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WeWriWa - Oct 29, 2022

10/29/2022

Welcome to another weekend in KateWarrenLand, and another Weekend Writing Warriors post. 8-10 sentences from one of my novels await you below. Click on the image above for more information on the WeWriWa blog hop!

Previously, Asgrid's brother Harald scared the heck out of everyone by riding up out of the blue, with a bunch of his people. Harald came to help though, so we're good. In the extra posted after the snippet, we learned that Jorgen is not just some guy, but in fact is the King of Hilvard. Let's see what this week's snippet has in store...

“I am certain Asgrid Frodarsdottir knows that at times, sharing all of the truth can be a risk,” Jorgen said calmly, but with a look of annoyance at his brother. Turning his gaze back to the ladies of the village he continued. “Forgive the omission. It was not my intent to deceive anyone.”
Maja felt her head moving of its own volition and quickly changed the motion to a shrug. “It is not as if you lied at all. We never asked if you were a king.”
For the first time since coming to the village, Jorgen smiled. That expression transformed his face, from merely pleasant to distractingly handsome. The knowledge that her comment had been the cause of his amusement made Maja feel absurdly pleased with herself.

That's ten sentences, if I counted correctly. There is more below for anyone who would like to read on, and a picture of Uncle Harald.

Thank you for stopping by, and I'll see you next weekend.

Kate

Harald Frodarsson, jarl of (unnamed village), brother to Asgrid and uncle to her children.

[Maja] felt an answering smile tugging at the corners of her mouth and decided it was time to find anywhere else to be, and anything to occupy her mind. Turning on her heel she lost her balance and was caught in strong arms. Hesitantly she looked up to find that the arms belonged to someone with warm, rich brown eyes. Jorgen. King Jorgen, she reminded herself. “My thanks to you. I–I am well now.”
     “Are you certain?” Jorgen searched her face.
     Not trusting herself to speak, Maja merely nodded, and wrenched her gaze from his. He stepped back a pace and she set off toward her aunt’s house. Birgit hurried after her.
     “Maja?” Birgit asked, a look of worry on her face.
     Maja forced a smile. “I am well, cousin. Truly.”
     The younger girl looked skeptical, but said no more.

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WeWriWa - Oct 22,2022

10/22/2022

12 Comments

Welcome back to a less medicated edition of Weekend Writing Warriors in KateWarrenLand. I'm almost over that nasty cold, but still really tired. It will not prevent me from visiting all the other blogs participating this weekend! Click the image below for details on my favorite blog hop!

We left off with Lukkas moving to protect Maja as riders can be heard approaching the village. Everyone, local and Hilvardi alike is wonder what's coming next. Here's this week's 8-10 sentences.

There was more shouting as the horses drew near. Suddenly the rhythm of hooves on dirt halted and a resonant voice yelled “ASGRID!”
     Nearly weak with relief, the lady stumbled forward until she gained enough steadiness to break into a run. Asgrid pushed her way through the small but determined band of warriors barring the entrance to the village, tears streaming down her face.
     The man who had shouted her name dismounted from his horse and caught her as she flung herself into his arms. “There now. All shall be well.”
     Maja and Birgit broke through as the foreigners stared in confusion while the village men went back to their work, apparently no longer worried. Birgit was the first to speak. “Uncle?”

More available below to add to the scene, and so you can get a feel for our new character.

I'm going to rework the first few chapters to remove a character who drops off the page quickly anyway, and include the rest of Asgrid's children. Working on character art for them as well. The eight year old has a beard, if the AI can be trusted. ;)

Thank you so much for stopping by. I look forward to reading all of your excerpts.

Kate

the more below...

Lady Asgrid pulled back from the newcomer’s embrace, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand. “This is my brother, Harald Frodarsson.”
     “Of course, I am!” the huge man bellowed through his red beard. “Did you think I was Morgyt come back again? Ha! I’m not half as ugly as that fellow.”
     Before anyone had a chance to say anything else Maja launched herself at Harald, crying “Uncle!”
     Harald shot a quick look at his sister before replying, “Ah, how is my favorite niece?” and giving her an extra squeeze.
     “Happy to see you!” Maja said with a smile. She had always liked Asgrid’s brother. He was a merry sort of man, and once a person got to know him, his height and bulk became far less intimidating. It had been many years since Maja had felt any trepidation in his presence.
     The young man stepped forward and introduced himself. “Lukkas Andriksson of Hilvard. It’s an honor to meet such a famed warrior. Surely all of Scandinavia has heard of Harald Frodarsson.”
     Harald eyed him briefly. “A smooth tongue that one has,” he said in a loud whisper. “Hilvard, ye say?”
     “Aye. Please allow me to present my brother, Jorgen.” Lukkas stepped back and sideways, to reveal his elder brother.
     “Jorgen Andriksson.” Harald said. “Of Hilvard?”
     Jorgen nodded. “Well met, Jarl Harald.”
     Harald threw his head back and laughed. “I should say so! Well met indeed, King Jorgen. Your reputation is well known to me.”
     The ladies’ eyes all swung to the Hilvardi brothers, waiting to see if any contradiction was forthcoming. When neither man refuted the statement, it was Asgrid who spoke. “King? Why did you not tell us?”
      “Jorgen likes to pretend he’s not a king,” Lukkas said with a grin. An elbow to the ribs from his brother changed his expression.

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Weekend Writing Warriors, Oct 15. 2022

10/15/2022

11 Comments

Welcome to Saturday, and day 4 of this nasty cold that I have. It's been a long week. But now it's the weekend, and that means it's time for WeWriWa! Click the image below for information on how you too can participate in a fun blog hop dedicated to celebrating writers and our works.

Last week...wait, what happened last week...oh yes, Jorgen offered to take any surviving villagers back to his country for the coming winter. Then he left the group to talk it over. We're skipping ahead almost a full chapter this week so you can meet another important character, but rest assured most of the survivors in Lundrskag opted to accept Jorgen Andriksson's offer (a few stubborn men and one woman who knows the men can't cook will be staying).

I apologize if my counting is a bit off. I'm having trouble concentrating while my head is swimming.

[Maja] looked up into a pair of kindly amber eyes, one of them half hidden by a fall of black hair, set in a young and handsome face. “Yes, thank you.”
     The foreigner smiled. “I am glad to hear it, for I could be of no help should you be ill. You must be Maja. I am Lukkas Andriksson.”
     “Are you…” Maja did not finish her question, but he answered it nonetheless.
     “Jorgen’s brother, yes.” Something caught his ear and he turned his head. “Riders.” He instinctively moved to stand in front of Maja and shouted for all the men to take up their weapons.

The rest of the scene/chapter follows below, for those who would care to read it.

Thank you for stopping by.

Kate

Glancing back, he spoke quietly. “It might be best if you hide yourself.”
     Visions of the carnage of the raid filled her head, and she needed no further entreating. She slipped quietly into the house, trembling. Birgit looked up and went to her at once. Her aunt came quickly down the stairs.
     “What is it?” Asgrid asked her niece.
     Maja shook her head. “Riders. It cannot be Morgyt. He would not return so soon.”
     Asgrid pulled the girls closer to the back of the room. “I hope you are right.”

11 Comments

Weekend Writing Warriors, Oct 8, 2022

10/8/2022

14 Comments

It's a beautiful day, if a bit chilly, and it's time for WeWriWa again. The blog hop where everything is made up and the points don't matter...wait a minute...no, this is the one where we share 8-10 sentences of our writing! Click the banner below for more info.

Last week we learned that Maja is the missing princess of Islak, which means her brother is the missing prince. Their parents were both killed when Morgyt the Wolf attacked the royal fortress city. Morgyt has been looking for Maja ever since, and the attack on Lundrskag (village we're in) may have been an attempt at finding her. Maja also had some thoughts about this Jorgen fellow from Hilvard. On to this week's snippet! We begin with Jorgen speaking.

"There is little left here, as you well know. I do not pretend to have any knowledge of what supplies might still exist after the Berunians finished sacking your village, but there is little enough in the way of shelter for the coming winter. I offer protection and passage to my lands for any who wish it. Once there you may stay the season, and you shall be welcomed, fed, and treated as any others. When spring comes, you may choose to stay in Hilvard or return here, and my own men will escort you back and assist in rebuilding if that is your wish."
The few men gathered spoke to each other in hushed tones. One elderly man, with a bandaged arm called out. "And what is it you require in return?"
Jorgen acknowledged the man with a curt nod. "Anything you can recall about Morgyt's men, where they attacked from, where they planned to go next, anything at all that was noticed might be of use to me."

That's my ten sentences. The rest of the scene, which is also the rest of the chapter is below. Also...my last blog post was about my adventures in using AI tech for character art, and features Jorgen, Maja, and other characters from this novel. Thank you for visiting.

Kate

"Why?" another man ventured. "The quarrel is between us and Morgyt. It does not involve you."
"No, it does not." Jorgen agreed. "But Morgyt has plagued my lands, and my people, and I have vowed to stop him. Help me or not, as you wish. Accept my offer or not. But be quick about your decision. My men and I leave on the morrow at dawn."
The foreigners strode out of the clearing, leaving the village folk to talk the matter over.

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Character Art 1 - Vikings

10/5/2022

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Hello everybody. I've been trying out some AI art sites, mostly working on settings and characters. At the moment I'm only using free services, and I'm definitely seeing that each site has it's strengths and weaknesses.

I've spent the most time so far on NightCafe and Artbreeder. The former is kind of hit-and-miss on what the tech puts out based on your prompts. The latter allows you to refine faces and features more, but also has limitations.

I'm going to try a Slideshow here. All of these images were made on NightCafe. I have a lot of trouble with eye color (request brown, get blue, etc). These are alphabetical, based on file names.

In order we have...

-Almost Lukkas. Should be about halfway between the shirtless wonder and the beefier, serious guy in attempt 2.
-Asgrid is an evolved version of an attempt at Birgit that finally got the eyes I wanted, but the face shape wasn't right.
-Birgit has blue eyeshadow. No idea why. It's just what the tech threw out.
-Princess A is going through a name change right now. I haven't learned how to control the close-up level, but the first pic does a good job illustrating her moody teen tendencies. The second shows her too young but gets the hair and eyes right.
-Harald was an attempt at another character, evolved into Harald. He's fun!
-Jorgen should be halfway between these two.
-Maja. I did not ask for fantasy. This is an evolved version of an attempt at her that ended up looking way too young.

Next, some work I've done on Artbreeder.

This Lukkas is much closer to what I see in my head The eyes still aren't right, and he's missing his cheeky grin, but it's not bad. Artbreeder doesn't give you a lot of control over eye color, but NightCafe gives you almost none, so it's a toss-up.

Of the three Birgits here, I'm kind of stuck between 3 and 4. I think 2 almost looks too innocent. Birgit is very innocent, but she has hidden depths. If I could combine those last two with the one from NightCafe, it would be just about perfect.

Note: on Artbreeder, all my attempts at Princess A have ended up looking too modern. Not sure why.

Note: on NightCafe, if you use the prompts "Viking" or "Viking Age" you are apt to get horns growing out of the person's head. Amusing, but not helpful.

I'll happily answer questions if you have any. Thank you for reading.

Kate

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Secret revealed. WeWriWa Oct1, 2022

10/1/2022

12 Comments

Welcome back, and Happy October! This week I managed to enter my link correctly on the WeWriWa blog. To visit the blog, and thus all the awesome writers who participate, click the image below.

Last week Maja's aunt Asgrid told her she did not think it was necessary to keep hiding the truth, but would go along with it for a while longer. This week, the secret is revealed to readers, but the men from Hilvard will continue to be left in the dark.

This week's snippet:

Maja curled herself tighter under the furs and fought waves of grief. She had thought there would be more time to spend with Uncle Hjelmar, riding across the meadow, wailing like a banshee as she was never allowed to do in Lenuka where she was a representative of her father and the crown of Islak. In Hjelmar’s village, though everyone knew she was the princess, she had been allowed a few brief weeks each summer to be just a child.
Maja swallowed her tears and tried to clear her mind. Aunt Asgrid was right; she needed rest. On the morrow there would be a great many decisions to be made, and she knew her aunt would require her counsel. Her head hurt less, thanks to some herbs Lene had given her, but she could not quite settle and convince her body to rest.
Forcing her breathing to slow, Maja carefully did not think about home, her parents, her brother, or her uncle. She did not think of the village either. Instead, she found herself picturing a handsome yet dirty face and deep, dark eyes, the color of which she did not yet know.

The rest of the scene is below, if you'd like to read it. Thanks for stopping by.

Kate

There had not been enough light in the cave to see. Why Jorgen of Hilvard's face should intrude into her thoughts she could not say, nor why the memory of his eyes should be both frightening and comforting. He had not shown any sign of seeing her as anything other than an injured woman. No threat had been implied in his gaze, his questions, or his probing of her wound. Why then did she feel nervous thinking back to that brief moment when their gazes had met and locked? It had not been long, half a moment really, certainly not long enough to cause Maja any discomfort this much later.
Rather than fight the thoughts, she allowed herself to be soothed by them. She was not afraid of her feelings, only confused by them. It could not be attraction she felt, she was certain, for she had felt that before and it was a far more overwhelming set of emotions. Flutterings of the stomach, skipping of beats of her heart, and a feeling of lightness to almost giddiness. None of that did the thought of Jorgen Andriksson give her. And when her weary mind wondered how it would feel to have his strong arms around her, she paid it no mind at all, but rather snuggled deeper under her furs as if she truly was held and safe.

12 Comments

WeWriWa Sept 24, 2022

9/24/2022

4 Comments

What is WeWriWa, you ask? I'll tell you. It's a blog hop specifically for writers who want to share short snippets of their work. It stands for Weekend Writing Warriors. Click the image below to visit the home blog and discover your next favorite author.

We left Maja in a cave, snuggling her frightened little cousin. This week we meet her aunt Asgrid. They have learned that Asgrid's husband has was killed in the raid, and that Jorgen's men are helping to fix shelter for the survivors, as night is coming on.

“He has gone,” Lady Asgrid said, knowing her niece no longer slept.
     Maja opened her eyes but did not try to move. “Thank you, aunt.”
     “I do not agree that it is best to keep your identity a secret,” Asgrid chided gently. “But I will do so—for a time—because you ask it of me. Here, let me take her.” Bending to take the child from Maja, Asgrid pressed a light kiss to her niece’s head. “Now sleep. You will want all of your strength on the morrow.”
     Maja settled more comfortably now that she could move the arm which had gone numb from the slight weight of her little cousin.

More, if you like...a bit of Maja's thoughts as she tries to settle and sleep:

Tears came unbidden at the thought of her fierce yet kind uncle. Hjelmar had at first frightened her, but once he had caught her sneaking a treat and sneaked one along with her, a mischievous gleam in his eyes and a grin beneath his great red beard, she had known him for a kindred spirit and a powerful ally in any and all kitchen raids she might wish to conduct. He had even once allowed her to don his helm as they “pillaged” the larder. The only condition ever laid upon these ventures was that Maja not say a word to her Aunt Asgrid about them.

Hjelmar was brother to Maja's mother. He was jarl of the village, and leaves behind six children, the eldest of which is a girl of fifteen.

That's all for me this week. I'm looking forward to reading everybody's posts.

Kate

4 Comments

WeWriWa Sept, 17, 2022

9/17/2022

9 Comments

Weekend Writing Warriors is my favorite blog hop, maybe because it's the only one I've ever participated in. Click the image below to visit the WeWriWa blog and find links to all the authors who take part.

Last weekend we left off with a servant insisting that Maja had to rest, so Jorgen had to stop asking questions. This week we skip a bit to Maja's thoughts after Jorgen has left the cave.

If only she had thought as far as Morgyt looking for her in this village! If she had gone anywhere else, all these people might now be safe.
A voice in her head told her that she had saved lives, and that should count for something, but she could not help fearing that the entire village was a ruin now, and far more lives lost because of her presence. Her aunt and uncle would never have turned her away, but she might have found another place to hide, and they might live yet. Of course she did not know that they were dead. It only seemed likely. Her uncle would have fought, of that she had no doubt. Her aunt might have run to safety.
Maja beat her fists on the ground and let one tear fall down her cheek. If she had not stumbled over that root, she would at least be able to help search for others, and tend to the wounded.

The rest of the scene follows, if you would like to read it.

As it was, she could only lie by the fire and wait for news to be brought. Perhaps she would not have been of much help, but anything would be better than being forced to wait and watch, unable to even rise from the pile of furs in which she had been deposited.
     "Maja?" a small, thin voice called.
     "I am here, dumpling." She called back, reaching a hand out to the youngest of her cousins. "What news?"
     The little girl shook her head, but took the offered hand and sat near her. "None yet. Do you think Papa and mama..." she could not finish the question.
     "We must have hope, little one." Maja pulled her close and placed a kiss on her soft golden hair. "They will be found."
"What if they are not?" tears sparkled in Dagmar's eyes.
     Maja fought back a wave of grief; it was like her parents' deaths all over again. "Then you shall live with me, and I shall care for you." She snuggled the girl closer and prayed her aunt and uncle would be found alive.

That's my contribution for the weekend. See you around the 'hop.

Kate

9 Comments

Weekend Writing Warriors, Sept 10, 2022

9/10/2022

5 Comments

Welcome to my favorite blog hop, where writers around the net share 8-10 sentences from one of their works and go around visiting each other's websites because it's fun!

Last week, we left off with Jorgen having met Maja, a lady with a head injury and a secret. In the extra I posted it was revealed that Maja was not in the capital city when Morgyt the Wolf struck, but her immediate family was. Her husband and parents were killed.

This week's snippet picks up there:

“And your brother?” he asked, suspicions forming in his mind.
     “A band of men smuggled the prince out of the city.” Finally, she looked up. “My brother was with them.”
     “The prince—what of the princess?” Jorgen asked. “It has been nigh on six months. Have you no word of her?”
     “No more questions.” The servant nearly shouted. “My lady must rest.”

Nothing extra this time. Next weekend we'll switch to Maja's POV. Can't wait to read everyone else's snippets!

Kate

5 Comments

Weekend Writing Warriors, Sept 3&4, 2022

9/3/2022

16 Comments

It's that time of weekend again, where writers can share 8-10 sentences of one of their works in a blog hop and support one another with insightful and encouraging comments. Click the banner below to visit the WeWriWa blog and find your new favorite authors.

Last week we met Jorgen from Hilvard. He and his men have been tracking their enemies from Berunia. Unfortunately for the people of Islak's coastal village of Lundrskag, the baddies are faster than the good guys from Hilvard. Skipping ahead a little, we're going to meet Maja, an Islaker woman with a secret.

The lady allowed Jorgen to examine her head and answered his questions as best she could: her name was Maja; she was in a village on the coast of Islak visiting family, but lived farther inland in the town of Lenuka. And while he held up three fingers, his companion was holding two up behind his head. That made her smile a bit, and had Jorgen turning to swat away the hand of the offending wretch. “Your head will ache for a few days, and you may bear a scar, but you shall live, Maja.”
     “Tell me, Jorgen Andriksson,” she began, “does my—does the jarl of this village live? Are the family safe?
     “I know not, lady. My men are searching for survivors.” Jorgen hastened to tell her. Looking at the people huddled in the cave he addressed them: “The Berunians are gone from this place. ..."

More of the scene, if you'd like to read...

"...If you wish to help in the search, you may do so without fear. None of my people will harm you.”
     An old woman came forward, grasped his hand, and kissed it. “Lord bless you, Jorgen Andriksson!”
     The people shuffled out, nodding in deference to the injured lady who lay still by the fire. Her servant bustled about her, tucking the blanket more firmly, offering a bit of broth which was refused.
     The lady fixed Jorgen with an intent stare. “What are your dealings with the Berunians?”
     “You waste no time.” Jorgen almost smiled. “I seek to put an end to Morgyt’s false dealings and ambitions. He has harassed my people, my lands too long. I am sorry that I could provide the people of this village with no warning, but I looked for him to attack elsewhere.”
     “Morgyt.” The woman spat out the name. “He has killed many, and knows no remorse. Any foe of Morgyt’s is an ally to me.” She declared boldly.
Jorgen’s gaze probed hers. “What has he done to you?”
Maja’s eyes dropped to her hands. “There are those I loved who have perished because of his schemes. I am an orphan and a widow, thanks to Morgyt. Of close family all that remains to me is a brother, and I know not where he is, or if he still lives.”
     Comprehension apparent in his eyes, Jorgen spoke again. “You were in Lenuka when he struck.” It was no question, and yet she answered him.
     “No. I was here. My family sent me to my uncle, fearing an open attack from Morgyt’s forces. I had word later of my parents’ deaths, and my husband’.” Still, she would not meet his gaze.

That's all for this week. I have posted the entire first chapter of my humor novel North Pole: Confidential on the Exclusive Excerpt page. I'd love some feedback on it if anyone has the time and the inclination.

I look forward to reading all my fellow-writer's posts this weekend. :)

Kate

16 Comments