Status Updates:

Finally, I'm beginning to find the edges of the story this needs to be.

What's Next:

The Wizard's Next Thing​
It has been a productive month in terms of story, if not actual word counts. Many, many words have been put down - in both senses of the word. I put them down on the page and then erased them again. It feels a little self defeating, but in truth, that's how this sausage gets made. What seems like a good idea doesn't always stand up once I see it playing out.
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​Everything Else​
​No changes. I need to clear this third book in the series (trilogy?) before I let myself get too deep in the weeds on anything else.

What I'm Reading:

I read a lot of next-in-the-series titles. Soldier's Life, Wandering Inn. Took a chance on Cássio Ferreira's Card Slinger series and spent some fun time on the beach in the first two volumes.

But I really wanted to give you a space opera this month so I dug into a sample that's been languishing on my pile from an author I've read but I don't think I've ever recommended - Charles (C.W.) Lamb

Path to Independence starts with a familiar set up. Aging human, living alone on the fringes of society gets scooped up by an interstellar civilization and carried off to the stars.
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Hijinks, as they say, ensue.

This is dyed-in-the-wool Space Opera with shoot outs, derring-do getting done, and a lot of "golly this human is smexy" (once his aged body gets renewed in the magical machine of eternal youth). Nothing overt. Door closed, as the saying goes. Just, it's there. I can even see why.
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On balance, Lamb has set up an intriguing universe with multiple species all working hard to out-do each other and a fun cast of characters living just over the edge.

But, as always, don't take my word for it. Mosey on over and grab a sample yourself a sample to see what you think.

Looking Ahead:

Summer simmers on here on the high plains. My writing month has been plagued by an on-going medical issue - excess glucose. It makes me feel old. Not surprising given my age and actually being, you know, old.

If you followed the podcast, you'd know I've been playing No Man's Sky for the last few weeks. It let my brain sort through the story ideas. As I said, some good. Some not. I still have a number that need exploration but I've gotten a much better handle on where I think this story needs to go.

As in any journey, getting there is the point. What we do when we get there?

Usually, start another one.

But that's a different story.

See you next month. In the meantime, 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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