Yeah. March did not go as planned. The 40 Mile March turned into … something else.
But it’s spring and hope springs eternal.
Status
The Wizard’s Cat (Book 2 of the Wizard’s Butler)
I didn’t realize that so many people didn’t make the connection between the Cat and the Butler. The book itself needs the last few quarters of the story filled out. A weasely way to say I’ve got a long way to go but I know where I think it might end up. Execution, as always, is the problem.
Everything Else
Nothing else has happened. If it’s not Cat, it’s not happening. I have not abandoned Ishmael or Tanyth or anything. I’ve got some thoughts about where all those characters might go. I’m making a concentrated effort to put my limited brain cells on the Cat.
What Am I Reading?
I finished off the existing volumes of Stephan Morse’s Continue Online series and Nobody103’s Mother of Learning (a 4 volume series at the moment). Lately, I’ve been zipping through Darynda Jones’s Betwixt and Between series. I’m up to book 4 in just a few days. They’re just so much fun, my reading has been on the upswing after the February doldrums.
The basic set up for this midlife magic tale involves a set of chosen ones – women, naturally – whose powers get passed down through the generations from legendary roots. In the first three books, our plucky heroine – aptly named Defiance Dayne – in the aftermath of a marriage gone horribly wrong, inherits a historic Salem manse with a dark past from a woman she’s never heard of.
Secrets abound. Snarky dialog sparks up the pages and kept me smiling as I read. In book 4 the sidekick becomes the main character but the secrets, and the snark, continue. I’m about halfway through and already looking for the next book.
Content warning: There are some steamy bits. Lots of lusty thoughts but a few paragraphs that might not be exactly safe for work.
But don’t take my word for it. Maybe grab a sample of book 1 and see for yourself.
Seriously, Continue Online and Mother of Learning took up all my reading time last month. Some mitigating circumstances? I read only half as much (according to the Kindle app on my phone) for the first three weeks of the month. I blame Enshrouded.
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 newsletter’s public page.
Looking Forward
A few people have suggested that I put the Cat aside and write something less fraught. I have to admit I’ve considered it more than once but I just can’t gin up any excitement knowing that this story needs to get finished. While some of that impetus comes from knowing so many of you are waiting for it (and have been, literally, for years at this point), most of it comes from me. I need to see this story through for my own sake.
I’m having to relearn so much after The Troubles in 2022. How to eat. How to sleep. How to deal with, well, everything since I didn’t actually die but thought for a good portion of the year I might.
As I told somebody when I was working on editing the Marva Collins series, which I roughed out before I got sick, the story hadn’t changed, but I had.
I’m still – even after all this time – still working through those changes. I’m honestly convinced it will be worth the effort.
And the wait.
Until next month, safe voyage.
N
Sometimes you just have to live your life, or survive it and writing takes a necessary back seat. And, as you say, when you come out of it or through it, you are a different person. In fact, you are probably searching for yourself right now, wondering how one lost sock turned into an entire person being dressed as someone else. Or maybe that’s just the way I feel after the events I’ve been through in the last four years. It’s okay to take time to find yourself, your balance and your stories. Write what you feel like writing. It’s the only thing you can do.
Dear Nathan,
I’m much more a reader than a writer, so I’ll just confirm what Maria Schneider writes above :
“It’s okay to take time to find yourself, your balance and your stories. Write what you feel like writing. It’s the only thing you can do.”
In the meantime, I (and probably most of your readers) will wait patiently.
Wishing a safe voyage to you, too, Nathan! Happy writing, reading, and walking.
Having been there, it can be hard accepting that there is a new normal and one’s previous life is permanently gone. Those marathons I had planned, mountains needing to be climbed? Just not going to happen. Sometimes “processing” may take you in circles, and will waste time and energy that you might just want for something else. . Rather – just remember that your obligations are to your family and yourself. As much as I would love to read the Butler’s Cat – you don’t owe it too me. Your life has moved on; no matter that obviously it wasn’t your choice and you may too. Enjoy what is possible now and don’t listen to us whiners…
Nathan, what she said, prayers
Mr. Lowell,
Take whatever time you need. It is your life. All of us will wait.
That said, I loved the Wizards Butler. If that is all there is. That is enough. If the Cat comes out, I’m sure all of us will like that to.
All the very best for all your fans
John Cockerill
I am sufficiently captivated by your words to read them more than once, as I (im)patiently await the arrival of Salt II and the wizards Cat. Having said that, take all the time you need, but not a moment more! Old hearts can only spend so much time in anticipation.
I’m so glad to have found this site. I just finished The Wizard’s Butler, and wanted to know more about you and your writing. Thank you for sharing about yourself and your process over the last few years-I have a personal familiarity with sudden and extended illness, and contemplating my possible demise due to medical diagnoses. I’m facing a year of surgeries and have been immersing myself in as much new reading as I can, and it was such a delight to find your books on Audible. Your writing is beautiful and comforting, and I’m looking forward to reading/listening to more of your books, including The Wizard’s Cat when it arrives. 🙂
Hi Nathan,
I only just discovered your Wizard Butler book from a recent Audible sale and absolutely loved it.
Life is hectic right now, and has felt so for what I am realizing is probably at least the past 3 years. It often feels like I am pulled in more directions than I can handle. Not exactly uncommon but I have found it has made it so stories that keep upping the stakes for their characters gives me stress instead of an exciting thrill.
Your story was relaxing and interesting in all the ways that I did not know I was looking for. Despite the main character discovering magic in the world, it felt grounding in a way I really appreciated. Enough mystery and conflict to keep me eagerly listing, without feeling like the story was going to spiral into some interdimensional, time hopping fight to save all of reality with the perfectly executed Jeeves bow.
I am quite excited to hear that you are working on another book in the series, but also want to echo those here encouraging you to take your time or to work on other efforts, if that is what your life needs right now. While we have never, and may never meet, I hope you know we are rooting for you and for more than just your writing efforts.
All the best,
Caleb
❤️
I’m currently reading The Wizard’s Butler for the 7th or 8th time, so I’m firmly in the “do not give up on The Cat” camp!
Try without expectation of milestone, just knowing that an appreciative community supports you to be balanced and healthy. Especially now when the world is so weird, gentleness with self and others is a very good thing.
As one of your audience, we will be voracious no matter what. And we will devour Cat whenever it comes out. And then we will salivate for the next. It’s an unending cycle. But we are not without self awareness and compassion.