Update on The Memory, and a sneak peek of Anssi the matzpun

Recently, I've been working very hard on my revision of my novel, entitled The Memory. 

I originally wrote The Memory in 2008, when I was 19. The first draft was just over 50,000 words, which, by today's standards, doesn't even make it a novel (most publishers consider novels to be at least 60,000 words). In February of this year, I decided it was time to polish The Memory for publication. It only needed some minor tweaking, nothing major, just a little touch-up here and there...

I really should have known better. Since when has my perfectionist nature not hijacked my plans?

And thus began the major overhaul of my story.

Not final cover art

Revision Progress: 
78805 words out of estimated 82,000 words

I added a character whom I hoped would bring out some aspects of the main character that otherwise might not be so clear. I also reached deeper into each of the characters, fleshing out backstories at which that the first draft had only hinted. And, for my own amusement, I paid especial attention to the character of Anssi.

Anssi is a matzpun. Once considered extinct in Trey's world, these creatures are part cat, part lemur, and part mischief, and were, at one time, the devoted companions of humans. Trey, much to his surprise, comes into ownership of just such a creature, whom he names Anssi. 

Anssi has a secret ability that turns Trey's predictable world upside-down and causes him to question many things that he once thought true. Is Anssi a cute pet--or something far more dangerous?

For your enjoyment, here's a sneak peek of Anssi in action:

From Chapter 5 of  The Memory

The next morning, Trey awoke early to the sound of munching. It took him some time to realize that it did not come from the nearby open window, and therefore could not be the usual squirrel at his birdfeeder. He sat up quickly.

The potted e’meth tree in the corner of his room rustled and then he caught a glitter like twin emerald spheres, peering from the dense foliage. A tawny paw was just visible, grasping a branch.

Trey stared. The eyes blinked, and the munching accelerated. Then Trey gasped, “How in the world did you get in here?”

The eyes flickered toward the window in an oddly human gesture, and Trey kicked off his blankets and rose to examine the window.

“How did you retract the screen?” he muttered. “Only someone with administrative access can do that. From the inside.”

Munch, munch, munch. Swallow.

Trey folded his arms and grinned. Then he reached out his hand toward the matzpun’s face, careful to contact the tree only where the black gloves protected his skin. [Author's note: As explained earlier in the story, the e'meth leaves secrete a chemical that burns the skin.] The creature poked its pointed nose out from behind a patch of leaves.

Sniff, sniff. The face retreated. Munch, munch.

“You’re not very shy, are you?” Trey asked, his hand still extended in friendship. In reply, the matzpun’s paw emerged and batted him rapidly, claws sheathed.

Trey laughed aloud.

“Is that an invitation to play?”

The matzpun replied with a short, bird-like chirp.

“I’ll take that as a yes.”

The next moment, the matzpun exploded from the tree and landed with all four limbs wrapped around Trey’s head. Trey flung himself backward reflexively and the matzpun leaped onto his bed. When Trey whirled to face him, the matzpun again launched himself at the young man. This time, Trey held his ground, and the matzpun scrambled around his shoulders, chirping rapidly and half-strangling Trey with his tail.

“Ouch! No claws!” Trey reprimanded. “Do you ever stop moving?”

The matzpun patted Trey’s hair, sniffed it, and fluffed his tail under Trey’s nose.

“You’re antsy, that’s what you are. Plain antsy.”

Trey considered. “Actually, that’s not bad, is it? I’ll call you Antsy.”

The matzpun emitted a short yip-like sound and clawed inquisitively at his shoulder.

“What happens if they come looking for you?”

Antsy gurgled, and it sounded like a laugh. Trey laughed in reply. “You know what? I think you’re right. You’re too smart, aren’t you? It won’t matter what they want.”

After breakfast, Trey received a call from the vet. Had the matzpun somehow escaped to Trey’s apartment? The wildlife officer was anxious to relocate the creature.

“Of course,” Trey replied. “He’s here with me. Collect him whenever you want.”

The wildlife officer gave Trey a suspicious glare when he came to retrieve the matzpun. Antsy retreated into the e’meth tree. The officer unfortunately wore short sleeves and burned his arms on the e’meth tree before he realized its potency. By the time he contained Antsy in a crate, he was more ruffled than either Trey or the matzpun.

When Surya and Trey met later in the public park, Trey relayed the story to her. Surya was sympathetic.

“I’m sorry about the matzpun, Trey. I would have liked it if you could keep him.”

Trey shrugged. “I’m not worried. When the matzpun left, he very clearly winked at me.”

“Winked!” Surya laughed. “Impossible!”

“It took me by surprise too. Just you wait. He’s coming back. He knows where to find me.”

“How did he find you in the first place? The smell of the tree?”

“I think he likes me.”

Surya laughed. “Oh, of course! Silly me, to think a tree could compete with the awesomeness of Trey Victor.”

“I am awesome, aren’t I?” Trey smirked. Surya only laughed, and Trey laughed too.

Surya cast Trey a mischievous glance. “All right, assuming he does return, what will you call him?”

“Antsy.”

Surya cocked her head. “Spelling?”

“A-N-T-S-Y. Like anyone would spell it.”

“No,” said Surya decisively. “It won’t do.”

“What’s wrong with Antsy?”

“It’s boring.”

“Boring!”

“But if you vary the spelling, you can save it. Try A-N-S-S-I. The I makes all the difference.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. It’s exactly the same!”

Surya tossed her dark hair into the wind, where it fluttered like an outstretched black wing. “Trust me. Antsy sounds tame. Anssi sounds adventurous.”

“You make no sense sometimes,” Trey remarked. “But since you insist—Anssi with an I it is.”