Status Updates:

What's Next:

The Wizard's Cat​
Something shifted. It started last month but really kicked in when the calendar flipped over. I've made significant progress on a first draft, seem to have found some kind of story line, and have been getting solid time at the keyboard every day since August 4th. Fingers crossed it continues.

Future Ishmael​
No change here. Still hopeful that I'll see them again. Perhaps moreso now that I feel like writing isn't some arcane art that I knew once and forgot.

Tanyth Fairport​
Nothing new here either. Still on the back burner.

What I'm Reading:

I spent the month reading series. I went back to Cássio Ferreira's catalog and picked up Hidden Class: Pacifist, Vol 1: The Green Woods.

So much fun seeing a bog standard MMORPG game get explored with a "Do No Harm" mentality. Yeah, it was a bit "how is that even possible?" in a hack and slash world but I still loved watching Roth (user name: Pax) twist the game into pretzels and serve it with beer. His nemesis, total cartoon evil villain. I didn't care. I just had fun reading this and ripped through all six volumes in a matter of days.

But, as always, don't take my word for it. Maybe grab a sample of book 1 and see for yourself.

Looking Ahead:

I was worried last month. Things had gone better. They felt more solid. Like maybe I could see the end of this story.

But I'd been there before and had it all turn to mashed potatoes in my hands. Makes a mess on the keyboard, too.

Oddly, I think it might have been my binging a series on Amazon Prime Video that made it all click. I spent a couple days watching it, suddenly aware of the storytelling. Picking out the techniques and thinking "Oh, yeah. I'd have done it that way, too."

I've also been hammered with "you have to show up" and "the first 5 minutes suck" messages coming from all directions. These aren't new, but maybe I was just more receptive to them.
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And it started last month with Paul Loomans and his book I've Got Time. I haven't mastered the lessons yet, but I've managed to at least get the writing kicked into gear again.

I'll take that win.

Fingers crossed. Until next month, safe voyage.

-NL

Remember ​
I update the blog every month on the first so if you're wondering what's happening, you can check there to get an interim report until the next one shows up in your inbox.

Beta Readers:

Every so often, I put out a call for beta readers. These are people who are willing to read the work in progress in a short period of time with only the briefest of notices.

I'm going to be fine tuning this process going forward but if you'd like to be considered for future works, then click this link.
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​It puts a tag on your address in the email list. You don't have to check anything. The ConvertKit people (who store the addresses) will handle it and then take you to a page to tell you that your preferences have been set. By clicking that link you're done.

And thanks.

Fine Tuning:

Would you prefer to get ONLY new release notices?YES, PLEASE​

Note: Newsletter people will get New Release notices, too, but
I've had several people say they preferred to only hear from me when I
release a new book so I'm trying to accommodate them.
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