Okay, let’s lay the cards on the table. It has been a busy and unproductive last few months, and the follow-through with some of my plans has been, let’s say, less than ideal. So, an update is as necessary as all can be.
I won’t bore you with the details, but I’ve been doing better mentally after quitting my meds and therapy. It was a big waste of time when I’ve done so well in the past by forcing myself forward and condensing much of my negativity into work. The reason for so little new content is simple: it’s been busy. Kids are going back to school; I’ve been working a job that requires a balancing act of time and all that jazz. Luckily, starting this next week, I’ll be able to devote more time to what I want to do, and that is putting out chapters and stories. In addition, I’ve got a few other things in the works and am just trying to figure out a platform or medium to express these new projects through.
Let’s go through projects. So I’ve got my long-form fantasy series, which I’ve been reworking and restructuring for the past few months. I’ve got what I think is the final structure for it after doing various bits of research and adjusting the scope to be both concise and vivid. I have reams of notes on the universe that, at some point, I have to turn into a physical or at least solid-state version like a production bible. At some point, I might post bits and pieces as they are currently hodgepodged and scattered through desks and drawers. Additionally, there are innumerable stories half-written that I need to finish, condense, merge, or surrender on, but with Spooky season coming up expect that at least a few will come together and be available. I actually might post the first chapter from a few and hold a vote as to which story sounds most interesting and go with that as a priority.
In the form of new projects, I have several. There are a few stories I’m putting together that would probably be considered fan fiction. I don’t really like doing things of that nature, but when I feel like I can bring a new dimension to something existing, I like to put it to paper, if nothing else, to entertain fans of the particular title. Right now, I’m working on a video-based format that will be a lot of musings and philosophical thoughts. I’m not saying I’m smart or have the right stuff, but honestly, just putting your perspective out there does wonders because no matter how mild it is, someone will have an adverse reaction to it. Though it’s not my goal to post endless inflamatories online, it likely will draw some attention. Again, with awareness is the newest idea I’ve been putting to paper, which is a few different children’s books. I have a lot of ideas for them. It’s just a matter of trying to illustrate, which I am not really cut out for. It’ll be minimalistic and likely released in three or four-panel format or page by page, which might work better. There is another children’s story I’m putting together, and I want to use mixed media for it (photography overlayed with sketches), which I hope will go well and have a bit more of an individual flare. Maybe if that works out, that will be the chosen perspective to use with similar such projects.
In other news, I have made a decision, and it’s not quite one I like but one that needed to be made. I’ve decided that unless by some means a publisher reaches out to me, I am going to create a secondary site under a publisher header. I’ve got the name picked out, but have to do all the paperwork and checks and move the money around. This site will be where finished, as in no longer a rough draft, but final intended copies will go. There isn’t going to be any kind of paywall or marketplace for these stories, and it will likely be everything in my catalog. What there will be is a donation button once I figure out that end. The donations will be at individual decision levels, whether it be a dollar or twenty. There will be no obligation, but like any other tipping system, it’s out of your choice. I don’t want to really be for profit. Yes, I’d love to make a living writing, but I know that I am for a more niche style and subject, and honestly, I don’t think a single one of my tales will ever sit on store shelves. This isn’t a pity party, just a realistic approach. I’ll post an update about the sister site when I have it together.
Finally, advertisement. I’m going to try to extend my reach in a more civil manner than videos meant to infuriate viewers. Despite the term civil, I also have to use the word guerilla, which is almost an antonym as far as we usually use it. Though I hate to waste paper, I’m going to have a deal of QR code cards printed off with little to no info on them other than maybe a name or the phrase FREE BOOKS on them. There are a few events I’m going to, and just passing them out and having them passed about is enough engagement for some as reclusive as myself. If it results in even two more people following the site, then it’s worth it to me. And if this is being read in hindsight by someone who followed the QR code, thank you.
Anyway, I hope you’ve all been doing well and keeping safe. I have a few books I want to post recommendations. It’s just been hard to sit down and type and not want to immediately launch into stories. Hopefully, I can do both more often in the next few weeks.
Trazor 