Illia grabbed her own helmet and supply box and fell into step beside the others as they headed out. Less than a dozen men followed behind them, their makeshift armor and weapons as sophisticated as their living conditions. Most of their gear was stolen or salvaged from enemy, but fallen soldiers on the enemy side were scarce. The remainder was manufactured from too-oft recycled parts in Illia's science lab.

They walked hurriedly, falling into single file to get through the narrow northern titles. The walls closed in around them even as the ceiling rose above them into darkness their torches couldn't pierce. Batteries were too valuable to waste on lighting so they carried primitive torches made of natural materials. The light they produced barely lit their path, warning them when to duck or sidestep the occasional protruding rock, never throwing enough light to show much farther then the next footstep.

Loose rocks slid out from under pounding feet as they threaded their ways through the twisting tunnels as quickly as possible. Colly followed the occasional beeping on his track device, shaking it when it refused to respond.

“It responds better to a gentle but firm tap,” Illia said. Colly glared at her, and shook it harder. Nothing more was said until they came in sight of the cavern.

And -- um, Uncle Tom's Cabin is no doubt interesting, but it is fiction. Not recommended for research at all.

Okay. So despite the fact that I didn't do much writing last week, I managed to get 5k in on Peter's Angel in the form of 3 scenes that only needed minor edits. Starting tomorrow I'm raising my goal to 10k a week and making Peter's Angel my main project. If I stick to that goal, I shall have a minimum of 100k on Peter's Angel by New Year's. I expect the book to be somewhere between 100k-120k, so that will get me very close if not done.

*very much likes this goal*

*expects Jonathan to keep her accountable on this goal*

*sniffles and hugs Mae* I'm sad to see you have to put your novel aside, but I respect you for wanting to do more research. Will you pick up another novel instead?

*sniffles with Phili* I understand why you're doing that, Zlynny. Have you read "Uncle Tom's Cabin"? Not exactly a research book, but it's set during that period.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again -- I'm proud of you Azlyn.

My Goal:

To edit a chapter whole chapter every week in my recently finished novel so I can be done by July.

“It responds better to a gentle but firm tap,” Illia said. Colly glared at her, and shook it harder. Nothing more was said until they came in sight of the cavern.

Well, as long as thou art doing something writing-related, Philli will be happy.

I'm going to dive into Firmament tomorrow. I want another finished draft by the end of the year.

Leah's going to help me change the ending.

And the ending?

And the ending needs to be better. Much better. I need the stakes to be much, much higher.

*Likes to keep Philie happy*

Only if your health depends on regular cupcake consumption.

Thanks, all you kind people, for your kind responses just to the fact that I am working on Firmament. I've already started work, and did some brainstorming with a friend last night about security systems.

Well, at least you know what you have to do to maintain good health, Mark.

I plan on sending out my query letters by the new year.

I cleared 70k today on Peter's Angel! That's my weekly minimum, but I want to work past that. At least 75k. Maybe 80k. 80k would be epic. We shall see what God shall do.

I plan on sending out my query letters by the new year.

Only because you told me, Mark.

Only if your health depends on regular cupcake consumption.

I plan on sending out my query letters by the new year.

Hooray! Cupcakes!

I finished this week with 81,314 words on Peter's Angel.