So...

I wish I could say everything was moving along swimmingly, and I had more chapters to post, more packing done, and my laundry finished over the weekend the way I was supposed to.  Then, back in reality...

I am glad the computer file transfer is done, though.  It's a huge load off my mind, and now I can work on getting the second desk out of my room.  Once I do that, I can pile boxes in that space, so I'm not tripping over them. 

Still trying to find a viable solution to my reader's circle problem.  Since I will still be living out on one end of a Metro line, and now much further from the station, there was some consideration put into moving the group to a bar or coffee house or restaurant downtown.  I'm honestly thinking of scrapping the whole night, though.  It tends to degenerate into talking about everything but books; and hey, I can enjoy a good conversational decline as much as the next person; but EVERY conversation?  I'd like to make at least a token attempt to stay on one topic for more than three seconds, thanks. (Sorry to any attendees reading.)

My hell-boss has backed off, but that usually means she's lulling you into a false sense of security, so I'm trying to fly under the radar and be prepared for whatever the newest insanity entails.  Evil woman.  I hope her son stays in Europe after June; it'd serve her right.  Okay, that was mean, being away from your family is rough.  Hey, maybe she'll follow him to Europe and stay there!!!

Chapter 12 of FAA is kicking my ass in a way I hadn't expected it to.  I kinda thought it was just gonna flow from this point forward.  And, boy, was I wrong.  What I am getting is good, though, which is why I keep working at it.  I know I have a high opinion of my own writing; you have to to face rejection and still have the confidence to send to publishers/post online/ whatever.  I think FAA is good, and I'm not at all ashamed to say it.  

Oh, and I hope draconinis reading: Daughters of Sineya will not let me reply to comments for some reason, but I'm so glad you're enjoying the story.

Rounding Out the Backstory

I wanted to get the opinions of some of you other authors, and others, on this:

I've found that while writing a story with a large cast, including many original characters, I've had to come up with some way of helping myself get into their heads.  I think giving each character a fully-rounded life makes the story itself better; and somehow that's mainly asserted itself for me in creating musical tastes for each of them.  I actually have 'favorite songs' playlists for most of my OC's on my iPod.  Any other tricks you guys can think of, to help flesh out a character and make them more real?  So far, the music is working for me, although it's not helping very much with the BTVS/AtS canon characters, most of whom seemed not really into music.  Favorite books, maybe?

Also, any thoughts on characters and their pets?  Somehow, I see Xander getting a snake, while he's all alone in Africa.  Maybe one of the newly mortal vampires gets a dog, to feel more connected to life; or heck, just for company?  New Slayers trying to move their pets across borders with them?

I should have been in bed an hour ago, so I'm just gonna go now...