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Friday Snippet: Lady Wyre’s Regret

As promised, I need to share the rest of what I’ve done for the free prequel to Lady Doctor Wyre — Lady Wyre’s Regret — and see what you think about the ending.  Of course as I give each snippet another light editing before I post it here, I’ll probably think of something else I want to add anyway.  *rolls eyes at self*  We’ll see how it goes.

I posted some bits of this during NaNoWriMo but I’ll back up a bit to the last “formal” posting here, continuing forward into the “assassination.”  It might be a re-read for some of you that were following along through NaNoWriMo, but I think the continuity and revisit will help me decide!

Waving regally, Charlotte paused on the front steps of Wyreton and awaited her public assassination.  Her heartbeat ramped to supersonic speeds, but she managed to smile for the millions of Britannians watching the Solstice Eclipse festivities.  Cameras flashed, broadcasting her departure for the royal ball.  As the Duchess of Wyre, she’d be fashionably late.

Eternally late, if Lord Regret manages to pull off this charade.

She heard the shocked whispers and gasps before the assassin’s blade dug into her neck.  This time he didn’t spare any pressure, deliberately drawing enough blood to leave DNA evidence on her spotless white marble.

It must look authentic beyond any reasonable doubt.

Drawing in a deep breath, she let a shrill scream echo across the plaza.  She clawed at his arm locked about her throat so tightly she couldn’t breathe.  Combined with the rigid corset, she was afraid she might actually pass out.

Pain burned across her throat and she tried to scream again, but she didn’t have enough air.  She hadn’t counted on being so terrified.  Her orders had been explicit.  He must rough her up enough to make it look real.  He must draw her blood, obviously wounding her severely enough that the general public would believe her dead.

Yet she couldn’t help that niggling doubt.  What if Majel had gotten to him?  What if someone had upped her price, making the amount on her head too attractive for the famous assassin to resist?  Every man has a price.  What is Lord Regret’s?

He picked her up, manhandling her down the impressive stairs to her gleaming carriage.  Her shoe fell off and she had the inane urge to laugh.  Cinderella would be late to the ball.  Would Prince Charming find her shoe and come to her rescue?

Lord Regret slung her inside the carriage so hard she fell face first against the floor.  Her head rebounded off the wall and for a moment, everything went black.  Outside, screams and chaos did nothing to help her regain her senses.  She tasted blood and her head throbbed.

The flash of heat stirred her numb limbs to life.  Fire exploded about the carriage, created by the Razari crystal she’d studied.  A deliberate message to Majel, as well as a plausible source for the execution to which she could claim ignorance.  Someone had to want Charlotte dead other than the Queen, enough to make her doubt Charlotte’s hand in her own execution.

Of anyone, the Razari would most want her dead for what she’d accidentally done to their planet.

Smoke choked her, making it impossible to see.  She ran her hands over the floor of the carriage, trying to find the escape hatch.  I have to get out before it starts moving.  Damnation, where’s the latch?

Panic made her hands tremble.  Sweat trickled down her face, the heat scalding her skin.  The stench of scorched silk and melting metal burned her throat.  Finally, she found the latch, hefted the small door open, and jumped through to blissfully cool darkness.  She pulled the hatch shut after her and nearly collapsed into a heap of smoldering skirts.

Too close.  Too real.  Her mind shrilled, her nerves raw with fear, but she forced her body to move.  She had to get off Wyreton lands as soon as possible.  Majel wouldn’t delay the search long, even if they managed to extinguish the blaze.

Her greatest fear was that someone would put out the fire before it managed to destroy the carriage.  The Razari crystals were powerful, flashing so hot that metal began melting almost immediately.  Definitely hot enough to combust a body into nothing but ashes, indistinguishable from the remains of the carriage.

I hope.

No one outside of Wyreton knew there were extensive tunnels beneath the estate, and her own people would never betray her House, not even to the Queen.  Yet she daren’t leave any trace behind, just in case.

From her reticule, she pulled out a thin canister of bio-bandage to seal shut the assassin’s wound.  She yearned for a mirror to see how badly she’d scar, resisting her vanity that insisted she cover the ugly cut with a scarf.  She didn’t feel much damage.  Sig knew very well what he was about.

She had no lady’s maid to help her strip off the gown, so she heaved her skirts up about her waist, picked up her remaining slipper, and ran down the corridor in her stockings with nothing but a hand on the wall to guide her.  No light, in case someone was watching.  No sound.  No trail for Majel to follow.

Once well away from the house, she exited the tunnel in a dim, empty stable.  No horses lived in these stalls, but Charlotte—and her mother before her—had always been careful and suspicious with private caches and safehouses throughout Londonium.  With ruthless House Krowe in control of Britannia, a lady never knew when she’d have to make a run for it, and a Wyre always went in style.

Donning a full-length cape, she hopped on a motorized scooter—her own invention, of course—and headed for their meeting place at the Thames dock.  She checked her timepiece and pressed the accelerator.  Regret had been adamant about the time.  Once the accident happened, the docks would close down within minutes just to make sure no one escaped.  Majel would claim she wanted to capture the assassin who’d dared harm her physician, but she’d also want to ensure Charlotte wasn’t escaping the net at the same time.  Five to ten minutes would be all they had to get out of the Britannian airlocks.

She skidded to a halt at the dock, Pier 371 as he’d ordered.  The motor started in a rumbling roar of smoke.  Oh, dear, the Captain could surely use my assistance in fine-tuning his engines.  Perhaps he’ll allow me to make a few modifications as we sail…

The ship lifted off and she stared at it a moment, dumbfounded.  She opened her mouth to shout, but it would do no good.  No one would hear over the engines, and she daren’t draw attention to herself.  How ironic that she’d been betrayed by her own assassin.  “Dead” wouldn’t matter if she couldn’t get off Britannia.  There was only so long she could hide, so many favors she could claim, so many bribes…before the Queen’s Ravens found her.

She squeezed her eyes shut and fought for calm.  Think, Wyre.  Think!

A hand closed around her arm and she nearly shrieked like a fishmonger in Cheapside.  Her eyes flew open and met Regret’s knowing smirk.

“Doubting the trustworthiness of your assassin, Lady Wyre?  Surely not.”

He guided her further down the dock to a much smaller ship.  Fighting back shock and relief, she stared doubtfully at the tiny boat.  Would it even be large enough for the two of them?  Then an overwhelming sense of loss washed over her, weakening her knees.  My research.  Lost.  What if it falls into hands worse than Majel’s?  Her voice trembled as badly as her hands.  “My trunks?”

Inclining his head, he waved her aboard, smiling at her torn stockings and slightly scorched silk.  “Already aboard, Your Grace.  I thought it best to have my own red herrings.  Lord Regret would make almost as an attractive lure as Lady Wyre for the footpads and pirates lurking about the docks.  Shall we be away?”

Charlotte spared one last glance at the glorious city stretched out along the Thames.  The Tower of Londonium rose like a gloomy dark sentinel against the brightly-lit night.  Even at this late hour, crows flew about the tower, their eerie caws echoing like ghosts in the nearly silent city.  Britannians everywhere were pausing in their chores and celebrations to watch with awe and not a little dread as the small distant planet, Americus, began to slide in front of the silvered moon.  For almost an hour, the moon would be completely hidden in the dark of that planet.

While I slip far, far away.

“I’ll not regret it if I never see Londonium again.”

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The Itch I Can’t Scratch

Yet.

I have a story itch.  I know it’s there, teasing me just beyond my reach.  It smells like fantasy.  I would love to write some more fantasy.  It’s *right there*, just beyond my sight.  I can see it hovering there, and I keep straining to make out its shape.  It’s annoying.  It flickers, singing a sweet shiny melody, but I don’t even know what it IS so I can’t ignore my other to-dos to satisfy it.

I tried doodling on scrap paper the other day to see if my subconscious knew what my wicked muse was trying to tell me.  But you know how he is.  He just winks and smirks with a little swish of his memsha and goes sneaking off into the Shadows.

I scanned my research shelf to see if any lightbulbs went off.  Was he wanting me to do a little research?  Maya?  Nope.  The Mound Builders?  Nope.  China?  Japan?  Celts?  Nadda.

Egypt?  Greek?  Fairytales? Regency?  Victorian England? American Civil War?!?

I’m getting desperate here.

The smug bastard.  I think this calls for a new moleskin notebook and the magic purple pen.

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Incentives

Do you play mental games with yourself in order to meet your goals?  I do, but sometimes my mental dialogue gets a bit hilarious.

I’ve made a bargain with myself in the Dark & Early hours that I can’t read my blog feeds until I get my first writing stint done.  That means I can’t read Suzanne’s Chickens in the Road, which is my MUST READ every single day.  Or Paperback Writer.  That’s incentive!

I’ve decided that I can’t eat lunch until I’ve completed my workout.  If I’m really really hungry, then I can have a snack, but that’s it.  I know myself too well.  If I make my lunch, then I’ll decide I need to wait awhile before working out…and pretty soon the day will be gone.  My chances of getting anything done at night once the monsters are home are slim to none.

Yesterday, I had a long (about 30 min) argument – I mean discussion – with myself about whether or not I was going to do the Ab Ripper at the end of the cardio workout.  I really didn’t wanna.  Oh, I soooo did not wanna.  I was super hungry.  I didn’t want to use my whole lunch working out.  I wanted some time to veg before getting back to work.  Back and forth.  But I decided I would feel GUILTY [OMG why didn’t someone tell me I had “quilty” not “guilty”?  I don’t even quilt!]  if I didn’t do the full workout routine that I’d committed to doing.

It’s *only* 3 minutes or so of additional activity.  It’s not like 3 mins is going to make me late.  Or I’m going to starve to death.  Even though my fat was really crying and protesting that I *would* starve to death.

So I did it.  But man was it tough.

Do you bargain with yourself – or make deals with your inner demons?

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Simple Substitutions

I was talking to a friend today about Weight Watchers and health in general, and I got the idea for this blog post.  Years ago, my dear friend Wanda let me borrow her American Heart Association Diet/Recipe book and one of their recommendations was to simply make small changes.  e.g. cut about 20% of your calories.  Over time, those simple reductions would help lose weight without any noticeable deprivations.

I admit, I sort of scoffed.  I wasn’t patient enough for those little changes.  Geez.  I want to lose weight NOW!  Of course I went on some crazy fad diet, lost 40 pounds quickly, but ultimately fell off the wagon and gained the weight back.

Although I’ve been doing Weight Watchers for over a year now, that little idea of small substitutions has stuck with me.  In the beginning, I didn’t need to “give up” too many things because I had the points for the normal foods.  But now I’m dropping slowly downward, and I need all the help I can get to stay in my range.  (I lost another point today!  Gulp!!  I mean, Yay!)

Substitutions to the rescue!  But first a few caveats.  READ YOUR LABELS.  “Fat-free” is not necessarily better than the full-fat versions.  Watch for fillers, especially corn syrup.  That’s one reason I’ve stuck with my regular half and half instead of fat-free.  I don’t want corn syrup in my coffee, thank you very much!

Also, watch your chemicals, especially sugar substitutes.  If I’m going to have alcohol in my food, I want it to be of the wine or beer variety, not sugar alcohols.  I’ve cut out almost all sweeteners other than the half Splenda/sugar mix, and I’m trying to get off it too.  I just hate to use the points for real honey — but it’s so much better for me.

Here are a few substitutions that I make every single day.

  • 93% or 95% lean ground beef instead of ground chuck.
  • I really love 99% ground turkey – and even the monsters will eat it in Sloppy Joes, etc. after we got over the weird “white” color.  However, it’s typically pretty expense here.  I occasionally make a really yummy turkey & feta burger.
  • I almost always have a whole egg each day, but to bulk out my meal and increase protein, I use 2-3 egg whites too for very little point impact.
  • nonfat Greek (Fage) yogurt is probably my #1 staple.  (For instance, I sent home Thanksgiving leftovers with people in Fage containers.)  I eat it every single day for breakfast.  I also use it as a sour cream replacement.  2 T for basically free.  It also makes a great dip for veggies with some dried herbs like thyme or dill, celery salt or Bay seasoning, etc.  Or even yogurt + salsa.
  • Unsweetened almond milk in place of skim milk.  Half the points, and I love the taste.  However, it doesn’t officially count as a WW dairy (I do usually count it, though).  Plus it’s expensive!  So it’s a treat, but I really do like it.
  • Instead of tortilla chips or even baked Scoops, I take corn tortillas, lightly brush with olive oil (getting in those healthy oils!), season, and then bake until crispy.  They taste like corn to me, unlike those fake baked Scoops.
  • Instead of flour tortillas, I do either:  flat outs or corn tortillas.  Huge difference in points.  I’ve tried whole wheat tortillas but they just don’t taste right to me.  I’d rather have corn.  Someday, I’m going to try making my own.
  • I’ve always eaten wheat bread.  I do eat Nature’s Own light wheat bread for sandwiches (so I get 2 pieces for the same point value!) – but I also like the double fiber kind.  I’ve tried various sandwich rounds, etc. but in the end, I came back to Nature’s Own.  I just like their ingredients and taste the best.
  • Pita breads make GREAT personal pizzas!  I use whole wheat, top with turkey pepperoni and mozzarella, or…
  • Laughing Cow cheese wedges.  They’re a highly processed food, which I’m not real thrilled about, but sometimes I really crave that rich “cream cheese” taste.  I’ve tried several flavors but always come back to the simple Light Swiss.
  • Babybel cheeses.  Perfect snack size, great with clementines or an apple for a snack.  They pack in 5 grams of protein but don’t count as a whole dairy.  (You need 1 1/2 oz cheese to count as a dairy serving.)
  • I have raw, fresh veggies or fruit at every meal.  Even if I’m out of lettuce, I slice up a cucumber, tomato, or pepper.  The monsters will eat quite a bit of these, although we’re still working on peppers especially.
  • Natural peanut butter instead of regular.  Half the points, and I feel good about limiting the salt and sugar.  Even Middle takes it for lunch everyday – she actually prefers natural pb now instead of Jif.
  • When you’ve spent years blindly cutting fats – even healthy ones – out of your diet, real cheese seems like an indulgence.  I admit, I looooove a good sharp cheddar.  Such a delicious treat!  However, I keep the reduced fat Mexican shredded cheeses on hand and can’t really taste a difference compared to the other shredded cheeses.  (P.S. you know cheese you shred yourself tastes way better right?  It’s not coated in cellulose – wood! – to prevent clumping!)  With three monsters, the full-time Evil Day Job, etc. sometimes I need the convenience of bagged cheese.

These substitutions don’t really have a “point” impact, but they do have a health impact and they’re important to me.

  • I substitute dried beans for canned beans as often as possible.  I’m cutting the sodium – which can definitely impact my weight results – and avoiding any can chemicals that might leak into the food.
  • I don’t use canola oil or margarine.  EVER.  (I do keep it for That Man because that’s what he prefers.)  Everything I’ve read about it makes me question its real health benefits, especially when it’s cooked at high temperatures.  I use olive oil (only at medium heat), real butter, or coconut oil.  I do consider coconut oil to count toward my healthy oils – but WW doesn’t.  Yes, it’s high in saturated fat, but it’s a good, natural fat, it tastes great, and it’s not processed.
  • I cook often in my iron skilllets, even though that means I sometimes have to use more oil compared to a non-stick skillet.
  • If I’m going to indulge in white bread, I’ll make my own.  The problem is not eating the whole loaf in one setting.
  • I make my own broth whenever possible.  I keep chicken and turkey broth in the freezer.  I do NOT strain off the chicken fat – it’s a fairly healthy fat and real bone broth is loaded with nutrients.  I’ve made beef broth (from the prime rib bones at Christmas) and I definitely strained off the fat from it.  It was a huge thick 1/4″ layer on top, at least.

Substitutions that do NOT work for me.

  • fat-free half and half as I said above
  • fat-free dressings (ditto).  I make my own dressing every day with olive or sesame oil plus vinegar, honey, etc.
  • Egg Beaters.  I don’t like the artifical colors and fake taste.  I’ll “waste” my own eggs to get egg whites.
  • fat-free cream cheese.  Why bother?  I get the same taste and texture with Laughing Cow.
  • fat-free cheese in general.  Ick.  They taste horrible and don’t melt.  I’ll splurge on the real thing as long as I can.

Are there any healthy substitutions that you recommend?  I’d love to hear it!

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Clanky Engine

One of the reasons I really wanted to “win” NaNoWriMo last year was to get the nice discount on Scrivener for Windows.  I would have bought it either way, but having the $$ incentive really helped!

I’m writing the next project in Scrivener so far, and I’m struggling a little. I honestly don’t know if it’s the project — because I don’t have it well plotted — or the way I have the project set up.  It’s not what I planned to work on (Phantom) but this project has a deadline if I want it to be considered.

I used the normal ms template, although I’m not messing with “Chapters.”  I don’t have it plotted well enough to know where the chapter breaks are!  I’m basically using the 001, 002, etc. sequencing to keep track of scenes.  I’ve done this before, starting a new file almost each day.  In fact, I wrote the first Bloodgate book that way.  However…  It feels too disjointed this time.

I don’t have time to keep reading back over what I’ve done already, but it’s not sticking in my mind.  I don’t have that “connection” to this story yet, and I don’t know if it’s the way I’m writing it or the project itself.

The project hits all my favorite buttons.  It even fits my brand!  But something’s not clicking.  The engine is running, but it’s a little too loud and clanky, if you know what I mean.  I’m getting about 400 words each morning, nowhere near what I’m capable of normally, but all I can muster right now.

It could be the weather.  This time of year, it’s so dark and cold in the mornings.  It could be the effort of getting up D&E – sometimes I’m so tired that I’m mentally and physically incapable of making coffee (which is why I prep the pot the night before), so stringing words together can be a challenge.

I did a little better yesterday with 800 words, but back to about 400 today.

Maybe I’ll compile all my little sections into a single document and send it to my Kindle.  See how the whole thing’s reading.

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Building Good Habits

Why is it soooo easy to fall back into bad habits…but so hard to establish GOOD ones?  I guess maybe I’m inherently lazy.

But so far in 2012, I’ve been working really hard on establishing some daily routines.

  • Before I go to bed, I prep the coffee pot for 5 AM.
  • The monsters got me an iPhone dock to replace my alarm clock for Christmas.  I decided to quit doing my “backup” alarm — which almost always is like a 30-min snooze instead of really there to make sure we get up.  One alarm at 5 AM.  Get up.  No questions.  It’s been really really hard.  I’ve been struggling to stay functional, but I’m hoping to settle into the regular routine and increase my productivity.
  • I’m writing by 5:30 AM.  I only have about 30 mins before I have to get Princess up, but I’ve been getting between 300-500 words.  Not NaNoWriMo pace, but steady.
  • I’m continuing to track my food per Weight Watchers.
  • I’ve completed one week of Power 90, and started the second week today.

Between Dark & Early and exercise, I’m starving!  So I’ve been eating 2 small breakfasts plus a later small lunch, shifting some of my points earlier in the day so I eat less at night.  I’ve also been eating all my points and then some – when last year I was almost always 3-7 points under.  I’m really hungry though, not just bored, tired, etc. so I’m eating within reason, tracking, and counting it toward my exercise points.

So far I’m staying steady at my low weight.  I haven’t lost, but I know it’s going to take a week or two for my body to adjust to regular exercise.  Plus Power 90 isn’t like taking a little walk.  This is hard stuff, including weights, and my muscles might retain water initially.  I need to eat enough to ensure I’m recovering and fueling for the next day.

I’m concentrating on quality protein.  Chicken, egg whites, wild salmon, lean beef.  I also bought some miso, dashi, and soba noodles so I can make my own Japanese-inspired soups for a small, low-point, hot lunch (vs. salads) for these cold winter days.  I’m still a little worried that I might not be getting enough protein, so this week I’m going to pick a day to double track my points into Spark People and see points vs. protein/carb breakdown.  I might need to start drinking a protein shake, but I’m very picky.  I want something with all-natural ingredients – especially no artificial sweeteners.  I’ve found one that looks excellent (Beach Body’s Shakeology) but holy smokes, I’m not paying $118 for a 30-day supply!  If anyone has any recs, I’d love to hear them!

Now my next most important habit to start… getting to bed at a decent time so I’m not so tired!

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The Shanhasson Books are LIVE!

Finally, the main Shanhasson trilogy and The Horse Master prequel are live at both Smashwords and Amazon. Don’t these covers look fantastic!?

If you love Gregar and company, could you pleeeeeeaaaaasssssssse give them a little love on Amazon? “Like”, tag, and/or rate/review and I’ll be eternally grateful. If you’ve never met Rhaekhar, Gregar, or Mykal, just drop me a note (joelysueburkhart AT gmail DOT com) and I’ll hook you up.

P.S. if you’re on Amazon anyway, Lady Wyre sure could use a little love too.

(each cover will take you directly to the Amazon page)
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Thank You, Weight Watchers

One year ago today I made a commitment to myself.  I decided I was done playing around.  Done feeling miserable.  Done trying every crazy restricted diet.  I signed up for Weight Watchers Online – again.

Yes, it wasn’t the first time.  My first exposure to WW was as a kid.  I remember Granny (my mom) gagging down the weekly requirement of liver and fish.  *shudders*  After Princess Monster was born (today’s her bday, by the way!  Our first teenager!), I did an At-Work stint and lost my 10%.

We moved to MO shortly after.  I had two more kids.  And yeah, this time I had to lose quite a bit more to get the 10% award.

That’s how it is with “diets.”  Any diet will work.  For awhile.  But then I get tired of eating all meat and eggs but no bread or fruit.  Or all grains and fruit and no meat and eggs.  Or no salt. No sugar.  Or no fat…  And inevitably, I fall off the plan.  No matter how much I’ve lost, it sure is easy to gain it all back again.  And then some.

No more.  I decided I was going to choose a plan I could live with.  If we go out to eat, I won’t have a panic attack that someone put salt on my veggies and I’ll be up ten pounds tomorrow.  I won’t have to eat salad only.  If I want a steak, fine.  If I want dessert, great.

Within reason, anything is possible on Weight Watchers.

I wanted to be a good role model for the monsters.  Instead of being OCD about what I can and can’t eat, I just try to make the healthiest choices I can.  We’ve talked a lot about “points” and healthy guidelines.  For fun, they’ve all taken turns figuring out how many points they’ve eaten.  It’s eye opening, and has helped us cut back on seconds and poor-choice snacks more than once.

I can live on this plan.  Really live.  I’m already doing things I never thought possible.

  • Lost 61.4 pounds and still counting.
  • Stuck with a plan for an entire year.
  • Jogged at the track – a whole quarter mile! – and didn’t die.
  • Did an exercise tape I’d never even cracked open before – and it wasn’t impossible.
  • Started wearing JEANS!  And I’ve gone down three times in sizes!
  • Bought some high-heeled boots to wear with those jeans.
  • Shopped a lot – something I used to dread.  Nothing worse than going into a store and realizing that absolutely nothing will even come close to fitting.
  • Bought my first XL – non plus size! – shirt.
  • Had my picture taken with the family for Christmas – something I’ve avoided for YEARS.  I hate to have my picture taken!  But I’m so glad we did it this year.

In 2012, I’m continuing my healthy eating habits, and I’m also working harder at exercise.  So far, I’ve made it every day this month/year.  Granted, we’re not even a week in yet but that’s an incredible start with my track record.

I’m feeling so good right now, not just physically, but about myself as a person.  I’m taking care of myself, something that can be remarkably hard to do.

Thank you, Weight Watchers, for helping me LIVE.

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RBW – Last Weekly Weigh In

Our Romance Biggest Winner challenge officially ends on 1/5 — which is also my one year anniversary on Weight Watchers — and today’s our last weekly weigh in.

So far, I’ve lost 22 pounds in 6 months.  Definitely not earth shatteringly fast, but 22 pounds are gone forever.  I lost again this week, just a small amount (.17), but considering it was a holiday and we had Christmas dinner at my mom’s this past weekend, I’m very pleased.

Even more exciting, I finally got myself on an exercise routine.  I’m doing Tony Horton’s Power 90 again and I’ve made it two days in a row.  If I get bored with the Sweat portion, I reserve the right to switch things up and do some other cardio instead, but I love the Sculpt exercise.  It’ll be a challenge to figure out how to plan the exercise during my work days, especially around writing.  It’s always tempting to write over lunch instead of work out, for instance, but I’ve *got* to increase my activity if I want to keep losing at a reasonable speed.

To make sure I still get words each day, I’m going to have to get up Dark & Early.  I made it today, although mannnnn, I’m tired.  I slept horribly (which I almost always do after a long weekend or when starting a new D&E stint).  Hopefully I can get through this week and keep to the schedule.  We’ll see.

I also recorded my measurements this weekend.  I did Power 90 about 2 years ago (in March) and made it about 45 days before quitting.  I’d only lost 3 pounds and was soooo discouraged after working out so hard.  I could feel myself tightening up and getting smaller though, but I didn’t have any evidence since I didn’t take my measurements.

At the time, I wasn’t “dieting”.  I increased my protein and calories according to Beach Body’s recommended plan, but I wasn’t following the plan exactly.  I’ve never really been able to stick to both exercise AND diet, so I’m a bit nervous.  I’m hoping that a full year on Weight Watchers (as of 1/5) will give me the diet foundation I need, and that adding exercise on top will only increase my metabolism and get me losing bigger amounts each week.  *crossing fingers*

I’m 61.4 pounds lighter than the last time I tried Power 90, so I’m hoping for great things.  Who knows, I might even be able to do that one swing-the-leg-through move after the downward dog that I never could manage before!  Okay, one can hope.  ;-)

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2012 Begins With…

I finished formatting Return to Shanhasson and loaded it to Smashwords.  I’ve also submitted the file to Amazon, so it should be up shortly.  Once everything’s up, I’ll create a post so everyone knows and I’ll beg for some new reviews or ratings.  *sheepish puppy dog eyes*

I went through Lady Wyre’s Reget and added a few hundred words to the end.  I’m still not sure that it’s *right* but I don’t know how much further to go.  I’ll let it sit awhile and see.  I’ll probably post it here so you guys can tell me what you think.  I need a satisfying ending — but it should also make you want to go buy Lady Doctor Wyre if you haven’t already read the main story.  A tough balance.

I really want this prequel to hook and entice.  I plan to create a chapbook via CreateSpace, so I’ll have something to sign…  at the RT Conference in Chicago!  Yep, I’m going, and I absolutely couldn’t be more excited!!!

So I’ve already crossed a bunch of busywork off my list.  Now I’m switching gears to a short project to decide if I have enough to whip it out in the next month or two for a submission call.  More details to come once I figure out what I’m doing.

Still not a lot of words…but definite progress!