I try to be consistent with my writing. School gets in the way occasionally, and the other job I have to work to pay for my editing and advertising costs definitely gets in the way a lot, but most weeks I can pretty consistently write for at least three or four days.
Last week was not one of those weeks. I think I wrote about 500 words the entire week for my novel… sure, a few hundred more on a presentation I have in a week, but that doesn’t really count. It’s a weird feeling, seeing time slipping by but, at the same moment, not having the drive or energy to actually get words on the page. I have an hour or two today that I’ll get some work done after visiting my parents for the first time in six months or so… hopefully that goes okay and I can return to the novel refreshed and with some energy!
Hope everyone out there is staying safe and healthy!
Intentionally Bad Business
I know I've mentioned this before, but my book sales do not, in any way, cover the costs of publishing the books. Moreover, they don’t cover the costs of the ongoing advertising of the books.
It’s starting to get a little closer. My advertising budget has a pretty hard upper limit due to financial issues, and I’m hitting that limit every month, which means that I’m consistently advertising as much as I can (as many people are seeing the ads as is mathematically possible). The flipside is that book sales are slowly ticking upwards, so even with a constant number of ad views, I’m selling more books.
Not enough to cover costs, as we said, but that’s okay. At this stage of my career, I’m really happy to just get my work into people’s hands… without starving or going bankrupt, of course, which is where that strict upper limit comes into play.
Still, it’s a weird feeling, being intentionally bad at business in this way. I know I can’t maintain it, and I know it’s actually digging me into a deeper hole that I will eventually still have to crawl out of. But hopefully it’s slowly getting me closer to my goal of being a full-time writer? I hope? Reviews of my work continue to land in the 4-star (out of 5) range, so that’s a positive sign!
But you know what would be even better than maxed-out ad budgets? Publishing more books! I should get back to that, right about now!
Hope everyone out there is staying safe and healthy!
A Walk in the Cold
Decided to go for a walk at the Mountsberg Conservation area nearby. It’s a nice little park on its own, but significantly it is also the home of a bird rehabilitation centre (technically called the Raptor Centre, not to be confused with an arena for a Toronto-based basketball team). The birds are simultaneously very cute and incredibly deadly… the eagles have wingspan bigger than most people (myself included!), and the Golden Hawks are capable of hunting deer.
Deer! By a bird! It’s huge!
Anyway, it was a nice little walk, an opportunity to reconnect with a small piece of nature and to see some animals that don’t mind the cold too much (although it was quite cold). Got a few pretty pictures, but mostly just tried to be in the moment and say hello to some feathered dinosaurs.
Hope everyone out there is staying safe and healthy!
That Escalated Quickly
I have a myriad of artistic pursuits. Most of them I don’t expect or want to make money from… for example, as much as I love playing guitar, I doubt I will ever try to make a cent off it (there was a brief period about a decade ago when I thought about pursuing it to make a little money on the side, but I quickly realized that I got into the game about three decades too late to ever be more than competent).
In posting some of my painting work in an online forum where other artists gather, I mentioned in passing that I like painting, but would only do it for money for a ridiculous sum, since it is a very slow process for myself and I value my time. Another artist spoke up and said that by valuing my work at all, I was doing myself a disservice.
This quickly devolved into the standard “art is for passion, work is for money” argument that is pretty typical for artists and non-artists alike. If you enjoy something, you should do it regardless of whether there is money. If you’re doing something for money you shouldn’t expect to enjoy it.
It’s not a position I’ve ever really agreed with. I think it’s perfectly reasonable to expect to be paid for something you’re passionate about, and it is equally okay to not want to be paid for something you are passionate about. A lot of people in the writing group I used to run didn’t want to make a living off of writing, and that was great! And a lot of others, myself included, totally do, and that’s fine too! But I don’t think it’s unreasonable to say that pursuing one doesn’t automatically exclude the other.
The other artist… did not take this perspective well. I guess a lot of people take their perspective on art very seriously, and so didn’t appreciate a different perspective?
Well, lessons learnt. Learned? Argh, I hate that one. Anyway. I learned something about that particular artist and their perspective, at least.
Hope everyone out there is staying safe and healthy!
Green-eyed Monsters
I’m a pretty level-headed guy most of the time. I’m not perfect, but I’m a big proponent of a rising tide lifting all boats and all that, and I tend to be pretty steady in my lack of professional jealousy.
There are exceptions, of course. Nobody is perfect. And I tend to get a little eye-twitchy when I think of some people who definitely, absolutely do not deserve the fame or success they have because they’re horrible people, but even in those cases I can usually shrug and just say que sera sera.
Recently I had a bout of jealousy. It didn’t last long, and I don’t think I let it infect my behaviours or words at the time. But it was a weird sensation, to watch somebody so much younger and more talented than I am and to feel in the pit of my stomach that I would never reach the heights that this youth would.
Now? A day later, I can smile and shrug and wish them all the best with an open heart. I do really hope they achieve those heights I will only dream of. Them being wildly successful won’t have an impact on my success, on my life, in any measurable way. But there was that one moment… ah well. Only human at the end of the day, I suppose. And the secret isn’t trying to never feel something, be it anger, jealousy, or sadness. It’s to accept that these are temporary, and move on.
Hope everyone out there is staying safe and healthy!
Professional Help
One of the most important things I think I have learned in my life is that nobody can do everything. Even people who think they can… perhaps especially people who think they can… can’t. There are specialists and talented people in every field, and a big part of being a good writer is recognizing what I can do really well (write!) and what I can’t (cover art, editing, etc…), and then pay people to do what they’re good at so I can do what I’m good at.
I reached out for some business help to the university I’m currently attending, which is convenient because they have numerous full-time staff who’s job it is to help people like me be better at what we do. As my graduation date looms (gosh does it ever), I’m realize that I should do my best to get the most of the resources the university offers me. After all, I am paying for it already. My first meeting involved a lot of walking through the kind of steps I already do in order to make this writing thing successful, and the first actionable element the counselor gave was to think about how I approach Patreon.
It’s a fair point. I am eternally grateful to my patrons, but I don’t give them as much as some writers do. Partially because I almost never have time (any spare moments I do have are always filled as quickly as possible with writing, after all!), but I think it should be something I schedule to do. I have a schedule to write blog posts twice a week, I could probably schedule a Patreon-exclusive thing once a month or so… worth thinking about, at least!
Anyway, that’s where I’m at. I have another meeting “soon” (date as of yet TBD), which hopefully will give me more useful insight, but it was nice to talk about the business end of my writing career with someone who specializes in this kinda thing.
As a quick aside: I’m going to try and make enchiladas in salsa verde for dinner tonight. I blame Adam Ragusea. Hopefully it turns out okay!
Hope everyone is staying safe and healthy!
Last Night I Read
Last night, after a long, exhausting day, I decided to start the final book in the “Wayfarer Series” by Becky Chambers.
I’ve been a fan of Chambers’s work since I read Long Way to a Small Angry Planet a few years back, and picked up the rest of the series a few months ago. None of the other books quite hit the highs of that first one (which, admittedly, is more of a collection of short stories in many ways), but gosh The Galaxy and the Ground Within is good.
It’s so good, in fact, that I finished it this morning at 2:30am after reading non-stop since I started it. Sure, I’m a little tired today (who needs sleep?), but what a wonderful book. And what a touching, smart, elegant conclusion to the series which, admittedly again, I never really thought was a series. The books have almost no common elements aside from a few references to characters in the first book. Chambers didn’t write a series so much as she wrote in the same universe four times.
But, to be crystal clear, this is in no way a complaint. I loved these books. Each of them was intelligent and thoughtful in exactly the way my science fiction isn’t. Chambers spent time with each character, fleshing them out, and crafting a universe that not only coherently holds, but also feels “real” in a delightful way.
They were delicious. And I am both completely satisfied with them and immensely saddened to know that I won’t be going back to visit with them again.
Ah well. All good things and all that. Scalzi has a new novel coming out this year, so I have something to look forward to, and I’m polishing off a few more course textbooks and some puff reading at work (Blackstone Fortress Ascension by Hicks is my current lunchtime reading material), but before long I’m going to have to try and find some new sci-fi to read!
Hope everyone out there is staying safe and healthy!
The Regular Schedule
So I’m back at school, and I’m back at my job that pays for my school and writing (well, most of it at least… some of it is paid through Patreon supporters, who are amazing people, thank you all). This means I have specific days and times that I have available to write.
I’ve also started working out again most days (my goal is 6 days a week, but it’s going to take at least a few weeks to get up to that because gosh is my body sore every time I do a workout these days!), and I still have guitar lessons weekly. So… basically what I’m saying is… busy.
Back in the old days, I somehow managed to be both busy and still accomplish other stuff at times. Not often, granted, but I used to go to the gym five or six times a week, and that chewed up hours every day, and resulted in me being utterly exhausted by the time I got home. These days I work out for about an hour in the morning, but I’m doing it in my house, which speeds up a lot of the process.
Moral of the story is that I’m a busy, busy guy most of the time. Still managing to write four or five times a week, which is pretty good. Would like to be able to do more, but at the end of the day it’s more about what you do with what you have, more than anything else, I think.
Or I hope, at least.
Hope everyone out there is staying safe and healthy!
In with the New
Well, that’s another year dead and buried. You’d think after several decades of doing this “living” thing I’d get better at it… but each year still blurs by at the speed of light and I am still here, bewildered and confused, just trying to muddle through.
That stated, I’ve made really encouraging progress on the novel in the last week with the time I’ve had available. That’s a very good sign. At the pace I’m going the first draft should be done if a few weeks (although, admittedly, I have said that a few times before). I’m getting up earlier to exercise these days… I can probably get into the habit of writing a bit after I finish my workouts. We’ll see what the class workload is like, of course, but until my courses officially start, I at least have a bit of time to work with.
Anyway, all this to say that the year is off to a relatively promising start, despite the doom-and-gloom of most of my life. There is a glimmer of hope, at least, and that’s a nice change of pace!
Here’s hoping everyone out there is staying safe and healthy, and does so for the entire year!
Out With the Old
Another year is grinding to a close. I know the last 20+ months have been weird… I mean, weirder than usual… but gosh, I can’t wait to put 2021 behind me and move on.
Is 2022 going to be better? Not without work, but that’s work I am willing to do. I’m only 2 or 3 courses away from my degree (a semester or two at the rate I take classes), which means more time and energy back into my novels. I have no major expenses looming on the horizon, and book sales have been pretty steadily upwards since my last release… still nowhere near where I need them, but a heckuva lot closer than I’ve ever been before. I suspect that were it not for all this (imagine my gesturing around at the universe) I would actually be a full-time writer at this point… and I’ve made a lot of progress despite all this. So really, I’m not complaining.
Okay, I’m complaining a little. But that’s okay! 2021 in retrospect was still a pretty good year as a writer. And I have ever confidence that 2022 will be even better!
Right, with that aside, I’m sure I’ll be back in a few days to wish everyone of you a happy new year, but until then I hope you get to enjoy some peace and rest!
Hoping everyone is staying safe and healthy!
Happy Whatever!
To all you out there who celebrate anything… happy whatever you celebrate.
May you be surrounded by those who love and support you.
Almost There!
Gosh, the holiday season is a brutal grind in retail. I absolutely need to publish more books so that I don’t have to do this another year because I think it may be the death of me…
Actually, with the virus flying around it may be the death of me yet, so I shouldn’t complain. I am down to my last 2 N95s for a while, but there are only 3 days left, so that’s okay… well, two and a half.
But whatever! Not writing related, except tangentially, so moving on!
I watched a few episodes of “Ted Lasso Season 2” this week, and gosh that’s a great show. The first season ranks among the most heartwarming, clever writing I have ever had the pleasure to witness. It’s really good. I don’t know if I could write anything as earnest as Ted Lasso… and yet so honest and powerful. I usually aim for cool and exciting, though, but an occasional moment of touching or clever is nice when and where you can find it.
It is giving me an idea or two for the novel, though. Particularly Rebecca’s character, who is pretty badass. I think I can use some of that energy in the story for one of my characters (Ashley, specifically… she’s a lawyer, and pretty badass, although all three of the protags are, but in very different ways).
Hope everyone out there is staying safe and healthy!
A Record of a Spaceborn Few
I just finished reading one of Becky Chambers’ books from the Wayfarer series. The books are very thoughtful, touching… a little slower paced than the usual sci-fi I read, but joyful at the same time.
It’s hard to explain, but Chambers doesn’t write the kind of sci-fi I want to write (unlike Scalzi), but wow are they good. The characters and settings feel so real and lived-in, and the stories move along as smooth as silk. I really, really enjoy the series, and I’m sad there is only one more book to read… going to dive into that one tonight!
In other news, I did very well in my exam and in the course, and am now off school for a few weeks. Gotta get course books, pay for my next wave of tuition, all the fun stuff like that… but the wheels grind forward, at least.
Hope everyone out there is doing well and staying safe!
Writing My Exam
I know I’ve mentioned before that I am taking an English degree from Wilfrid Laurier University. I’m over half done at this point… about another year, maybe a year and a half to get the last few courses I need.
If it weren’t for the pandemic, I would be done by now. But such is life.
Regardless, I’m just popping by here to say that I’m writing my final exam for one of my courses today, and then after that I don’t have any days off from my other job (the one that pays for my editing and publishing costs at this point) until after the 24th. So there’s a chance that I may miss a post or two in there somewhere.
Hope everyone out there is staying safe and healthy!
A Long Way to a Small, Angry Sequel...
I’m currently reading the second novel in Becky Chamber’s Long Way to a Small Angry Planet series (“A Closed and Common Orbit”), and I’m enjoying it a great deal.
The first novel was fantastic, but it was more of a collection of vignettes than it was a single story (although it did tie everything together really well). This one is just two parallel stories that are separated by time, but tied together in interesting ways.
It’s fascinating to see how other authors deal with the sequel “issue.” I think Chambers is doing a remarkable job, introducing new characters but still maintaining a close connection to the work she established previously. It’s joyous, really, and despite how dark and difficult the novel is at times, I return to it with a smile every evening before bed.
I think I started it on Friday, and it should be finished tonight. And then after I finish my exam tomorrow, I hope to start the next novel in the series!
Hope everyone out there is staying safe and healthy!
Novel Tie-Ins
So I just finished reading a first for me… a novel based on a board game! I’ve read a fair amount of novels based on video games, and a few based on tabletop miniature games (Warhammer and Warhammer 40K, mostly), but this is the first time I’ve read a book based on a board game.
The Fractured Void by Tim Pratt… and it was good! Not great, sure, but I enjoyed it a fair amount and it was just the right amount of light and silly. Of course, if you don’t know what the Twilight Imperium universe is, then it won’t mean anything to do, but for those of you out there who love the game… it’s an easy recommendation.
It reminds me a little of my years (and years and years) of writing fanfics back in the 90s. Back then it was just something to do to pass the time. But it got me started on my path that I’m on now. I even tried to write stories for Games Workshop, Privateer Press, and Corvus Belli (all game design companies, for those of you unaware) over the years… never got anywhere, but not for a lack of trying.
Anyway. Hats off to Pratt for doing a good job, and for landing a great deal, writing books based on board games… I’m sure there are others. Catan probably has a dozen books based on it alone… but whatever. Do check it out if you happen to be a fan of both Twilight Imperium and books! Best of both worlds!
Hope everyone out there is staying safe and healthy!
Cyberpunk Crimes in Cyberpunk times!
I just played a round of a lovely little board game called Chronicles of Crime: 2400, which is a cyberpunk game about solving mysteries. I had a great time! I love a good cyberpunk story, and a cyberpunk mystery is even more delicious!
It’s been a long time since I’ve read any really good cyberpunk… well, that’s not quite true, I re-read Neuromancer, one of the first cyberpunk novels ever, and a great one at that, for class a few months ago, but that was a re-read, rather than a read!
Actually, now that I’ve written that down, even that isn’t true… I’ve read both of Scalzi’s cyberpunk crime novels (Locked In and Head On, both great). So I take back what I said. I’ve read a fair amount of great cyberpunk recently, which might be why I am so excited to write my own! Mine is a little more optimistic and upbeat than the norm, granted… no faceless multinationals ruling with an iron fist before powerless governments. But I have space elevators (crucial, if you ask me), I have a great heist, and I have a plausible hacker in there just for kicks.
Anyway. The thing is that cyberpunk is great, and getting to play a cyberpunk private investigator was a lot of fun. If any of you out there are fans of board games, it’s not expensive, it uses a neat app that does some really cool stuff… it’s worth a look! And hey, maybe it will help fuel your hunger for a good cyberpunk heist book in a few months…
Hope everyone out there is staying safe and healthy!
December! Already!? Argh!
Something magical happens every year as the weather gets colder and the nights get longer…
Time speeds up.
I can’t explain it! But by the time we hit October it feels like I blink and then we’re midway through November and a yawn later it’s December! It’s super weird.
That stated, this year has been harder than most for a variety of reasons unworthy of going into detail about. But suffice it to say that I’ll be happier-than-average to put the last few months of 2021 in the rear view mirror and move on with my life. And my writing! The novel I’m working on right now is a tonne of fun, but is taking months longer than I originally expected it would. Maybe having the month pass by more quickly will result in the novel being finished more quickly as well? Wouldn’t that be nice!
Anyway, I should get back to writing said novel, now that most of my major school work is done for the semester (sure, I have a final exam to prep for, but I can’t say I’m stressed about that… I usually love exams).
I hope everyone out there is staying safe and healthy!
Sunday Shifts
The game store I work at to pay my writing bills is now open on Sundays (they do this every holiday season as a way to increase sales). It cuts my day basically in half, as the shift is from noon until 4pm. It always surprises me how much of my time that absorbs… you’d think it would mean a loss of 4-5 hours, all told, but in reality it can often obliterate about half the day, and more than that when I try to relax a little after work.
It’s hard to go from Customer Service(tm) straight to creative writing. Not impossible, but difficult. But some days, like today, I just don’t have time to decompress… it’s really one, straight to the other. In this case I need to write an essay for my English course, and as much as I enjoy the subject matter and the poems I’m working with, it’s still hard.
Ah well. Many things are hard these days, and I guess the goal is to not become too frustrated about it.
Hope everyone out there is staying safe and healthy!
Cultural Studies
Man, I miss libraries.
I miss having time to go to libraries, sure, but even if I had the time to do so, I can’t right now. Which is too bad! I am trying to write an essay on Cultural Studies (based on early works by Edward Said'), and in order to do so I have to find two “oriental” (Middle and Far East) poems written by Western writer(s).
This would be almost trivial at a library. But sorting through offerings through The Internet is… hard. Not impossible, thankfully, but it is taking me four times as long to do everything, and time is already short, honestly.
Oh well. What can ya do? I still have a week until the essay is due, so I have some time after work and before work to get it done, but I also need to finish “Ethics and Infinity” by Emmanuel Levinas in that time… and a bunch of other (shorter) course readings… and set up my exercise bike for the long, cold winter months…
Never enough time, ya know? Never enough time.
Hope everyone out there is staying safe and healthy!