:

“Some new playthings will please you,” Brady said.

“Artifacts and books aren’t playthings,” I retorted, then broke into a grin. “But maybe something hidden among the witch’s things will try to kill us. That’s always fun.”

The werewolf enforcer chuckled. Gleefully wicked.

At least we had that in common.

No lying necessary.

– untitled, Archivist 1.5, second draft

Archivist Series: without regrets

I didn’t risk glancing back a third time.

I knew what I had to do. And I needed to move quickly, without regrets.

Because I was a dragon, not a witch.

And dragons protected the world and all the magic within it.

– Compelling Infinity (Archivist 2), Chapter Nine, Second Draft

In other news, all the Dowser Series recipe cards have been mailed (Thank you, Michael!). Canada Post’s delivery standard is supposedly nine business days, even internationally. But I have serious doubts. 😂

Archivist 2: exposing those … forearms.

A drive-by excerpt of my current work in progress (Archivist 2), just because it made me laugh.

Ravine pushed a plate into my hands. “Kellan is manning the barbecue. Literally.” She grinned suggestively. “Cooking steak perfectly, wearing an apron, and exposing those … forearms. You might want to take a picture.”

I blinked. Once again rendered mute by her teasing. Okay, fine, my brain had just gone blank, then thrust the image she’d just described to the forefront.

Would taking a picture be rude? Or … I mean, people did take pictures to commemorate celebrations, right?

Ravine giggled gleefully, grabbing the salad tongs. “Eat, Dusk. You’ll need the energy.”

– Compelling Infinity (Archivist 2), Chapter Six, Second Draft

Reading order of the Archivist Series:

Discussion thread: From One Moment to the Next (Kandy 0.75)

I just dropped From One Moment to the Next (Moments of the Adept Universe 0.5) (aka Kandy 0.75) into the inboxes of my newsletter subscribers, and as promised, I actually remembered to start a discussion thread!

The short (2600k) is just a sweet (well, my version of sweet) glimpse into Kandy’s life. It is set between her leaving her first pack and the events of Dowser 1. And features two other reader fav characters.

Please assume that there are spoilers for the short, as well as any Kandy book, in the comments below.

Feel free to discuss among yourselves (I believe there is a follow comments button? So you can see if anyone replies, etc?).

I hope you enjoyed the read!!

Sometimes writing looks like …

… digging through every mention of the Llewellyn family in my master Adept Universe bible, then every mention of uncles and cousins in a specific book – this time it was I See You (Oracle 2). All to roughly sketch out a family tree in order to verify that the current (previously unnamed) alpha of the California pack (aka Beau’s uncle) is actually Desmond’s second cousin.

Then correcting Gabby’s short. As well the short I’m currently writing.

Hastily scribbled Llewellyn family tree. Incomplete.

That second cousin thing always screws with me. Of course, the fact that Robert is Ada’s older brother apparently never occurred to me. Which would have made for far, far less work. Sigh.

😂

So yeah – spoiler alert – that means Kandy’s third Moments of the Adept Universe short is dropping in my newsletter on the last Thursday of August. And it may contain a character you’ve all been begging to see again aching for missing.

Ahem … possibly two. Not including Kandy herself.

Archivist 2: The Monster Within

I promised a Dusk/Kellan teaser from Archivist 2 last Friday, but got hit hard by a headache that actually took me down for the entire weekend, so I’m making good with some fresh-off-the-page (just written today) slow, slow burn … squee!!!

“You’re not afraid of me, are you, Dusk?” he asked quietly.

“Afraid?” I frowned. Was that what he was picking up from me? Fear?

“Of the monster within.”

Monster? Not wolf?

“You think of yourself as a monster, Kellan?”

He shrugged as if he didn’t care one way or the other, but his hand was fisted on his knee, his shoulders tight. “You watch me.”

“You watch me.”

“I most certainly do. Yet you never close the space between us, you never take the last step. Or any step for that matter.”

I didn’t have an answer for him, not without just lamely repeating what I’d already said.

“Do you wait for everything to be handed to you, Dusk?” His tone was suddenly edged in frustration.

“I can fight for what I want,” I said stiffly, realizing as I said it that it was possible I’d never actually ever fought for anything in my life. Not for myself. I wasn’t certain I’d ever wanted something that it was necessary to fight for. I’d fight to preserve what I already had, of course …

Kellan was smirking at me again, sprawled out against the log, firelight dancing across his skin, defining every muscle. “Me, Dusk. You want me. Your heart rate increases, your breathing slows, your pupils dilate just a bit. I know you want me. I can smell it on you, under all that honey that you use to mask your scent.”

I had no idea what he meant – though I most definitely smelled right now, of seaweed, saltwater, and damp cotton – but a flush of anger rose at the ridiculousness of his statement.

– Archivist 2, chapter eight, first draft

Reading order of the Archivist Series:

I hope you have a fantastic weekend! We’re freaking sweltering here, and the air quality is a bit nasty (from the forest fires), but I’m hoping to write, get in a hike, and make some ice cream.

Archivist 2: spoilery inspiration

I’m working through the midpoint of Archivist 2 this week (the first draft is sitting at 48k right now), tackling a scene that my notes tell me I started envisioning all the way back in March 2021.

I often collect little touchstones connected to various series/characters, including stickers and decals that I put in my notebooks. And I thought I’d share a glimpse of my inspiration for the midpoint of Archivist 2. I adore this image so much I haven’t actually stuck it in my notebook yet.

But … I can’t explain it at all because, you know – spoilers.

Octopus and Raven sticker, by Michelle Stoney Art, resting on a page of MCD’s notebook for Archivist 2.

You’re welcome.

😂

Invoking Infinity: Amazon Monthly Deal

This is duplicate news if you got my newsletter last week (which has more info) but, just FYI, Invoking Infinity (Archivist 1) has been selected as an Amazon Monthly Deal (for Canada and the USA only) – eBook $0.99.

I pretty much never discount the second book in a series, so I doubt it will ever be available at this price again. So, if you’ve been hesitating to dig into the series, and you read on Kindle (or via the Kindle app) from Canada or the USA, here is your chance!

Reading order of the Archivist Series:

Or click here for the reading order of the Adept Universe, starting with Cupcakes, Trinkets, and Other Deadly Magic (Dowser 1) which is currently permafree!

*Just to reiterate.* I have no control over the price or the retailer or the countries included. Amazon asked if they could feature Invoking Infinity, and I said yes to try it out. They then set the parameters. It is disheartening that I have to explain that, and even sadder that I have to ask people to be kind about the choices I make for my career and to hopefully grow my readership. Please try to refrain from sending me nasty comments. But also, please share if you think your friends/family might be interested! Thank you! – MCD

Archivist Series: magical … math?

Words, magical creatures, and items of power might be my thing, but math most certainly wasn’t.

– Archivist 2, chapter 3, first draft

I’m rewriting chapter three of Archivist 2 today, and this line (above) made me laugh. ‘Know thyself,’ Dusk. And … in case you ever wondered, math is definitely not my thing either. LOL

Michael is picking up sushi for lunch! So I’ll have to finished up the rest of chapter this afternoon.

Have a lovely weekend!