Life Interrupted

Well, you know what they say about the best laid plans! Between commissions, and film work, my writing has sadly gone by the wayside up until now. Hopefully, I can get back in the saddle, for a while, at least, until the next thing comes along! To those who have asked about the second book, hang in there; it will be done, just not as soon as I had wished!

Here is a tiny snippet from the book. As always, all writing is copyright Susan McCaskill. I know that should go without saying, but still...

Prologue

The howling winds and screaming voices were taking their toll on Penelope, even though Prudence was valiantly trying to support her.

“Penelope, you have to try and hold on just a little bit longer. We are almost there.”

“I’m so tired; I can’t fight anymore.”

“Nonsense, girl,” came the gruff voice of Hecate. “You weren’t raised to be a quitter! Prudence is right. We are almost there,”

Penelope struggled to keep control of her safe place, even though her body was failing and she was slowly losing touch with reality.

“Paddy,” said Prudence. “We have to hurry! She is starting to lose her mind and her body can’t take much more.”

“We’re almost there,” assured Paddy. “Just a few more minutes.”

Prudence bit her lip, knowing Paddy was going as fast as he possibly could, and soon she saw the burning shores of the Black Isle. She and Paddy arrived at almost the same time as Hec, Morna, and Jacob.

“Alright.” Hec said briskly. “No time to waste. Paddy, hold on to me, and Prudence and Morna, hold onto me and Jacob. Jacob, hold on to Paddy’s harness. Here goes nothing.”

For a moment, nothing happened, then Prudence felt her stomach sink towards her feet, a flash, and a feeling of dizziness, and they were on the top of the Black Isle.

“We only have a few minutes before the voices and winds affect us. We must hurry.”

Off in the distance, they could see the pillars and the tiny figure of Penelope slumped in the chains that were attached to them.

“Hold on! Another short jump,” said Hec, and in a trice, they were beside Penelope.

Prudence ran to her, tears streaming down her face. “Penelope! We’re here! We’re here! Wake up!”

Sluggishly Penelope forced her eyes open, and through cracked lips whispered hoarsely, “You came,”

“Of course we did, silly girl” huffed Hec, sounding suspiciously close to tears herself. “Now, let’s get you home. Jacob, can you get her out of those blasted chains and carry her?”

No sooner said, Jacob had her out of the chains and tenderly wrapped in his coat, and snuggled against his broad chest.

“Good. Now let’s get home before...”

“Hecate!” Gwyddion’s voice roared. “What in blazes is going on?”

“Oh, drat,” muttered Hecate.

~Penelope Parker: Chaos and Light-copyright Susan McCaskill

Synopsis of Penelope Parker: Chaos and Light

Penelope has been rescued, more dead than alive by her friends, her cat, Hecate, and her Soul Bond, Prudence. Now that she has recovered, she and Prudence are hoping to get back to P.A.W.S. and resume their studies, but Marcus has other ideas. He is furious that Penelope and her mother were rescued, and he is bound and determined to catch them both again and finish what he started. What he doesn't reckon on, is his daughter, Gillian, who is sickened by her father's actions, and determines to put a crimp in them.

Emerging Local Authors Book Fair

Attended a book fair at the Nellie McClung library here in Victoria today. Didn't sell too much, but I met some fabulous people, and made new friends. And really, isn't that what it's all about? Selling books is great, but meeting new folks who are interested in the same thing you are, is even better!

NaNoWriMo 2015

Well, I signed up for NaNoWriMo this year! Missed last year, so have lots to make up! I hope to complete the second book in the Penelope Parker series. If you're interested in participating, go to NaNoWriMo and sign up.

Post a banner on your blog, or facebook to let the world know you accept the challenge!

Book Two:Penelope Parker:Chaos And Light

The second book is well under way, and I hope to be able to publish it by the end of2016. The story picks up at the point that Penelope is rescued from the Black Isle, more dead than alive. As she recovers, she hopes all will return to normal, but that is not to be. Marcus has plans for Penelope which don't include her survival, but his daughter, Gillian, has a few ideas of her own which may well set Marcus on his ear.

Continue the journey with Penelope, Prudence, Hecate and the other friends. Buckle your seatbelts; it's going to be a bumpy ride!

Daily Words of Wisdom

“A story is not like a road to follow … it's more like a house. You go inside and stay there for a while, wandering back and forth and settling where you like and discovering how the room and corridors relate to each other, how the world outside is altered by being viewed from these windows. And you, the visitor, the reader, are altered as well by being in this enclosed space, whether it is ample and easy or full of crooked turns, or sparsely or opulently furnished. You can go back again and again, and the house, the story, always contains more than you saw the last time. It also has a sturdy sense of itself of being built out of its own necessity, not just to shelter or beguile you.” 
― Alice Munro, Selected Stories, 1968-1994

Daily Words of Wisdom

“We who make stories know that we tell lies for a living. But they are good lies that say true things, and we owe it to our readers to build them as best we can. Because somewhere out there is someone who needs that story. Someone who will grow up with a different landscape, who without that story will be a different person. And who with that story may have hope, or wisdom, or kindness, or comfort. And that is why we write.” 
― Neil Gaiman, The Graveyard Book