Try Again?

So, I haven't been keeping up with blogging, obviously. And I haven't actually finished any writing projects either. I have been percolating a few new ideas, done a little writing on them, a little research here and there, and thanks to my great hubby, have done LOTS of reading since he got me a Nook color for Christmas 2010.
My Nook has become a great source of entertainment in my house. I read on it, I use the web browser constantly, and my kids play apps on it all the time. However, it has also given me a new avenue to pursue writing, and one I am going to seriously consider, the art of self-publishing.
We've all heard about the success of Fifty Shades of Grey, which I am so NOT going to read, thank you very much. I think it's way too over-hyped, and really not my thing anyway. But not my point. My point is that if not for self-publishing, that kind of success might never have happened.
Now look, I'm not looking for instant fame, or a giant paycheck. Most self-published authors I've found have offered content for free, and rarely do I see a self-published book come in over $5. Most authors could stand a harsh editing session, and there are plenty that are just plain bad.... On the other hand, I have discovered quite a few authors that are self-published that I really enjoy... Insert links later here: :)
Which brings me to the reason I am posting this, nearly 3 years, really? since my last post. I've been reading a lot of Regency romances lately. Quite a large genre, that, and I just don't really get Jane Austen... I've had the idea for a Regency for a long time, and I got an urge to work on it again. VERY irritating I cannot find my notebook that contains the first five or six chapters already, so having to re-write what I can remember and hopefully improve.
At any rate, that is what I am working on at the moment, and if I stick to my guns, will continue posting and hopefully growing the site again.

Historical Figures

So, it's really nice when writing historical fiction to be able to include a real life character. The trick is knowing your place and time, and whether or not its possible to stretch reality in such a way that will fit your story.

I have just finished doing just that, and it made for over 3000 words! All in about two hours time. Pretty freaking awesome! Neat trick too...

It all started yesterday when I was just doing some basic research on Cheyenne Wyoming, the Union Pacific Railroad, and that time/place in general. I came across someone who would fit very nicely, and thought, gee, how cool would it be if my characters met that person? So I had a vague idea of how it would happen, then proceeded to sit down and write it. See my other blog for the excerpt... but warning to your sensibilities, it did not end up so very nice.

I hope no one is offended by my representation of this historical figure, who based on my research could very likely have participated in just the sort of scene I describe, but is all too often romanticized. I like making people more real, with all their faults.

So here's the thing: Anyone reading this? Not gonna say who the figure is, you have to tell me, I'll give it to the end of the week, and then I'll say who it is. Just go read the excerpt and give it a go. :)

What next?

So this week has had its ups and downs, but between this morning's NaNo meeting and the one I'm going to in a few more moments, I will cross the 10,000 word threshold and hope to get to 12,000 before the end of the day. I need to stop talking and web-browsing and just write already... Bah!