BLACK GROTTO: Update & Chapter 24 Short Excerpt

BLACK GROTTO 

Update & Excerpt From Chapter 24

Below is a short excerpt from the Chapter 24 of the Black Grotto. But before you get to that, I thought I'd give you a short update.

At this point, I've finished Chapter 24, and it looks as if there will be another three chapters before the first draft of the book is completed. That could change, but for now that's my best estimate.

Writing the ending of a book is something that I enjoy a great deal, and this one is no exception. I love it when all of the various strands of the plot come together and build towards the climax. I usually have a very clear idea of what I want to do, but sometimes as the story unfolds in my mind, a surprising detail can simply present itself, and I have to put it in. I mention it because a situation exactly like that arose in chapter 24, and it made the that part more challenging, yes, but also more fun to write!

Anyway, here is the excerpt that I promised. It contains the first two paragraphs of chapter 24, which is titled "Path to Power". I'm having a blast!

Chapter 24

Path to Power

April 1, 2023

In the distance, the morning sunrise in the west had just touched the horizon with its thin yellow glow, and the night had begun its retreat. The stars dimmed, and the moon dipped behind the hills in the east as the lonely raven soared over Stornaway Bay, flying inland. Tilting her head, she glanced down, one-eyed, at the town and harbor and began her descent, gliding over the forested parkland and the top of Lew’s Castle. Deciding to land for a moment, she set her wings, caught the air, and fluttered to a halt at the very top of one of the castle’s two turrets, resting on the battlements. With her binocular, two-eyed vision, she stared out across the isle and thought of how it had been her home and sanctuary for almost seventeen years. She then pushed away, beat her wings but twice, and glided downward along the backside of the castle to a soft landing on the ground below.

The raven’s dark, glossy wings lowered and rested at her side. She shook her head rapidly and stared upwards, feeling small as she stood at the base of the large stone citadel that spiraled high above her. Refocusing, she noticed the streaks of brownish-red that still tainted her dark black beak as well as several caked and dried stains of the same color that had splashed on the down of her chest.

Home From Scotland & A New Review Of Rooms

Writing in Edinburgh

I'm home from my trip to Scotland. I thought I'd try to finish my new fantasy book, Black Grotto, while I was there but didn't quite make it. I accomplished a lot, though, and I'm working on Chapter 24 now. I'll let you know how it goes.

I spent two weeks in Inverness and loved being there. It's right in the middle of the highlands and has a population of about 47,000. I worked every day, and also enjoyed the people, the culture, the music, the food, some good beer and a little whisky. But mostly, I loved working on the book. Being in Scotland added a lot to the writing.

The last week I was in Edinburgh, and most of my writing time was spent in the Scottish National Library. It was a very motivating and inspiring place to work. Also, every day I ate breakfast at a place called Mrs MacIntyre's Coffeehouse. It's run by a wonderful family. They had great food, and it was a cozy and warm place to start my day.

One of the owners of Mrs MacIntyre's, read my first science fiction book, Rooms, and wrote a review on their Facebook page. If you CLICK HERE, you'll be able to take a look at it.

BLACK GROTTO Excerpt: Chapter 1

Edinburgh, Scotland

In Edinburgh, Scotland Working on Black Grotto

I left Inverness yesterday on the train. It was a beautiful trip as you travel through Cairngorm National Park and then along the Scottish coast going south to Edinburgh.

Now, I have to find my places to write here. Luckily I've spent quite a bit of time in Edinburgh, so I have a good idea where those might be. I'll be working here for another week before going home.

I'm still working on chapter 23. It's taking a while, and tomorrow I have to read the first four chapters of the book again before I can finally complete that chapter. It's been an important and interesting one to write.

Also, I've begun handing out copies of Chapter 1 for people to read. I'm going to attach it here so you can take a look. Just click on this link to read Chapter 1.

Traveling in Scotland and Writing BLACK GROTTO

In Scotland Working on Black Grotto

Well, it's wonderful to be spending time in the country that is the setting for my newest fantasy, Black Grotto. I've been in Inverness for a week and have finished another chapter. I'm working on chapter 23 at the moment. As when I was at home, it's still taking me a week or a little more to write a chapter, and the closer I get to the end of the book, the more slowly the chapters seem to progress.

I wanted to mention a character in the book. His name is Andrew Jade. He's a geologist and used to be a professor at Edinburgh University. I love the name because it's actually based on my two favorite pubtenders in Inverness. They work at the Castle Tavern, which is near Inverness Castle. I don't usually do the type of thing where a character has a name that relates to who they are or what they do, but in this case it just worked out, and I thought it was fun. A geologist with the last name "Jade", who would've thought?

I'll be in Inverness for another week and then off to Edinburgh where I'll probably discover even more great ales, superb whiskies, and fun food!