And that means I have more time for other things, many of which (including my posts here) have languished in the intense two-plus months of getting it done.
When I’ve recovered a bit, I’ll be going back to a more frequent posting schedule on all the blogs. The next publishing thing (without a deadline, though) will be the second collection of Paksworld stories. I need my head clearer to do the final editing on that, without bleed-over from science fiction & Vatta stuff. I don’t know quite how long it will take; I may not get to it until after DragonCon. Right now I’m working on health issues and all the stuff that didn’t get done that needs to get done (like washing and packing stuff to be given away. I don’t have a daughter, and our son is now willing to say what he doesn’t care about inheriting. So some of the china my mother had stays (because I still use it,) and some will find a new home. Books and toys our son had–that he’s willing to part with–will go. Clothes I don’t want anymore–some have already gone, but more will. Papers need sorting. And so on. It will be a long process, because right now I can’t work on anything very long at a time. But that will change.
I’m now back to riding the bike for exercise, making bread for better nutrition (if you’re going to eat bread, making it yourself means you know *exactly* what went into it), growing herbs (and will re-start the vegetable garden) again for better eating, and when I get the energy will start knitting again (it’s been more than a year.) The priority is health, right now, including mental health (so having time to spend with friends, and time to spend outside with plants and animals, and time for enough sleep is part of it.) I write better when I’m not exhausted, stressed, short of sleep, etc.
So–I hope within the year to have the next Paksworld fiction collection out, and maybe a collection on the science fiction side as well. When I’ve reached whatever level of health & energy is possible, then I can start a regular writing schedule and find out how much I can do without losing ground health-wise. Until then, I won’t be pushing myself to start another novel.
Thank you all for your support, and I will be posting more about ideas, about the writing process, and about Paksworld in particular. I will be at DragonCon this year, God willin’ and the crick don’t rise, or my widely-expressed opinions about our current political situation don’t land me on a no-fly list. If you’ll be there, look me up. I signed up to be one of the mentors in the writing track this year, so someone will be getting a one-on-one discussion about their work. I don’t know the schedule at all, or how that program is set up.
Comment by Wickersham's Conscience — July 8, 2017 @ 9:09 am
Excellent to hear from you! You have been missed.
Also good news that another Paksworld short fiction collection may be coming. Health, happiness and work, in that order. Please take care of yourself.
Comment by Annabel — July 11, 2017 @ 6:19 am
A new Paksworld collection – how fabulous! I have been unwell this past week, and unable to concentrate on books I haven’t yet read, so am back in Paksworld, and thoroughly enjoying my stay there!
Comment by Cindy — July 12, 2017 @ 1:47 am
While I am enjoying the new Vatta series and love the idea of another Paksworld collection, I would happily wait while you fully recovered. Maybe that’s colored by recent personal experience with a lingering infection and the reduction of my own ability to get things done, but your health is important to your fans.
Comment by elizabeth — July 12, 2017 @ 7:24 am
It won’t be immediate–I’m resting my eyes from editing for awhile, and I’m not pushing on anything that’s not a crisis until after DragonCon. (I contracted to be on the writer’s track at DragonCon this year at a time when the recovery seemed to be going better and I thought I’d have time for the second eye surgery beforehand. As it happened with INTO THE FIRE and the editing process thereof, the time for eye surgery vanished and the rewrite created some anti-progress. But…I’m going anyway.)
The stories are chosen. Two at least need a touch-up (previously unpublished though part of one has been seen online.) All need a final combing. If I get that ms. in by the end of the year, I’ll be happy. So sorry you’ve been unwell too. Unwell is no fun!
Comment by elizabeth — July 12, 2017 @ 7:25 am
Thank you. My fans, including you, have been wonderfully understanding.
Comment by Dan Rylander — July 17, 2017 @ 1:22 pm
Elizabeth:
All my best to you. Health comes first. I’ll dream of what Dorrin will do with her horse (I am thinking her task is to stop blood magery in the land Baron Sekkady was from) and if you return us there it would be wonderful.