I want to start off this progress report with a Valheim pic that celebrates the season. In October, we get two extra build pieces, one of them is the Jack ‘o Turnip my char put up at the roof cross of his workshop. Spooky, isn’t it?
Writing Progress Report
To be completely honest, I’m stalled out.
I write a few hundred words every two or three days, but it’s not flowing.
Part of that is low sales, with people grabbing my freebies (they are welcome to them!), but not continuing with the series. Which makes me sad, since they miss out on so much fun.
I fear that a lot of people struggle these days, and probably on a worse level than I do (my day job pays for my apartment, food and all that). We have reached end-stage capitalism in many ways. Don’t worry. It won’t get more political than that, although I would have a lot to say about the state of the world… and it is part of why I feel so depressed and listless these days.
So if you feel like giving some emotional support, send me a few nice words, maybe in a comment. I may not notice immediately, but they will help. Or say hi on Mastodon (@firlefanz@writing-excange). Or – even better – if you have read one of my books, write a review.
Wolves Progress Report
I’m really close to finishing A Wolf’s Hacker. I just need to set up the showdown and write it all out. Probably another 8-10 words, and usually, I’d be able to hammer that out in a week. Sadly, it’s no longer happening.
In better news, I already know one of the two new main characters for the next Wolf book – it’ll be Lucky, Dylan’s ex and important side character in the one I’m currently writing. Yes, that means he has plot armor (but you know I rarely kill good people in my books).
Winds & Pillars Progress Report
Not writing anything (yet), but Moon is stirring in the back of my head. I’m getting a feel for her, and I am revisiting the landmarks I want to hit in that book. That’s about the level of planning that goes into a book, however.
I’m hoping to get West Flows into a Kobo feature, wish me luck.
The books have almost earned back the first four covers, so that’s something. Still sitting on a loss with them, however. Which means that as soon as the final two books are finished, I will not write more in that universe. Although… I do have a prequel idea.
Tell me – do you like the Winds and Pillars enough to want that? Because that’ll cost me another cover, you know.
Penumbra Progress Report
Back burner. I’m sorry. I hate it as much as you do, but all my energy goes to Shane and Dylan at the moment.
Leander is a cool guy. I just don’t have it in me to write his story… he has to wait in line until I finish the Wolf book.
But if you want to help me find more interest, ask me questions!
AO3 Progress Report
I’m still posting in two stories every week that you can read for free even without registering.
On Wednesdays, I’m updating my YA portal shifter story (Steps of Courage, Mages of the Twin Worlds Book 1). We’re up to 12 chapters now, so there is quite a bit of progress and content. This is a sweet story, with an unlikely friendship building between two Earth girls and two young men from the Twin Worlds.
Start reading here: Twin Worlds
Fridays belong to my Spicy Shifters (My Shifter Prince, Shifters of Culis Book 1). This story started when I was in a spicy mood, and it – ahem – shows. We’re 16 chapters deep, and the story is definitely moving now. Soon, the Prince will plot treason, and my plucky female MC will support him with all she has and knows. And she is smart, you know.
If you like hot bed scenes, possessive and caring princes plus smart heroines, the Spicy Shifters are for you.
Valheim Progress Report
Well, you’ve seen the pic above.
Right now, Valheim is my comfort home, even though the Mistlands are an incredible challenge. We’re too soft in our old armor, our weapons don’t really do enough damage, and well… the first Infested Mine didn’t yield enough cores to mitigate even a small part of this.
Yes, it’s frustrating.
Even so, I go there to rest my mind, because right now, thinking and reading the news tends to make me so depressed I want to curl up in bed. It doesn’t help that the days are getting shorter and darker.
Life Progress Report
I’m trying to be more social. In fact, I actually met with an old lady I befriended in the park in a café. We spent an afternoon chatting and sipping our beverages. That was wonderful, and we plan to repeat this in November.
I’m also teaming up with my ex to clear out a partition in the attic where some of our stuff ended up in. We spent an hour the other day just tearing up cardboard boxes and getting it all ready to be taken away. We’ll continue that soon. I’m very glad we’re still friends and I don’t have to tackle that alone.
In addition, I’m finally taking care of a corner in my living room that used to be taken up by a large plant. Had to cut it down massively because it was infested with mealybugs. (Ugh. Awful creatures.) It feels like a new beginning, and that makes me plan new things for the entire corner. I may even visit a DIY store soon.
Ember Progress Report
By now, you know this is actually my plug for my newsletter.
I do tell a little story in every newsletter that you cannot get anywhere else – about Ember, my little dragon familiar. Right now, we’re trying to get Spark’s fire back… and running into a bit of a dead end there. I am confident, however, that we can resolve this in time for Christmas.
You’ll also get book news, promotions for books on sale – and a very exclusive coupon for a book in my own bookstore. I don’t do that anywhere else, either.
It’s definitely not a high-volume newsletter, it only goes out once a month.
Ready to take a look?
