Writing Wednesday: End of Month Wrap-Up

It’s the end of another month. I could wait to do the wrap-up tomorrow, when the month is completely over. But, I’ve met most of my goals and doubt any will change color.

But, first…On Sunday, I mentioned we may be moving. We still have to list our house and get it sold, though. So much of this week has been spent cleaning and getting rid of stuff. Like bills that go back at least to 2009. Why did we think we had to keep all of these? Our paper shredder is getting a workout. I did, too, on Monday since we went to the gym for the first time since getting a membership back in September.

When if we do move, we’ll be going from a double wide to this: 

Before I get to all my progress for the month(and an update on how this round of RoW80 is going) as well as next month’s goals, it’s WiPpet Wednesday!! I’m skipping a little bit ahead. Isaac’s in Jonas’s room and they’ve been going back and forth. This comes at the end of the next scene, which is from Jonas’ POV. 5 paragraphs(1+3+1)

Jonas glanced away, not able to take the intensity in Isaac’s eyes. “What the hell good does that do me now? Why would you want to tie yourself to someone broken?”

“Shut up,” Isaac shouted, and Jonas jerked back. Isaac reached out and wrapped his fingers around Jonas’ chin. “You are not broken,” he said, his jaw tight. “You never thought me broken for my scars, for the things my father did to me, or I did to myself. Why would I ever think it of you?”

Jonas wasn’t sure how to answer that, how to tell Isaac it was different. He knew that was some messed up thinking, he couldn’t remember whatever word his shrink had for it. But, he couldn’t seem to help it.

Isaac’s fingers gentled, but he didn’t release Jonas’ chin. “I’ve never loved you for your legs, either of them. It was always your heart. I only ever wanted to keep it with me.”

Jonas pulled away at that, and Isaac’s hand dropped to the bed. “Then, why did you walk away from me?”

Are they finally going to get things out there? This just might be a start.

Color Code:

Monthly Goal Met/Finished

Weekly Goal Met

Progress Made

Nothing Done

Set Aside

Plotting:

• Primary: Flames of Knowledge – Back Stories 
• Secondary: Flames of Knowledge – Plot Summaries
• Tertiary: Flames of Knowledge – Story Toolkit 
• Stretch: Flames of Knowledge – Outline: Act 1 
• Stretch2: Green Hills & Smoky Fields1 – Outline: Act 4 
• Stretch3: Green Hills & Smoky Fields2 – Brainstorm 
• Stretch4: Green Hills & Smoky Fields2 – Character back stories(for 2 characters, carrying over other 4 from first book) – Finished Desmund’s back story(4 pages) & Thom’s(1 page)
• Stretch5: Green Hills & Smoky Fields2 – Plot Summaries – All summaries done.

Writing:

• Primary: Green Hills & Smoky Fields – 1st draft – 17604/~25000 words,
  • Distance started to grow between them and the shore. Bridgette’s chest clutched, and she wished she was still on that land. A man standing down the railing drew her attention. Sun glistening off his hair, making it appear nearly gold. And she thought those were tears shimmering on his cheeks. But, he turned away before she could be sure. His body jerked as he moved, and she realized it was a heavy limp causing that motion not the slight rocking as the ship found its way out of the harbor.
    • Bridgette may not know who this is, but if Torin had turned his head, he would have recognized him. 😉
• Secondary: Side Projects – 5000 words – 5264/5000 words, 284 this week
  • Patrick & Sarah – 513/500 words
  • Tavin & Haiwee – 528/500 words
  • Roman – 545/500 words
  • Dougal & Shae – 511/500 words
  • Jacob & Matthew – 509/500 words
  • Mike & Fadil – 569/500 words
  • Hawk – 525/500 words
  • Sean & Braeden – 524/500 words
  • Melanie & Garren – 533/500 words
  • Desmund – 513/500 words
• Tertiary: Jonas & Isaac – 15 pages – 15/15 pages
• Stretch: By the Gun – 2500 words(will work on this when I finish Primary goal) – 3030/2500 words, 528 this week

Editing:

• Primary: Flames of Renewal – CP edits once I get it back
• Secondary: Stained Blood – Beta edits as they come in
• Tertiary: Protecting the Heart – Transfer to Scrivener – 9/9 chapters
• Stretch: Melanie & Garren – revise & post to Patreon

Reading:

• Primary: Read 20 books – 24/20
  
  • Grin and Beard It(Penny Reid) – Started this Sunday afternoon. Finished it Monday night. Loved it.
  • Fall of the Titan(Christina Ochs) – Started this Monday night. At 15%
• Secondary: Listen 5 books – 9/5
  • A Gathering of Shadows(V.E. Schwab) – Started this Tuesday(1/16) morning. On Chapter 26/60
  • Lion in the Valley(Elizabeth Peters) – Started this Monday(1/22) morning. On Chapter 3/14
  • Beyond Temptation(Kit Rocha) – Started this Saturday morning. Finished it Monday afternoon. Enjoyed it.
  • Beyond Solitude(Kit Rocha) – Started this Monday afternoon. Finished it Tuesday afternoon. Loved it.
  • Beyond Addiction(Kit Rocha) – Started this Tuesday afternoon. On chapter 3/25

Social Media:

• Primary: Just Jot It January – 30/31 posts
  • Knight – A bit with Connor and Ames
  • Fantastic – A bit with Connor and his sister
  • Scrumptious – A bit with Ames and Jeremiah, one of the firefighters they work with.
• Secondary: Post 5 regular weekly posts – 20/21 posts
• Tertiary: Post to Patreon 2x – 0/2 posts

Crafting:

• Knit: Honeycomb Dishcloth – Done. 
• Crochet: Lap Blanket – Done

And an update on how my quarterly goals are doing(I plan to do this each month, and the year’s goals at the end of each quarter, but we’ll see if I keep to that).

Plotting:

• Primary: Outline Act 4 of Green Hills & Smoky Fields1, Whatever It Takes, & High on Loving You as I get to them
• Secondary: Outline Flames of Knowledge
  
• Tertiary: Outline Green Hills & Smoky Fields2
• Stretch: Outline James & Tracy’s Story

Writing:

• Primary: Green Hills & Smoky Fields1, Whatever It Takes, & High on Loving You – 1st drafts
• Secondary: Side Projects – 15000 words – 5264/15000 words
• Tertiary: Jonas & Isaac – 45 pages – 15/45 pages
• Stretch: By the Gun – Finish Part 2 – 4/19 scenes finished

Editing:

• Primary: Flames of Renewal – CP edits once I get them back
• Secondary: Stained Blood – Beta edits as they come in
• Tertiary: Transfer Protecting the Heart, Paint Me a Picture, & Shed Some Light to Scrivener
• Stretch: Law of Choice – Send to CP

Reading:

• Primary: Read 60 books – 24/60
• Secondary: Listen 15 books – 9/15

Social Media:

• Primary: Just Jot It January – 30/31 posts
• Secondary: Post 5 regular weekly posts – 55 posts – 20/55
• Tertiary: Post to Patreon 6 times – 0/6

Crafting:

• Knit: 2 projects – 1/2
• Crochet: 2 projects – 1/2

And for my goals for February:

Plotting:

• Primary: Outline Act 4 of Whatever It Takes
• Secondary: Green Hills & Smoky Fields2 – Story Toolkit
• Tertiary: Green Hills & Smoky Fields2 – Outline Act 1
• Stretch: James & Tracy’s story – brainstorm

Writing:

• Primary: Whatever It Takes – 1st draft(~35000 words)
• Secondary: Side Projects – 5000 words
• Tertiary: Jonas & Isaac – 15 pages
• Stretch: By the Gun – 2500 words

Editing:

• Primary: Stained Blood – Beta edits as they come in
• Secondary: Flames of Renewal – CP edits once I get them
• Tertiary: Paint Me a Picture – transfer to Scrivener
• Stretch: Melanie & Garren – revise & post to Patreon

Reading:

• Primary: Read 20 books
• Secondary: Listen 5 books

Social Media:

• Primary: Post 5 regular weekly posts
• Secondary: Post to Patreon 2 times
• Tertiary: Plot 26 A-Z posts

Crafting:

• Knit: Dunfallandy Baby Blanket
• Crochet: Simple Basket

Just Jot It January: Day 30 – “Scrumptious”

“Those look scrumptious,” Ames said after lifting the lid on the container Jeremiah set on the counter.

“Silas made them.”

Ames glanced over at him and saw a faint pink tinge to his cheeks. “You’re blushing. Why are you blushing?”

“No reason,” Jeremiah insisted. “Not a single reason at all.”

Yet, Ames found their lips curling up. “Really? It certainly sounds like there’s a reason.”

“Nope,” Jeremiah said firmly, though his cheeks reddened more. “I don’t have a clue what you’re talking about. Silas didn’t…never mind,” he said quickly, obviously realizing he was about to give himself away.

Ames just laughed. They were glad Jeremiah had found happiness, even if it was in an unconventional relationship. Now, if only they could manage the same.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Short one today. I wasn’t even sure if I’d have something for today’s Just Jot It January prompt of “scrumptious” brought to us by Judy. Then, the beginning of this popped into my head. Wasn’t quite sure where it would go and still not sure if it will fit into Flames of Knowledge, but maybe somewhere near the beginning.

And if you never saw snippets from “Playing with Fire”, the “unconventional relationship” is that Jeremiah is with both Silas and Corrin, and in fact the three of them are all with each other(did that make sense?). They don’t hide that fact, either, which not everyone is as accepting of as Ames.

Just Jot It January: Day 29 – “Fantastic”

“This is fantastic, Connor.”

He shook his head at his sister’s words and tossed the paintbrush down on the nearest surface. “It’s shit.”

“That’s ridiculous,” Darcie said, moving closer to him. “It looks wonderful.”

“We must be looking at different paintings,” Connor said. He just wanted to take the canvas off the easel and toss it across the room. It couldn’t make it any worse. “It’s shit. Everything is shit.”

“What’s wrong with you?” she asked, peering closer at him. She was the last person he wanted to look too close. She was already too perceptive. “You never act like this.”

“Sorry I can’t be the laidback brother all the time.”

Darcie laughed. “Are you serious? Of course, you are. You’re always serious. Not laidback. Quiet maybe, but that’s not the same thing. Now, what’s going on?”

Connor sighed and ran his hands through his hair. Darcie batted them down, though. “You’re a mess, little brother. And I mean that literally. Do you even know how much paint you have in your hair and on your skin. Go take a shower, then you can tell me.”

Connor wasn’t sure how well soap and water would clean his mess up, and he didn’t just mean the paint. But, at least it was a reprieve from having to tell her how he’d screwed up everything good in his life. And not even from something he said or did. But something he hadn’t.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Today’s Just Jot It January prompt was “Fantastic” by Jill. This will take place sometime between the wedding scenes and yesterday’s.

 

Just Jot It January: Day 28 – “Knight”

“I didn’t need you to come rushing in to be a knight in shining armor or something,” Ames told him. “They’re my family. I’ve been handling them on my own for a long time now.”

“That doesn’t mean you have to continue to do it on your own,” Connor said, almost feeling like shouting. He never shouted. So, he forced his voice to stay clam. “I heard what they were saying to you, and it wasn’t right.”

“And now they think once again I need a man to come to my rescue.”

“That’s not what I was doing.” At least he didn’t think it was. “I was backing you up. I’ve seen what not being accepted by family can do to you. My own cousin thought they had to run away because Uncle Deaclan refused to accept them.”

“I’m not a kid, though. I’m not going to run away. I already did move away, and I’m staying here. So, I can handle a phone call with them, even if they are disregarding what I’ve told them over and over. I don’t need to be rescued from words.”

Connor’s shoulders slumped, the urge to shout gone now, too. “I’m sorry,” he said. “I thought I was helping. But, if you didn’t want it, I’m sorry.” He started to turn away, but Ames reached out and touched his arm. He looked back at them.

“I do appreciate that, Connor, even if it wasn’t needed.”

He smiled and stepped into them. This was good. They could work from this place.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Today’s Just Jot It January prompt was “knight” brought to us by Leta Hawk. The first line popped into my head when I saw the prompt, and I just kind of went with it. This will probably happen close toward the end of Flames of Knowledge.

Sunday Summary: Moving

Well, not yet. But, we’ve been talking about trying to find a house in town to move into. We found one we like. The bedrooms are smaller than what we have now,  but there are four of them. We only need 3. So, we could turn the fourth into an office/play room. Now, we just have to sell the house we’re in now. So, we’re in the process of getting it cleaned up so the real estate agent(who happens to be a cousin of my husband’s) can come out and take pictures and get it listed. I’m really hoping we can get it sold. Being in town would be so much more convenient. I don’t drive(even riding in a car makes me anxious because my brain is an asshole), and where we are, there isn’t any place we can walk. In town, I can walk to the grocery store, the post office, take the kids to the park and the library, and go to the gym. So, fingers crossed, sometime in the next months, we’ll be moving.

Even with that, I’ve been making progress this week. Not quite as much as I was, but I’ve already met most of my monthly goals, so I’ve been a little relaxed with that.

Color Code:

Monthly Goal Met/Finished

Weekly Goal Met

Progress Made

Nothing Done

Set Aside

Plotting:

• Primary: Flames of Knowledge – Back Stories 
• Secondary: Flames of Knowledge – Plot Summaries
• Tertiary: Flames of Knowledge – Story Toolkit 
• Stretch: Flames of Knowledge – Outline: Act 1 
• Stretch2: Green Hills & Smoky Fields1 – Outline: Act 4 
• Stretch3: Green Hills & Smoky Fields2 – Brainstorm 
• Stretch4: Green Hills & Smoky Fields2 – Character back stories(for 2 characters, carrying over other 4 from first book) – Finished Desmund’s back story(4 pages) & Thom’s(1 page)

Writing:

• Primary: Green Hills & Smoky Fields – 1st draft – 17604/~25000 words,
  • Distance started to grow between them and the shore. Bridgette’s chest clutched, and she wished she was still on that land. A man standing down the railing drew her attention. Sun glistening off his hair, making it appear nearly gold. And she thought those were tears shimmering on his cheeks. But, he turned away before she could be sure. His body jerked as he moved, and she realized it was a heavy limp causing that motion not the slight rocking as the ship found its way out of the harbor.
    • Bridgette may not know who this is, but if Torin had turned his head, he would have recognized him. 😉
• Secondary: Side Projects – 5000 words – 4980/5000 words, 1007 this week
  • Patrick & Sarah – 477/500 words
  • Tavin & Haiwee – 487/500 words
  • Roman – 490/500 words
  • Dougal & Shae – 495/500 words
  • Jacob & Matthew – 509/500 words
  • Mike & Fadil – 493/500 words
  • Hawk – 525/500 words
  • Sean & Braeden – 475/500 words
  • Melanie & Garren – 533/500 words
  • Desmund – 480/500 words
• Tertiary: Jonas & Isaac – 15 pages – 15/15 pages
• Stretch: By the Gun – 2500 words(will work on this when I finish Primary goal) – 2502/2500 words, 1758 this week
  • She ground her teeth at the name. She hated it, absolutely hated it. Her father had called her his Rosie, and it felt like a whip strike to hear it from this man’s mouth. Nothing she did would get him to stop, though. In fact, she thought he used it as a way to torment her. And it worked.

Editing:

• Primary: Flames of Renewal – CP edits once I get it back
• Secondary: Stained Blood – Beta edits as they come in
• Tertiary: Protecting the Heart – Transfer to Scrivener – 9/9 chapters
• Stretch: Melanie & Garren – revise & post to Patreon

Reading:

• Primary: Read 20 books – 23/20
  
  • Into the Black(Ava Jae) – Started this Sunday morning. Finished it Tuesday afternoon. LOVED it. Cannot wait for the final book in the trilogy to come out.
  • Burn for Me(J.H. Croix) – Started this Tuesday afternoon. At 28%. Not all that invested in this one, so I ended up setting it aside.
  • Beyond Jealousy(Kit Rocha) – Started this Wednesday morning. Finished it Friday night. Loved it.
  • Every Little Kiss(Marina Adair) – Started this Thursday morning. Finished it Thursday afternoon. Loved it.
  • The Darkest Sunrise(Aly Martinez) – Started this Friday morning. Finished it Friday afternoon. Really enjoyed it!
  • Rewired(S.R. Johannes) – Started this Friday night. Finished it Saturday night. Enjoyed it.
  • Coming Home(Kris Jett) – Started this Saturday morning. Finished it Saturday afternoon. Liked it.
  • Grin and Beard It(Penny Reid) – Starting this one Sunday.
• Secondary: Listen 5 books – 7/5
  • A Gathering of Shadows(V.E. Schwab) – Started this last Tuesday morning. On Chapter 26/60
  • Lion in the Valley(Elizabeth Peters) – Started this Monday morning. On Chapter 3/14
  • Beyond Temptation(Kit Rocha) – Started this Saturday morning. On Chapter 6/12

Social Media:

• Primary: Just Jot It January – 26/31 posts
  • Silence – Connor having dinner with Ames’ family
  • Liberty – A look into Connor and Ames’ future, partially inspired by Eden’s comment on my SOCS post. 😉
  • Color – A bit with Connor painting.
  • Prediction – A bit with Connor and his brothers. Bantering ensues.
  • Address – Talking Callum down before his wedding.
  • Movement – A bit with Ames at Callum’s wedding reception.
• Secondary: Post 5 regular weekly posts – 19/21 posts
• Tertiary: Post to Patreon 2x – 0/2 posts

Crafting:

• Knit: Honeycomb Dishcloth – Done. 
• Crochet: Lap Blanket – Done

WeWriWa: “Against Arrow”

Welcome to another visit with the Weekend Writing Warriors, the blog hop for anyone who likes to write. I’m still sharing from Hawk’s story(I really do need to come up with a title for this one). This week’s picks up right after last week’s, with Icarus deciding who to send with Hawk and Devil.

”Arrow and Wraith,” he said, turning to Trace. “Go get them, see if either is available to ride. Both would be better, but too many of us out together might draw attention as well.”

“I’d prefer Wraith,” I said, “if only one can come. Nothing against Arrow, I like the kid, but I’ve known Wraith a lot longer.” If we ran into any trouble, I’d definitely prefer to have the former SEAL at my back.

Icarus nodded. “Check with them, Trace. If he can go, send Wraith back here. If not, Arrow.”

Will Wraith be able to go with them? Is something going to happen when they do go?

SOCS/Just Jot It January: Day 27 – “Movement”

Connor glided across the dance floor. At least that’s the way it looked to Ames. It was a beautiful sight. If only they were the one in his arms. Ames shook their head and turned away. They weren’t usually so fanciful. Not in a long time.

They weren’t jealous. It was something Ames kept repeating over and over,  hoping maybe it would sink in. He was dancing with his new sister-in-law. It wasn’t a big deal. Ames didn’t even like to dance. God, what was their problem?

Ames dropped into a chair at one of the tables. It had emptied out while it seemed everyone was dancing. They just needed to get steady again. He always seemed to throw them off.

But, when Ames looked back out at the dance floor, it was worse. Connor was no longer dancing with Megan. In fact, she was heading off the floor, right towards Ames. They continued to look past her, where Connor was still dancing. Now, with a little girl, maybe six years old, with blond curls, and bright green eyes that almost matched Connor’s. His brother’s daughter. And Megan’s.

“Kaelin wanted to dance with her uncle Con,” Megan said, dropping into a chair beside them, not seeming to care what it did to her dress. “And I could certainly do with getting off my feet for a little bit.”

“You looked like you were having fun out there.”

Megan laughed. “Oh, I was. Connor’s a good dancer. I’m surprised you haven’t found that out for yourself yet.” She didn’t look surprised, though. The look she shot Ames seemed all too knowing.

Ames kept their own gaze averted. They might work together occasionally, but Megan didn’t really know them.  Sometimes Ames didn’t think anyone really did. It was probably better that way. Except when Connor looked right into their eyes. Then, they weren’t sure there was anything better.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Today’s Stream of Consciousness Saturday/Just Jot It prompt was to use a movement. I decided to continue the last couple day’s backdrop of Callum’s wedding. These scenes will come in a little past the midway point of Flames of Knowledge.

Just Jot It January: Day 26 – “Address”

“Should we address that?” Connor asked Adrian, nodding toward Callum. Kayla had left the room, and they should be finishing getting ready. But, his brother looked like he was about to dig all his tattoos off his skin with his nails.

“Shit,” Adrian muttered.

Connor let out a little snort. “You really need to stop swearing in church, Adrian. What would Mom think?”

“Good thing she’s not in here, then.” Adrian headed toward their brother, and Connor followed. “Will you stop that?” he told Callum. “Unless you want Megan to give you first aid before you put that ring on her finger.”

“What if she changed her mind?” Callum didn’t look at either of his brothers, but his fingers finally stilled. “She’d be smart to. Just take Kaelin and Ayden and leave me before I screw everything up. Again.”

“Stop talking like that,” Adrian demanded.

But, Connor was studying his brother and saw the fear in his eyes. “What’s bringing this on?” he asked. “That woman loves you. She’s not just going to walk away. She promised you she wouldn’t.”

“She promised to stand beside me before and walked away.” Callum closed his eyes. “I don’t blame her. I wanted to walk away from me back then.”

“That was different,” Adrian argued. “You were in prison. She probably was smart to walk away then. You may not have cleaned yourself up the way you have if she didn’t. You aren’t the same guy anymore, though. Why can’t you see that when everyone else seems to be able to?”

“What if I’ve just dressed him up really well but that all ends up falling away now. I don’t want to hurt her, don’t want to hurt any of them.”

“Then, straighten yourself out,” Adrian said firmly, “and get ready to stand in the front of this church. She has faith in you. You need to have it in yourself, too. You’ve been clean for nearly three years. What makes you think that’s going to change now?”

“The thought is always there,” Callum admitted. “I fight it back, but it would be so easy to give in. I’ve done it before. If I did it again, I’d lose everything. But, sometimes I’m afraid that won’t be enough. Why wasn’t she smart enough to just walk away from me?”

“Because I’ve always been stupid about you, Callum Riley.”

“Jesus Christ,” Rian muttered from the other side of the room. “You two aren’t supposed to see each other before the wedding.”

Adrian nudged Connor. “Why aren’t you yelling at him? At least I didn’t take His name in vain.”

“He’s the oldest. He’s always been allowed to do what he wants.”

Adrian snickered, but Connor was watching Megan roll her eyes at Rian. “We’ve been living together for the last year. We have two children together. I doubt your superstitions have any hold over us at this point.” She turned back to Callum. “Yours, however…”

Connor almost thought his brother was going to cry. But, he wrapped his arms around Megan and held on. “I just don’t want to screw this up. And I’m so afraid I’m going to. I don’t want to hurt you. Or the kids.”

“Then, start talking to your therapist again, instead of rescheduling your appointments  all the time. We can go back to joint therapy if that’s what it takes to get you steady on your feet again. All I care about is keeping you here with me.” She pulled back then. “Now, go out there and I’ll see you in a few minutes so we can get this done and get on with the rest of our lives. Together.”

Connor nearly felt his brother’s tension ease with her words. He glanced through the door, but of course he couldn’t see all the way into the sanctuary. Was Ames out there? They said they would come. Did it even matter? What they had together was so new, there was no way to tell if it could be as strong as what each of his brothers, and his sister, had found.

That might be something they just had to address. Soon. But, not today. Today was all about Callum and Megan. Connor would put aside his own worries to celebrate that.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Okay, that ended up a lot longer than I’d planned. Today’s Just Jot It prompt was “Address” by John Holton. Callum showed up in the first book of my Flames series(which was Adrian’s story) as the drug addict brother Adrian had arrested. He actually ended up with his own story(which is where he ran into Megan again and found out he had a daughter). He’s made a few more appearances in the other stories as well. But, he’s finally getting married. This follows right after yesterday’s post.

Just Jot It January: Day 25 – “Prediction”

“I’m going to make a prediction.”

“Do I really want to hear this?” Connor asked.

“Well, my last prediction proved wrong. We did not, in fact, have to bury Callum before he turned thirty-three.”

“Hey,” Callum said, looking hurt. “We’ve still got a few months left.” And he grinned. Because he certainly wasn’t going anywhere now. Except to walk down the aisle to marry the only woman he’d ever loved.

Their oldest brother, Rian, leaned into the group. “You’ve got to see, baby brother,” he said to Connor, “you’re the last of us left. It can only be about you.”

“We’re all married now, or will be within the next hour,” Rian added, nudging Callum. “The rest of us have procreated at least once.”

“You’re such a dork,” Adrian said with a snort. “Procreate? Who says shit like that?”

“Science teachers,” Kayla said as she stepped into the room and went to Adrian. He took their month-old daughter from her arms. “And scientists. You should hear the way Silas talks sometimes.”

“Well, your brother’s boyfriend is a dork, too,” Adrian said. Then, he nuzzled his daughter’s cheek. “Yes, Uncle Silas is a dork, isn’t he?” Her fingers closed around some of his hair and yanked, and he winced.

Kayla laughed and took Doreen back from him. “That’s what you get for badmouthing her favorite uncle.”

“Favorite?” Callum asked. “How can she have a favorite already? Especially when there are so many of us to choose from.”

Connor just stood back and watched as the banter continued. He was used to being here, watching everyone else. And usually he didn’t mind it. Why was this different then? He shrugged off the feeling and looked at the bright side. At least Adrian seemed to have forgotten whatever he was going to predict.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Today’s Just Jot It January prompt was “prediction” brought to us by Dar. That one turned out longer than I thought it would be considering I had no idea what I was going to write when I first started. If you followed my Just Jot It posts last year, you may remember Silas from them. I used a lot of those while writing Playing with Fire back in April(funny, since I’m planning to work on Connor’s story during April this year).

Writing Wednesday: Melting Time

Pretty much all the snow we’ve gotten recently had melted on Tuesday. We’ll probably get more before spring is actually here(we actually did get another dusting Tuesday night). But, my daughter(10) was extremely upset that it didn’t look like winter anymore. Me? I don’t mind at all.

I’ve had a fairly laidback week so far. I shut off my alarm after finishing the first draft of Green Hills & Smoky Fields last week. And I’ve left it off this week. I still tend to be awake before it goes off(though I slept an hour later Tuesday morning). So, I’ve still been getting a good bit done. I’ll turn it back on for next month, though.

Now, it’s Wednesday, so you all know what that means!! Yep, it’s WiPPet time again. I’ve got more from Jonas & Isaac’s story for you today. I have 6 paragraphs(2+4). This picks up a little after last week’s. Jonas has gone to his room, claiming to be tired, so he’s going to rest until dinner. There’s more to it than that, which even his mother realizes, and tries to do something about.

Isaac had forgotten most of the Spanish he’d learned in high school. But, the one word was easy, and he’d heard the other from Isabelle aimed at all of her children enough times to remember what it meant. “He is stubborn,” Isaac agreed. “But, I don’t think you’d want him any other way.”

Isabelle smiled softly at him. “I could say the same to you.”

Isaac felt the heat rise to his cheeks and turned away. “Maybe I should go.”

“Yes,” Isabelle said, shocking him. “To his room. To talk to him. I think you both need it.”

She turned away and headed into the kitchen. Isaac just stood there for a moment, torn between following her instructions and retreating to the living room to wait for Toby to arrive. Jonas was right, he did need to speak to Toby. Find out if there was a way to keep his father away.

He blew out a breath. Isabelle was right, too. Damn these Pederas and all their rightness. He snorted out a laugh at the thought. Then, he headed down the hallway to Jonas’ room.

Is his mom right? Is this what they need? Will the talk do any good?

Color Code:

Monthly Goal Met/Finished

Weekly Goal Met

Progress Made

Nothing Done

Set Aside

Plotting:

• Primary: Flames of Knowledge – Back Stories 
• Secondary: Flames of Knowledge – Plot Summaries
• Tertiary: Flames of Knowledge – Story Toolkit 
• Stretch: Flames of Knowledge – Outline: Act 1 
• Stretch2: Green Hills & Smoky Fields1 – Outline: Act 4 
• Stretch3: Green Hills & Smoky Fields2 – Brainstorm 
• Stretch4: Green Hills & Smoky Fields2 – Character back stories(for 2 characters, carrying over other 4 from first book) – Started Desmund’s back story. Have about 2.5 pages written.

Writing:

• Primary: Green Hills & Smoky Fields – 1st draft – 17604/~25000 words,
  • Distance started to grow between them and the shore. Bridgette’s chest clutched, and she wished she was still on that land. A man standing down the railing drew her attention. Sun glistening off his hair, making it appear nearly gold. And she thought those were tears shimmering on his cheeks. But, he turned away before she could be sure. His body jerked as he moved, and she realized it was a heavy limp causing that motion not the slight rocking as the ship found its way out of the harbor.
    • Bridgette may not know who this is, but if Torin had turned his head, he would have recognized him. 😉
• Secondary: Side Projects – 5000 words – 4980/5000 words, 1007 this week
  • Patrick & Sarah – 477/500 words
  • Tavin & Haiwee – 487/500 words
  • Roman – 490/500 words
  • Dougal & Shae – 495/500 words
  • Jacob & Matthew – 509/500 words
  • Mike & Fadil – 493/500 words
  • Hawk – 525/500 words
  • Sean & Braeden – 475/500 words
  • Melanie & Garren – 533/500 words
  • Desmund – 480/500 words
• Tertiary: Jonas & Isaac – 15 pages – 13/15 pages
• Stretch: By the Gun – 2500 words(will work on this when I finish Primary goal) – 2434/2500 words, 1690 this week
  • She ground her teeth at the name. She hated it, absolutely hated it. Her father had called her his Rosie, and it felt like a whip strike to hear it from this man’s mouth. Nothing she did would get him to stop, though. In fact, she thought he used it as a way to torment her. And it worked.

Editing:

• Primary: Flames of Renewal – CP edits once I get it back
• Secondary: Stained Blood – Beta edits as they come in
• Tertiary: Protecting the Heart – Transfer to Scrivener – 7/9 chapters
• Stretch: Melanie & Garren – revise & post to Patreon

Reading:

• Primary: Read 20 books – 18/20
  
  • Into the Black(Ava Jae) – Started this Sunday morning. Finished it Tuesday afternoon. LOVED it. Cannot wait for the final book in the trilogy to come out.
  • Burn for Me(J.H. Croix) – Started this Tuesday afternoon. At 28%. Not all that invested in this one, so not sure I’ll continue it.
• Secondary: Listen 5 books – 7/5
  • A Gathering of Shadows(V.E. Schwab) – Started this last Tuesday morning. On Chapter 26/60
  • Lion in the Valley(Elizabeth Peters) – Started this Monday morning. On Chapter 3/14

Social Media:

• Primary: Just Jot It January – 23/31 posts
  • Silence – Connor having dinner with Ames’ family
  • Liberty – A look into Connor and Ames’ future, partially inspired by Eden’s comment on my SOCS post. 😉
  • Color – A bit with Connor painting.
• Secondary: Post 5 regular weekly posts – 15/21 posts
• Tertiary: Post to Patreon 2x – 0/2 posts

Crafting:

• Knit: Honeycomb Dishcloth – Done. 
• Crochet: Lap Blanket – Done