Had a throbbing, relentless headache yesterday that was resistant to many pills. Had to take a double dose of both Sudafed and Excedrin in order to put it down, and then I was left queasy, shaky, and short of breath. Now I’ve got swollen lymph glands at my throat and under my ear, which indicates that my immune system is gearing up for a big freak out . . . again. Just can’t seem to get a break on the health front.
Writing Stuff
In a dose of the painfully ironic, I felt driven to do research on the novel while in the worst pangs of my headache, so ended up squinting at my screen and wincing at how bright it was, as I surfed and took notes. But when the pills finally started kicking in, before the nausea had peaked, I managed to get productive and crank out words.
I think I’m driving Matthew nuts, playing the recordings of guqin music I found on the Internet. To Western ears (including mine, initially), it can be somewhat jarring and atonal, but the more I research it and traditional Chinese music in general, the more I’m beginning to appreciate its unique qualities. It’s also doing an excellent job of keeping my muse in the proper mindset. I might want to see about using some headphones though.
Words: 880 on the novel WIP. Finally have a working title for the thing: A Harmony of Foxes. It seemed like as soon as I settled on something to call it, aside from “novel work in progress,” the two-line “sound byte” I’ve been tweaking and poking at for the last couple days came together:
A Harmony of Foxes is a young adult novel set in China’s Western Han Dynasty. It is about two star-crossed lovers–a fox spirit youth, and a blind noblewoman–who teach each other the nature of trust and love, in defiance of both their peoples.
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Club 100 For Writers
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500/day
33
Sounds great, Eugie!
~Maggie 😀
Thanks, Maggie! Now I just have to finish the damn novel!
ooo, i like it!
i really like traditional Asian music, too. where did you find the recordings, if i might ask?
I found traditional Chinese music in a slew of places online like The Internet Chinese Music Archive, Qin solos, and the North American Guqin Association.
Hmmm… the book sounds familiar!
I have a friend who is Chinese and teaches Asian history. I can certainly put you in touch with him.
“Hmmm… the book sounds familiar!“
Hee! I was in a huli jing mindset after finishing “Year of the Fox.”
“I have a friend who is Chinese and teaches Asian history. I can certainly put you in touch with him.“
Ooo, an Asian history scholar. That would be fabulous!
Nice sound byte & title. Good luck with it!
Zhaneel
Thanks!
I am consistently jealous of your ability to successfully title. A Harmony of Foxes is an intriguingly lovely title.
You like it? Hurray! I don’t normally consider myself particularly good with titles, but some resonate better than other.
If you don’t consider yourself good at titles, there may be hope for me. 🙂
The byte reads well with a minimum of pretension setting the stage yet intriguing enough to invite questions. (This sounds like a wine tasting… sorry.)
Hmm, is my WIP a merlot or a chardonnay? Actually, to be authentic to theme, it should probably be a rice or plum wine . . .
I absolutely love the title! It’s one I would pick up off a book shelf just by the power of the title alone.
Yay! That’s one sale! Now I just have to finish it and find a publisher for it . . . and then hope that several thousand more people feel the same way.
Oof. Many things in this biz are really best not overly dwelled upon.
I wish my novels could only be 45,000 words…
D
Target a YA audience and they can be!
Actually I do have something that is young adult… the only problem is finding a place to send it… becuase it is action/adventure young adult and it is about 70,000-80,000 words which is short for me…
D
Been reading your LJ for awhile, thought I should say Hi…and I hope the immune troubles pass over quickly.
Hurrah for fox spirits gaining popularity, btw, and also hurrah for the traditional Chinese music. I’m intermittently working on a Tang Dynasty project between other things and like to fire up the guqin music when I’m having trouble getting the juices flowing.
By the way, I recommend Koss’s PortaPro headphones if you’re planning on doing full writing days while listening. The sound response is good, and they’re really comfortable / adjustable — and best of all for a clumsy girl like me, they have a lifetime warranty.
Welcome aboard! Pleased to meet you.
Sound byte
What a great tag line! I would definitely want to read a novel with that blurb. Go Eugie!
-Steph Burgis