Seems like we just did this a few days ago but I went back and read last year’s post.

Yeah. About that Cat…

Status

The Wizard’s Cat
I’ve been saying it for a while. You’d think I’d be further ahead. I know I was thinking I’d have this out by now instead of still trying to corral the beast. That’s the bad news. Good news: The story is finally, finally coming along. Some brainstorming sessions. A figurative trip to the “time out corner” where I could meditate on the error of my ways. The time has come to follow Ray Bradbury’s advice: Don’t Think. I think it’s working.

Everything Else
Ishmael is still on my mind as is Tanyth. I’m stocking up ideas for when I go back into the Deep Dark or visit Korlay again. EJ is still working on her half of the Salt sequel. All of that is tucked in a box and stashed in the closet until I get the Cat off to the editor.

What Am I Reading?

Honestly, I’m still reading my way through Pirate Aba’s The Wandering Inn series. I’m almost done but I took a break from it last week to find another space opera I can recommend.

And it’s a doozy.

Anthony J. Melchiorri has captured the essence of found spaceship, human thrust into a universe of aliens for which he’s hardly prepared, a talking plant, and his faithful sidekick – Jacques. It’s a modern take on an old favorite story. Melchiorri manages to make all those things work smoothly together as the main character, Fin, bumbles his way through fatal encounters with deadly aliens with a shiny veneer of politics and bureaucracy.

With five volumes out already, I know where I’m going when I get done with The Wandering Inn.

But don’t take my word for it. Why don’t you grab a sample and see what you think?

About the Newsletter
I’m still publishing it on the 15th of the month. They’re not all getting delivered but you don’t
need to subscribe to get a mid-month update from me. You can find them archived on my ConvertKit public page.

Looking Ahead

Another month of car issues which have now been mostly resolved. I’m waiting for some final paperwork on the second vehicle in three months. I have to say, I’m getting really tired of dealing with cars. On the upside, I should be good for a while. At least until I have to visit the dealership again for maintenance.

The best thing I’ve found in the last month has been writing again. As in, keeping the word processing document open on my desktop all the time. As in, visiting Roger every day and seeing what’s happening in Shackleford House. I’ve let the story develop on its own, not trying to shape it into some preconceived idea of what the cat should be doing. I’ve tossed out all the contrived ideas. I’m just writing. For the first time in months, perhaps years at this point, I’d rather write than play because writing has become play again. Can I get this thing finally drafted by the end of the month?

I don’t know. It’s certainly possible, but even if I only manage a few hours a day on it, that’s more than I’ve been capable off since The Year Of Cancer kneecapped me.

Believe me when I say, nobody wants to see this book out in the world more than I do right now. Maybe not for the same reasons all of you want to see it but our goals align. Not that they didn’t before, but I’m feeling the rush of a good writing session again and the satisfaction of concrete progress that doesn’t feel like re-hashed cardboard.

Finally.

Until next month, safe voyage.

– N

I’ve always liked October and November. The cooler weather. The changing leaves. Pumpkin pies. Fresh apples and cider. It usually invigorates me. I can feel it ramping up as September rolls by.

Status

Shackleford House
Not as much progress as I’d hoped, but not as little as I feared. I’m slowly (very slowly) getting the rhythm back. Fingers crossed.

Everything Else
No changes here. Tanyth is still in limbo. Ishmael and company are off doing whatever they do when they’re not on the page. Tanan and Suketai are – presumably – riding off into the steppes and might make an appearance early next year. EJ has been making some inroads on it but I haven’t seen it yet.

What Am I Reading?

I spent most of the month catching up with old friends in various series. Sarah Painter’s, Unholy Island series, a follow on series to Crow Investigations, took up a solid chunk of the month. I had two Bob and Nikki’s to catch up on. Honour Rae’s next All the Skills book.

In all that I picked up Shannon Eichorn’s debut novel, Rights of Use. An interesting story of alien abduction, political intrigue, and galactic conquest in a wrapper made of consent – or lack thereof.

I’ve known Shannon for a while. We’ve crossed paths online and at various conventions over the last few years. I’ve looked forward to seeing her fiction get out into the world. This book didn’t let me down. A fast moving story with a lot of parts, some great characters, and the intriguing setting kept me turning pages. I’m looking forward to book 2.

But, as always, don’t take my word for it. Grab a sample of Rights of Use and see for yourself.

About the Newsletter
I’m still publishing them on the 15th of the month. They’re not all getting delivered but you don’t
need to subscribe to get a mid-month update from me. You can find them archived on my ConvertKit public page.

Looking Ahead

Car issues dominated my focus in September. One car needed to be replaced. The other has a broken window and only eBay has window glass for 30 year old Plymouth vans. I’ll find out tomorrow if the replacement part works.

In spite of that, I’ve written more Shackleford House this month than last. It’s coming along. It feels good but getting back into the groove is still a work in progress. I’m feeling good about this story and think it’ll be a worthy successor to Butler.

The Cat is a hoot to write. I should write more of him.

But until next month, safe voyage.

-N

No, not from snow. This year has been pretty light in terms of the white stuff. At least so far. We’re enjoying a nice January thaw, but who knows what the next month will bring.

Digging out from under COVID and the subsequent fogging and fatigue. Trying to re-establish some kind of schedule and get into writing again. More on that down the page.

Status

Marva Collins Series
School Days and Working Class are both available on Audible now. Rumor has it that Hard Knocks will be up for pre-order soon.

Shackleford House
Still stalled along with everything else, it seems.

What Am I Reading

I’ve been working through a bunch of new names for the last few weeks in addition to the usual suspects. This month’s recommendation comes from one of you.

James Haddock’s Derelict Duty is old fashioned space opera with a battered hero, a collection of fun sidekicks, twists, turns, betrayals, and unexpected allies. The world building is first rate and I’m a sucker for somebody building up instead of tearing down. In fairness, there’s a fair amount of blowing up, too, so don’t mess with Nac’s family. Ever.

It’s listed as a trilogy but only the first two books are up. I’m really looking forward to the third.

But – as always – never take my word for it. Grab a sample and see what you think.

Looking Ahead

The surfing hasn’t been going very well, yet, but I think I’m beginning to get a handle on it. Slowly. Translating a concept into relevant actions has proven to be difficult.

On the plus side, I’ve started walking and talking again. Trying to get back to walking every day. That morning walk is the foundation for everything else I do so getting that back in rotation after several months of little-to-nothing is big. We’ll see if I can keep it going.

My plans for February involve reading a lot, walking a lot, and dusting off the writing tools to see if I still know how they work. I still have stories to tell. I just need to get the fog cleared away enough to see what they are.

Fingers crossed!

Until next month, safe voyage.