The first round of treatment ended last week. These next two weeks will probably be worse than any of the treatments as my body reacts to the aftermath.

“Survive Today” still seems to be the best approach.

Status

All writing related work is on hold pending some kind of recovery. Ishmael’s call is getting stronger. I’m looking forward to digging into that story again.

What Am I Reading?

I’ve read a lot of so-so stuff over the last month. The most memorable of them is Rachel Neumeier’s Tuyo, which I recommended to my newsletter a couple of weeks ago. I haven’t found the confluence of character and world building excellence since M C Burnell’s Foreign Sorcerer series.

That said, I’ve quite enjoyed Michael G. Manning’s Art of the Adept series. It begins with Choice of Magic and follows the career of a young wizard through some dark and twisty passages toward his goal of mastery. It’s basically a coming of age story – with wizards, fae, and – yes – a cat.

Maybe grab a sample and see what you think.

Looking Ahead

I’ve been warned that these first couple of weeks after treatment tend to be the worst. My experience so far supports that claim. I won’t get into the nitty gritty except to note that it is both nitty and gritty. I’m not getting enough calories in a day but the positive spin on that comes from not having my body being broken down by radiation and chemo. I don’t actually need as much this week as last.

The next big milestone is new imaging in October. We’ll see if one course of treatment is sufficient. I’m hoping it will be but I’m trying not to put too much faith in it.

Have I mentioned that Ishmael is calling me? Yeah. We’ll see if I can answer him any time soon.

In the meantime, safe voyage.

NL

Ten years ago today I became a full-time author. When my day job lost its funding, I was left with being an unemployed academic or an author. At my age (59, at the time) I was a bit long in the tooth to try to begin a new academic career, so I trusted Lois. And all of you. I don’t regret a moment.

Status

The books are all on hold until my treatment is completed. I’m about 1/3rd of the way through. The side effects have been manageable up to now. We’ll deal with tomorrow when it comes.

When I get back to it, though, I’m going back to finish the next Ishmael trilogy. He’s calling me.

What Am I Reading?

Everything! I’m reading so many books. This month, I’m going to recommend a series one of you suggested to me. Drew Hayes – NPCs (Spells, Swords, Stealth Book 1). It’s a quirky take on litRPG that I found quite enjoyable. The basic set up releases a group of independent non-player characters loose in a gaming world where the connections are a little – shall we say – loose. It started a little slow for me but I when I got hooked, I blazed through the series.

I loved the characters – their flaws, their personalities. The way they worked together toward a greater good. The world building made me want to play the game, but the story made me think maybe I don’t want to play that particular game.

But, as always, don’t take my word for it. Maybe grab a sample and see what you think.

Looking Ahead

Not gonna lie. The next five weeks – through the end of July – are going to be hard. The early side effects aren’t crippling me. I’m tired a lot. Just eating is turning into a full time job. One I’d like better if I could enjoy it more.

Ah, well. My motto remains “Survive Today.” If I do it enough times, I’ll be able to get back to visit with Ishmael and the gang in a story that I really want to tell.

Until next month, safe voyage.

On pretty much everything, it seems.

I haven’t any new news. I’ve made zero progress this year so far.

I’m still reading a lot. That seems like it matters even when I haven’t been able to focus on anything else.

What I Am I Reading?

The last book was E. M. Foner’s Con Living, EarthCent Universe Book 3.

I found it pretty engaging, humorous in the right places. I first started reading Foner’s work with Date Night at Union Station. This series is set in the same universe as an independent spaceship tries to earn their way back into the good graces of the Powers-That-Be by hosting all manner of human endeavors to attract new inhabitants to the vessel.

Hijinks – as they say – ensue.

Maybe grab a sample. See what you think.

Final Words

I have to confess. I kept thinking I’d actually get something done that I could write about this month. I never did. I’ve had a couple of people ask if I’m all right. I’m not sick, not in the hospital. Nothing like that.

Just struggling.

I have not given up. I know what I have to do to work through this. Mostly I have to be honest about it and Do The Things That Help.

Which includes ‘fessing up when things aren’t happening the way we all want them do.

Maybe next month.

Safe Voyage.