But I am just so tapped out. I am giving myself today and Sunday off.
Writing for me is like emptying a water balloon. You stuff it full, let it shake up, and let it explode on the page. I cleared roughly 35K this week in edits, with probably about 12-14K written new, and I am deflated.
I want to play something, but I don’t know what. I started an afghan, my first in years. It will be hideous and I won’t finish it, but I have an urge to crochet. Also Kid 2 told me I haven’t made them sweaters in ages. I thought mom-made sweaters were unhip after you hit 7 or so.
I am trying to get a hold on my life and right now it’s slipping away a bit, due to anxiety. What I really need is a game like Caesar, where I can spend five minutes positioning a building the way I want to. It helps, because I have absolute control of the game world. But I have played through latest Caesar at least six times. I know the scenarios in my sleep.
I need some sort of building game. I hated Dawn of Discovery. It was too dry. I played through Children of the Nile. I have got to find something that I can dive into.
How do you cope?
PS. Almost forgot: The rest of Gordon’s snippet.
Soup Scene Part 2:
I needn’t have worried. Almost a day passed before Doolittle called to tell me that his patient seemed to be coming around.
“How will she feel?”
“Sore as hell and probably….”
“Hungry” I guessed.
“Yes I should think so. Accelerated healing burns the body’s resources. I do belive she will be ravenous.”
I smiled, “Doctor, do you think she might enjoy some nice hot chicken soup?”
There was a tiny pause before Doolittle answered. “My Lord I think she should like that very much.”
Oh yes, she would sit in bed and eat the soup I got for her like a good little girl. The best thing would be watching her gulp it down clueless as usual to the consecuences of her actions.
As I strode into the room, with one of the cooks behind me carrying the soup on a tray, I caught the tail end of a conversation.
“How did I get here?”
“His Majesty carried you.”
“Is he burned to a crisp or sliced in half this time?”
Her concern was touching. “Neither,” I answered.
Her eyes grew wide. I can walk quietly if I wish to, I am a cat after all. I gestured for the cook to put the soup down. Doolittle bowed and both he and the cook left the room.
I took a moment to look Kate over. I had not seen her since bringing her in. Her appearence had improved, but not much. Her face was bloodless. Dark circles puffed under her eyes, and the skin streched tight over her face. She looked like a ghost of herself. Almost frail.
I was not used to seeing her like this. It scared me a little bit.
“You look like shit.” Honesty is important in any relationship.
She cleared her throat. “Thanks, I try.”
Frail and weak, but still Kate.
I picked up a bowl soup and thought about what it would mean here in this place if I offered it to her and she accepted. She might not know what it meant, but I would. This was it. Nothing ventured…
I held the bowl out to her so she could smell it. Before I could warn her, she grasped it with both hands, and burned herself.
“Idiot.” I sat the soup in front of her with a spoon.
“Thanks.”
She actually thanked me. This was going well. I had half expected her to throw the soup at me.
Kate grabbed the spoon and went at it. That’s right, eat it.
“Did you get the surveys? They were…”
“On the dresser. Shut up and eat your soup.”
I pulled up Doolittle’s chair and watched her while she ate. This was nice, we were together and so far had not tried to kill each other. Maybe if I could just keep her quiet… Maybe if I kept feeding her.
“So that’s the secret.”
She looked slightly shocked. No witty comeback. Maybe I scared her. Naw not the ass-kicker.
“You okay? Gone a bit pale there.”
“Secret to what?”
“Secret to shutting you up.” I smiled. “All I have to do is beat you till you half dead, then give you chicken soup and blessed silence.”
She made a face and went back to the soup.
“What did you think I meant?”
“I don’t know. The ways of the Beast Lord are a mystery to a humble merc like me.”
“You don’t do humble.” Smart ass was more her speed.
Her bowl was empty, so I handed her another. This time our fingers brushed together. I held still and looked into her eyes. Our faces were very close. Her lips parted slightly. I leaned in toward her and … She grabbed the bowl pulled away and it was as if a spell was broken. Funny little mouse.
“Why did you save me?”
“I picked up a phone and there was a hysterical child on the other end, crying that you were dying and that the undead were coming. I thought it might be an interesting conclusion to a boring evening.” That and I fucking hate the undead.
She looked puzzled. “How did Julie know to call here?”
“Hit redial from what I understand. Smart kid. You’re going to tell me what you’ve blundered into.” I wasn’t asking. My people had crawled over her place, sniffing every inch. There had been three assailants, none human. No bodies, but some evidence of a fire and dents and stains on the wall. The best they could figure out, she’d killed something in the kitchen, set the second attacke on fire, and rammed the third one into the wall. Derek had brought Julie to the Keep. He was working on her, but she was a street kid. She trusted no one and so far didn’t talk.
Dark eyes looked at me from Kate’s pale face. “No.”
Maybe she had misunderstood. She had been through a lot.
“No?” Give her a chance.
“No.”
God fucking damnit, not this shit again. I crossed my arms and gave her my displeased look and meant it. She stared back. This was too much.
I leaned back. “You know what I like about you? You have know sense. You sit here in my house, you can barely pick up a spoon and you’re telling me ‘no’. You’d pull on Death’s whiskers if you could reach them.” She did not know it, but at this moment she was close. Damn close. “I’ll ask one more time, what were you doing?”
“I see. I retrieve the surveys the Pack let slip through its fingers, and in return you bring me here against my will, interigate me, and threaten me with bodily harm. I’m sure the Order will be amused to learn the Pack kidnapped its representative.”
“Aha. Who is going to tell them?” Yes, the Pack greatly regrets being unable to save the Orders representative, her injuries were extensive. It would be so easy. Windpibe and larynx crushed? Like someone strangled her? You don’t say.
She looked at me as if to gauge my intent. Would I do it?
Try me.
“I guess I’ll just have to kick your ass and break out of here.”
Hahaha. Maybe if I had a seizure or a blood vessel burst in my brain.
She shot me her crazy smile.
I showed her the edge of my teeth. “In your dreams.”
“We’ve never had our rematch. I might win.”
Yeah and on that day we’d get together with the People and put on a show in the old barn.
She grimaced. “Bathroom?”
I gestured toward it and she carefully got out of bed, like she was not sure if she could stand on her own. I almost felt sorry for her. Then I saw the rest of her and could not help smiling.
“What’s so funny?” she demanded.
“Your panties have a bow.”
She looked down. She wore a little tank top and blue panties with a silky bow. Her face went white, then red. Hahaha.
“What’s wrong with bows?”
“Nothing, I expected barbed wire or something with chains.”
She stuck her nose in the air. “I’m secure enough in myself to wear panties with bows on them. Besides they’re comfy and soft.”
You don’t say. “I bet.”
Big eyes again. She hesitated. “I don’t suppose you’d mind giving me a bit of privacy for the trip.”
And miss the panty parade? “Not a chance.”
She made a valiant effort to get out of bed but her legs betrayed her. I was barely able to catch her before she hit the floor. I held her tightly for a moment, enjoying the closeness. She smelled like Kate. I could get used to her scent.
“Need some help ass-kicker?”
“I’m fine, thanks.” She tensed, I held her for a moment longer and then released her. She carefully made her way to the closest door.
“That is the closet.” I pointed out helpfully.
She looked like she was going to cry and staggered into the bathroom.
Thanks to you both!
Hi Ilona
I know very little about games but my brother recommends ‘the settlers series’ – http://thesettlers.uk.ubi.com/home.php
sorry if im telling you stuff you already know
Corrie
Thank you! I’ll check it out!
I’m sorry you’ve been so stressed, but perhaps giving yourself a little break will help:) (at least, I hope so)
And now OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHOOOOHHH SNIPPET!!!!!Yay snippet! Now that I’m done imitating a crazy person, oops not done yet. Awesome!!!!! Terrific! You and Gordon rock !
Wonderful stuff guys, truly.
I wuvels you guys for giving me this snippet!
Hope you find a new game world to conquer and enjoy! Thank Gordon for the lovely soup scene take 2
Thank you, thank you, thanks. Give yourself a break, you deserve it.
Thanks!
YAY thank you!!!
that was a terrific snippet. Thanks! i wish i could give you some advice on where to find a good outlet for stress, but, personally, my stress outlet is reading.
Thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you
The snippet was awesome!!! Thank you so much! Hope you find something relaxing, you all definitely deserve a break!
I do several things to decompress, I like to watch really bad reality TV(like the stuff on VH1) or train at work (destroying things is pretty good for stress relief!).
Good luck and thanks again!
awesome snippet! Thank you thank you, I really needed a laugh.
I could read this over and over again. Things really are different in another person’s POV. Thank you again!
I like the Thief series of video games. It is very cathartic to bludgeon or backstab the bad guys while robbing them blind. And it works on XP with minimal tweaking.
Kill some Nazi’s with the latest Wolfenstein game!
“She looked like she was going to cry and staggered into the bathroom.”
I’m not sure you were trying to be funny, but I LOLed.
oh man! that was a wonderful read! u guys should really really do a book on curran! it’ll be a hit!
Take a break Ilona…u deserve it. bk 4 will come in it’s own time n be a smash.
thanks heaps for curran’s pov. more pls…sorry…can’t get enough! =P
Thank you for the snippet. It is great reading Curran’s point of view.
Seriously it’s things like these that save a bad day. Thank you so much. That was awesome!
Glass of wine and a bubble bath, can’t go wrong with that. Just don’t fall asleep. Your husband and children will laugh at you when you emerge from the bathroom 2 1/2 hours later.
Thanks for the snippet, you should see all the “jumping” that is going on in the forum section. We are all a little crazy.
It is definately interesting to see the other side of things. Thank you so much for this snip!
yay i love it
what i do for stress release i have a few things are climb a tree, listen to good music or attack my punching bag
You must be tired… >. consequences
The best they could figure out, she’d killed something in the kitchen, set the second *attacke* on fire, and rammed the third one into the wall.
=> no e
I leaned back. “You know what I like about you? You have *know* sense.
=> no
“I see. I retrieve the surveys the Pack let slip through its fingers, and in return you bring me here against my will, *interigate* me, and threaten me with bodily harm.
=> interrogate
*Windpibe* and larynx crushed? Like someone strangled her? You don’t say.
=> Windpipe
I LOVED the Curran PoV. It’s interesting to see that the Beast Lord’s already started falling for her.
Oops… I deleted something randomly above so, the first part:
>. consequences
Grr!!! It’s not posting!!!
The best thing would be watching her gulp it down clueless as usual to the *consecuences* of her actions.
=> consequences
Becca, have you ever heard the phrase “Never look a gift horse in the mouth”?
Destroying something always worked for me. Playing a game where I’m evil helped too. It’s pretty old, but ‘Dungeon Keeper 2′ is still one of my favorites. Killing some chicken is always fun
Thank you for the snippet!
‘I could get used to her scent.’ Yay!
I second Dungeon Keeper 2, for it is funny to make things scream.
Thanks for the snippet! *silly grin*
For stress relief I read (ha!), or watch DVDs (a distant second), or play with my pet rabbits or grow things for said rabbits.
When I need to get out of the house I go daytripping and take amateurish pictures of landscapes, animals and plants.
If I have a lot of time and the opportunity arises I sometimes watch flies feed on Sarracenia or Dionea nectar and get eaten in turn.
Thanks so much for the great snippet. It’s fun reading Curren’s POV, how he is falling for her and the way they missread each other.
Good luck with the editing. Eat ice-cream – it is a great stress reliever.
Thank you both for the wonderful treat. These snippets are like getting mail from a beloved friend away on extended holiday. Can’t wait for Kate 4 to “come home”.
Sorry about the stress! Yeah for the snippet!!
The game we’ve been playing lately is Plants vs. Zombies. Zombies are attacking, and you plant offensive plants to stop them from eating your brains! Lots of fun. They have a free trial if you want to check it out:
http://www.popcap.com/games/pvz/?icid=plantsvszombies_HP_DL_3_8_19_08_en
Thanks for the snippet! <3 Cullen…
This one's been around for a while so you may have already played this one, but my husband suggests Sid Meier's Civilization (he's currently playing version III, the one in Rome). I don't play but crack up at the comments from the game!
(on knees with her forehead pressed against the floor) Gordon you are GOD!!!
What an amazing snippette!!! Thank you!!!
Thank you for posting Ilona. I am a BIG sims addict. Very godly game. I could sit on it for a month straight and not get bored lol and sims 3 ROCKS!!! There be my suggestion!!
I have Caesar III and I loved playing it…although I must admit i could be something of a tyrant *ahem*
I deleted peoples houses to make them move to another part of the city and sometimes when I got bored Id chase wolves into the city. What? The prefects needed something to do…lol
New favorite line, “And miss the panty parade?”
Thanks Gordon.
Hmm, to de-stress I play both destructive and constructive.
When I feel like destroying something, I go play Pandemic 2: it’s a free online flash game where you see if you can destroy the whole world with a virus/bacteria/parasite of your creation.
Or you can play the Sims3. Decorate a house, destroy/make someone’s lives etc. Including deaths, marriages and enemies. Make a character kelptomaniac, evil, genius etc. -shrug- Big possiblities.
Thanks
Hope the days off were awesome and inspiring.
Enjoy your days off! And give Gordon a big kiss from all us rabid fans for that awesome snippet!
I hope you feel better and less tired soon. Your brain must be zonked!
I know how you feel about anxiety, I worry about everything and it can be very stressful in itself — I clean my room when I’m anxious, and I bin superfluous things that I own. It makes me feel in control and frees up space which makes my OCDish tendancies happy. Not fun but there you have it. Gaming’s a good way to unwind, I like point and click adventure games because they absorb you into the story more and I don’t have to worry about dying in gameland heh. The Longest Journey is a great game.
Yay POV! Thank you Gordon and Ilona! That was awesome, I can’t wait to stick it on my new ereader/kindle thing.
‘And miss the panty parade? “Not a chance.”‘ Mwhahaha!
‘She actually thanked me. This was going well. I had half expected her to throw the soup at me.’ This made me laugh… especially in light of all Kate could think about was food in that scene — she had no idea what it meant.
Thank you for the Curran POV. I wish it was longer ..yes I am greedy but you made it so good so it’s really your fault
.
Stress – lol To relieve stress I read your books and blog.
I think breaking whatever is stressful into workable pieces helps me. Handling a piece here and there and letting the rest go.
I love SIMS too, except it spills over in to RL and when I need to clean the house I end up telling the kids to improve the room score.
Much love to you for the snippet! It’s not only funny but touching to see Kate look so vulnerable.
You go away for a few days, and get to come back to a Curran POV. Makes returning to work seem worth it. Thanks!!!
I am a cat after all. Hahaha.
Cheers this is great!
Can’t believe the “almost forgot” part- that was just to tease us surely?
finally had time to read the second part of the pov. love it, love it, love it. *nods*
Thanks for yet another fantastic snippet from Curran’s POV! I loved it as usual!
when i stress out at work i take a moment to watch the christian the lion youtube video- the one with the aerosmith song.
gets me everytime even though i’ve seen it a hundred times.
it makes me happy. And it has a lion in it which kind of makes it work related for you.
This was great! Thank you!
Hope you will feel better soon Ilona.
Sorry can’t give you an advise of how to deal with your stress. I think we are all different and if playing games helps then this is what you should do. For me reading a good book is the best think.
Thanks again and keep up the good work. Can’t wait for the next book or snippet whichever comes first.
Yay! Thank you so much for sharing it.
I’d been getting a little concerned about how I’d survive until the next book comes out – snippets help tide me over!
I actually jumped up and down, clapped my hands, and squealed when I found this. Which elicited a “you are crazy” look from my kids!
I just discovered the series, and plowed through the first three book! I love it, and can barely contain myself for the fourth book!
Thank you Gordon and Ilona for Kate, and the snippets! Love me some Curran!