The Reason for the Silence... such as it is.
As per usual I begin with an apology - and this the most earnest of those so far: so very sorry for the abruptness and the length (!) of my silence.
I am in fact, still alive, still working, and most significantly, preparing for fatherhood.
I do suffer from chronic, low level depression which most often presents itself as a strong desire to be left alone and excessive computer gaming :\ ... yet the main reason for the sudden stop was more particularly two things:
1/ fear, as I approach the moment/scene in ECONOMOUS that motivated me to start his story in the first place; &
2/ realising that I had no idea who Miss Swift actually is (since *-SPOILERS AHEAD!-* I want to make her a main character) and not being able to proceed without her being better realised.
Well, happy day \o/, thanks to my writers' group of Michael Hawke, Ben Morton & Rikki Lambert, I have a much clearer sense of her now (and quite different she is from how I have penned her so far) so proceeding can begin again.
That said, I am currently in the thick of illustrating a growing list of picture books which have most of my creative professional attention, and what of that is left for writing I am thinking of applying to the other fruit of the WRITERS' GROUP: the continuing story of Europe, the Branden Rose, taking up where FACTOTUM left off. Excitingly (for me, at least) I have a beginning, middle and sense of the end (or a final catalysing moment to work towards), so it now simply awaits for me to take the start I have already and turn it into a finished tale.
I would like to thank you all for your persistence and Tom Wamstad for his expressed concern (which prompted me to speak up at last). I am still here, a little overwhelmed, but getting there.
For my next post I shall seek to respond to the comments from the last long ago post, so stay tuned...)
I am in fact, still alive, still working, and most significantly, preparing for fatherhood.
I do suffer from chronic, low level depression which most often presents itself as a strong desire to be left alone and excessive computer gaming :\ ... yet the main reason for the sudden stop was more particularly two things:
1/ fear, as I approach the moment/scene in ECONOMOUS that motivated me to start his story in the first place; &
2/ realising that I had no idea who Miss Swift actually is (since *-SPOILERS AHEAD!-* I want to make her a main character) and not being able to proceed without her being better realised.
Well, happy day \o/, thanks to my writers' group of Michael Hawke, Ben Morton & Rikki Lambert, I have a much clearer sense of her now (and quite different she is from how I have penned her so far) so proceeding can begin again.
That said, I am currently in the thick of illustrating a growing list of picture books which have most of my creative professional attention, and what of that is left for writing I am thinking of applying to the other fruit of the WRITERS' GROUP: the continuing story of Europe, the Branden Rose, taking up where FACTOTUM left off. Excitingly (for me, at least) I have a beginning, middle and sense of the end (or a final catalysing moment to work towards), so it now simply awaits for me to take the start I have already and turn it into a finished tale.
I would like to thank you all for your persistence and Tom Wamstad for his expressed concern (which prompted me to speak up at last). I am still here, a little overwhelmed, but getting there.
For my next post I shall seek to respond to the comments from the last long ago post, so stay tuned...)
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message 1:
by
pdarnold
(new)
Jun 02, 2014 02:50AM
I am glad to hear all is well for you. Congratulations on your upcoming fatherhood! That in and of itself can be a daunting adventure. But, oooohhhh why did you have to mention Europe, the Branden Rose? I just came down from the head spinning wait for the Tales from the Half-Continent. Mind you, an enjoyable ride at the end of that wait. Oh well, so begins my next round salivating in anticipation of the Branden Rose tale! Waiting is far far better than the other option...nothing. So, I will put on my happy giddy patience face knowing it will be well worth it!
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pdarnold wrote: "I am glad to hear all is well for you. Congratulations on your upcoming fatherhood! That in and of itself can be a daunting adventure. But, oooohhhh why did you have to mention Europe, the Branden ..."It's going to take a bit still (like actually writing the thing) but the whole direction of the tale is very clear. So, Lord willing, I will steadily turn it out.
Congrats on upcoming fatherhood! I've also been feeling depressed lately. However the thought of more about the Branden Rose really made my day. I've gotta read more about her. Please keep us posted on Goodreads.
Irish Rhulain wrote: "Congrats on upcoming fatherhood! I've also been feeling depressed lately. However the thought of more about the Branden Rose really made my day. I've gotta read more about her. Please keep us p..."I WANT to write more of her: it is a good evolution for the Half-Continent. I love Rossamund but it will do me (and therefor, us) well to write from the view of a very different character. I had been worrying that by seeing Europe from herself that it might break her, but more recently I have realised that this is just a risk I am going to have to take - she needs more room than just the space afforded her in MBT/Foundling's Tale.
Congratulations on the new family member!! Depression is an ugly beast. Winning the battle every day is cause for more congratulations! Some days you don't win, but it makes the next one that much more important and commendable. Your writing brings joy to many people and your child is a very lucky little one to have such a compassionate, creative, patient, and understanding father. I think you will find that s/he will be your daily strength and source of never-ending smiles and laughter. Congrats! Stay strong! You are not alone.
I am so glad you take the time to speak with us, but I certainly hope you don't feel obligated to in any fashion. Your family should be your main concern, and those of us who enjoy your writing will be here regardless of the frequency of your posts. The news about continuing Europe's story is welcome. She is one of my favorite characters by far, and the way you describe her and her exploits are simply wunderbar.Fatherhood is an adventure in an of itself. Relish it!
Congrats! I wrote this up a while ago and wanted to post it on a very recent section of the story so you would more likely see it:
A good story so far and I look forward to future chapters.
Now I have a few comments and questions about this story and the Half-continent. To begin with, I wish to mention that when I was reading Economous Musgrove I noticed that the first time you mentioned the Moldwood you spelled it "Moldwood", but the next time and quite a few times after that spelled it "Mouldwood". Know I had planed to point out that the spelling had changed, until I noticed while reading Factotum it was spelled "Moldwood."
Now for the questions. First I was wondering, can the surgeons of Sinster un-Cather a Lahzer? That is could the unnatural organs be removed and the Lahzer survive? Second, have the people of Half-Continent discovered rifling? One of the few times the word "rifle" has been mentioned in the books (long rifle, in the explicarium of book two) you stated that it was in truth a misnaming and really a smooth bore musket with a long barrel.
My congratulations on your happy news. You and your family will be in my prayers. Please know that we are all cheering you on. Also don't be apprehensive, you are a great artist and I am confident that you will do a great job. I personally am excited to read whatever work it is that you embark on.
