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This Draft Is Done!

Okay, dear readers. I’ve posted the grand finale:


Leaf 7 – Freeing Govan


Leaf 8 – The Beheading


A Month Later – To Market, To Market

Yes, the final two chapters plus epilogue are up!

I need a cup of tea to celebrate. Ah, here come Tam and Annie

Tam and Annie (or is it Glinda?) Serve Tea - a little photo fun by Jane Valencia

(sip) Mmmm!

So the plan from here is this. I’m going to print the whole story. I’m going to go through and look for repetitious words or scenes, or just for places where I can tighten things up or add a bit of sparkle, action, or fun. Then I’ll do some copyediting (looking carefully at the grammar, spelling, and punctuation). I may hire someone to do that for me too.

This book will be an Indie-publication, so I’ll also be researching (further) which avenue to take in that direction. (CreateSpace? Lulu.com? Another source?). The book will be in ebook, Kindle, and print formats. And I’d really, really like it available in Sept., to accompany me to the Traditions In Western Herbalism Conference, where I’ll be presenting Wise Child Learning – An Herbal Class For Kids. We’ll see! There’s still a lot to be done with this project!

I thank you for joining me in this very long process of this work-in-progress. This draft of the Because Of The Red Fox will be available for you to read until July 31. At that point I’ll be taking it off-line, because my final version will be well on its way.

Please feel free to offer any comments or suggestions regarding the story. Or just enjoy!

Fox Kit - art by Jane Valencia
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This Was A Hard One

I rewrote this chapter about five times.  When writing–especially when I’m struggling with it, I often start feeling that I’m living the story in some way.  Certainly I felt my own internal battle, wondering how to nudge the action in the right places so that it felt right to me.  In the process, the battle axe demanded attention!  It’s always mystifying when characters in a story insist that they have more of a role in it than you originally figured.

The story is close to the end!  I’m hoping to have it completely wrapped up by the Summer Solstice (well, sooner than that if I can).  You’ll see why.  In the meantime, take a front row seat at …

Leaf 6: The Battle

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Dragon Art Show! Also – Govan’s Masque

Santa, here.  I’m super-excited because dragon-artist Suzanna Leigh is allowing us to show some of her dragon art right here on FoxTales!

Let me give you some background.  Suzanna is an amazing watercolor artist, who also paints on silk.  This month she has a show of her dragon art at a place called Vashon Intuitive Arts.  Suzanna creates lots of different kinds of art–all really beautiful and magical and full of sweet charm.  But dragons have a special place in her heart–to which I, as purveyor of DragonAir!–of course totally relate.

Here’s our mini-show:

Sleeping With The Dragon - Art by Suzanna Leigh (used w/permission)

I just love the expression on this dragon’s face. I’d love to snuggle with him too!

Emerging Dragon - Art by Suzanna Leigh (used w/permission)

Shell is particularly struck by this piece. I’m sure it’s because of an upcoming Leaf — no, I’m not going to give you any spoilers! I’ll just say that you’ll likely understand the connection when Jane posts Leaf 1 of the Fourth Branch.

In the meantime, we want to let you know that Suzanna will be telling stories about her dragon art next Saturday, April 14, at 7PM, at Vashon Intuitive Arts, 17331 Vashon Hwy SW, and Shell, Annie, and I intend to go! I’ll even let Mom take us over hill and over dale in the quadricycle.

If you happen to be on the island, you come too, and introduce yourselves. We’ll be the ones accompanied by the red tea pot (Yes, Tam is excited to hear the stories as well!).

In the meantime, enjoy Jane’s latest installment of Because Of The Red Fox. Our story continues with Govan and his adventure with my cell phone ….

Read all about it here!