Finally, finally, FINALLY, I’ve gotten back to getting a full 10k+ words written in a week—and all on my current main project, too! Not on my side hustle that I can’t talk about yet, or my short stories that never go anywhere and end up being sent to the trunk of no return, or written sections that won’t ever make the book’s final cut. Actual. Concrete. Writing. Yay…
Which hasn’t been easy, let me tell you. When my choice of free time in the evening is between writing or watching Squid Game with the wife, it’s not always easy to commit to putting fingers to keyboard. Yet somehow I managed, and have solid progress to show for it.
Now if I can only do it again next week. And the week after that. And the week after that…
Well, the book will get done. I’m rapidly leaving the murky middle of it, the swamp where many writers lose their enthusiasm and vision. I’ve spent far more time treading those waters personally than I ever care to, yet with each new book I tread down, down, down into them again. Why? Sometimes I don’t even remember the reason. Then I start a new project full of life and vigor, and I remember ah yes, that, THAT is the reason why. The trick is holding on to that sensation long enough to reach the end of the project, or at least far enough that I’ve passed the point of no return and must soldier on, regardless.
With this evening’s work, I’m sitting at a solid 76,207 words. Probably this book will be closer to 150k than the 120-135 I originally imagined, but I’ve also packed a lot into it, a whole lot of angst and action that will hopefully be enjoyable to read. A smarter author would cut this thing into two books, but sadly I’m no such thing.
In other news, I realize I haven’t updated my TBR list for a while now. I actually have a few new titles to add to it (as well as many off-list books I’ve been working through on the side), but I’ve decided to just focus on the remaining list, and I’ll update and create this all new in January. That said, I know there are at least three books that aren’t on it that I intend to read before the year is out (Wight’s Reaper, Bancroft’s The Fall of Babel, and a third that I can’t mention name of until it’s officially published).
Beneath a Brass Sky by Eli SteeleRhythm of War by Brandon SandersonA Star-Reckoner’s Lot by Darrel DrakeBlood and Steel by Seymour Zeynalli(DNF)Six-Gun Tarot by RS Belcher(DNF)Volsyng by Set SytesDispel Illusion by Mark LawrenceGunmetal Gods by Zamil AkhterThe Brightest Shadow by Sarah LinA Shadow in Summer by Daniel AbrahamThe Lost Dawn by Dan Neil(DNF)Cowboy Necromancer by Harmon CooperTower Climber by Jacob TannerGodchosen by TS Snow(DNF)- Conquerer’s Blood by Zamil Akhter
- A Bad Rune at Angel’s Deep by Anthony Lowe
- Street Cultivation 2 by Sarah Lin
Holy Sister by Mark LawrenceThe Broken Heart of Arelium by Alex Robins- Untolled by JP Valentine
- The Black Shriving by Phil Tucker
So five books remaining on this year’s TBR, along with 3 off-list. Eight books? Probably not doable in the 2 1/2 months remaining in the year, but I’m going to take my best stab at it.