That time of the year when I stick my head up to update you on what’s happening.

The good news is that I’ve finally broken the logjam on To Fire Called. I figured out what I’d done wrong.

The bad news is that I may have made another bad turn and I can’t seem to find the path to the end of the story.

Fingers crossed that this doesn’t last much longer.

On the subject of audio: I’m getting a lot of pressure to put Natalya’s stories into Audible. They’ll get there, just not right away. I don’t have the time I need to give them the attention they need. I can’t even seem to find the focus needed to finish the galley proof for the paperback of South Coast that’s sitting on my desk.

All told, this hasn’t been an auspicious start to the year, but I’m working at it.

Here’s hoping I see my shadow tomorrow and can burrow back into the words.

On this day in history, I took up the challenge to write science fiction. Little did I know what I’d started.

It’s true that I wrote four books that year – and podcast them all at podiobooks.com before the year was out. I haven’t managed to replicate that feat, and I probably never will. Starting out, it’s easy to find something to do better on the next book. After twelve titles, just defining what better might be becomes a challenge – as is finding new stories to tell.

I’m working on being the best storyteller I can be. I don’t expect to be a master of this craft I’ve come to late in life, but I aspire to becoming “better” at it. One book at a time.

Thanks for all the support over the years.

Safe voyage.

I’ll remember 2016, not exactly fondly but not exactly with warm regards. Mostly I’ll remember the great fans and getting Milk Run out the door finally. I’ll remember it because it’s the year I started my bullet journal and I’m looking forward to increased productivity in 2017.

On the plate:

1. Finishing To Fire Called. I’m 65k words into it and I think I shoulda taken that left turn at Albuquerque. I’ll find it right path and finish it as soon as I can.
2. Suicide Run is waiting in the wings and we’ll see how Natalya Regyri fares against the universe.
3. By Darkness Forged falls after that. I have an idea where this is all going, but getting there – well – that’s the journey, isn’t it?
4. Home Run should round out a year of four releases. Yeah, I know I’ve tried to do this before and failed. Maybe 2017 will be the year I repeat 2007 with four releases in a single year.

Other stuff:

1. I’m working with a different production company to produce Tanyth’s stories. I’ve seen the contract and it’s not horrible but I’m dragging my feet for the moment.
2. Travel: I’ll be at COSine in Colorado Springs in January. I’m planning on BaltiCon in May and MileHighCon again in October.

That’s about it from here other than to thank you all for hanging in through what has been a very hard year for all of us. I’m doing my best and looking forward to doing even better in the coming months.

Here’s hoping each of you have a safe – and profitable – voyage.

Cheers!