Forthright .'s Blog, page 207

Some good questions have been cropping up across the threads. Rather than simply pass notes and whisper behind hands, let’s share my answers with the Whole Class. ::wink::

Will your books have 100-word chapters?

No! Tsumiko and the Enslaved Fox (and the rest of the books in the Amaranthine Saga) will have nice, long, “proper” chapters. This is a novel of some substance, with more than 450 pages in the print edition. Or … to put things into more familiar fandom terms, Tsumiko’s story hit 96,000~ words.

Will Hisoka-sensei be a cat demon?

Not exactly. The good sensei is not a demon/youkai because I’ve introduced the Amaranthine people. As stated in the story summary: “They are our myths and legends come to life. Neither human nor animal, yet embracing qualities of both, the inhuman races inspire both awe and fear.” Even so, you’ll know your beloved sensei at a glance. Hisoka Twineshaft is a member of the cat clans, and he retains his pewter pelt and orange eyes. In fact, after many centuries teaching at the reaver academy, he’s affectionately referred to as Sensei by many of his former students.

Twenty More Days!

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Disclaimer: I do hereby disclaim all rights and responsibilities for the characters in this topsy turvy tale… especially for the one who started it. A nod of recognition is bent towards Rumiko Takahashi for her creative prowess.

Chapter 95: A Man’s Word

It happened again. Strokes and kisses left Kagomaru breathless, but then Sesshoume left their bed, shot him an unreadable look, and left.

She started it. She wanted it. But he’d promised not to impose. If she withheld herself from anything more intimate, he had to respect that. I gave my word.

Maybe he shouldn’t have given his heart as well.

Flopping onto rumpled blankets, Kagomaru pressed fists to stinging eyes and bit his lip to hold in a sob.

A soft rap, and the open panel slid wider, revealing Sesshoume’s father.

The demon sniffed, swore, and sighed. “A word, son-in-law.”

Original Posting Date: January 23, 2018

Prompt: Withheld, suggested by Sylv

Words: 100

Summary: She was the most sought-after demoness at court, but no suitor could conquer her. He was only trying to feed his family when his stray arrow felled a mythical beast. A kind-hearted man. A fierce lady. A romance told in bits and pieces. Genderbent SK. Begins here. To scroll through archived chapters, use the Clumsy tag.

<< LAST CHAPTER | NEXT CHAPTER >>

Disclaimer: I do hereby disclaim all rights and responsibilities for the characters in this topsy turvy tale… especially for the one who gets a taste. A nod of recognition is bent towards Rumiko Takahashi for her creative prowess.

Chapter 94: Cut Short

Kagomaru knew the shape of his wife’s face, the exact shade of her stripes, the way her voice mellowed when she spoke with Rin, the subtle changes that made her eyes so expressive. He treasured every detail, but he’d wanted more.

Having it left him breathless and greedy. Did she understand how much this mattered? That he welcomed her sudden fervor for the same reason he’d waited? She needed to know.

“I love you.”

Sesshoume stared down at him.

He didn’t dare move.

“Hnn.” She kissed him again—softer, slower—rose gracefully, opened the door, and vanished into the morning.

Original Posting Date: January 20, 2018

Prompt: Fervor, suggested by Bubbleloveworld

Words: 100

Summary: She was the most sought-after demoness at court, but no suitor could conquer her. He was only trying to feed his family when his stray arrow felled a mythical beast. A kind-hearted man. A fierce lady. A romance told in bits and pieces. Genderbent SK. Begins here. To scroll through archived chapters, use the Clumsy tag.

<< LAST CHAPTER | NEXT CHAPTER >>

Disclaimer: I do hereby disclaim all rights and responsibilities for the characters in this topsy turvy tale… especially for the assertive one. A nod of recognition is bent towards Rumiko Takahashi for her creative prowess.

Chapter 93: Too Good to Be True

Kagomaru’s heart thundered. He was—mostly—accustomed to the little licks and nuzzles Sesshoume delivered in her sleep. This wasn’t that. “Erm… are you awake?”

She pushed him down and trapped him under the weight of her body, growling softly.

Before he could frame an apology, she nibbled along his jaw and nipped his lower lip.

Her eyes are open. Lost for words, Kagomaru wavered between relief and panic. I will mess this up. Someone will interrupt. Or… I’m the one who’s not awake?

Then her mouth sought his, and every thought was replaced by the dizzying weightlessness of elation.

Original Posting Date: January 16, 2018

Prompt: Weightlessness, suggested by escargotpudding

Words: 100

Summary: She was the most sought-after demoness at court, but no suitor could conquer her. He was only trying to feed his family when his stray arrow felled a mythical beast. A kind-hearted man. A fierce lady. A romance told in bits and pieces. Genderbent SK. Begins here. To scroll through archived chapters, use the Clumsy tag.

<< LAST CHAPTER | NEXT CHAPTER >>

Who’s Curious? As people are finding out about the upcoming original series, there have been questions. I can (and do) answer them, but those answers are scattered across assorted PMs, review replies, and several comment threads here on my blog. So we’ll do a few FAQ posts leading up to release day (February 22). I’ll also collect some of these questions and answers in the comments over on this site’s Amaranthine Saga tab.

Is it true that the books are linked to your fanfiction?

Yes. For readers familiar with my stories, the ties will be obvious. I’ve borrowed from several of my favorites, taking pieces of their plots or settings and adapting them to fit into the Amaranthine universe. But I don’t simply retell those stories. They’ve become something new.

Which fanfics will you use?

I’m keeping that a secret because it’ll make upcoming reveals more fun.

Will Sesshoumaru and Kagome be there?

In adapting my fics, one of the biggest revisions I had to make was to the main characters. No one wants to read seven versions of SxK … oh, wait. That’s exactly why we read fanfiction! However, in building the Amaranthine universe, I needed a new cast. Some of you will probably still try to back-hack my writing. “I found Miroku!” or “She might as well have named him Inuyasha.” But if I do my job right, the stories will take on a life of their own.

Why did you label Book 1 “the first miko”?

Are all of the main characters in your series shrine priestesses? No. While this certainly hints at the legacy of Japanese culture that helped inspire my fandom storylines, miko refers to the main characters’ first names. Book One is about Tsumiko. In Book Two, I’ll introduce Kimiko. Book Three’s story belongs to a lady named Tamiko… and so on.

More questions? Ask away!

Disclaimer: I do hereby disclaim all rights and responsibilities for the characters in this topsy turvy tale… especially for the one who is too comfortable. A nod of recognition is bent towards Rumiko Takahashi for her creative prowess.

Chapter 92: Presumption and Perversity

Sesshoume woke in a tangle with Kagomaru, who seemed only too happy to mold his body to hers. Which might have been forgivable if he’d been asleep. But his fingers traced territorial circles against her lower back, encouraging her to arch against him.

Her growl held little ire.

“Good morning,” he murmured. Sleepy. Soft.

Dredging up annoyance was growing more difficult. Sesshoume yawned and nipped her husband’s ear. “Presumption.”

Kagomaru chuckled. Calm. Controlled.

And some perverse part of her—intuition, instinct—wished to take him by surprise. To wrest control by asserting herself in the most basic game of all.

Original Posting Date: January 5, 2018

Prompt: Territorial, suggested by Aijoinu

Words: 100

Summary: She was the most sought-after demoness at court, but no suitor could conquer her. He was only trying to feed his family when his stray arrow felled a mythical beast. A kind-hearted man. A fierce lady. A romance told in bits and pieces. Genderbent SK. Begins here. To scroll through archived chapters, use the Clumsy tag.

<< LAST CHAPTER | NEXT CHAPTER >>

So!

…

I haven’t been this nervous since the first time I clicked “Publish” on fanfiction.net. Seriously. I know this story is a good’un. I’m positively giddy to get it into your hands. It’s a very ME kind of adventure in all the best ways. But at the same time, I’m having all those silly qualms that come with starting something new.

(In the immortal words of Kagomaru) Erm…

…

So!

Let’s you and me just pretend I’m all Brave and Brazen (and completely professional) so we can get down to business. Because I’ve created a world for you. It’s shiny and new, and it’s specially suited to my fandom friends. If you like my fics, you’ll probably enjoy this new series. In fact, if you’re passingly familiar with (or obsessively voracious about) my fanfiction … you are going to have So Much Fun guessing and second-guessing where forthy is headed next.

::cues drumroll::

Introducing… the Amaranthine Saga, which is due (or doomed) to have seven volumes. Book 1 is just about ready for readers and will release this coming February. Some of you may have noticed that during NaNoWriMo 2017, I roughed in Books 3 and 4, so I have a decent head start (and a crazy writing schedule ahead of me).

Book #1: Tsumiko and the Enslaved Fox is about a young woman who inherits a vast fortune, a secluded estate, and a butler who isn’t exactly human. Sound familiar? You know where I’m going with this, right?

Or dooo you? ::twinkle::

Let’s unveil the official summary:

Humanity is rocked by the Emergence of a people who call themselves the Amaranthine. They are our myths and legends come to life. Neither human nor animal, yet embracing qualities of both, the inhuman races inspire both awe and fear. Every newsfeed is clogged with updates about the peace process, but some places don’t concern themselves with worldly affairs. Like the girls’ school run by St. Midori’s of the Heavenly Lights, where Tsumiko Hajime grew up.

A letter from a long-lost aunt names Tsumiko heiress to an ancestral estate and its accompanying fortune. Only the legacy comes with an aloof heirloom: an inhuman butler. Argent has served the Hajime family for centuries, and Tsumiko must renew the generational bond or he’ll die. Argent hates her for the hold she has over him, but he craves her soul almost as much as he craves his freedom.

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Tsumiko and the Enslaved Fox

(Amaranthine Saga, #1)

by FORTHRIGHT

Release Date: February 22, 2018

Okay, okay … I know what some of you are thinking. “The outrage! She’s just repackaging a fanfic. Like that’ll ever make it.” Well, I sorta did, but I mostly didn’t. I only borrowed the story elements I liked best. Then gave them a twist. Which is to say … Tsumiko’s adventure may have impeccable underpinnings, but it’s become something else. If anything, it’s an AU of my AU (the kind where you privately think the fanfic was really actually better than the original).

Yep. I’ll be tossing teasers and excerpts your way, and links once the book shows up on Goodreads, etc. And I’ll be looking for reviewers, book bloggers, squee-buddies, and the like to help get the word our. But more about that later.

So… questions?