I want to breathe to the beat of life
But busy, busy, busy like bees.
This hamster runs
Class. Exercise. Study. Work.
The never-ending productivity is a toxin to me
I pull back, hide my face, try to slow down, and not race,
But there is only antsy time, all I’ve got is work…
Cook. Exercise. Study. Sleep.
Cook. Exercise. Study. Sleep.
Pause, hamster, before you break.
Stretch left, stretch right. Pause.
Meditate.
Choose one fun thing to look forward to every day.
Return to the curiosity you forgot
Because you are the main character in this story.
My latest adventure includes writing for Medium. This is new to me, but I think it will let me explore a few areas I want to and have a little more fun!
Earlier this month, I gave an online workshop for Romance Writers of America. The topic of the workshop was Ancient Greece and Rome. I was asked what my favorite historical romances were in those time periods.
The workshop was Digging into the Past: Ancient Greece and Rome.
This is that requested list. Three notes: first, these appear in no particular order because as a reader, I love all books equally, and second this writer loves all books – and for this time frame some of my favorite romances are ancient ones. I love a good romance – and many of these stories have adventure and romance which is my favorite way of writing. Third, I could have chosen many books, but tried to narrow it down a bit – there are many good novels out there in this subgenre – and some have yet to be written.
Roman trilogy by Carla Capshaw (don’t you make me choose one)
The Empress of Rome saga by Kate Quinn
The King Must Die by Mary Renault
The Iliad and the Odyssey by Homer (note: my favorite edition is the one translated by Robert Fitzgerald.)
Whatever the answers to the above questions, it does not warrant throwing your hard work out the window, into an ocean abyss, or creating charcoal.
Whatever is wrong with the story it can be fixed.
Repeat it with me: I can fix the problems.
Once more, like you mean it!
I’ve had three calls from writers who are in emergencies over the last month. Do not let your fears overcome you!
We write in drafts – the first is the get-it-down draft, or as Anne Lamott called the horrors, Shitty First Drafts.
Every writer before you, and I’m including Shakespeare, Homer, and all your favorites, had the same problem – they had to work through drafts to get to a piece that in the end didn’t make them want to throw it in the fire.
Every. Single. One.
As a writer who turned four manuscripts into charcoal in my 20s, I attest to this fact.
I remember four separate occasions and four separate fires. At the time, each draft, in my young-writer mind, was worth the blaze.
But now, looking back, I wish I could snatch them out of the fire!
Please don’t do it.
I wish I had those drafts – not because they were good, but because they were little nuggets of coal that could be turned into books if I had the right tools.
Understand?
I don’t care how awful it is – whatever is wrong with your story, you can grow and fix it! Stand up! Fight! These are your words and your creations.
Please do not throw your work away.
Bitte zerstöre nicht deine Arbeit – du hast gearbeitet und Blut, Schweiß und Tränen vergossen. Werfen Sie Ihre Mühe nicht weg!
Please don’t destroy your work – you have toiled and spilled blood, sweat and tears. Don’t throw your effort away!
Instead, reflect on what’s bad, make a list, and prepare for another battle in the long war! As writers, we fight campaigns and use new weapons when we get them in our arsenals. So writer up and take a break if you need one.
It’s been a crazy year so far for me, and I bet for you!
I have some exciting news. My next book is coming out soon and a new writing workshop!
I’m excited to announce the my next book, Gliese: 667 is coming out! I love the characters, the plausible technology, and adventure in this one!
In Gliese 667, Emma Smith’s life is about to change. After aliens attack Earth, her U.S. Air Force brothers save her and a few others as they rendezvous with others at the only liftoff site with a ship possible of escaping the enemy’s attack.
Emma, a writer; Mia, a nurse, and Marin, a teacher, lead the way in an effort that may or may not save humanity.
The journey to the stars leads the group to battle breakdowns and constant threats. But the people on board aren’t only interested in surviving the trip – they want humanity to thrive.
This science fiction romance holds the story of three strong females and the alpha males they love. Readers who like to mix adventure, romance and science fiction will love this gripping story that tells what it could be like when humanity finally decides to reach for the stars.
See what the future holds for humanity in Gliese 667.
For more information and to read the exciting first chapter, visit Gliese 667.
Putting the Sci in SciFiRo
If you need a fun writing adventure, check out my next workshop through FF&P RWA: Putting the Sci in SciFiRo.
This workshop explores the literature of the possible. For more information and to register, check out the post I wrote for the FF&P RWA blog: Why SciFiRo?
Thanks for exploring the possibilities of the universe with me! I am so grateful to all the readers and writers in my life.
Yay! I just finished typing the last words of my next book, Gliese 667.
It made me laugh. It made me cry. The aliens made me want to run for cover.
And now it’s time to print it, edit it and send it out into the world.
After the turmoil of last year, I’m ready for something else, and finishing this novel makes me so happy.
Gliese 667 is book #15 on my list of 100 books to write. So excited to have this opportunity to write it – this one was a game-changer for me.
Here’s a fun teaser to get you started.
Best,
Darlene
Gliese 667
Darlene Reilley
All rights reserved.
Chapter 1
Emma hung from a one-hand hold halfway up the side of a sheer red rock wall in the desert of Utah. Her long blonde ponytail fluttered in the breeze under the red and white helmet.
As Emma looked out over the desert below, her grey eyes turned toward the horizon. August was beautiful in the desert.
She stopped to take a break because her arms ached. That, combined with the view, made the moment even more worthwhile. She reached for the camera that perpetually hung around her neck and snapped off a few pictures. The view was breathtaking.
The rock wall at the gym has nothing on the real thing.
She focused on one section of the desolate desert landscape and fired off a few more shots.
“Come on, Emma,” Aiden, her biggest brother, called from above. “We don’t have all day, Emma.”
She let the camera fall to her neck against the white t-shirt. It, plus her khaki climbing shorts and sneakers were scuffed and worn from hours of hiking, climbing, and having fun. She loved every minute of it.
Emma turned her attention back to the rock face. She pulled herself up the few feet. The ledge was almost within reach.
Aiden held his hand out and Emma reached for it. She grabbed it and he pulled her up onto the ledge.
He was tall and well-built like the rest of the men in their family. He wore climbing shorts and his white shirt hung from a clip at his waist. Where she needed bottles of sunscreen, he tanned easily. He had their father’s chocolate eyes.
“What were you doing down there, taking a lunch break?” He asked. Aiden pulled his green water bottle out of its holder and took a sip. He was a ten-year veteran of the U.S. Air Force. He loved his country, his job, and his family.
One day I’ll find someone just like him; just not as nosy.
“Now, Aiden, you know I’m saving lunch for the plateau,” She said. She swigged water from her red water bottle and splashed some water on the back of her neck. “I just wanted to check out the view.”
“Take care, Emma,” He said. “I don’t want to have to tell Dad you’ve been climbing without a harness again.” He waived his water bottle at her.
“Hey, leave Dad out of it,” Emma said. She tossed her chalk bag at him. He caught it. “If you tell him that I’m going to have to tell him about your date with Leslie Peterson.”
“You wouldn’t.” He took a sip of water and met her gaze. His eyes widened.
“I sure would, big brother,” she said. She tucked a stray hair behind her ear. “A girl’s got to protect herself.”
“Message received.”
Emma smiled and took a sip of her water. She looked out toward the horizon; they could easily make the plateau today.
“Okay break’s over; we’ve only got a few more feet to go.” Aiden secured his water bottle and chalked his hands. He tossed the chalk bag back to Emma. She followed suit, and once he was a few feet up she started her ascent.
Twenty-five feet and a half-hour later they reached the top of the plateau. Emma lifted herself onto the dusty, flat ledge of the red rock. After a few moments of rest, they pulled the bags up and secured them a few feet from the edge.
“Check out that view,” Aiden said. He looked past her. Emma turned to see what had his attention. The blue sky stretched for miles in either direction. Below them the tan and red rock desert splayed out, dotted by green clumps of cactus.
It sang to her soul.
“It’s beautiful,” she sighed. The desert always called her. It was a remnant of her childhood she loved. “I love red rock. Thanks again for letting me tag along.”
Aiden looked over at his sister. She looked just like their Mom, God rest her soul. Emma had their mother’s long blonde hair, five-foot-five frame, and curves. He and their brothers had punched more than one guy out for hitting on her over the years.
“Glad you could make it, Emma.” Aiden dug two granola bars out of his bag and handed one to her. He unwrapped the other and sat cross-legged on the ground. He didn’t cook as a rule, but the granola bars were worth a half-hour in the kitchen. Emma opened hers and bit into the honey-granola mix. She hummed as she sank next to him.
“Let’s get lunch set up,” he suggested. “It’s only a few miles to the campsite.” He finished the granola bar in three big bites.
“Sure. It’s your turn to cook,” she said with a half-smile. Aiden fell back onto the ground.
“Emma,” he groaned.
“You lost the bet this afternoon fair and square,” she said holding up a hand. “You are so not going to weasel out of this one. It’s your turn to cook, big brother.”
“You’re so much better at it than I am,” he tried. She shook her head.
“Nice try,” she said. Emma popped the last of the granola bar into her mouth.
“Did it work?” he asked with a sheepish look.
It almost made her want to give in. Almost, but not quite.
“No,” Emma answered. She leaned back on her elbows and sighed.
It was a perfect spot for a break. Aiden reached for her bag and pulled out a magenta insulated bag. He secured her bag and opened the small lunch bag, and then handed her a granola bar, an apple, and a peanut butter and strawberry jam sandwich on whole-wheat bread. He pulled out the same for himself and then added a second sandwich to his pile.
“How are we doing on time?” she asked and took a bite out of a Gala apple. Juice dribbled down her cheek and she wiped it away with the back of her hand.
“We’re good,” he said. He swallowed his food. “Last time I didn’t get up here until after three; I ended up spending the night on the plateau.” He shivered and stretched his legs out.
“That must have been cold,” Emma said. It was a delightful ninety-three degrees now, but at night it dipped down.
“Yeah.” He took a bite out of his sandwich.
“I’m going to get a few shots before we leave.” She was an avid photographer and took the chance to indulge in her hobby whenever she had the opportunity.
“Take your time,” he said. “I padded our timetable with an hour.” Aiden settled back on the red rock with his hands linked over his stomach. Emma threw what was left of her apple at him. Aiden caught it and popped it, core and all, into his mouth. He pulled his water bottle close to his head and looked out in the distance.
Emma wondered what he thought so intently about.
“What have you been up to?” She asked as she unwrapped her sandwich and took a bite.
Aiden shrugged. As a Commander, he couldn’t talk about most of his work because it was classified. Emma understood that; their Father was required to abide by the same wall of silence. But still, he had to share something.
“Normal. You?” He asked. Aiden took a bite of his sandwich.
She returned the shrug. “It’s normal.”
“See any good movies lately?” he asked.
Emma looked out and saw a vulture circling something in the distance.
“No,” she snorted. Her life rarely gave her time for such luxuries. “I’ve had my nose in the computer for months coming up with solutions to the latest plot drama; this is the first time off I’ve had since you last saw me.”
“You work too hard,” he said with a straight face. She stuck her tongue out at him.
“Coming from a man who regularly pulls eighty-hour workweeks, that’s funny.” She took a breath and let it out. Her eyes trailed on the vulture in the distance who was circling closer to its prey. “You’re worse than I am, besides it’s worth it.”
“True,” he said. They settled into a companionable silence as they finished their lunch. Once she was finished Emma pulled her camera out of the bag and set it down. She stood to stretch and then picked up the camera. As she fired off the first shots Aiden settled in for a nap.
When he woke the sun was further along in the sky, and Emma was still shooting. She focused on a lizard and snapped away.
“Hey,” he called out. The lizard was spooked by the noise and moved away.
“Good job,” Emma said. “He got away.”
“Sorry,” Aiden said.
“It’s okay; I got some good shots.” Emma stood and stretched.
“I’m glad we could get together before I had to go back out,” Aiden said and yawned.
“Me too.” Emma walked back to him. “It was good timing. One more week on the computer and I probably would have fried the mainframe.”
Aiden laughed. Something squawked from his bag.
“You brought along a radio?” she asked with a frown. “You didn’t let me bring a cell phone or my laptop and you brought a radio?”
“Of course,” he said and reached for his bag. Aiden unzipped a compartment. Emma rolled her eyes while he pulled the offending radio out of the bag. It squawked again.
“Ranger Station 64 to Commander Aiden Smith; come in, Commander Smith.”
Emma frowned. What could they want?
Aiden held down the button on the side and spoke into the radio. “Smith here, Ranger Station 64, go ahead.”
“We have a relay message from Commander Flynn for you, Commander Smith. Over.”
“Copy that. Go ahead,” Aiden said. He avoided eye contact with Emma.
“Message reads, ‘Authentication code O-162. Commander Smith, return to base immediately. Commander Flynn.’ Over.”
“Copy that, Ranger Station 64, is there anything else?” Aiden avoided his sister’s gaze; it wasn’t the first time he had to cut one of their trips short. He hoped it wouldn’t happen this time, but like their father, duty came first.
“Negative, Commander Smith. Message completed. Air Force requests your location and ETA to base, Sir. Over.”
“We’re on Dead Man’s Plateau, Ranger Station 64. It’s a two-day minimum from this location. Over.” Emma noticed the vulture in the distance had caught up with whatever it circled and landed.
“Copy that, two days. Standby. Over.” They waited, looking at the radio. “Relayed, ‘Chopper will be there in one hour to airlift you out. Commander Flynn.’ Over.”
“There must be something wrong,” she said. Emma zoomed in on the vulture and taking a few shots; the vulture caught the rabbit and tore into it, pulling flesh from bone.
“Yeah. Do you mind?” Aiden asked.
She shook her head. Aiden had been flitting off on her since he was ten; why should it change now?
“Copy that. Ranger Station 64 out.”
“Copy that, one hour. Smith over and out,” he said. He secured the button and slipped the radio into his bag.
“Do you want to come with me?” Aiden asked. He looked at Emma and she shook her head.
“No. I’m going to hike out; I’d like to get some shots and then head over to the car.”
Aiden dug into his pocket.
“You’ll be okay by yourself?” he asked. He tossed Emma his keys.
“Relax, Aiden. You taught me survival yourself,” Emma said. She framed her next shot and fired. “I’ll be fine.”
“I worry,” he said.
“Eat your granola bar,” she answered, and focused on her project. Emma was strong because she had to be.
She was a rock of their family and would stand the test of time as her mother had. Even so, her eyes watered as she framed her next shot. The camera zoomed in on the vulture and its kill. She fired, and rolled her eyes. She wouldn’t shed a tear for this; it wasn’t the first time and it wouldn’t be the last time that one of her family put work ahead of family. It was as her Father constantly said, for the greater good.
They transferred supplies from his bag to hers. Aiden handed her the radio, and under protest, she shoved it into her bag. Their bags were balanced before, and now hers was laden down with everything one could need in the next two days. She had to rearrange the contents twice just to fit it all in.
Forty-five minutes later a great thumping sound came from the distance and grew louder as a shape appeared on the horizon. It grew larger and its shape became distinct as it approaches the plateau. The radio squawked. Aiden answered, and they determined it would be best to throw down a ladder. It dropped and the helicopter hovered nearby, so as not to kick up too much sand.
The man in the helicopter was dressed in dark fatigues. Aiden slung his backpack over his back and secured it. He pulled her into a hug. Aiden reached for the ladder and jumped to climb onto it. It took seconds for him to climb the ladder and enter the helicopter. It rose and came around the plateau to where she could see Aiden. He leaned out the door and waived as the man next to him pulled in the ladder.
Emma waived and watched as the chopper withdrew to the West.
Oddly, they’re heading West towards Las Vegas and not East to Denver. Emma noted the location of the sun in the sky; if she was going to get off the plateau by sunset, she had better get moving.
She pulled her pack on and secured it. She hiked down the backside of the plateau. After a few hours the ground leveled off and the last decline was in view.
By late afternoon, she reached the campsite. It was a solid rock surface protected by a sheer rock wall. Emma set up her tent and pulled out the small camp stove. She put water onto a boil and dumped the contents of a brown pouch into the rolling water.
As she ate her dinner of shrimp and linguini with butter sauce, she mused about the night. Emma was pleased with her decision to stay. It gave her time to think.
She surveyed the quiet land around her. She was alone—completely alone for the first time in many months. The characters in her head weren’t even there. She had left them in Aiden’s house in Flagstaff. She imagined them waiting impatiently for her return.
If I screamed right now, no one would hear me.
The thought echoed in her mind as she climbed into the tent and blew the light out. She fell asleep in her warm sleeping bag at ease with the day. She viewed a billion stars over her head. As she did she noticed a bright light that came close to the Earth; a shooting star. She wished on the star and closed her eyes; it had been a good day.
Liked it? This book will be released on August 1, 2021.
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Coffee and December 2020 – Hopefully aka the End of the Year and a Brand New Start
Welcome to the end of 2020…unless we go through a wormhole and it turns into a never-ending Monday in 2020. Let’s not do that.
This year has been as crazy for me as it has for you. The work, the layoffs, the pandemic, the face masks, and way too much sanitizer. I’ve had my meditation apps on more than not this year.
Wow! I just checked the stats and over 5k viewers have visited DarWrites in the last few months, even with me being a little quite.
Thank you!
I hope you’ve all found the content here helpful and fun. That is why I started DarWrites and that’s why it will keep going.
Speaking of fun, have you seen the workbooks?
There are two new workbooks available for free to writers during the pandemic.
So…update. I’ve finished draft three of book #15. It’s almost ready for beta testing. During NaNoWriMo last month I worked on book #16 and it’s progressing slowly…one of my characters ran away with me and the plot. I barely thought I was going to finish my 50k, but by the end of November I had 60k words. Yay!
Horrah for all my writer buddies out there who have finished their NaNoWriMo project! And hurrah for all my writer buddies who attempted it – this year hasn’t been easy and if you even got 5k, 10k, or 20k words, you won in my book. You have more words now than you did before.
Go for it!
Announcements
Coming Workshops
You can find me teaching workshops through Romance Writer’s of America’s specialty groups: FF&P and Hearts Through History.
Diversifying your science fiction, FF&P RWA, Mar. 2021
Let’s level up our science fiction romance by adding spice! We will address diversity of people and thought, figure out unique elements of futurism, and find a realistic scientific way to get around the human/alien paradigm. Bring your sexiest alien, superhuman, and unique monsters – together we will make them stand out among the crowd and make your readers swoon over them! During the course of the class we will have a battle to create the ultimate alien hottie – may the sexiest alien win a special gift!
You can enroll in Diversifying your science fiction starting January through FF&P RWA.
Hellenistic Romance: Eros in ancient Greece, Hearts Through History RWA, June 2021
Sexy is a romantic seaside escape with beautiful clothes and architecture with a backdrop of a gripping war. Come learn what the ancient Greeks believed about love! Eros is the word the Greeks used to describe romantic, passionate love…or you can check out the other seven types of love!
You can enroll in Hellenistic Romance starting in April through the Hearts Through History Chapter of RWA.
Putting the Sci in Science Fiction Romance FF&P RWA, August 2021
What is science fiction and why do we love it? In this four-week overview workshop, we will check out everything from first-contact scenarios to themes and ideas that aren’t often explored in science fiction. Let’s use plausible extrapolations of technology based on current science to make it integral to our stores and level up our science fiction. By the end of the workshop you will have more tools to create fantastic science fiction.
You can enroll in Putting the Sci in Science Fiction Romance Workshop starting in June through FF&P RWA.
Freelance writing for nomads, DarWrites, October 2021
Learn how to create high-quality, valuable content while on the go.
Creating the writer’s manifesto, DarWrites, December 2021
This is a fun weekend workshop for writers who want to take a break and reassess their writing life.
Thanks for taking the time to have a cup of coffee with me. I’d like to share with you inspiration I’ve found recently: no matter what happens in your life, you are the only you there is. You need to take care of you. You need to embrace all the you there is – because it is a limited resource.
Share your light.
You’re the only one who can.
Write on,
Dar
Chewbacca, Darth Vader, and Yoda come to inspire during the holidays!
This will be available as a free download during November 2020 to celebrate NaNoWriMo 2020!
I hope you write well, often, and are inspired by this treat.
After November, this book of writing prompts will be flipped into a print and published book and all money made from this edition will go toward upkeep and new posts for DarWrites!
And a remind in case you haven’t already, you can also download the free
The Touchstone Writer’s Course, Presented by DarWrites
Are you a writer who wants to level up your writing process?
Hey, I’m Darlene. I’ve been in the writing trenches and want to share what I know so you won’t step in the potholes I did on my writer’s journey.
Starting December 1, we will have three workshops online. My workshops work best when I post a lesson and you do the work throughout the week on your own – then I’ll offer feedback via email.
What: learn to embrace a working process. Figure out your personal means of writer triage. Face your biggest writing fear and overcome it. Learn how to go the distance with your writing and how to create your writer’s battle plan!
DarWrites presents The Touchstone Writer’s Course – a 4-week journey that will help you level up your words and focus on developing the touchstone of your writing career.
Dar Writes 
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