This progress report features a Viking traveling at speed in his longship, with good wind and in beautiful weather – that’s how I feel right now, barreling down to the end of the year.
Writing Progress Report
I had to change course – writing Penumbra once again became as hard as pulling teeth. But as I finished up A Wolf’s Hacker, two side characters began nudging me to tell their story.
Which is why I am now writing Wolf Book #9, A Wolf’s Mate, starring Lucky and Heather.
Even better, the story is great fun, the words are flowing, and all of that makes me a happy writer.
Wolves Progress Report
I have more awesome Wolf news!
You see, A Wolf’s Hacker is now available in my own little bookstore. Right now, that’s the only place where you can get it, I will put it into all the other stores (like Amazon) in January.
Yes, it’s mean, but I’m not really sorry because I have a good reason to do this, at least that’s what I believe.
(Short political insert: I no longer want to depend on tech bros that are financing fascism, which is why I am pushing my store a little harder these days. I also don’t want to give them even more money.)
Here’s the description:
A Wolf mired in guilt. A Hacker lying low. A Rogue and a Tank facing down Hunters.
Shane is tormented by remorse about his past. The only good thing left in his life is his friend Shadow, an accomplished gamer. When Shadow is in trouble, Shane rushes in to help.
Little does he know that Shadow is much more than just a gamer, and that helping his friend will jeopardize Shane’s own life.
Dylan cannot allow a Hunter forum to continue to spew hate. But when she and her friend Lucky take it down, someone retaliates directly, sending her into hiding. Soon, she mistrusts everyone, including her online friend Joker.
Little does she know that Joker is already coming to help her.
Can they survive the Hunters’ onslaught? And will their online friendship survive the test of real life?
A Wolf’s Hacker is the eighth book in the Wolves of the South series, and it keeps up the action-packed, tension-filled kind of adventure you love. And yes, there is kissing.
If you want to read it now, click here: A Wolf’s Hacker
Winds and Pillars Progress Report
As I promised in the last progress report, the print version of Sun Burns is now available through Amazon. If you ask me, it makes for an awesome Christmas gift. (But yeah, you’re not asking me, I know.)
Anyway, it’s there for your pleasure, and of course, I’ll drop the link for you: Sun Burns Print
There are two more books left to write in the series, with Moon Rises next in line. I have already started it, and I will add words to it during my Christmas break. I haven’t forgotten this series, even if Writer Brain loves the Wolves more these days.
(My bank account also loves the Wolves more, ahem. They are paying for their own covers, at least.)
Want to try the Winds and Pillars? First book is free: South Breaks
Penumbra Progress Report
I’m stuck.
Again.
Writing this story is painful, because it takes place in the near future, and right now, the near future looks a bit grim. And I write partially to escape my constant worry about the near future.
So the words are drying up for Leander and Melody, and I’m a little upset about it. But I need to go where the words flow, and unfortunately for them (and poor Wilson who was left suffering from severe burns), right now the words are not coming in that story.
But they will eventually flow, and then you’ll get a glimpse of what I envision for the future, both the good and the bad.
AO3 Progress Report
I’m still posting chapters in three stories, just not quite as regularly anymore. That’s because I need to write new chapters for the Valheim fic, and because I’ve reached the end of what I have written for the Spicy Shifters. At least the Twin Worlds take is progressing nicely (because that’s basically finished).
If you’re interested in the stories, hit these links:
Steps of Courage (Mages of the Twin Worlds Book 1)
My Shifter Prince (Shifters of Culis Book 1)
The Horned Beast (Valheim fan fiction)
Enjoy!
(Why am I giving away these stories for free? Because they are unpolished, I’m not ready to publish them – covers are expensive – and because I would love feedback on them. And maybe, I’ll try crowdfunding the covers, eventually. If you all like the tales.)
Valheim Progress Report
Right now, Valheim is losing a bit of its appeal.
You see, while I really love the first six biomes of the game (Well, not the Swamp. Who loves the Swamp?), it’s very clear that the endgame is geared towards groups. With the introduction of magic and eitr, specialization is more important than ever, and the Bog Witch update emphasized that further.
And it’s great for people who can easily play in groups.
I can’t.
Part of that is time zones, most of the people I know who play Valheim live in the US, and a time difference of 6-9h makes regular meetings very difficult.
Another part of it is the different speed of progress. I’ve been invited to a shared world, and coming in late means that the nearby resources have already been exploited. Just a fact, I’m not casting blame. So getting stuff is more difficult because I have to travel further, it’s less fun, more work, and I’m falling behind even more. Again, that’s nobody’s fault, I cannot make others wait for me. So I mostly go there to look at the awesome buildings they create.
I still love the game, but right now, building holds more appeal than chasing down more resources or fighting bosses on my own.
But enough of that.
Life Progress Report
I’m pulling in, reading less news, following fewer reports, reading and writing more. It’s good for me.
I’m also using my 10k lux daylight lamp a lot and it makes a huge difference. I have more energy, I’m less sad, I actually get things done. And the anxiety is getting better. Still very worried about the future, my empathy makes me cry often at the news, but… all in all, I’m better.
I want to believe that even though we’re about to enter some dark years, things will be all right in the long run. That we humans come to our senses, unite against the oligarchs and fascism, and heal our world as best as we can. Getting there will be painful, but I can’t give up hope entirely.
It’s why I write what I write.
Ember and Spark Progress Report
As you know by now, this is me plugging my newsletter. It always has an Ember tale (who is my little dragon familiar to the right in the picture), and right now, I’m about to wind up the story of how Spark could get his fire back.
Here they are settled next to my advent candle in my kitchen. But you’ll only be able to read about their adventures if you subscribe to my newsletter.
Fortunately, that’s easy and also not a big thing: My newsletter only comes out once a month (on the 13th, love that number), it has writing news, book sales, and the Ember Tale.
Deal? Well, sign up here:
