Just a little writer

Secondary world epic fantasy, some romance, some swashbuckling, lots of political shenanigans.

The realm is crumbling under the weight of debt and hunger, the ruling creme de la creme is insulated within a blissful bubble, and a flimsy pretense of consulting with the people is enough to fool most… but not all.

Sidonie de Favriel, once a debutante darling of the upper crust, is reduced to selling her favours after a scandalous divorce. However, a chance brings her together with a young firebrand lawyer. He is a man determined that her talent with a pen should both thrive and be put into the service of his beloved cause… but that will also place her into a mortal danger.

Armand Verennes has startling ideas on how the country should be governed. However, these ideas far outstrip his current position as a modest deputy in the Great Council. The anger boiling the country might give him a chance to rise and fulfil his destiny… but strange hauntings that plagued him since childhood might be pointing to a legacy altogether darker.

Audrine de Favriel used to be the prickly rebel of the cruel noble family she was born in. However, imprisonment, exile, and a life as an actress under an assumed name have dulled her fire. Then she comes to the attention of the young Queen consort who needs any help she can get. A startling mission seems to give Audrine a new purpose in life… but it might also sunder her from her sister Sidonie forever.

Character profile: Sidonie de Favriel

Character profile: Armand Verennes

Excerpt #1

Excerpt #2

Excerpt #3

Quote:

“The way Samuele was slain, that required genuine skill.’ Orvieto picked up a short knife, balancing it in his palm. ‘May I show you?’

Aldo spread out both arms, inviting an attack. ‘Please.’

The doctor approached, blade in hand, until they were close enough to embrace. Looking Aldo in the eyes, Orvieto thrust the knife at his chest. It stopped a hair’s breadth from Aldo, the tip sharp and steady. ‘This was a close killing. Almost . . . intimate.’

‘So I see.’

Just came back with a new library haul. Well, the bottom two are the library haul, the one at the top is an AbeBooks haul (though it did originally belong to the library of some small American college, I believe. And before that to some dude called Abernathy).

I kid you not:

I am currently absolutely fascinated by this primary source find - one of the ‘grievance lists’ (cahiers de doléances) written in 1789. This one was created by a widow from Normandy. And… if half of these lines had been given to a period drama character, the screenwriters would have been raked over the coals for being hamfisted and anachronistic.

Obsessed with this quote about different sorts of people the Dean of the Wells Cathedral has to deal with over the course of one week

So… I am interested in taking advantage of this whole neuroplasticity thing, breaking out of the scrolling addiction, and getting all of my chops above back. I miss being able to read paperbacks for hours, for one thing. Not to mention writing.

My measures, starting today, include:

Switching most non-essential notifications off

Removing social media apps from my main Home screen and onto a separate board

Making myself read physical books for at least 10 minutes a day (timer via the app called Flora, it’s one of those “don’t open anything on your phone or the tree dies” apps)

And also starting more physical exercise (2-3 or so classes a week. I’m kind of lucky to have this “all you can eat”-style membership with Urban Sports Club).

I know that most changes listed above are very modest, but that’s kind of by design. My main problem has always been consistency and keeping on, not starting with a bang.