CM Simpson: Writer & Gamer

This week, I finished my university studies—but this report is about last week. Last week, I was still suffering from a sore back, while trying to keep up class attendances so that I didn’t drop below the attendance requirements. I wanted to graduate – and not miss out because of a technicality—so, not much got done, as I spent most of the week in bed when I wasn’t trying to do what needed doing.   Week 3 Progress New words produced: 2,741 Works completed: 1 (short story – Memory’s Vampire ) Works edited: 1 ( Army Boots and Stilettos ) Works published: 1 Bloggery: 1,795 University Prep and Assignments: I counted 11 hour s and 39 minutes, but there was more. Writing News Last week saw me scrape through with the e-release of Army Boots and Stilettos . It got out on time, but only just. I completed all last week’s priorities, which were to study for this week’s exams, and brush up the formatting of the first essay in lieu of exams and see if it needs more form...

AFTERMATH: If the PCs and Anika’s brood drive off the attacking forces, ask them to make an Earth (Senses) Test. For those who make a TH4, read, or paraphrase, the following: As the last creatures flee or fall, you see something gleaming in the grass: metal, reflecting sunlight shining through the canopy. Allow the PCs to examine the item. It’s a small, round disc made of beaten gold, on which is scribed the now familiar symbol of a long, upright shepherd’s crook, standing beside a half oval (flat-side down) above a long narrow rectangle broken by vertical wavy lines (lying lengthwise). It seems a strange alliance, these creatures with an Egyptian god, but things were different in Mythic times. Once the connection has been made, read, or paraphrase the following description. If the PCs do not make the test, incorporate the disc’s description in the description below, but as something they remember finding after the original fight: The disc gleams in your hand...

As exams approach, and I look down the barrel of life after uni, I've started writing the stories for next year's release schedule. I haven't shared my thoughts on that, because I haven't been able to work out what sort of approach to take, but I think I might have settled on one. We'll see. These things usually go to pieces the minute I start talking about them, so, fingers crossed this will work. I'm going to write the schedule one writing head at a time. First up, I'll be my short-story self, and prep up a short story for each month. The first two were already done, which left 10. I've written two more in the last two days, which leaves me with just 8. I'd like to get those done by the end of next week, but I'll be realistic, and give myself a fortnight, because - EXAMS! Okay? Anyhow, I thought I'd share the first few paragraphs from each just to round out the day, okay? First up is Memory's Vampire , which I wrote yesterday: ...