Sunday Scene

Crossing the I-90

On occasion, Cole crosses the bridge to head east of the mountains. Going over Lake Washington is one of the beneficial views he enjoys along the way.

Sunday Scene

Seattle

Cole Porter Lipton loves the cultural city scene, surpassing such things as Starbucks and Seahawks. The Sounders are another story.

Living in a one-bedroom apartment that has him in walking distance to the Market, theatre, and anything that sparks his interest, Seattle is where Cole’s soul will stay.

Sunday Scene

Somerset

A small section of serenity in Somerset:

• the town where Jacob and Deborah eventually move to and establish their bed and breakfast —  just on the outskirts
• the town (now sprawling) that Jared and Rita return to because of a funeral that leads to a mystery
• the town Dorinda moves to, all the better to distance herself from her grandparents
• the town Danise goes to in search of clues to put Paul at ease

Saturday Stats

 The stats this week weren’t too bad. Not as high as the start, but making the time to write a few words here and there, so no ‘dry days’  yet.

Missed the marathon today, but the day of exploring San Francisco’s Fisherman’s Wharf was worth it! With my partner in crime from the fun fanfic days, we searched for the perfect boat for Terrell Stillman. Learned a few chilling facts about him during a visit to the aquarium (let’s just say that an aquatic animal has displaced my former ‘discomforts.’)

Discovered Paxton does have a limit regarding his level of patience with Paul (and that Paul’s seemingly ‘wallflower/quiet’ personality isn’t as constant as some assumed. Danise prefers the finer things when dining out. Jean has a few talents up her sleeve. Quincy prefers supporting certain street performers. Tonielle is thrifty in how she spoils  her children. Leigh Myriam and Ivan have their special destinations when out on a date (that they’ll deny if ever seen).

This weekend of exploration will uncover other fascinating things, I’m sure.

Wordless Wednesday

Outline – Step Three

 Part 3 – What external situation will require your protagonist’s participation and how does it connect with the action in Part 2? (Extra challenge – can you build in a deadline for extra tension?”

Paul’s desire to say ‘goodbye’ to some of the kids he’s connected  with proves difficult as some familiar faces go missing. Torn between finding answers and arriving to his new state/job on time, will Paul  move towards the lost or towards logic?

Xenolith

Xenolith

Jalem kept score of the debates, wondering how long it would take for both ‘opponents’ to realize they were more alike than they cared to admit. True, she had the advantage of knowing something intimate about Desmon and Allen, secrets she’d keep until the end. Given the true strengths beyond the masks they wore, she expected to live a long, long time.

Maybe that was why Jalem wasn’t surprised by the bonding ceremony, a foolish hope she had even before the revelations in secret. She couldn’t define – then or now – what it was that made each man a relative outsider to the community, yet fitting in seamlessly so for safety’s sake. If Desmon knew the truth about Allen, or vice-versa, then neither friend needed to worry about punishment from the magistrates.

Yet Jalem saw the power behind their combined talents, an opportunity of throwing fire with the rain. She would only have to steer them like the winds that blew over the coastal waters, guiding defensive learning with an empathetic soul. They could succeed, guarding the next generation from the trappings of twilight. Maybe.

Allen’s Alterego

The majority of Allen’s life has been  spent with Alle and Ella Yomin – two near-ageless ones who brought him in from the darkness and protected him from those who’d rather see him dead – if they knew who he was.

Never forgetting that he is, was and always will be Atkinson, Allen discovers he has the potential to carry on the actions of all of his parents – in the precarious bringing together of conflicting cultures.

Avid reader, learner of tongues and a multitude of other subjects, Allen finds balance with his two closest friends – Jalem and Desmon.

How will he let the bonds of family and friendship intertwine with what he has to do?

 

Landing Under Water,  I See Roots
by Annie Finch

 
All the things we hide in water
hoping we won't see them go—
(forests growing under water
press against the ones we know)—

and they might have gone on growing
and they might now breathe above
everything I speak of sowing
(everything I try to love).

Quiet Comfort

Quiet Comfort

Atkin removed the glasses from his pocket, the ones his father made for him a lifetime ago. To wear them now would bring uncomfortable attention to the others, despite Voba’s vouching for the ‘visitors.’

 

Something so wonderful, so simple, so essential to easing into a new society; the spectacles offered a familiar view to an unfamiliar world. Ella’s quilts, filled with the scents of the savory soups, sweet drinks and salty breads mingled with memories of home. The faint, lingering smoke from Alle’s activities returned Allen to Schilon’s hut, blending petals, seedlings, herbs and other found items for new remedies.

Looking at the flickering dance by the corner of the cupboard, Allen marveled at the sight of raindrops bouncing up from the open window behind the flame and carried by the wind. Cupping the air around it, the impression he felt of the combined elements quieted the fears. It was if these elements, that normally fed or defeated one another, were meant to fold into one another, forming a new existence that defied the rules.

 

Wellone watched as Voba’s body shook from hearty laughter at Atkin, Desmon and Jalem’s challenge of re-building a wall for the school without the means of their magic. The young man leaned back, waiting for the innkeeper to throw over a visionary cloak to allow the trio to do what needed to be done.

Yes, it was dangerous for them to stay, especially for Atkin. Yet it was equally dangerous for them to go too soon, as well. This minor moment of peace allowed for something to grow, to strengthen, to prepare to defend what was established by Quinton so many lifetimes ago.

Setting the Scene

Castle by Jacqueline Fedyk

Camp NaNo begins in less than a week. Scrivner set pieces are almost done. The notebook’s at the ready and the cast of characters in the wings ready to tell their story.

Will the story begin within the rooms of the Learning Hall above?

Or on the paths of the woods below?

The Trail