@BlueEyePhantom
I'm still here! Very wrapped up in the US election right now with little emotional capacity to spare for writing. Hopefully after November 5th, I'll be able to weep inconsolably for madam president and then be back to scheduled programming.
well I took forever and nobody asked for it, but I created my first tumblr gif thing. The minute I heard "Who's Afraid of Little Old Me?" by Taylor Swift, I immediately thought of Ankhesenamun. So I created this gif set of lyrics set to moments of "Tut" that I thought were absolutely perfect.
https://www.tumblr.com/blueeyephantom/759165684647346176/ankhesenamun-whos-afraid-of-little-old-me?source=share
chapter 30 is finally posted!
I've given up on limiting my chapter lengths. Screw it, please read the 7k worth of scenes that I won't cut out because I like them all!
Finally! Chapter 29 is here!
The Tortured Poet's Department, Ankhesenamun has decided that "But Daddy I Love Him" and "I Can Do It With A Broken Heart" are her favorite songs and she will be forcing the writer to listen to them on repeat while she tries to update.
@LetyVGarcia absolutely! each character has a playlist that helps me get in their head! Ankhesenamun especially.
@BlueEyePhantom Isn't it weird how music inspires us to write? Well, for sure, it does stir me, and there has to be a particular song for each character, lol. I need music to write.
woot! happy to finally have chapter 28 published! I only had to rework it a million times!
Me: makes one offhanded sentence in story that doesn't really pertain to plot.
Me: but are we sure there were cliffs there in real life? It is IMPERATIVE that there were actually cliffs there in real life otherwise this whole story FALLS APART.
Me: not writing, studying the topography of the eastern bank of the Nile in Egypt.
...historical authenticity, everyone. It's what I aim for ;)
Chapter 27 is up! Woot! I'm excited for you guys to meet a very important character :)
Wow, it's been such a road with Ankhesenamun. When I first started my egyptological studies back in college, I remember being so intrigued by her. Then, I saw "Tut", and Sibylla Deen's cracked, gorgeous, poised portrayal of her just stuck with me.
This shadowy queen, one overshadowed by her famous husband and the larger than life women who came before her, had a life, had love, had longings that are lost to us now, but no less real.
I'm excited to say that "The Belonging Season" is being renamed "Lady of the Two Lands" as this story's next step toward completion.
"The Belonging Season" was always a working title that resonated with what I believe the story is about, fundamentally. The people of Ancient Egypt lived by their Seasons, and finding a place where each character can find a sense of belonging is what moves all my characters, Ankhesenamun, Suhad, Ka, and Tutankhamun.
Thank you all for the love and support!
Long story short, don't be confused lol
@LetyVGarcia thank you so much! I was really happy about how it turned out. Still very Egyptian without being really obvious, and we get our beautiful Ankhesenamun looking mysterious in her pretty green cloak! Glad to hear from you! I miss talking about Egypt and discussing theories with you :)
@BlueEyePhantom Wow, that is a beautiful cover! Love it! It looks like a scene out of your story... hiding in that small city far from the palace and discovering something horrible! Suspenseful and intriguing!
@Azukiel exactly. I can't imagine the desperation and isolation that she must have felt to break with such an Egyptian tradition of "never admit any weakness" and beg that way. Her last line "I am frightened" makes me tear up every time. Oh yes! I feel like you're still at the beginning! A lot has happened and there's nothing like having people who appreciate the history and nuance read your work. As I'm sure you know as well! I look forward to hearing your thoughts and feedback as I give mine on TPL :) :)