A good Sunday evening to all!

Once more, I can only offer apologies for the delay this month. Yet again, it seems, I’ve been given a lesson on how…mercurial inspiration and writing in general can be: Despite high hopes of at least completing a bigger chunk of my Alternate History short story “Hill Country Commune”, if not finishing the draft altogether, a combo of “Inner Editor” nagging (which resulted in a huge section getting removed almost right after it went up on the screen) and realization that I needed far far more research on the story’s key historical figure has resulted in this project getting put aside again as of this past weekend–for who knows how long, this time, with possibly a complete restart needed when/if I find myself in the right spot for the necessary study, let alone the writing. Coupled with the news that “Les Mariannes” ultimately did not win this years Sidewise Award, “down” is the kindest way to put how I was; after the enthusiasm at the start, it almost felt like the drive and effort I’d maintained till then were rendered pointless in one fell swoop, and it’d take quite some time before I felt the same level of both return.

That last, thankfully, hasn’t proven the case, by and large. The very next evening, stalled and in the dumps, I started browsing some of my other AH short drafts and ideas as per the fallback plan mentioned in last month’s post. Not finding any real pull from any of them, I clicked open the “John Lawrence” Hist. Fiction short draft I set aside in June…and found myself slipping back into it a surprising, giddy ease. Inside of a day, the scene where I’d paused was done, and I was setting down more (in handwritten form, per my mandated monthly “No Screens Day) for the next and final chapter at a steady pace; I also restarted outlining for my “Canine Kingdoms” kid’s book idea and put together the first scene for another AH short work intended for Sea Lion Press’s “Alternate Monarchs” collection. Goes without saying that this drove away the “down” quite a bit; I was mired in it deeper than usual, despite clinging to the “self-imposed deadline” mantra, but thankfully not too long, and the work shows no sign of slowing as of tonight. If the Muse’s pity, or generosity, maintains itself, I should have the “Lawrence” draft finished well before the original stopping point I’d set down for “Hill Country Commune”…and maybe, not too long after, have it ready to go out on Kindle!

Speaking of Kindle, for anyone needing a distraction from the end of Summer, my AH novella Obsidian & Steel will be on sale again starting this week! Check out or pass along the link below (or if you’ve already snagged a copy, feel free to leave a review!)

Considering the hideously late (or early) hour, think it’s best to log off now. See you all again this coming month!