When snow falls in the Southern U.S., everything closes. It’s something that the northern part of the country complains about, but then they close when temperatures dip over 100 degrees Fahrenheit. So I guess it’s not terribly different.

My work closed today when we got about 2-3″ of snow outside. A section of the interstate was also shut down earlier this morning. You can imagine how glad I was to avoid that! So instead I curled up with kitties by the fireplace and wrote for a while. It had been a few days since I found the time to write anyway. Once again this story didn’t disappoint.

Project: The Seeking

Each Seeking, the magic that protects the city of Carra must be renewed, which means the children of the High Family must go into hiding. Whether it be through disguise or bribe, through trusted friends or perfect hiding places, every child of the Priest family must avoid capture for the full day.

When things go wrong with the renewal, it’s up to seventeen-year-old Dahlia, the middle child of the Priest family, and her girlfriend, Bisa, to escape Carra and find the magical beings responsible for the protection. They must learn who would require such a cruel game to be played every year and if the protection of the Gray People is really worth such a deadly cost. What they will discover is far worse.

THE SEEKING is a YA dark fantasy novel

Current Word Count: 38,933

Progress:
What do you do when your safe house isn’t really that safe? Find ways to escape, even if at first it seems dangerous as hell.

Next Up:
Escape plans. Ludicrous? Maybe, but possibly better than the alternative.

Commentary:
One of the scenes I absolutely loved writing in this was having my protagonist’s girlfriend explain in detail what the ramifications were of staying put. Let me just say that it isn’t pretty, and I don’t think I’ve seen that kind of discussion ever take place in a novel like this.

Bisa is a woman who speaks her mind, even when it makes other people uncomfortable. Unlike some folks, she’s very comfortable in her skin and she has no qualms about telling shit like it is. I do love her, and I think it’s important to have characters like her shown in solid, happy relationships too. Normally when topics like this are brought up, it’s as a joke, like when Dr. Hammond turns to Dr. Sattler in Jurassic Park and says he ought to be the one to go risk his life cause he’s a male and she’s female. Which of course she replies with “We can discuss ‘sexism in survival situations’ when I get back.” She’s affirming that she should be seen as more than her reproductive capabilities. When you drop two women who are in a loving relationship into a similar situation, especially with someone like Bisa, you can be certain she’ll tell you exactly what’s wrong with your perspective.