Writing Advice: Before You Write
Writing Advice: Before You Write I've been mulling over the idea of doing a couple of writing tutorials lately, to share my experiences since I started writing a good decade ago now. Hopefully what follows here will be helpful to you; either providing...
Wishful Thinking
Wishful Thinking By Televassi "Hey, we're closing in ten!" Atali called out, in lieu of any automated announcement. The white wolf leaned over the counter, trying to catch the eye of the final customer of the day - an elusive coyote slinking between...
The Song of the Slayer - Prologue
A honed pair of amber eyes glare out into the desolate night, scanning the few skeletal trees for any sign of movement. The sky is dark, with barely a prick of starlight to break the midnight veil, and across the haunted marches, nothing stirs. The...
'Anubis'
Dissipated down, into swirls Of midnight blue dunes, The beat of the nekhakha stirs Shadows from the breathless night. Accepting the indictment, I heed thy call, For thou hast come to claim my heart. Then come fulfil thy pact; Take from me this...
Short Staffed
About 9,500 words Short Staffed By Televassi I stare at the curtain's stitching as I wait to start. Marie's silk curtain. My silk curtain. I try to swallow the lump in my throat, but it's stubborn. Shadow dancing isn't my job. I'm a bartender -...
A 'Helping' Mage-Hand
A 'Helping' Mage-Hand "This had better be good, half-horse!" The fox grumbled and eyed up the tavern's crowded bar. "My training contract says nothing about doing overtime." He resumed glowering at the wild-looking centaur warrior corralling him...
Coffee-Shots
Coffee-Shots By Televassi The problem with the bohemian lifestyle is that it promises a tempting idyll, but none of the security, nevermind practicalities, required to make it work. But when I swore myself to it I wasn't interested in answering...
Bare-Bucking
Bare-Bucking Tonight isn't like how it used to be. Sure, when I caught his scent from across the bar my eyes lit up in recognition. And yes, we bridged the years after graduation in five minutes: him the dashing stud with a broad smile, me the...
Nomads
Long have we shared forbidden dreams, Kept secret by an art of subtle glances While I went about braiding your mane, So you could at least be beautiful before a fight. Now as you gather my pale hide, close, Under the halter of your rowan coat, I...
Stranded
About 10,000 words Stranded [1 hour, 21 minutes] The wolf retreated from the orbital station's bustling concourse and dived into a bar, stealing the nearest free seat. His tail bristled as his claw prodded his flickering wrist console, oblivious to...
Simplicity
About 9000 words Simplicity Navigator training begins with the fundamental law: simplicity. No matter how talented the trainee, the most beautiful equations are always the simplest. A model navigator achieved it in all calculations; from the...
1. The White Hart
Chapter 1 The White Hart I'm drowning in January. I tap my cocktail glass and stare at the ice diluting the drink. The bar's empty music pulls at the tips of my ears like a forgotten tongue, dissolving underneath the happy clink of...