Every now and again, I go through Ursula Le Guin's book on writing Steering the Craft and do some of the exercises in there. It was the first fine day since he’d arrived on the island, his first chance to get out and breathe. To walk, and think, and escape the suffocating care of his …
Sophia looked down on the young couple between the guards. Given their situation; found guilty of threatening the stability of the kingdom and standing before the thrones, they probably should be looking a little more cowed. But Lord Grayson was looking smug and his wife, Lady Roselin was positively smirking. As well she might, under …
Cadan loosened his hold on her and turned so they could look around. Maybe the pool would recover, become the tranquil haven she’d glimpsed on their race against the flood, but it would take a long time and may never be quite the same, trees fallen, sloping banks gouged out, stones and debris everywhere. The …
“You didn’t mention that in your report.” The man gulped. “You hold an important position and your time and attention is in such demand, it is necessary to only present information of the utmost relevance.” I leaned back in my chair, pinning him with what I’m told is a decidedly unnerving stare. “Relevant to whom?” …
Sarah barged through the door, just in time for morning tea, although I don’t think that was intentional. “We have a problem.” “Oh?” You remember how, ages ago, Ben and I were here, and we made a treasure map of the garden?” “Yes. It was quite a good map, although I’m not sure the pond …
Reba led Byron up the back stairs to the old minstrels' gallery, now a dusty, dark balcony overlooking the dining hall of the inn they'd tailed the two men to. It also happened to be Reba's preferred accommodation in this town. Probably not a coincidence. Their quarry had settled at a table with a clear …
It was a week before the three of them were able to reconvene to discuss Charlotte’s situation. They met at Hatchards and spent a pleasant half hour choosing new books. Anya was allowed one novel if she also chose two ‘improving’ or educational books. Both Piety and Charlotte had no such restriction and each left …
They walked for a long time, if she’d done this straight after arriving from town, Eleanor wasn’t sure she would have made it halfway without misery and blisters. Finally, the path began to run beside a gully, containing a stream that Cadan said was the same one running past the village. He found a suitable …
Anya, Charlotte and Piety, newly engaged and brimming with romance, were spending the morning together. Ostensibly embroidering handkerchiefs for Piety's trousseau, in reality to share news. Piety concluded her gleeful report of a 'conversation' with Lord Peter, her fiancé with. “It's simply delightful being betrothed. You'will both find it charming, I'm sure.” Charlotte inspected her …
I’ve had reports over the past few days of a mysterious, antlered figure in the woods. Normally I’d not pay it much mind. We do have deer about the place. But all the reports say this figure walks on two legs, not four, and vanishes into the green as soon as it’s spotted. It’s a …
The DNA of Stories 