Life and the Priory

The Laureate, Laury to her friends

So, September has been and gone since my last update, and I bet you're expecting to read the promised second short story set in the world of the Priory. After all, I've had plenty of time to finish it. Well, I'm happy to announce that I've now written, um, three paragraphs.

Look, I've been busy. Okay? 😀

Fitting those shelves I mentioned put me in the mood to improve a few other things around the house. I painted some walls, moved more furniture around, and ended up sorting out just about every drawer and cupboard in the house. Throwing out the junk has given me plenty of space to collect new junk. I even reorganised the shed (and moved a wardrobe into it).

In parallel with that, my son started his house-moving process. He currently lives just under a 2-hour drive away, and he's planning to move to only about 15 minutes away. Can't wait! His house sold quickly, so we ended up rushing around viewing places to buy. Found one he liked quickly too, so now also started sorting his stuff out so he's ready to move. The contents of his loft is now sitting in my spare room...

And in parallel with that, his grandfather (my ex father-in-law) passed away at the grand old age of 96. My son is his only surviving relative, so I've been helping him sort out things where I can. There's a lot to clear up there too, and I currently have a car full of stuff waiting to go to a charity shop tomorrow, which I'll neatly combine with getting my flu jab.

Anyway, life's been busy, but I might have a window coming up where I can focus back on writing again. There are a few boxes to unpack this week, once I've fitted up a couple of new bookcases when they arrive, but other than that, I feel ready to move forward again. I reckon the mental break after the push to complete The Pantheon Triptych has done me good.

The world of the Priory has still been in my thoughts in the interim. I've continued to plan and make notes in the background, both for the short story and for the novel that will emerge. It's led me to refocus my ideas.

The major events of the short story are unchanged, but I realised its purpose is as much to reveal how the lesser gods fit into the community around the Priory as it is to set up the life of Chandra's sister, Anjuna. It's now called The Gods in Haven. Haven is the name of Priory town.

I've fleshed out some characters too. One god we'll meet in the short story is The Laureate (pictured above), the god of poetry that was mentioned in passing in Chandra's tale. She prefers to be called Laury by her friends, and isn't happy with her lot. Her companion, Alton, strives to give her life purpose.

The god of contemplation, The Maven, doesn't appear in the story, but her presence looms large – especially the influence of the Church of Serenity, which she heads. The god known as The Enigma pops up too. You'll need to read the story to understand him.

Enough stalling. I should start writing. Tomorrow.