dancinghorse | Dec. 2nd, 2004

Muchas gracias to all who shared the Hallelujah Chorus.

The world continues to be a strange and disoriented place. I proved that I have an Attack Series here--I sat down last night and got an image and shortly thereafter, had six pages of the sequel to Song of Unmaking. This never happens after I finish a book. Still, it's good, because they want a teaser to put in at the end. And it's going to be a Really Cool Book. Meanwhile I can write it if I feel like it--because I am On Vacation and I can do what I like. It's not due for over a year.

Am realizing very clearly that this series is about writing the heart--just open a vein, as they say. My historicals are about research and thinking things through and making it all accurate. It will be interesting to see, if and when I get back to the historicals, how writing these books affects the way I write historical fantasy. At the moment I seriously need a break from the research-and-development mill.

Holiday hysteria has started. I have zero ideas for gifts, and zero cash to buy them with (publishers being of the belief that authors should be paid last, least, and with great reluctance), which makes the whole exercise a bit stressful. Going away this weekend is probably a good idea. I can sign books, visit with lynnesite , and meet the marvelous Miss Twix. Also, get my head back together. Or a reasonable facsimile thereof.

Today was a very full horse day. Lessons first. Keed was Wonderful for Joni--round, soft, willing, and eager to try Cool Stuff, such as shoulder-in and more collected canter and stretchy-chewy work. He has back muscles again, huzzahs! In fact he's filling out all over. Finally, he's hitting maturity. He'll only be 10 in March.

It's particularly funny to see him being a Dressage Horse because he has the softest, plushiest winter coat you can imagine. It's like watching a Steiff toy do dressage movements. He's leggy and elegant, mind you, but that coat, oh my.

Capria was lesson pony for me. We focused on rein aids again. The seat is refining itself in very interesting ways--whole front is opening up, thigh aids getting more effective, overall seat much much deeper. This doesn't mean sitting heavy at all, it means sitting securely in the horse's center of balance, which feels like sitting in the horse. Very interesting sensation. ( Read more... )

After lessons I couldn't indulge in the usual coma, because the chiro vet was coming to work on Camilla. That was interesting. ( Read more... )

Next week, we get back to Quality Time With Camilla. She needs a job.

In the meantime, I feel the urge to write a bit more book, just for fun, and, like, eat dinner and all that. And maybe glare at the Christmas list some more.