Thursday, February 20, 2020

More ideas for Forgotten Worlds than I can shake a stick at

I finally know now what's been hindering my creativity and will be testing the theory. (Hint: middle age sucks, but balance can be achieved.)

A major burst of creativity today after a small test of my theory (food-based) had me writing a great chapter on #7 and planning a possible second series of Forgotten Worlds, if I want to continue beyond the initial 20-30 books. I had considered it but not nearly as fully as it came today. it would be a season two with its own big climax, even bigger than the first "season".

Or I could just be done after the first, depending on the exact ending I ultimately choose. The climax of this initial series will be exciting and final. However, I can continue if I want. All it requires is  leaving one key question unanswered.

We'll see how this first season goes. #7 was a bugger to get going, but I've added a lot in the last couple of days. I seem to have found my footing with it now. I still can't wait to write #8, but now I know what this transition between #6 and #8 is.

By the time I'm done with all of the Forgotten Worlds, the series will be something extraordinary. If I feel like extending it, I do have that option to make it even bigger than I originally intended. And I thought this first one was exciting enough!

Friday, February 14, 2020

latest progress

It's been a while since I posted, but I'm still here and still working... on many things. I had too many irons in the fire, as the saying goes, or too many balls in the air. Pick your analogy--an old ranching analogy or a juggling analogy. I can relate to both. (Yes, I can juggle, although not that well.)

This is the time of year when I deal with our conference for work. It's a stressful affair for me to get everything ready, although if anyone needs help planning a conference, I can provide it. I do this pretty much all myself, aside from what I coordinate with the venue. I think I've mentioned it before, so I won't go into depth. In any case, it was a factor in my mind not being in focus. Now, the conference is done and I can relax a little before starting over with the planning for next year.


Another issue for me is dairy and too much vitamin D (I don't tolerate supplements, probably because I am out in the sun for long periods in the summer, often sans sunscreen (don't tell my dermatologist!) and probably store up plenty from that). Supplemental D makes me depressed (the opposite of what it's supposed to do!). I love dairy, but when I have it (or supplemental D), I get brain fog for some time after. I'm not giving up cheese or my tea lattes, though. There is no way... unless I get too sensitive :( My tea latte is my only regular indulgence.


And then there's just plain middle age. As a woman in that age, certain changes take place that make it hard to focus at times. It's oh, so lovely (not!).


Time to finish this up and get back to my delicious tea (with half and half and raw, unfiltered local honey--yum!).



For some reason, Forgotten Worlds #7 is just plain being a b***h to write. I know what needs to happen to transition to #8 but the details are not so easy. I am working on it, but the delays will set back my schedule. I will still release The Destruction of Walls on its release date, but the next book in the series, Disposition of Dreams, will be delayed, since I want to stay two books ahead in writing vs. publishing. I had hoped to release #6 in June, but it's looking like it will likely be pushed back into July or possibly August.

On the other hand, if for some reason the writing picks up and zips through parts of the current work in progress and/or the next, I will move up DoD's (not the Department of Defense) release date sooner. I would rather set it later and end up moving it up than the opposite, which would get me into trouble with Amazon and other retailers.


Now that I'm done being snarky throughout this post. I'm going to enjoy my tea latte. You can purchase the same delicious Grandma's Garden loose leaf green tea and many others online from my favorite shop at https://steepme.com/. (I'm not paid to say that, but I love their teas and want to support them.) edit: this time of year, I also recommend the Kick Ur Kold. It works!