Days away from the next release

The Man is finally almost ready for general release. Proofing is complete and there were gratefully few errors this time. (Hooray for me!) I have always liked this one, but it was a challenge to write - keeping the tenses straight, as it shifts in time somewhat randomly, covering 30 years in The Man's life. Over the decades his "families" change three times, with the middle "family" being the most dangerous. The book is slightly shorter than some of my others and quick read, once you get the feel for how the backstory is revealed bit by bit and how it really does always tie together - even if the "narrator" seems to be unreliable at times. He isn't; he's just telling the story the way he learned it from another unreliable narrator/character - which also made it fun to write. This is a rogue's gallery of creepy people with some nice ones thrown in; but everyone has a secret, and is related somehow to the bodies that pile up along the way. I always felt good about figuring out a way to tell this one in an effective non-linear way; and I feel I succeeded. I got Lou's seal of approval! She said it was her second-favorite after Temptation Key. Keeping in mind that it is a totally different kind of story (with a fraction of the humor), that made me feel pretty good!

Now, I'm editing four more and have decided to focus on one at a time! One pass, then go to another novel and focus on it; then back to get the first one finished and out. It should work, right?

In the meantime, also wrote a new screenplay about gun control which maybe no one likes? (No one likes the topic, that's for sure.) Too bad, because it's funny, dark, about something and timely. Also went back to an older screenplay to rehab it - a "rom-com" people always liked but had a flawed third act. Going to see if I can't fix that this time!

So, the writing has kept me busy and away from this blog - of which I can still say I am ambivalent; but I hope someone is getting something out of it! Between winter, school (teaching two classes with lots of work at home for one, reading student scripts), and remodeling the house - yipes! So, it IS possible to write under oppressive conditions and busy times. You just make yourself do it. Simple, right?