I’m having a lot of fun trying to work Romeo & Juliet into a short story for the competition. 1st, it’s just bloody great, and I’m trying to use some of the language and poeticism where I can. 2nd it’s a joy to draw inspiration from a pre-existing text, because writing flows more freely and elements of the story seem so universally understood and identifiable with, that I think they actually could work – set amongst the characters living on the world in The Aegis Saga, Eris!

I’m setting up the Montagues and Capulets as the humans and the Arantians (a race of beings with the ability to  direct and control the pervasive magic on Eris). I’m hoping to write Chapter 2 of the short story today – because that deadline of the end of the month is getting closer by the day ; )

I’m biting my nails a bit over whether I’m going to get ‘Venom beneath the skin’ finished in time!