Linda Nelson

Four years ago, I published Witch Book. I was able to set a record for myself when I wrote that book by having the first draft done in 90 days. It just seemed to flow across the screen. I did struggle with the world building. I hope to master that by the time I write the next book in the Orgarlan Series.

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The cover has changed a couple of times since I first published it, but the story has remained the same. It is one of my all-time favorites for my readers and myself.

I kind of drifted away from Orgarlan and went back to writing contemporary. It is a tendency I have when I write, moving back and forth between genre. Not that I don’t like writing fantasy. It is my most favorite to read. I also like suspense, mystery, action and adventure. Romances are my newest endeavor, which I find is hard to slip into my stories.

I never considered myself to be a romanticist. We all have different opinions of what a romance novel should be. I hear the main ingredient for romance is the happy ending. Cinderella comes to mind, she and Prince Charmin lived happily ever after.

As I write in the coming months I will be concentrating on finding my happy endings to any story I plot out. Lately, I’ve been doing a lot of plotting and planning. Instead of writing diligently on the next thing, I’m planning and plotting out one story after another. A pile of them is starting to form.

The first step in writing a story is planning. I want a plot outlining every event that is to take place in the story before I head out. When I get stuck in the plot, then I move on to the next plot outline. My goal is to have a big stack of them that I will be able to work off of when I’m finished with getting my degree.

I’m really looking forward to my composition classes. I have a feeling that my blog posts will center around those two classes once they start.

I believe my inability to write for the past six months has been due to the need to fill the brain with facts and knowledge. Lack of confidence too probably has had something to do with being blocked. Recently, I’ve been finding my self-confidence once again. Making the Dean’s List helped along with this sudden resurgence of co-workers taking an immediate interest in Witch Book.

I recently told one co-worker, if a sudden demand happened, I probably would be motivated to write the next book in the Orgarlan Series.

GRRM takes several years between books. Though his books are over a thousand pages long. I can understand why it takes him so long to write the next book. Mine are not as long, but world building takes a lot of thought, especially when you want to build some sort of back story to tie a series together.

I have three weeks left to this term. I wonder how many plot outlines I can make in the next three weeks?

Life will not stand still, not while Keelaa is in charge. She keeps a sentry post atop by the windowsill looking for those who dare to walk down her road or play out in their yard without inviting her. Insistently she barks for them to pay attention to her or else she will continue until they are no longer in sight.

This window was once the perch of the cat named Sam and his late friend Gracie. Sam passed away two weeks ago leaving Keelaa in full charge of the window. Keelaa has never been happier. It is hard to tell who was the greatest torture, Keelaa or Sam.

Two years ago, when Keelaa was just a small pup, she was smaller than either of the cats. She only wanted to play with them and be friends. But Sam wouldn’t have such a thing. Instead, he set out to make sure she knew who was the boss of the house and who set the rules. The two cats tag teamed Keelaa behind the coffee table, trapping her on the floor by the sofa. Sam in front of her and Gracie behind her.

Gracie then began to beat Keelaa’s fanny with her paws. Fortunately, she had no claws, but Sam did. He stood his ground and didn’t allow Keelaa to escape while the beating continued.

How Keelaa cried. Not in agony. Gracie didn’t have claws, but Keelaa didn’t make the connection. She coward until a human came to her rescue, shooing the cats away.

A few months later, Gracie accepted Keelaa into the family, but not Sam. He continued to let the pup know he was the one in charge. That is until Keelaa discovered she was much quicker than him. After that day, she became his tormentor in turn.