​​Two weeks until NaNoWriMo! “I’m late, I’m late, I’m late for a very important date-” with Scrivener! This year my November will be filled with gods and demons as I write my third novel, Redemption. The goal is the standard 50k words in 30 days and this time I’m plotting not pantsing. I’m sure I’ll write a blog on how that worked out eventually. 

If you’re interested in helping support NaNoWriMo and provide me with your motivation and support, stop past my sponsor page and donate some money to the cause. Creativity is priceless and every little bit helps. I have a $300 goal and I’d love for you to help me reach it!

This week’s updates are slim, but trust me, it’s for a good reason. I’m off to plot more! Catch up with you next week.

Don't forget to subscribe to Everyday Adventures if you want to read more of my short fiction, new content every Tuesday and Thursday.

​Happy Reading!
~Eliza

Muse: 642 Things
Prompt: Describe your first kiss

My palms are sweating, she’s over there and I know I should just walk up and talk to her, but I can’t. She’s just so perfect, and I’m so… me. I trip over a trash can. Stupid me, my head is up in space somewhere. 
Oh shit. She’s noticed me.
Why is she looking this way? She must be looking past me. Do I have something on my shirt?
She’s only a few tables away, wait, she stopped. See, I knew she wasn't coming for me.
I’m so relieved.
Wait! She’s still looking over here. She’s walking again. 
She’s only a few people away.
Her lips look so soft.
Why is she here?
She’s like an angel.
Is she.. is she going to kiss me?
Her lips are inches away. So close. She smells so good. I guess I should close my eyes. That’s what people do, right?

“Matt! Get up for school!”

​​It’s that time again, Fiction Friday is upon us and this week is my first post since launching the “Everyday Adventures” Channillo series. In case you haven’t heard, let me tell you about Channillo, then we’ll get to the good stuff.

Channillo.com is a website dedicated to serialized literature, short fiction, and regularly scheduled fiction. For a monthly subscription fee ranging from $5-$20 a month you can get access to a wide range of fiction and journal entries in different genres. Some authors, like myself, opt instead of collecting payment for our work to donate our earning to charity. My series, Everyday Adventures, will be donating to Child’s Play, a charity that focuses on providing games to children in hospitals. 

Everyday Adventures is a series of short and micro fiction that I will be publishing Tuesdays and Thursdays. Channillo is also hosting my short story Beverage Therapy which will be released in November as part of a short story competition in which I was a finalist.

Channillo is a great place to showcase some of my shorter work (like the micro fiction below) and I look forward to hearing my reader’s experiences. Thanks as always for your support, and don’t forget to subscribe!

Happy Reading!
~Eliza

Prompt: You walk out of a board meeting and quickly pen a letter to your significant others. What does it say?

Dearest Marjorie,
    The meetings have concluded and all ended as we’ve expected.  Boris’ departure from the company so suddenly has left a large hole in the organization and no one to fill it.  I’m to travel to Vienna and secure a successor for him.  Thankfully, this will open up the opportunity for which we’ve been waiting.  I leave tonight and will keep in contact as much as I am able.  I’ll return with the position in hand or not at all.
    All my love,
        Martin

Another action packed week, though thankfully a bit quieter than my last one. Not sure I could have handled another week with that much excitement. 

A few updates before the newest Fiction Friday post; goodreads. Yup, you know goodreads, we all do...but did you know I host a book club on goodreads? IA Book Club is a great places for readers and writers of multi-genre to meet and discuss books, book, books, writing, and our other hobbies. This month we are reading Wool by Hugh Howey and would like to welcome you to join us. 

Also on goodreads, you can now find my short story, Beverage Therapy, listed as releasing in November. Make sure to add that to your goodreads shelves and I’ll have more details on how you can get your hands on it in the coming weeks. 

Next week I’ll be off on an adventure so in honor, here’s the character backstory for my DnD Character, Devyn. 

Have a lovely weekend and as always, happy reading!
~Eliza

Devyn Bran’ock has a history she keeps close to her chest.  As one of twelve daughters (and a middle one at that) of a minor Lord and Lady of the land, she wanted for nothing, except her freedom. Like the dutiful daughter she was, she learned her history, her needlepoint and many forms of pleasing music, but when told she would be wed to a Lord with connections and older than her by twenty, it tested her family ties. A reluctant victim of the arranged marriage, Devyn continued on as best as she could. She made friends with the manor staff and specifically the medicine woman, but when her Lord learned of her fondness for the old woman he’d also found Devyn’s pressure point.  He used the old woman against Devyn to get what he desired, and when Devyn tried to fight back, he’d take it out on the old woman as punishment.  Late one evening, his anger fueled by alcohol, he went too far and murdered the old woman in front of Devyn.  Outraged, she gathered what things of hers she could carry and snuck off in the night.  

She wandered alone for days, living off roots and berries she could find along her journey, keeping her identity a secret for fear of being found.  When sneaking the last of the warmth from a circus fire she stumbled upon a child in need of healing.  She had learned many things from the old medicine woman and didn’t hesitate to help the poor child.  When she was found sleeping in a tree nearby the following morning by the circus elders, they thanked her, fed her, and offered to train her to join their traveling circus.

For two years, Devyn learned acrobatics, the art of disguise, and advanced her performance and musical skills with the circus folk.  But when she felt her life turning, she set out for a new adventure, one that took her to Zasphyr and the Greyhaven society.

I’ve kept my promise!
I’ve written something new everyday in the last two weeks (minus my optional one day a week break) and I’ve started compiling them for editing. My series on Channillo is up and ready for content, I’m just waiting on a book cover which will be done soon. I’ve also been given the month my short story will be published on Channillo, November! In prep, I’ve added "Beverage Therapy" to goodreads. I may have danced in my chair at the small victory of having something listed that I’ve written.

Also new this week… yes, I’ve been busy, is the Imaginary Adventures Book Club! Join on goodreads to share a love of books, writing, and anything lit!

Last but not least is business cards. My wonderful friend Brandon Burt has helped me design some absolutely stunning business cards and I can’t wait to start handing them out. Once the design is finalized I’ll post that here too.

So many good things, I can’t even understand it all. I may have pinched myself a few times this week. Enjoy your weekend, stay safe, and read something good.

Happy Reading!
~Eliza

Muse: 642 Things
Prompt: Your mom has started online dating, what do you tell her?

“Brooklyn!  Did you borrow my pearls?”
“Ew, never.”  Mom has the worst taste in clothes. 
“Have you seen them?”
“No.”
“Brooklyn, get in here!”
I stand and march into her room and flop onto her bed.  Makeup and jewelry float a few inches off the cream colored duvet and fall back down.  “What?”
Mom turns and looks at me, her hands on her hips.  “What do you think?”
“That this is pointless.”
“Brooklyn!”
“What? You’re going out looking for another guy like Dad and all you’re going to find are men who want in your pants.”  I must have struck a nerve, Mom deflates, the twinkle gone from her eyes.
“Is that what you really think?”
She crosses the room and sits next to me on the bed.
“He’s gone Mom.  Death won’t give him back, and no one can replace him.”

It’s Friday, it’s Friday, everybody dance. It’s Friday!

Okay, so I may be a tad more excited than normal about it being Friday. It’s a three day weekend, I have a new writing space that oozes creativity, AND did I mention it is a three day weekend? Yup. Okay.

I have high expectations for this weekend. I play on being in my pajamas for at least two days. Finishing “You’re Never Weird on the Internet [almost]” and at least one other book. Making a nice dent in my editing and maybe even beginning the plotting I have in my head for NaNoWriMo.

This week was amazing and I want to make sure I thank at least a few of the people who helped make it so rad. My friend @silkenmoonlight never stops surprising me, her inspiration and motivation is infectious and I can’t help but walk out of our meetups ready to take on the world.  Then there’s @VelvetTortoise who sent me a lovely care package from the UK filled with motivation in the form of physical objects and uplifting words. There are many others who carry me along all week through my “real job” and help me get this blog and my other projects crafted. So thank you too.
I hope everyone has a happy and safe weekend, and if you’re hitting the beach, a coffee shop, or even just staying in bed… Happy Reading!
~Eliza

Prompt: Describe a minorities first day at college.

Alexandra stepped from the bus and looked around her, people milled about, relaxing under the windows and rushing past on skateboards.  A tall boy with wild hair and eyes to match flew past her, catcalling as he went.  She stepped back and bumped into a large man who grunted at her intrusion.
“Sorry.”
He grunted again and she stepped forward and onto the sidewalk.  Alex looked up at the towering brick building that would be her work, home, and play for the next four years.  She had no idea what she was getting herself into when she moved across the country and into the deep south to study Jazz.  You have to learn from the best she’d told her Nan.  She looked around at all of the students and shook her head.  “I’m in so over my head.”
The big guy from the bus walked up and stopped beside her and grunted for a third time.  She turned to look up at him, the sun making her squint.  He mimicked her earlier awe struck pose.  He extended his right hand around his body without looking at her.  “Robby.”
She took it tentatively and shook it, “Alex.”
Another grunt and he took his hand back.  “You’re small.”
“You’re not.”  She look at him head to toe.
He chuckled softly and his lips curled into a smile.  “Yup.”
They stood there a while in companionable silence.
“Pizza?”  He asked.
“Sure, why not.”
As they followed the signs to the cafe Alex couldn’t help but smile, this was going to be one hell of an adventure. 

I’ve got some GREAT news, but first, I’d like to say thank you. Thanks for stopping by to read my ramblings, my musings, and my crazy imaginary adventures.  Because of your support I decided to apply for a series on Channillo.com and as of yesterday, I was accepted! In the coming weeks I’ll be creating, editing, and formatting new content that will be available for a small subscription fee. I’ll write up a blog post prior to its start and explain it all, but for now, enjoy a fiction Friday doodle.

Happy Reading!
~Eliza

Muse: 642 Things + Me
Prompt: As “Dear Kitten,” what would you tell your humans about the new crying baby who now lives with you.

Dear humans.
You’re getting creative with the prison punishments.
The smell alone makes my fur stand up and the screams will deafen me long before my release.  You’ve been lax with the feed hours too, and the food budget must have been cut.  I have noticed.  Tell the time human to keep its paws to it self.  My tail is not a toy.  You and the man have been less attentive to my daily massage requirements too.  I expect that to improve.  

Dear humans, was the little human necessary?  I shall await their pet offering until they are less wet.  
But I will remember.  

Fiction Friday:
Muse: 642 Things
Prompt: Pretend you are a tree, what are you thinking as they cut you down?

Yesterday was my last inspection.  They clicked their tongues at me and muttered something about today.  I’m sure they’ll be here any minute, they are rarely late.  Oh, I hear them now.  They’ve come from the direction of the barn, he must be ready.  I am okay with his decision, he’s never led me wrong before. I remember when his grandpappy planted me all those years ago.  I was such a stubborn seedling back then, but he never gave up on me.  I remember when his son learned about my anatomy and when he would lay beneath my branches and sing that cute song about the tiny spider.  They he too grew and had a son, a rambunctious little tyke.  Always in my branches and eating my fruit.  I’m glad he’s the one to do it, the last voice I’ll hear. The last memory I’ll make.  
Hello old friend.  Do not weep for me.  
I will be alright.
Ouch!
It is time.
Thank… you...

Fiction Friday 16:
Muse: 642 Things
Prompt: You wake up one morning to find your face plastered all over the city on “missing” posters.  Who posted the signs?  Where were you last seen?  What were you wearing?

Mandy bent down and touched her toes, clad in rubber trainers and itching to run.  She skipped to a telephone pole across the walk and used it for leverage to stretch her shoulders.  She placed her palms flat on the pole over a posted notice and stretched.  Her shoulder popped and she stood up straight to rub the joint.  The face on the missing posted stapled to the pole caught her attention and she stumbled backwards.  Her own visage stared back at her, smiling and happy in the sun.


Mandy Williams
Age 27
Missing two years
Contact Radclif Barns if found

Mandy looked around her frantically, no one was paying attention to her, all of them too busy this early in the morning.  She carefully pulled down the sign and skipped back up her steps.  She pulled out her cell phone and dialed as she went.
“Mandy, what’s wrong?”
“Sergeant Walker. Rad’s found me, and he knows my name.”

NEXT week, I can’t wait for next week! Monday I have a special blog post that will tie directly into Wednesday's book review. I really hope you’re going to like it. Until then, enjoy a bit of new fiction.

Happy Reading!
~Eliza

Fiction Friday 15:
Muse: 642 Things
Prompt: Your character has an unusual first date.  With whom, why, and how is the first strange?

Rachel was ready.  Her apartment was clean. The games all back in their boxes, the controller cables all wound up, and even her plushie collection was neatly lined up properly on the shelf. The guy coming over was going to love it, and considering she took the day off from raiding with her guild, he better.
*knock knock*
She checked her watch and smiled.  Five minutes early.  Good.  She liked punctuality.
“Coming!”

Their pizza was eaten, the candles were lit, and her date, Brad, was going on and on about some stock market price thingy.
“So you see why I couldn’t refuse the offer?”
“Sure…” Rachel said with a false smile.  “Are you ready to watch a film?”
“Sure, what are the choices?”
Rachel held up two options.
“Really?  Avengers and Monty Python?  Don’t you have anything… normal?”
Rachel seethed.  “Alright.”  She placed the DVDs back down and picked up the dishes to carry them into the kitchen.
“Where are you going?”
“Oh, nowhere, just cleaning up.”
“Can’t you do that later?”
“A dish slipped, landing against the sink a little harder harder than planned.  “Yes of course.  I know, why don’t we go out!”
“Great idea, get your coat!”
Brad slid his on and Rachel removed hers from the hook.  She followed behind him to the front door.  “Do you have everything?”
“Yes.  So what do you want to…”  His voice trailed off as he exited the apartment and walked down the hall.
Rachel closed the door and locked it, and hung her coat on the hook.  Brad’s muffled voice came through the door but she ignored it and popped Monty Python into her system and flopped onto the couch.  
“That’s the last blind date Dad is ever setting me up on.”
She put her feet up, grabbed the nearest plushie, and snuggled up for the film.

I hope everyone had a wonderful and safe holiday last weekend, and if you’re outside the states, I hope you went on an adventure!

Not much is really new for me, I’m pretty steady state here with Camp NaNoWriMo and a slew of book reviews (three this week!). Monday’s blog will be a more personal one, a stream of conscious, here’s what I’m thinking, kind of post.  So stay tuned for that. For now, I hope you enjoy my fiction doodle and never experience it yourself.

Happy Reading!
~Eliza

Fiction Friday 15:
Muse: 642 Things
Prompt: Think of a dramatic event and write it backwards.

She blinked.
The world was tumbling around her, tossing her, jarring her.
The sound was the first to go.
The high pitch screams, the crunch of glass and metal. The blaring of horns.
Her ears stopped ringing, the sound was sapped from around her, replaced by the smells of burning rubber and flesh.
A bright light invaded her sight and brought tears to her eyes.
Her heart beat faster and she knew something was wrong.
A hand gripped her wrist, latching on quickly where there was none before.
She must have been dreaming, the fields were glittering and she could smell the wheat.
The drive was long, and her brother was tired, they’d been gone for too long. 
Their peace had been broken.
Dad had called and what Dad wanted, Dad got.