This incarnation of Island of Glass is finished!
But very definitely a first draft, so there is still work to do. In its present state, it is coming in at just over 16,000 words, so not quite novella length yet, but this version still has several “placeholders” — notes to myself where I need more description or whatever. So I am reasonably confident that the final draft will at least make it to the SFWA definition of novella (17,500 words).
Just for fun, I’ll share the beginning:
Chiara wiped her hands on her apron and lifted the goblet up to the light, inspecting her work critically. The fluted glass flared out like a lily beginning to bloom, and as hard as she tried, she could find no discoloring or bubbles. She breathed a sigh of relief; a nearly perfect piece. It would command a high price among the nobles of Venice. The work of the Murano glassmakers was in great demand throughout the world. It was the basis of their riches — and their curse. The laws of La Serenissima decreed that the glassmakers of Murano were never to leave the few islands that comprised the small city-state. Murano glass was more precious than gold. Anyone who knew the recipe of the alchemists could make gold, but only the artisans of Murano could make glass so fine, one could nearly touch one’s fingers together on either side; cristallo without an imperfection or blemish, clear as the sky, with a sparkle to rival that of diamonds.
Anyway, besides organizing the next group promo, that’s what I’ve been doing the last few days. Speaking of which, this is the LAST DAY of the Dollar Daze group promo! Be sure to enter the Rafflecopter for lots of cool prizes. 🙂
Now that Island of Glass is done, I will set it aside for a while and do revisions on Chameleon in a Mirror, the time travel based on the life of Aphra Behn that I was working on last year. Then off that one goes to first readers, and I can get back to Island of Glass and polish it for external eyes.
I sincerely doubt if I will ever run out of projects. It’s more like — no way I will ever finish them all before I die. Every time someone asks me if I’m working on something new, what I really want to say is, “Duh!” But I’m too polite for that. 🙂
Wishing everyone a wonderful week and great progress on whatever you’re working on!
Ruth Nestvold - Indie Adventures 
Bravo!!!!!
I sometimes wonder if a few well-timed, ‘Duh!’s wouldn’t go astray! … or perhaps if a five page list handed over in scornful yet subtle silence would suffice.
Hee hee hee, Widdershins! But since the question mostly comes from my in-laws, I think I will try to remain diplomatic. 🙂
Ahh … roll up the list and tie a nice red ribbon on it!
*g*
You are like a machine Ruth. Like a TIMEX watch. What I wouldn’t give to be as productive as your good self. Duh, or no duh! 😛 Congrats on all your accomplishments, and hey loving the extract. PS: I uploaded to b2d yesterday. It’s so easy and I finally got the Kindle TOC perfect using their formatting. Thanks for the heads-up on those guys. Of course, I can’t earn anything till I get US tax issue sorted, but hey! X
Way to go, Shah! I figure the small percentage they charge for their service is totally worth it in saved aggravation! And for someone like you, who paid a formatter to do the Smashwords version, it’s got to be even more worth it! If I can ever find a free hour, I think I will also get a doc up for a CreateSpace paperback of Yseult. 🙂
I’m with you on the never running out of projects. My BFF and fave writing buddy both want me to skip my current next project and do a different one instead.
Congrats on wrapping the draft and have fun with the edits.
Yeah, I keep getting advice on which projects I should be doing too! 🙂
Ruth congratulations! It’s a great feeling to have a finished project. May the stream of ideas never run dry.
Thanks, Cate! 🙂