Speed round & Just Writing

-

Good afternoon, you little toxic critters. 

I am popping in to give some updates and some general ramblings, unlike all the other countless times that I popped in for some updates.....and some ramblings. Despite taking a week (or more) between the journal posts on this humble little station, I actually don't have much to talk about today - but let me start waffling and see what we uncover from the dirty little clumps at our feet.

Speed round.


Let me catch you up very quickly on the regular topics, I will try and keep this under two paragraphs this time. Angel is still ticking along and enjoying herself, she had a bad day yesterday with her nausea but otherwise has been munching down some new pellets that she likes and getting cuddles on the daily. Still with us and still loved, Tanya informed me yesterday that our little cat is actually 12 and not 11 like I thought, hits a little harder knowing our time is probably running out with her - but you cant think of what is going to happen, only enjoy what you have happening right now. 

Damn, almost overrun two paragraphs already. I am still writing both the third Bulldog book and the short story involving two young men, a geyser and a haunting voice. Both are going well and Tanya has given the latter a once over already, very pleased with the reaction. And finally, work has been tough, lots of stressful days and tiring shifts but the dogs are getting attention and are all heading in the right direction, so I will rest up and go again until every one of them is rehomed or rescued. Boom, done. Two paragraphs and you know the inner slimy bits of my weekly goings-on.

Writing is more enjoyable when I just write.

If you have been following me for any length of time, you will probably know that I have gone back and forth in my opinion on platforming my writing. I have tried showcasing my books/short stories/blogs on Amazon, Kobo, Substack, Patreon, Gumroad, Medium and probably others that I have completely forgotten about - Oh! Apple books. I never felt good with any of them, something always felt unnatural to me about all the platforms listed above, and I think I know what caused that discomfort. I don't like writing for the sake of "sales" or "reach", it just never felt natural to me - as much as I know that you cant be a successful author in the modern age without existing for almost half your waking life online. Having a social presence has never felt like a smart move for my brain, I don't want to create content that might seen by the tiny shred of humanity left swimming amongst the swarms of bots or actors online, I want to write and in that truth I found happiness. I found my enjoyment through just writing again. 

Although I am almost always working to build good habits and failing, currently something has clicked. Whenever I get antsy over a page and wander around on the laptop looking for a distraction, I typically would find myself searching things like; "How can authors get more reach?" and it would lead me down rabbit holes (probably cleverly marketed rabbit holes) that would have me believing I need to join another writing host or blogger page. Instead, every time I find myself drifting on the computer, I am consciously snapping out of it and going back to the page. I need to stay involved in the story and just write. If the writing sucks, then it sucks, that is what editing and second drafts are for right? 

Every author I have seen interviewed - every successful, household recognised name that is - has explained the same thing countless times. If you want to be a writer, you have to write. 

Wrap Up

That is all I have today, short and sweet this Friday. I will keep you posted on the progress of the two ongoing projects, but in the meantime keep reading the latest chapters from my books as they release. You never know when they might leave the internet forever, so enjoy them while you can for FREE. Capitalism is bullshit and destructive, take a free, no strings attached form of entertainment while you can. I don't know the plan after I finish the short story, but it will likely be some time before you see it land on the site. Until then, read my other work and take care of yourselves, you burnt up little dung beetles.

Popular posts from this blog

Just Another Update From a Tired Writer.

-
Image
Perhaps it was the freedom that came from taking my work away from Amazon, but I feel very excited in some kind of way that feels both understated and "professional" for lack of a better word. I have been slacking in terms of getting another blog update out with any news on the current projects; I could blame the heat, work being tough or wanting to take some time to enjoy simple hobbies that got kicked to the side. But in reality, I have just not had the motivation to write over the last few days.  What that looks like is still likely better than some; I have two ongoing projects, one new and one ongoing that I hope to finish before the end of the year. While I have taken time on projects before, Bulldog 3 is really putting me through the inferno of patience. I am just stuck on some character arch's closing out while the overall story could be concluded, while the overall plot points are solid and I think its a worthy end to the journeys these characters have been on und...
Read more

Bulldog: Too Many Monsters - Chapter 3

-
Image
  Bulldog 1: Too Many Monsters Chapter 3: Writings on the Wall The siren blared, and the gate creaked into motion like some mechanical jaw unhinging. Fitting, considering we are likely marching to our consumption and demise as a well-rounded group of hundreds. Nothing to do but take a stand and try to face whatever is waiting for us with dignity, defend our country in the only way we can. By surviving. But I counted my odds, the faces around me and the hysterical nature of the surviving numbers. This was going to be a massacre if the last batch of slaves had been seen off so effectively. I didn’t realise how dead my legs had gone sitting in what was essentially a wall-lean for however long we had been trapped in the tunnel. Waiting in the dark for our turn in whatever game they had arranged for us. “Here we go,” the kid said, interrupting my thoughts once again. The door was open and the first batch of those closer than us ran out into the blinding white. I saw the tops of their he...
Read more

Organ - Chapter 2

-
Image
Tranquilly dull intermittent bleeps from an unseen machine chimed away as Oscar slowly came to his senses, his location a foggy splitting mystery, his head still clouded with half memories of the incident at home that evening. Feeling an unpleasant sting in his nostril he explored around his face clumsily with tired hands, a thin plastic hose trailed from his chest and up into his nose, the realisation immediately made Oscar loudly gag as his eyes filled with water.  His movements had finally caught the attention of a member of staff from the hospital who hustled into the room and firmly pulled the young man’s hands away from his face, rescuing the breathing tubes that now barely hung in place. The nurse stood readily by his side until the boy’s mother came rushing in, clattering into the doors and walls as she swung her bag under arm, she grabbed for his hands with tears in her eyes. “ What happened?” Oscar breathed out in a confused dreary voice. “You fainted, and I had to call ...
Read more