I picked this screenshot for my progress report because it represents a bit of a dream. I finally got to build this structure in Valheim, and I think it’s truly beautiful. In addition, it wasn’t really hard to build since I had instructions, it was just a little tedious. It also took focus and attention, and there were a couple of errors and mistakes to deal with before it ended up this way.
I can’t help but compare the process of building this portal hub to my dream of building a thriving author and publishing business – because that’s what I will need when retirement from the day job arrives in a few years. Of course, the instructions are much less clear, and instead of using simple build pieces in the game, in real life I need to rely on my good sense, on the experience and help of other authors, and most of all, support from my wonderful readers to reach my goal.
Having said all that, there is quite a bit of progress to report (with good news for you all):
Wolves Progress Report
I’m still writing Lucky’s story, in fits and spurts, but the tale is truly starting to come together. I know all the plot points I want to hit, and I even know who to introduce as the next main characters and couple for Wolves #10 (A Wolf’s Pack). It’ll be so much fun!
I also have a special treat for you!
You see, I made a Boxed Set for the first three Wolf books (A Wolf’s Quest, A Wolf’s Fear and A Wolf’s Honor), basically the original trilogy I had planned with the McMullen siblings Ben, Liz and Nessa.
And yes, if you buy the Boxed Set, you’ll save a bit of money compared to getting all three individually, even if the first one is free.
May I humbly suggest you buy it from my store?
Of course, it’s up on all the other stores, I’d never keep it from you and your favorite place to grab ebooks.
There is no bonus content (simply because I don’t have any), but let me know what you’d like to see, and maybe I can make up some short stories for you all. Okay?
Winds and Pillars Progress Report
Moon is definitely stirring in the back of my mind, and well… she is a force of nature. She’ll also run into a lot of hard walls because of that. However, she’ll find an important ally fairly soon after her daring escape, or she wouldn’t have made it through the first day in freedom.
(I also think she’s queer. We’ll see when I finally get to know her better.)
I’ll pivot to that story once Lucky (Wolves #9) is done and published, and along with you, I hope that’ll be soon.
AO3 Progress Report
Still posting chapters to the Twin Worlds every Wednesday, but we’re getting closer to the end of the story.
Since AO3 is cracking down on original works right now, over fears of copyright snags, I had to add a fandom, so don’t be surprised to see it called “isekai”. (Which is is, in a way, I mean, Sara and Judy have been transported to another world. No truck-kun, though. Apologies.)
More importantly, I will be forced to pull the story from AO3 the moment I publish the book through my publishing company. In other words… read it now while it’s still free, even if it’s not complete just yet. I’ll give you plenty of warning, in any case.
LitRPG Progress Report
LitRPG? Yes, I’ve had an entire trilogy plus two short stories on the backburner, a series called The Mengarian Conpiracy. They are not quite as deep as the Winds and Pillars, they have less romance than the Wolves – and a considerably larger cast of characters.
It’s mostly a fun romp through a classic D&D fantasy universe, with a warrior, a mage, a bard, an assassin and more. I’m planning to release parts of the series in between my other books since they won’t take a whole lot of work to finish. I also just found a rather affordable cover designer, even if that means simple symbol covers for that series.
I’ll talk more about this once I have a release planned (probably this fall, if I can’t get Moon Rises in shape fast enough).
Life Progress Report
I don’t know if I ever told you that I’m battling a condition where my body does not break down histamine as well as it should. Sadly, it seems that too much histamine not only causes any allergic reaction you can imagine, it also causes a loss of energy and focus – a bit like symptoms of depression.
Which makes sense if you consider that it is a smart idea to get lots of rest and sleep when the immune system ramps up to fight an infection. It’s less optimal, however, when there isn’t one.
The only solution is to eat a diet low in histamine or dose myself with antihistamines which causes other problems. That is a work in progress. (Imagine having to give up chocolate. *wails*)
All of this makes it hard to write at times.
It’s not an excuse, but it’s one of the reasons I’m slower than I want to be in writing new books. I’ve known about this for more three years now, so I have some experience handling it all. That doesn’t mean I don’t push the limits at times, because… chocolate!
Ember! This is not a Progress Report
Those of you who are reading my blog (and monthly newsletter!) already know about Ember, I hope. She’s my dragon familiar, and I tell cute little stories about her and her friends in my newsletter.
If you want to read those, you have to sign up below. No exceptions.
Sorry. Not sorry.
Hey, Ember is worth it, okay?
(You’ll also get writing news, you’ll never miss when a new book comes out, you’ll get to participate in sales and – this should really convince you – you’ll get special deals for my own little bookstore. Saving money is always nice, right? Use the form below.)
