Bite Me, Blippy 3: Battling Troublemakers

Hmm, did that catch your attention? Just curious. I wanted to make sure something did this crazy morning. Haven't slept, but tis okay. Just in case you're curious, this is a thumbnail sketch of a short e-book I finished...

Plot: Beretta Coulisse is having a rotten evening in her rundown fourth floor studio apartment.

Her muse: Blippy, is driving her nuts.

They have nothing to say to one another, but hey who cares right? Well someone does, his name is Cayenne Domino and is a local ER orderly. He's got the hots for Beretta but she's playing hard to get.

The upshot is Beretta says, "Bite Me, Blippy," and goes off to do her own thing.

Blippy disappears, and Cayenne appears.

Battling troublemakers nets him an unusual thanks.

Here's the link to Bite Me, Blippy 3: Battling Troublemakers

As you can see, my brain took a break from finishing Post Apocalypse, but I'll be going back to it now.

Soaring Temps, Cool Inside II

Yep, liked that title so much I'm using it again. So what can I put in this new rambler...

Update on the newest project: It is titled Post Apocalype, but I'm hoping a new one will come to me.

Currently I've reached 40k on the word count and each chapter is 5k (That's with Chapter headings included)

Carradyne Vesuvius has been rescued, kinda, and Orrick, Eldritch, and Curacao are displaying more flashes about their history than I expected. Fortunately, they're being nice and not giving me too hard of a time.

I've just started chapter 9. I have no idea how many more will come forth, so this'll be an interesting process to be sure.

Here's an excerpt:

Copyrighted 2009 B.L. Foxxe

Chapter One: Awakenings

"I hate waiting for an end to come." Carradyne Vesuvius cursed stasis holding her life-force suspended. Several inner probes revealed a troubling discovery. Her body was used for incubation of pregnancies. She'd been violated. "Son of a bitch," fear strangled her she realized she'd been violated on several layers.

She lay in some kind of rectangular box. Not uncomfortable, but not spacious either. Carradyne rolled to her left and to her right. Hmm, six feet in length, six feet wide, she discovered. Smooth hard and metallic, dammit. She flattened her palms against the seams. After she tried several pokes and prods with her telepathic and unraveling spells, she gave up.

Damn, she was caught in some kind of buffered prison. None of her abilities would work here. "So much for psychic abilities and powerful knowledge," she scoffed quiet and frustrated, "if I'm so powerful, why cannot I use what I have to escape?" She muttered and concentrated, "and what is the use of being able to work small magicks with hard substances when I cannot make any headway against this confinement?"

The dratted box was guarded on all levels. The magnitude of power used stunned Carradyne. She sighed and rested. She'd been drained by her small nosing around.

What bothered her most was loss of time. She didn't know how long she remained in the confined box. Carradyne frowned when she gained an impression she'd been deliberately roused from unconsciousness. Cold fear etched into her heart. "Why am I awakened now?" she sent tendrils of psychic power to others.

"Stop draining your reserves, Carradyne." A voice suggested harshly. "What is your last waking memory before you blacked out?"

Carradyne stiffened. She recognized the voice, but the name of the owner escaped her. "Who are you, what happened to me? Why am I stuck here?" she refused to show fear. "I could use a little help here, please." She needed some pointers if she was to assist this unknown rescuer.

A low sigh in her mind warned Carradyne she wouldn't like what she discovered. "I unfortunately trapped you somewhere, Carradyne." He didn't give her a name to use, she noticed. "Your container was moved since I last watched you enclosed."

His fury startled Carradyne. "I'm helping someone find and rescue you. I need to know what your last waking memory was though." He hesitated before uttering a warning that baffled her. "I cannot tell you who I am. There are spies using every imaginable telepathic device to monitor where we're at." He broke connection.

Dammit man, she railed heatedly. Your diffidence isn't helping matters. Then again, Carradyne realized he faced a hard choice as did she. He was the one who'd enclosed her within these confines.

Yet she gained a nasty feeling, perpetuated by her earlier probes, she'd been confined longer than he remembered. Carradyne wasn't altogether sure she should trust his recollections. She shivered as his boiling fury and frustration rolled through her consciousness. He was pissed.

Please keep in mind this is a very rough draft. Hope you enjoyed that small taste...I might add more a bit later on, we'll see.

Soaring Temps, Cool Inside

This is going to be a definite ramble, I can see it now. However, I don't mind rambling when its about writing. This time, I'm thinking about the story that is fleshing out before my eyes. I've gotten about 4.5k written. Later, once the skeleton is finished, I'll figure out where else its going and how to approach the rest of the writing.

Setting:

Female (Carradyne) trapped inside an underground laboratory and fit to kill, literally. She's in the mood to gain some vengeance from being used and abused. Orrick, Curacao, and Eldritch mounted an extraction triage and have managed to infiltrate a complex underground system of laboratory levels.

So far I've got two main characters:

female - Carradyne Vesuvius. She's trapped in a metallic box that effectively neutralizes any abilities -- telepathy, empathy, prescience?-- that she might possess. She has no clue how long she's been trapped. She's learnt a few things during her enforced immobility that isn't making her a happy camper.

male - Orrick Vestry. I don't know much about him. He's got wings, is not a dragon, but still a mystery to me. He's Carradyne's love interest right now, but who knows what'll happen in the future right?

On to the Secondary Characters:

female - Curacao. Other than coming off the villainess early in the story and is Carradyne's older sister, I don't know what her problem is. I'm hoping to learn more as time goes on. She may remain evil, or just rather pathetic and annoying.

male - Eldritch Hayden. Metal mage, specializing in creating cages to imprison dangerous creatures. Unfortunately, he's not real pleased at becoming the fall-boy for someone else's machinations. Nor did he intend his creations to be used for ill-intent. At one point he had, and still does, possess feelings for Carradyne, but is a real gentleman.

Who else might pop into the story mix, I'm not sure. This is what I've got so far :)

Working...On a new Project...

What's the new project? Yeah great thing for me to post and blank on. *snort* Then again, I sometimes need to remember what is important and not sweat the small stuff. Anyway, what I'm working on will be solely an e-book. Not sure where it'll go yet.

That's as far as I've gotten on the knowing part.

The more difficult part is deciding what of the countless projects I'll be working on...Now there's the difficulty. I'm guessing I've got upwards of 100 or more WIPs I have patiently lurking in folders. However, this time I do have an idea. I'm going to work on much delayed edits and then start on those other WiPs. There's my resolution. Let's just hope I can remember to follow it.

If another headache whomps me, I'm gonna be ticked. Then again, if I get a good night's sleep hopefully I won't be so wiped out the next day. Decisions, but that's part of life, right? Oh yeah, this is just a major ramble on my part.

Toodles, off to make more decisions. Then I'll make a more-to-the-point post.

Tarnished Grievances

Yep this is my latest endeavor. I hope people enjoy this short story Tarnished Grievances. There's even a colorful cover to go with it too. I will likely do a further description of the novel when its not 4 a.m. in the morning and I'm falling asleep.

Plus you can get a nice little discount, using this code: DRAEMESAEKYROKMI

Awakened Dracaena

So what is this book about?

Awakened Dracaena talks about a young woman in her late teens, Elle. On the brink of womanhood, there's no record of her existence. Yet, she's determined to find her way into a better situation. Not to mention she has a friend now, Stanley Woodall who is more than what he seems.

While Elle doesn't really know what's going to happen when she flees her five year captivity, she knows what she cannot stand. Because of what has happened to her, she knows she'll take freedom, perhaps death, over what another future might be. There are two possibilities, psychiatric hospital, and the second...well that's for the reader to find in the story itself.

Originally there was discussion about a 2nd novel linked through a common town, Montrose Heights, but I had to delete the book due to problems with too many author errors. The 2nd book will eventually return and the issues resolved. For now, on with the rest of the post. :)

Good news is, when you purchase Awakened Dracaena please use this code JULYCONTEST10 at checkout to get 10% off.

I hope people do enjoy the story posted here. It happens to be the type I write and occasionally manage to hit the right spark. There'll be others coming soon but I have to finish them first. Interested in learning about other novels? Check out the website and you'll see the other novels listed.

Images & Novels

I find it amusing how images can make or break a book. Oddly, I've come to the point where I will make sure I can stand to read the book no matter how attractive the cover is. I'm just thinking about what I would've rather put onto Awakened Dracaena.

So there it is. Just plain and a little strange. Then that is how I am, lol.

News & Updates: Print & E-Books

So why have I not been online...There was the Nebraska vacation that was fun times. Then I was working on a series of stories. Some of them are turning out okay, others are driving me nuts because they keep splitting into spin-offs. >.<

Needless to say, I got hung up on a few of the ones that split. What I decided to do was my own thing. Tired of not being able to do anything right (In my own mind, no one else's,) I decided to do a little test.

Been writing quite a few years now. I finally wanted to see what self-publishing is like. So I have two books. Both teen fiction, but I thought they were fun to create because I could actually decide what I wanted to do.

So what are their titles and what do they have for interesting reading. Hmm, that's in the next post. I think I'll blip it on over to Myspace and then Facebook, lol. Follow if you want :) its all right if you don't.

http://www.myspace.com/blfoxxe

Summertime!! Whoot!

Just the very word Summertime brings memories to mind. Lazy days of swimming, long road trips to the White Mountains in AZ, or traveling to nearby amusement parks. Distinctly good fun times back in the teen and childhood years.

What's the difference this time? I now possess 2 AA degrees in Humanities and Behavioral/Social Sciences. I'll be able to update a resume, and continue job searching. In this case, I'm working on a couple of classes going towards a 3rd degree. I may even be able to get at least one certificate, and work on other projects as well.

Also, I'll be able to go to Nebraska and visit relatives I haven't seen in many years. There'll be some I've never met, or have seen in the past year, but only briefly, and not enough to really talk with them.

So this is my summertime post. Next post, I dunno what'll I'll prate about. Probably progress of Works in Progress, of which I have two I've chatted about, but have about 10+ in actuality and are in various states of disarray.

Rambling

     This post is merely a ramble. I'm trying all kinds of new stuff recently. Figuring out how to change a style of writing that is wordy and probably repetitive. Not quite sure where to end a subject and begin another. Fortunately, I'm patient and willing to figure out what I might've done wrong.

     When I first started writing the WIP:  Wanna Piece of Me? I figured oh sure, fairly simple, two character point of view. It has since spiraled into one huge complicated mess. I'm determined however to get it straightened out. What I originally posted for the beginning sections, are no longer quite at the beginning.

     They're somewhere in the middle. For now, I'm trying to decide where I should begin or end parts of the writing. What I do know is that I passed the 50k point for MayNoWriMo and another version referred to as VaNoWriMo and can be found on Twitter.

    I'll be glad when I finish this semester, which is this week and next week. Graduating next week, but start two new classes three days after graduation. Yippee, I suppose. Right now, I'm just looking forward to offtime that won't be happening until July 30th-August 17th when the new fall semester begins.

    I can only hope the new semesters will have better results than this current almost finished one. Man I can't wait until June 17th, tis when Mom and I fly up to NE and see relatives, go to Clarkson Czech Days and wrap up last wish details for my grandfather.

    So there's my first ramble. I'll hope I can put some cheering news up later about the WIP that I'm working on. Like maybe it is truly finished, lol. See you all around...

WIP: Wanna Piece of Me? 2nd Excerpt

So couple of days ago, I posted an excerpt of two characters...Miranda and Dali. I think this time I'll put something up from Emerald and Saturnus. Their history is tangled and complex, she's technically the villainess but I'm not sure if she'll remain such or not.

~~~

Swathed in mist, moisture, and nothing else, Saturnus traveled through astral planes unknowing what he sought. He heard voices, his interest peaked, and he peeked, curious. A smile flickered when he caught the byplay between Miranda and Dali. Hmmm, she hadn't known what the mirror she gave Dali would do for him? Ignorant of her, but she was unaware of what her abilities gave her as far as powers were concerned.

Saturnus grimaced because he sensed Dali recognized what Miranda was and knew more of her powers than she might know or realize. He trusted Dali wouldn't hurt her, he couldn't say the same about Emerald or anyone else for that matter. His skin prickled when he donned physical mortal man body. Just in time when he caught sight of Asorna prowling the paths.

"What're you doing here?" He growled unhappy at her presence.

"Looking around," Asorna retorted assessing him calmly and jeered. "This is part of my realm. I can always change futures and options for spirits caught here." She gave him a chilling smile. "Including the ones who're still alive elsewhere, why are you here, Saturnus?" Her eyes narrowed. "Thought you managed to find a woman you could cleave unto?" she mocked knowing his history with women sucked. She grimaced at his unpleasant smile.

He bowed to her with mock gratitude and gritted his teeth. He hated snoops; Asorna was the worst of those kinds of people he dealt with on daily basis. Despite his awareness, he chose to give her a possible tale to use against Emerald in this stupid power play the women were engaging in.

Saturnus found such games inappropriate at any time, and so far he despised what stakes they used against one another. Talk about disaster waiting to happen, he mused grumpily, but decided he would aggravate Asorna and make her leave him alone. He wanted to prowl around some more without her company.

"Thanks for the reminder. There was no honeymoon, woman, or wedding." Saturnus snapped though he realized the sham worked with everyone else. He watched Asorna take in his response and roll her eyes. He figured she wouldn't want to leave without further encouragement. "Despite what you believe I am faithful to her even if she isn't to me." He shrugged dismissive of her attempts to intrigue him. He saw through Asorna's ploys and wouldn't give her the time of day.

A dismissal she found infuriating and punished him often as a result. Her punishments he could take, he mused, and it was her lavishing repulsive attention on him he couldn't stand. Saturnus found her attempts pathetically amusing but rarely encouraged her to continue them.

What annoyed him was when she wouldn’t take no for an answer. As a result, he cut her off cold whenever she began hitting on him. There was always several power plays she forced on him, Saturnus had yet to acknowledge what she pulled. Impatient right now, Saturnus wanted to roam elsewhere, Emerald caused trouble.

 

"Satisfaction is mine." Emerald announced cheerfully. She wasn't alone in the plane, but figured she had about three minutes or less before someone came down on her for what she'd done. Oh like, trashing someone's dreams wasn't unnatural for people to do? Please, Emerald shook her head disdainfully. Besides, there were others she taunted with her actions, people she wanted to lure from hiding. She owed Saturnus and Asorna a few licks because of their latest restrictions on her activities. "Hah, they haven't seen anything yet."

Her grim mutter echoed in her ears. Emerald frowned. "When will I learn to moderate my moods?" She didn't understand where her bitter hatred stemmed. There were occasions when she wished she held less hatred for Saturnus and Asorna but they were inextricably linked of late. Her mouth curled in disgust. "Pah, I'm becoming sentimental in my old age." She didn't give into the mood to reflect upon various possibilities where she could cause more trouble.

Instead, she remained where she was so she could smile over Miranda's outrage. She hadn't seen what else Emerald would do in order to keep her separated from Dali Montaigne. Montaigne, mongrel gargoyle dragon who didn't know what else he'd become. She didn't want him learning either. Damn, but he and Saturnus kept certain ethics close to their hearts.

She smiled knowing the only reason she treated them with so little respect was because of their ethics. The world she walked, Emerald forgone most of what she held dear to survive. "I made mistakes, but then, when haven't I managed to survive successfully." Oh sure, there were circumstances when she regretted actions taken.

"Alas, I'm not able to recant certain words and gestures I used." Emerald mused, but not of what she said to Miranda earlier. Oh no, the young woman needed to understand there were consequences when she messed with the wrong deities. Her eyebrows slashed. Why did Miranda snoop so much? She wondered before trying some light poking around.

She reeled in pain when sharp spears of agony shot through her brain. "Huh, well I won't be doing that anytime soon." Shaken, Emerald scowled and turned her attention to Saturnus and Dali. She needed to work a small miracle ensuring their cooperation with her plans. "What should I do to coerce their compliance?" She tapped a finger against her lips as she pondered and shrugged.

"I'll have to think more about my decisions." Emerald shrugged indifferent to consequences. She'd gone over them so much she was sick of pondering disastrous episodes if nothing worked as plotted. A faint grin curved her mouth when she spotted Saturnus in the distance.

Hmm, looked as though he talked with Dali she hoped he meant to ensure Dali's cooperation later. Her life would be much easier if the stubborn assassin wouldn't refuse this last request. Too bad, he'd be handed over to Commodore Alistair Trafalgar. Ah Trafalgar, Emerald chuckled as she contemplated him. What a preposterous cliché walking she mused.

~~~

So that'll be 4 out of 5 PoVs. The fun part? There's actually five but Saturnus plays a big part in all this...so he's a main character with...problems, big time and far worse than I originally envisioned. Have fun reading and if you want to leave a comment, please do :)

Wanna Piece of Me? - First 1k sections

Okay, so this time I'm showcasing the first two characters:  Miranda and Dali.

 

Perched within a sharp edged branching oak tree an ancient member of an old species, Dali Montaigne observed his target with calculation. She'd ruined his life, he reflected, just because she couldn't behave herself and stay away from him. He exhaled resigned to his impending departure, and not to freedom as fellow mercs believed.

His eyebrows drew into an angry frown as he considered his options. He'd made a separate deal with Saturnus. The mercs who knew about his decision viewed him as beyond nuts. He decided to make the choice freely versus imprisonment under the Commodore's various lackeys. He'd heard of certain prisons the megalomaniac ran to ensure obedience.

A grim smile chased away his frown. Dali knew Saturnus had reasons for approaching him after his disastrous meeting with Montano. Talk about an inauspicious set of events. Then there was the fact Emerald decided she wanted to turn his gut inside out. At least he knew whom she reminded him of. Miranda, the female he loved despite all common sense.

Not for the first time he mused over what fate threw his way. The one woman he might love, and she was his latest target. How effing ironic, he mused, sighted through his scope. There was another sniper there, somewhere; waiting to make sure he finished his job. His eyes narrowed in anger at the notion and he shrugged.

Screw the waiting mercs. As far as he was concerned they could wait until hell froze over. He watched for another target that prowled the beach. A man no one wanted wandering shores whether he was in human form or some other odd species. He mulled over the fact of the Commodore actually possessing a form that could be murdered.

He wondered who else knew about Trafalgar's weakness. Not many, he wagered, not even Montano knew what he held close to his chest. Unless the news was bogus, Dali wouldn't put it past Saturnus to sell him a whale load of crap. He'd done it to idiotic fools that tried selling him to deities that wanted Saturnus dead. He wasn't one of the common fools, but figured Saturnus tested him to make sure of his loyalty.

For some reason he thought about where he encountered Alistair "Montano" Doonesbury. Dali wondered at the similarities been himself and the other man. His body shivered as a cold breeze swept over him. The danger, he supposed, would be to walk away from the job. Take the offer he'd been handed, and go into a new life entirely. An amused smile curved his mouth.

The temptation was great, except he didn't believe Montano knew what tortures of the damned if he attempted to sucker their boss. Dali shook his head as he circled round to what bothered him more. The nasty threats and power to back them up, oh yeah, Commodore Alistair Trafalgar, wasn't a man to underestimate as Dali learned to his cost. He'd been a fool as a boy but no longer.

 

Coiled in a cumbersome net of chaos, her mind fought against jagged edges of insanity. First she remembered where she was and how she found herself in the current predicament. Miranda, my name is Miranda, she repeated. Her fingers curled into claws as she blinked and shook off terrifying memories and shivered.

There were steps she followed each morning and evening, Miranda remembered. If she didn't follow the routine she set, she'd go insane. Her mind tried conjuring images she rejected. No, insanity wasn't a choice she wanted to deal with right now. Chances weren't so hot as far as recovery was concerned. She had plenty to accomplish if she chose while existing in the astral planes.

However, she needed to be patient as her sight returned. Until it did, she was out of lucky. As she waited, her vision adjusted and revealed gleaming silvery shades of gently misting moonlight. Miranda pulled a sour face and shook her head aggravated. Why'd she hope one day she'd return to her original body? There was no way in hell that would happen. Not if Emerald had her way, she mused grimly.

Cool blandness surrounded Miranda to her dismay. She'd hoped for a different outcome when she awoke from her nap. For a moment she only looked around. She shook off unnerving drowsiness because she knew there were reasons why she shouldn't allow weariness to overcome her. She possessed all her faculties, and she must keep them sharp, reminded herself.

"I'm still in the astral planes." Miranda murmured, relieved, a bit disappointed, but pleased she hadn't gone off her rocker. "I have to check on Emerald's activities, joy of joys." She grimaced in distaste as she moved to spy on her. Her nose wrinkled but at least this activity did keep her focused on interesting points rather than inanity guaranteed boredom.

The part she despised most of her duties while caught in this netherworld of dangerous restless spirits, Miranda considered, was spying on the idiot who stole her body and proceeded to screw with her man's head. She hated the way Dali Montaigne was caught in a nightmarish situation of horrific proportions. If there was a way she could deal with Emerald safely and reunite with Dali she would.

Circumstances notwithstanding, Miranda doubted he'd believe her wild wacky tale about how she'd been dumped into the astral paths. She considered her words, and snorted. Nope, he wouldn't believe her, not a simple island girl caught in a nasty mess. A disgusted scowl scrunched her nose and mouth as she realized she'd fallen into a pit of self-pity. "Great, I'm wasting my essence sulking." She hated doing that and decided she needed to change her attitude.

"Where should I roam this time?" She mused as she floated onto a strange pathway reminding her of the stones in the courtyard of the manor on Helios Island. Pain flickered in her mind, but she ignored the shadow emotion. There was no point in allowing pain control.

 

WIP: Wanna Piece of Me? Samples

Keep in mind when you're reading this stuff, I'm only putting up 1 section from each character point of view:

Dali Montaigne - assassin, sniper, all around male with an attitude...but wants to settle down. Other influences aren't allowing him anything of the sort.

Perched within a sharp edged branching oak tree an ancient member of an old species, Dali Montaigne observed his target with calculation. She'd ruined his life, he reflected, just because she couldn't behave herself and stay away from him. He exhaled resigned to his impending departure, and not to freedom as fellow mercs believed.

Miranda (no surname yet) - island girl or so she's allowed folks to believe and caught in a nasty predicament.

Coiled in a cumbersome net of chaos, her mind fought against jagged edges of insanity. First she remembered where she was and how she found herself in the current predicament. Miranda, my name is Miranda, she repeated. Her fingers curled into claws as she blinked and shook off terrifying memories and sighed.

Saturnus - immortal beyond time, demon redeemed turned gargoyle warrior, but screwed literally by the wrong woman.

Swathed in mist, moisture, and nothing else, Saturnus traveled through astral planes unknowing what he sought. He heard voices, his interest peaked, and he peeked, curious. A smile flickered when he caught the byplay between Miranda and Dali. Hmmm, so she hadn't known what the mirror she gave Dali would do for him? Ignorant of her, but she was unaware of what her abilities gave her as far as powers were concerned.

Emerald - fallen angel because of Saturnus and other influences; and currently gloating over misfortunes of others (Villainess)

Dappling waves swept in and out of the sandy shore, as Emerald reflected over activities. "I love ruining peoples' plans." She smirked as she considered Miranda's anger at her latest little stunt. Brilliant sunlight draped over the gently bending palms, "Too bad she believed me when I told her I would keep my nose out of her interest in Dali Montaigne." She sighed and jiggled to a tune in her head. "Silly girl doesn't know half of the secrets I carry with me every damn day of the world."

Montano - suspected twin of Dali but no one bothers to tell him of suspicions. He only knows he's going crazy because of pressures bending him into a pretzel deity-style.

Brilliant golden sunlight burst through wide flung windows illuminating Montano who slid across wooden planked floors before halting a foot in front of a wall length window. He tossed his head back and grinned as he soaked in warmth from natural light. His grin vanished when he heard a snooty voice snipe.

"One of these days, light is going torch you to ash, Doonesbury." Saturnus grinned when Doonesbury glowered.

~~~

So there are the five characters I'm writing into a cohesive novel that is currently at 53k which means I busted the limit I was going for at 50k. Still, there'll be more editing to do, but I don't see this getting any bigger than 60k but who knows :)