PROGRESS

Over at Battblush, Luscious Lyn has posted on her progress with her new project, a YA novel.

I've also started work on my new project, my second novel, The Corpse-Rat King.

We've decided to work at a slow, steady pace, setting a low word count of 250 per day, rather than bash away at it and get demoralised if we miss a day or two along the way. It's much easier to recover 250 words than it is to recover 1000, and it feels like more of a victory if we surpass the lower total. Besides which, with the The Memory of Breathing script still on my plate, and my usual short story work, it's about all I can squeeze in :)

So, as a way of keeping track in public, my first word meter of the project: 660 words added last night to the 3688 I'd already achieved.

4,348 / 90,000 (4.0%)

POSTED

The synopsis and 3 chapter package of Napoleone's Land to the new Agent-Of-Choice. Now to wait. And wait. And wait. And......

ADVANCE TO THE REAR

I've been thinking about the possibility of organising a writer's retreat some time in the new year: a long weekend away, with nothing to do but write, meet for meals, take long walks in the surrounding area to recharge, etc etc and so forth. I'd also like to bring in a couple of experts to deliver talks, maybe something along the lines of the psychology of success, and something in regards to marketing.

Three days away from the world, being writers in close contact with each other. What do people think?

JUST BECAUSE THEY MAKE ME PROUD

There's been some stupidity going on in LJ-world regards where people should and shouldn't be allowed to bring their children. I'm not going to link to it. You've got better things to do with your day, believe me.

But it has reinforced in me the belief that I have children in whom it is easy to be proud. In particular, Aiden and Blake have recently entered the SF Con circuit, with Aiden being on a panel at the KSP SF Day, and both boys attending Fandomedia and the Fantasic Planet Horror Day readings. And those who have met them, interacted with them, and participated in activities with them have had nothing but respect and admiration for the way in which the boys, aged 12 and 13, have handled themselves.

It's simplistic to hold to the "if you don't have children you don't understand" argument. But as any parent will tell you, there is no pride quite like that when your children acquit themselves well. Anybody who holds the wood-headed view that my children should be turned away from interacting with my world and the people within it, well, the problem and the loss is yours.

Blake & Aiden at the Horror Day Readings: Boys to be proud of.