One Novel Hence . . .

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No problem, we're keeping busy in other ways.

This was my first year doing National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo), and aside from writing a novel, I had little idea what the whole thing was about. I have a pretty good idea now, though I still didn't utilize all the cute features the site offers. Having written Edge of Darkness at home alone night after night, I am used to such masochism, so I didn't get into "writing buddies" or "Upload and track your word count every day!" (AppleWorks does it for me instantly.)

No, I am first someone who likes to write, to type words into a computer. This is a mere extension, I realize, of my youth, when I was always scribbling on bits of paper or banging on a typewriter (even in high school!). It wasn't much of a stretch to put Edge's infinite editing and illustrations on hold to dive headfirst into another project!

As of now, the newborn novel bears the name Neon Cupcakes, but this isn't final. Rather than Edge of Darkness, which enters deliciously disturbed young adult territory, the latest creation is more a book for children --- though it touches on adult themes to some degree as does Madeline L'Engle's Many Waters and other books. A science-fiction fantasy, it recounts the adventures of two mismatched children living in troubled times on a divided planet. It takes readers into new territories of imagination by means of playing with science the way some books play with magic, asking: What would it be like to be made of flame? How about to drink nitrogen, to swim in ozone?

Lyra is passionate and inquisitive, wanting nothing more than to escape her mountain home and explore the world. Zyzyx (sorry, using these letters rocks!) is a calm and ambitious boy for whom Testing Day is everything: A career-making, life-determining SATs-times-ten. These two kids have everything that ordinary kids have in common --- family, friends, games, lessons --- except three hundred degrees. When a secret door allows a slip to occur between their worlds, Lyra and Zyzyx form an odd and forbidden friendship. The pair run a risk merely meeting to talk, let alone when they brave the touch of each other's hands. But the friendship may be all that can turn the looming threat of off-planet exploitation from a force that worsens the division of their home planet to one that unites it.

Neon Cupcakes poured out of me in a remarkable smooth tide, and has been a great deal of fun to write. Best of all, it provides a mirror and working companion to Edge for things that can be improved. It revives the "fire and ice" fantasy worlds I invented at age 16, but with a fresh perspective aimed at youth, rather than adults like regular sci-fi --- the formidable Issa, for years nothing less than a god, is allowed to be his godlike self at more of a distance instead of being the protagonist, while Flamboura (f. Flambeau) gets to be spunky Lyra's mom. Old favorite gizmo-warrior Zhizz is back, and so is mad scientist Xixizzi (his stuffy companion is a poke at Professor Snape), but almost every one else is a new ingredient in the brew! Talk of alloys and forging is a tribute to Dad, while the skating comes of my love for that sport.

Best of all, after seven years off-ice, I decided I really, really need to go skating again.