Writing In The Heart Of The Lynx
Remember at the end of Midwinter Wiles and Valerian Dreams when Lark and Hugo head off on that “very important quest” for a certain ring? Well, last autumn, I wrote it. And then … I wrote it again.
Back in October, I finished the first draft of this story for the Five Golden Names anthology. The anthology of SHORT stories … yeah. Spoiler alert: Jo Holloway is a classic overwriter. I know, we’re all terribly surprised by this.
But I was determined to trim it down to size. Spoiler #2: I did not.
I was sitting on a resort balcony in Mexico in November, finishing up revisions on what’s now called In the Heart of the Lynx, feeling pretty pleased with myself. Until I checked the word count. The story was… 10,000 words.
Whoops.
Well, second version it is! With some ruthless trimming, and a new opening that starts about halfway into the original story, I finally had a version that was (nearly) short enough for the anthology. But the longer version … I still loved it too much to let it all go, so I’m releasing my own extended cut!
Two versions, one story.
The short version is out now — Five Golden Names launched last month. It’s 20+ stories and all proceeds go to Room to Read. Genuinely a great deal for everyone! We would love your help in supporting this worthy charity, and there are truly a lot of exceptional stories in this one.
I’ve heard more than once now that Lark’s story made readers laugh out loud, which is the best possible compliment for a writer.
The story involves Lark, Hugo (being dramatic as always), several misadventures, ridiculous songs, and a new character I absolutely adore. Here’s your first glimpse of Darcy:
“You look like a man with a story. Or a song.”
The minstrel stands before me, lute slung over his shoulder, grin bright enough to rival the hearth. Despite his obviously human ears, curly hair, and coloring that says he’s not from around here, I sense a kindred spirit. Or at least a fellow traveler.
“Don’t we all?” I say.
He drops down beside me. “Darcy Silverbeau. Minstrel, wanderer, purveyor of bold truths and fanciful tunes.”
“You forgot lewd sea shanties.” I shake his offered hand. “Lark Hyveri. Former traveling actor, guardian, illusionist extraordinaire.”
“Ooh, a man of many talents. Guardian to what?”
“Seven orphans. Former orphans. They’re mine now.”
“Seven?” His eyebrows jump. “Blue skies! I’d run away too.”
I laugh. “Not running. I’m here for them. It’s… complicated.”
“The best stories are.”
The extended version of In the Heart of the Lynx will appear in In the Cursed Globe, my illustrated short story collection — same essential quest, but with all the extra Hugo moments you’ll thank me for later. You can follow the Kickstarter here.
Both versions tell the same quest, just… one has more lewd sea shanties.😉
This story, like all my short stories, is set in the worlds of The Cursed Globe series.
If you haven’t read Midwinter Wiles and Valerian Dreams yet, that’s where Lark and Hugo’s story starts — and it’s probably the coziest thing I’ve ever written.
