I've been working on the "King Lorcan" book off an on since I last posted. I owe a lot of thanks for keeping up my inspiration to my friend Wendy (her blog is sarahwynde.com). We initially met as fellow fanfiction writers and have remained in touch for years since our shared fandom went dark.

Wendy offered me a read of a scene that wasn't working out at all this last week, and it helped put a crack in the dam. When people finally read this and they get to the Princess Maria, I hope they know that pretty much anything good about this character is directly due her influence, so thank you, Wendy.

The title still sucks, but the story is progressing. That's alright, titles change easily, and it's no reason to keep from moving on. I can already see that the editing is going to be a huge task, and I will need to find a medieval history major who wants to take pity on a hack writer. Oh, said person also has to appreciate my peculiar take on historical fantasy.

I keep vacillating on the subject of magic. It is unquestionable that the people of the age believed in a magic I find no more credible than the existence of dragons or yeti. It would add a distinct character to have a kind of magic, but I certainly wish to avoid diving after the trappings of high fantasy, so no fireballs.