April: Life, Writing, and Reading Update

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Good morning! Yes, here I appear, although my online presence has been somewhat minimal of recent. Stuff has been happening, and I’ve decided to spend more of my time working on tasks other than shameless self-promotion on social media. Though I am participating in #WIPjoy on Twitter, so do check that out!

Okay, so here are some things going on to explain why I haven’t been around as much lately:

I am starting medication to help with the endometriosis. While this is not, in itself, time-consuming or energy-draining, it reminds me that there are certain things in life that may be more important than throwing yourself into your work. Like, one’s health, and one’s family.

And one’s work matters, too. But not at the risk of not remembering why we’re engaging in said pursuits. Meaning, when you’re a writer, and writing doesn’t feel fun, or doesn’t make sense, we either need to take a break, or adjust our approach.

I am adjusting my approach. While I still hope to release Volume 3 by the end of April, I am NOT pressuring myself to hit a specific date. There will certainly be announcements when publication has occurred and this title is ready for purchase. But don’t expect a formal release build-up, since I am playing everything by ear this go-round.

Also, I am going to make the most of renewals from the library. And taking my time completing titles we own. Here is what my current TBR looks like:

       

Yes, I am reading all of these at the same time. Yes, I truly am. No, my head has not exploded yet, and I swear my sanity is still around here somewhere. I promise…

Now, there are a few reasons for this status. I began reading “Thirty Million Words” for a book club, and that means I have to have x number of pages finished every 2 weeks. So I’ve been trying to get ahead on that title in particular. Despite the fact I reached the last page of “narrative” (not sure what to call it when the book is non-fiction), minus all the bibliography and research notes, a few days ago, I still count it as currently reading because the book club goes through April. So I will be referring back to this title for a while.

Anyway, in between all this heavy-on-the-technical-jargon-and-scientific-study stuff (which is fascinating, but starts to burn me out), I decided to pick up something light and easy. Enter one of the Warriors novellas. Just my luck that “Shadows of the Clans” has some of the most dark and depressing tales, apart from “Ravenpaw’s Farewell.” And I know that revisiting Ravenpaw shall also make me bawl like an inconsolable wallaby.

Hence, I went to scour the library. I decided to give “Children of Blood and Bone” a try. So far, I’m enjoying it, but it is LOOOOOOOOOOOONG. So I opted to take a break from that with “Whichwood,” because it’s marked as MG. Oh my gosh, what do I know?! It’s aimed at ages 10 and up, but some of the content is extremely dark and dodgy. And yet, I am becoming very engaged in the story. Then I realized that it was a sequel. WHAT IS THIS BOOKDRAGON LIFE.

Anyway, after all of THIS I secured the original, “Furthermore,” from the library, and quite soon I will be all up to speed. #thumbsup.

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There is other news regarding writing/publishing/sales. Though I my physical self will not be present at Realm Makers this July, some of my books shall live at the vendor tables! Thanks to my cover designer, Kyle Robert Shultz, autographed copies of Volumes 1, 2, and 3 will be available for purchase at the conference. He and I are working on the further details, but if you’d like to buy my work and are attending Realm Makers, keep an eye out for him!

Also, the week of April 16th-21st, there are some special things happening for the anniversary of the publication of the first edition of Masters and Beginners! A giveaway shall take place on another blog, reviews will be re-posted, and I’m recruiting an army to promote my debut on social media. If you’re interested in helping at all, send up smoke signals or dispatch an owl and I’ll get back to you!

Otherwise, I am working towards putting “How To Be A Savage” on Wattpad (extended posts from what you’ll see on here, so if you’re a Wattpad-er, please consider visiting me over there, too!), it means overall less posts on this blog in April. Sorry, everyone.

If you search Daley Downing on Goodreads, though, you should come across my author page, and you can follow all my book reviews there! Also, link to my Twitter via my sidebar!

All right, back to the editing…or the reading…or feeding the furtration…

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