This was another one of those all over the place weeks. I think I may have found a way to rein some of that in. I’ve only been working on that plan for a couple days, so it’s a little early to say if it’s working or not(and I’ve found once I say something is, suddenly I have to change it up). I did take a few projects out of the rotation to work on. I’ve been struggling with them, and yet I keep coming back. But, something about them just isn’t working. So, I’m benching them for the moment. I may come back to them if I can ever figure out where I want to take them, but for now I’m going to focus on the ones that I actually want to get back to.
Writing
In the Moonlight
This is the only project I started the week out with that didn’t give me any trouble. Part of that could be that I’m reworking some of the original version that I wrote several years ago into this one. One of the characters is taking a slight deviation from the way I originally wrote her, and there’ll be a bit of a different dynamic between the two characters, but I should be able to keep at least some of the original content.
Ghost Files
Now this one… yeah, I decided to set it aside. Again. I might decide to come back to it at some other point, but for now, it’s getting parked out in the back lot.
Small Town Murder Romance
I did make some progress on this, but I’m pushing it down the line of romance projects at the moment.
A Blended Identity
Another project I’m setting aside. I liked the idea that came to me for this, but it’s just not coming together. Like with Ghost Files, I’m not totally scrapping it,
Two Journeys
A little bit of progress, but another one that I’m shifting down the line of projects(not far, since I “parked” 2 of my other fantasy projects as well, so that doesn’t leave too many in this queue).
Whole Latte Love
This is one I decided on Wednesday to move to the top of the list. I’m getting closed to being finished fleshing out Slanting Sunlight, so I want to get that done.
GH & SF 2
This is another one I picked on Wednesday to work through. I’ve had a few different ideas on how to handle this, because there are a lot of different things happening in the novel. So, I’ve thought of breaking it up into smaller pieces. I at least want to get them across the ocean before I decide.
Fixing the Books
This is the other one I decided to move up to the top of my priorities. I’m using the Read Aloud feature in Word to go through this. Listening seems to help me catch issues better than just reading through. I’ve finished the first 3 chapters so far.
Reading
Good Girl Fail
I mean, I don’t think I’ve read a Roni Loren book yet that I haven’t loved. She just has a way of digging into the emotions of a character and making me feel it. There were a few things that I wish would have gone more in depth, but overall, I really enjoyed it.
Crafting
I’ve still been working on my pod of Pride Whales. I finished the rainbow one and nearly have the trans whale finished. I have one more planned after that, though I may add more as well.
Story
This week, I have another episode of Mermaid’s Jewel for you. This one comes almost completely from the original version of this story, so if you read it on Vella, it will seem familiar.
Hen Montrose swung down from the rigging, feet as sure on the ropes as they were on the deck of the ship. Didn't matter if he was in the usual sailor garb, or his favorite dress, which he had on now, he never worried about losing his footing. Once his feet were back on the deck, he handed the extra line to one of the cabin mates, Eliab. He was still breathing heavily from the exertion of that performance. Hen loved putting on the show whenever they came into a new port, but it seemed like it had to keep being better and better to keep anyone's attention, and it left him feeling exhausted when they were finished.
"Look like you could use a drink." The captain clapped Hen on the shoulder as she strode past. "Hurry, and I'll be buying."
Hen certainly could. Still... "Gotta change first."
"Well, do it fast," the captain said, jingling a small sack of coins. "Once this is gone, that's all you lot get. You'll have to buy your own drinks."
A loud cheer went up on the deck, and Hen smiled even as he strolled back to the cabin he shared with two of the crew. Neither of them were changing before going ashore. They'd chosen to stay in their breeches and shirts for the performance, though. Hen had not. He never did.
The captain always told them to perform in whatever way they were most comfortable. Hen was most himself when he donned a dress. If only he could wear it ashore.
If he did and someone realized the truth, he could find himself in the pillory, and not simply for the crew's deeds on the sea. He might get them in trouble as well. He couldn't allow that. Not when they'd offered Hen the first glimpse of what family really meant. It wasn't the responsibility and obligations his father had tried to foist on him.
Even though it made him feel like he was crawling out of his skin, he'd put on the breeches and shirt the villagers expected a man like him to be dressed in. "An hour," Hen said to himself. "Two at the most. I can return here and get comfortable again. It will not be a problem."
Still, he took his time removing the dress and hanging it. No need for it to be wrinkled. He'd need to get it steamed and pressed once they were back in a larger city. For now, he'd take what care he could with it. He knew he was dragging his feet as he went to his trunk and pulled out a clean pair of breeches. They weren't his best ones. He'd left most of those behind more than a year ago. He needed nothing fancy to go in and have a drink with the crew.
Once he was dressed, and doing his best not to itch with it, he ran his fingers through his hair before pulling it back and tying a ribbon around it. It was even longer than what was fashionable, but he didn't get too many comments as long as he tied it back. He made sure there was no more trace of pain on his lips or eyes, then he headed back to the main deck. Only the cabin mates and powder monkeys had been left behind.
"You know Denham and Corliss are going to go through all the captain's coin before you make it off the dock," Somers, the oldest of the mates, said.
"I can afford my drink it it comes to that," Hen said. The cheeky little bugger. They just grinned at Hen then scurried off to...do whatever it was they did when they had the run of the ship.
Hen headed down the plank to the dock. He could have done that with more flair, but he'd barely had time to rest since getting through that last storm, then the performance today. He had nothing left. And it was not as if there was still a crowd here anyway.
The crew had already taken over two tables in one corner of the tavern. he headed that way first, and the first mate slid a mug in front of him. "Saved you some before these louts drained all the barrels."
"Thank you kindly, my good sir." Hen watched as Cecil's face reddened. He'd never taken flirting too well, and they all teased him mercilessly for it. "Where's the captain? Thought she was coming with the coin."
"Had something to deal with," Cecil said shortly. He never did spare many words. "Sent the coin with me."
Denham put an arm around Hen's shoulders. "He might have been late for the drinking, but he's just in time for the loving. Eyes on you, Hen, coming from the south southwest."
It took everything in Hen, not looking in that direction. No need to be so obvious about it. Probably just a tavern wench, as it were. Not that Hen hadn't enjoyed their company before, but it was not what he preferred when the choice was before him.
Too bad this village didn't run toward molly houses, at least not any that he knew. At least there some of his desires could be safe. But not here. Here, he would have to be careful.
Here they were much too close to his father's holdings. Of course, sometimes Hen thought all of the country was much too close to his father's holdings. At the moment, they were only about a day's ride from his main estate. Hen had to be more careful than usual.
"Well, of course, how could anyone look away when I'm in the room."
He did look around as he took a drink of his ale. He didn't see anyone particularly giving him any attention. Probably just another tease from Denham. It was nothing to worry about. He continued drinking as the other laughed around him.
Until a throat cleared from behind him. He didn't look, though. He was enjoying sitting here with the family he had made. Someone else could deal with that. Then, Denham poked him in the side. "Told ya. Late for the drink, but not..."
Hen turned before Denham even finished, if he was going to finish that. The man standing before him was short, shorter than Hen at least. Even sitting, Hen's head was higher than his. He had brown hair scraped back from his forehead, Hen could see a few strands of it from under his hat. He had a trim build, slight but Hen sensed a strength from the way he held himself. Brown eyes bored right into Hen.
Then, Eli stepped between them. "I'm captain of this mangy crew. Is there something I can do for you/"
"I'm looking for Henry Montrose," the man said, his eyes still on Hen's.
But, the captain shifted over, blocking the man's view of Hen. "Don't know no one by that name. Best you be looking elsewhere."
Hen could barely even breathe. No. This could not be happening. It couldn't. "His father sent me on his behalf. He's sick and Henry will inherit..."
Hen jumped back from the table, his mug crashing down, spilling the little bit of ale that was left. he did not care. Cecil and Denham and Corliss stepped forward and closed in. Giving Hen cover.
And he darted for the door at the back of the tavern. He had to get out of here.
Right now.