For this progress report, I picked an image of me and my friend playing Valheim. We’re standing on a green surface , looking down into a river and the sea. Mist fogs up the view and the setting sun paints everything in an orange light, including the pillar of a ruined bridge in the far distance. To the right, the mist is thick enough to block out the light.
To me, it represents one of the most important aspects of human life – going it alone is so much harder than being in it together.
I’m working to find my tribe, both as a writer and with Autistic people. I’m slowly getting there. More below.
Writing Progress Report
I will be honest and admit that my writing has suffered quite a bit from watching all the unpleasant and threatening events unfolding in the world. We are entering troubling times, and that messes with my mind and my creativity. Even so, I’m doing my best to get back into writing.
Right now, that still means writing Lucky. It also means editing Terragon’s challenge, it means re-formatting the Zell books (The Franssisi Four Chronicles) by bringing them into Atticus (my formatting program), so I can update the backmatter more easily and more often.
I’m just starting to add my own online store to the backmatter, too. So I’m busy, even though being creative is difficult these days.
Wolves Progress Report
A Wolf’s Mate (aka “Lucky”) is about half-way done. I’m just about to toss my poor MCs into a frightening situation – and that is very difficult to write because I’m not getting any visual. Maybe Writer Brain is scared itself and doesn’t want to hurt Lucky and Heather. (Too many people getting hurt in real life, maybe.)
A Wolf’s Hacker is doing well, although there are no reviews in yet. It does have a nice 5-star rating on Amazon COM, at least, which makes me happy. Shane really deserves that for his redemption arc.
Winds & Pillars Progress Report
I can share the map!
You see, my friend Milo of Hiisikolo Art had a special offer for map making, so I gave them my messy and only half finished map of the Winds & Pillars World that I once started in Wonderdraft. They did an amazing job of cleaning it all up and putting in everything it needed.
It was great fun to chat on Discord and seeing the map take shape – and seeing any changes that I needed come in just as we talked. Definitely a great experience, and if you ever need a map, do think of them. They are an awesome artist and great to work with.
Anyway, without further ado, here’s the map!
What can I say? I absolutely love it!
Terragon Progress Report
Terragon’s Fate is out and in all the stores (including in mine!). In fact, I set up a series page here on my website the other day, where you can also read the blurb for Terragon’s Challenge (formerly The Exterminator, for those who know).
If you feel like getting a taste of one of the Main Characters in the future series, and if you enjoy action-packed scenes, Terragon’s Fate is certainly the story for you. It’s also a rather quick read.
Here are some links, for your convenience:
Grab it from my own Bookstore
Buy it from your favorite retailer
I still have to run some edits for Terragon’s Challenge (like rewrite a chapter and fix a plot hole), but I’m fairly confident I can get it published in time for the March newsletter. And I really hope you’ll enjoy it.
AO3 Progress Report
Currently only updating Steps of Courage, the Twin Worlds novel I’m sharing over there. Krighen got them all into trouble last week, and this week, he’ll reap what he sowed. Things will get a lot more exciting very soon.
We’re at 30 chapters, almost at the midpoint of the story, and things will take quite a different turn soon, with all four of them pulling together in the face of terrible danger and low odds of survival. As it should be, right?
Definitely a fun read (even if I say so myself), and also absolutely free.
Valheim Progress Report
There is now a Valheim community on Mastodon, because I started using the hashtag every day. That should tell you a little about how much I play.
Friend and I are doing well, we’re getting upgrades to our gear, and my char has dedicated herself to using magic. Elemental magic for now, but Blood Magic will come soon, I believe. It’s certainly a big help against the nasty critters of the Mistlands.
My various Twinks are also fine and making progress, Big Twink actually found the Bog Witch yesterday, which was a welcome surprise. I will have to learn how to make Feasts and take advantage of them.
Valheim is becoming my refuge from this world. (Hey, it could be worse. It could be drugs, right? Nah, I’ll never do drugs.)
Life Progress Report
In the intro, I mentioned finding my Autistic tribe. Right now, I’m going to the monthly dinner meetings. Each of them has been great, and I think I have now chatted with most of the regulars. Great people, interesting lives, and all… friendly in a way that goes beyond simple kindness.
These people are like me, and that makes such a huge difference. I can be myself with them, and they will not judge me. In fact, the sheer acceptance of who I am is still… thrilling. It’s something I didn’t know I was missing.
In other news, I have left FB. You’ll still find my account (to keep squatters away), but I’m no longer posting updates there. I deleted my Instagram. These days, it is necessary to step away from Techbros – although I’m somewhat limited in what I can do. Tackling Google will be next.
In fact, I would love to welcome you to Mastodon and the Fediverse, the only social medium that is not owned by a corporation. The only medium that cannot be bought out and destroyed, the way Twitter was. (And the way Bluesky will go, I’m afraid.)
If you want to hop on there and find awesome people, writers and gamers, but need a little help, let me know. I’ll gladly support you and help you gain a foothold. Going to Mastodon was the best decision of my life.
Ember Progress Update
These days, my newsletter is becoming the best way to stay in contact with me, unless you also join Mastodon.
I send it out once a month, you get writing updates, new release notifications, special sales (both through my own store and BookFunnel), and of course, the Ember Tale! (Ember is my little dragon familiar who has sweet, cozy adventures all the time.)
Sounds good? Sign up here!
