Friday 31 May 2013

SFFSat - June 01

Science Fiction Fantasy Saturday (SFFSat) is a place where a bunch of us post snippets from our written works and also shoot the breeze a little. And before I get ahead of myself, thanks and appreciation as always to those who stop by and leave fantastic comments.

Well, I'm back. I took a much-needed break so I could sort through that old confounded WIP, Bengaria's War. I just completed the 4th draft (still not quite right) but it needs a little bit more with the beginning. Anyone up for a beta read?

Anyhoo...here's a snippet from it, in Chapter 25, where you have the Nezu Commander, Thrater, mulling over some pressing thoughts. (In case you're wondering, the Nezu are a race of people who separated from the rest of civilization because they're a disagreeable bunch to begin with, and in doing so, progressed and advanced in leaps and bounds. And now, Ryn as queen to one of the star systems, is trying to unite them with her lot since they have a common gripe with one person, Sibur, from another star system whose being the typical bully).

In this scene, Commander Thrater is with a rogue Nezu called Commander Risar, whom he refers to as the relic...

           
But this was the Nezu way, how it had always been. How they had always been.

The alliance would change all that, it would have to. They couldn’t be expected to hoard their knowledge; they would have to share. While it sounded good in theory, was it even practical in reality? With a sinking feeling, Thrater knew if he didn’t change his way of thinking, the alliance would never work.
And this relic from the past, who had had to live among the common people—Outsiders—had shown him this. How shameful. Risar and his rogues knew how to live among others; he had conformed to their ways, adapted. They had to in order to survive.

If you are interested in participating in next weeks SFFSat, just click HERE, and follow the rules. Sign up is open every Wednesday - and if you're on Twitter, use the #SFFSat hashtag.



Cheers!

20 comments:

  1. Ah, but, will what worked for Risar work for Thrater? There lies the rub. It's funny you mention 4th drafts and adding more to the beginning - I always end up writing backwards (all my beginnings end up being the endings).

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    1. Hmm. You have a point there now... And how interesting you work backwards. Hee hee. Not sure how that will work in this one...

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    2. I call it Prequelitis. It's a debilitating malady I suffer.

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    3. Ohh. That does sound like a horrible affliction! ;)

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  2. Adapting to survive--change can be scary.

    I have a tendency to dump world building and character backgrounds in to every beginning and always have to take that out.

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    1. Me too! Then it's the conundrum of WHERE to redistribute it...

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  3. I'm so glad that you're taking your time with this book. The scope of the story is so EPIC!!

    I love the characterization of Thrater and Risar. Sounds to me like Thrater is a teesy bit envious and contemptuous at the same time.

    If I can get the final revisions on HE completed in the next couple of weeks as planned, I'll be available to beta for you.

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    1. Cheers! Thanks JC! Yes, this tale needs copious amounts of time to mould it into shape. I just might hit you up (again) for a beta.

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  4. I love that the Nezu are a disagreeable people and went off on their on - only to advance and prosper and now someone needs their help - should make for some great characters. Can't wait to read more and the beta offer stands.

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  5. Thank you!! And I haven't forgotten you offer! It's "nearly" done!!

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    1. They may be technologically advanced, but somewhere along the line, they forgot about basic things, like farming techniques.

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  7. I love the way you weaved the world-building in. Very subtle. I have info-dumping tendencies so I know how hard it is.

    Great snippet!

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    1. Thanks! But I have those tendencies too. It's a real chore to remember NOT to dump info.

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  8. Nice snippet. I want to know more about the conflict and the Nezu. I guess I'll have to read the book, huh? ;)

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    1. Hehe, I guess you do. Thanks for stopping by!!

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  9. Nothing like being shown the error of your ways by the worst example. A real slap in the face.

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  10. First, sorry I'm so late...hectic week. This is an intriguing snippet. Cool insight into the relations between the two groups - and their inherent animosity.

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