Actually that is a pretty complex question. It has been over a year since I updated this poor, neglected blog. Not for lack of wanting to, I can reassure you, or because I've lost interest in writing—which I definitely have not. It's just that life keeps getting in the way, and the time I have to write has gradually shrunken to 3 days most weeks. I write on any Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday that I don't have appointments, and also any time on the weekend when I have a few hours free. On Mondays and Thursdays I still babysit the youngest grandchild, since her older brother is now in kindergarten, and I also help care for my mother. Besides that, I fill in whenever the family needs me to watch any of the above for a few hours or even an entire day if necessary.
So writing is still happening on this end, but I can see that I have to play catch-up on all releases I've had since the last post. There have been a few...
JEZEBEL JOHNSTON—MOURNING STAR came out on May 3rd of this year (2018) from Airship 27. This is the 4th book in the Jezebel Johnston series. This one has cover art by Ted Hammond and again Rob Davis did the interior illos. The series is far from over folks, I'm finishing up the 5th book now.
This is the very first omnibus that Airship 27 has ever released, and the second largest book they've ever put out, and I can tell you that makes me feel very proud. So if you have a hankering to read all 4 of the published novels in one sitting, this is the book you want.
What's really cool about this book is while that is a brand new cover by artist Kevin Johnson, on the back are all the original covers of the 4 novels that are included inside. Also it still contains all 36 original interior illustrations by Rob Davis. Think what an ideal holiday gift this would make for someone who loves swashbuckling pirates or any kind of action/adventure novel. As always this series is aimed at a somewhat mature audience (think PG13) because of the intense subject matter. I do a ton of research for these books and make them as historically accurate as possible without access to a Tardis or Time Machine. 😎
So what else have I got? Glad you asked!
Now backing up a bit again, on September 1st (2018), Pro Se Press released THE DARK GLASS, which is the 4th book in the Greenwood Cycle fantasy series, which is included under my Hansen's Way imprint.
This continues the series started with FORTUNE'S PAWN. Cover art is by Cathy Crow. Besides being in paperback and Kindle format at Amazon.com, I understand that this one is available on LULU as a hardcover.
So you see, I did have a few books released this year. I just never got out here to blog about them. And I should because I work hard at this thing called writing. Plus it's also a nod to the publishers who have taken the time and effort to package my offerings so that you all can read them.
Now, as far as what I have going on... Well there are still some works in progress to talk about.
Fellow writer and all around good guy Lee Houston Jr. and I collaborated on another Companion Dragons Tale children's novel this year. That got turned in to Pro Se around the beginning of August. This one covers the early exploits of a little dragon named Kiri, and I will have more details about that on the COMPANION DRAGONS TALES blog when I get that updated. It will eventually be released by Pro Se, but they are already two books behind on the series, so I have no hard timetable.
Most of this year I have been trading off between working on both a new Jezebel Johnston pirate novel, and another book in the Greenwood Cycle. I started them both back in January, just a few weeks apart. Both are nearing completion. The pirate series takes longer because of the copious research involved, so I have been devoting two days a week to that alone. I find fantasy easier to write simply because I know the world I'm working in, so I'll likely finish that book first, even with only working on it one day a week most of the time. I definitely will have them both turned in to their respective publishers before the end of the year, though I was hoping to have them done by Thanksgiving. Titles for both books are DESTINY'S DECREE for the Greenwood Cycle fantasy, and Jezebel Johnston—Danseuse.
So what will I do after I finish this year's writing projects?
Well, besides breathing a huge sigh of relief after they get sent to their respective publishers, then it's time to take a short break and enjoy family time at the holidays. But I will be thinking about what books and other written projects to tackle next year. In fact, I have already jotted down some notes about that, because at 61, with all I have going on, my brain holds onto random thoughts as readily as a sieve collects water. I've learned the hard way over the years, if you have a good idea, you'd better write it down. Now. Don't wait, you'll forget. In fact, I'd recommend that to anyone who is pressed for time but has some creative urge noodling around in the head. Write that sucker down and file it. Someday you'll be glad you did.
If you could see the amount of document files I have on my PC (and yes they are all backed up) you'd be astounded. I take writing seriously and I'm a stubborn packrat because I never toss out an idea that didn't work the first few times. Some of them are potential titles that speak to me of what would be in that book, some are sketchy pseudo outlines, and others are simply a couple sentences of a scene from a dream or something that inspired me. I have a lot of old story starts too that I am unashamed to cannibalize for new tales. So I am never at a total loss for what to do next and I seldom sit staring at a blinking cursor for more than a few minutes. When I sit down to write, something is going on that page, whether it's 50 words, 500, or 1500. Writing is more than just a creative endeavor, it's an attitude and a passion. I love what I do, and so I do it whenever I can. Even when things are tough, time is short, and the words just aren't coming, I will have something to report at the end of a session. Every book started with a sentence. Then you add another and another. There's no magic, you just have to grind away.
And at the end of the day, I can still sit with family, watch TV, and maybe crochet or something. Now not everybody has the luxury of writing from home rather than driving off to the 9-5 world of cubicles and time clocks. But you can grab a quick half hour and put a few sentences on a page. Or jot down some notes. That's truly all it takes. 😉👍
See you next time I have something to say,
~Nancy
So writing is still happening on this end, but I can see that I have to play catch-up on all releases I've had since the last post. There have been a few...
JEZEBEL JOHNSTON—MOURNING STAR came out on May 3rd of this year (2018) from Airship 27. This is the 4th book in the Jezebel Johnston series. This one has cover art by Ted Hammond and again Rob Davis did the interior illos. The series is far from over folks, I'm finishing up the 5th book now.
While we're talking about Jezebel Johnston, Airship 27 has shown a leap of faith in issuing the first four books of Jezebel Johnston stories in an omnibus edition, which just came out just recently, on October 23 (2018). Behold below, JEZEBEL JOHNSTON—BIRTH OF A BUCCANEER!
What's really cool about this book is while that is a brand new cover by artist Kevin Johnson, on the back are all the original covers of the 4 novels that are included inside. Also it still contains all 36 original interior illustrations by Rob Davis. Think what an ideal holiday gift this would make for someone who loves swashbuckling pirates or any kind of action/adventure novel. As always this series is aimed at a somewhat mature audience (think PG13) because of the intense subject matter. I do a ton of research for these books and make them as historically accurate as possible without access to a Tardis or Time Machine. 😎
So what else have I got? Glad you asked!
This continues the series started with FORTUNE'S PAWN. Cover art is by Cathy Crow. Besides being in paperback and Kindle format at Amazon.com, I understand that this one is available on LULU as a hardcover.
So you see, I did have a few books released this year. I just never got out here to blog about them. And I should because I work hard at this thing called writing. Plus it's also a nod to the publishers who have taken the time and effort to package my offerings so that you all can read them.
Now, as far as what I have going on... Well there are still some works in progress to talk about.
Fellow writer and all around good guy Lee Houston Jr. and I collaborated on another Companion Dragons Tale children's novel this year. That got turned in to Pro Se around the beginning of August. This one covers the early exploits of a little dragon named Kiri, and I will have more details about that on the COMPANION DRAGONS TALES blog when I get that updated. It will eventually be released by Pro Se, but they are already two books behind on the series, so I have no hard timetable.
Most of this year I have been trading off between working on both a new Jezebel Johnston pirate novel, and another book in the Greenwood Cycle. I started them both back in January, just a few weeks apart. Both are nearing completion. The pirate series takes longer because of the copious research involved, so I have been devoting two days a week to that alone. I find fantasy easier to write simply because I know the world I'm working in, so I'll likely finish that book first, even with only working on it one day a week most of the time. I definitely will have them both turned in to their respective publishers before the end of the year, though I was hoping to have them done by Thanksgiving. Titles for both books are DESTINY'S DECREE for the Greenwood Cycle fantasy, and Jezebel Johnston—Danseuse.
So what will I do after I finish this year's writing projects?
Well, besides breathing a huge sigh of relief after they get sent to their respective publishers, then it's time to take a short break and enjoy family time at the holidays. But I will be thinking about what books and other written projects to tackle next year. In fact, I have already jotted down some notes about that, because at 61, with all I have going on, my brain holds onto random thoughts as readily as a sieve collects water. I've learned the hard way over the years, if you have a good idea, you'd better write it down. Now. Don't wait, you'll forget. In fact, I'd recommend that to anyone who is pressed for time but has some creative urge noodling around in the head. Write that sucker down and file it. Someday you'll be glad you did.
If you could see the amount of document files I have on my PC (and yes they are all backed up) you'd be astounded. I take writing seriously and I'm a stubborn packrat because I never toss out an idea that didn't work the first few times. Some of them are potential titles that speak to me of what would be in that book, some are sketchy pseudo outlines, and others are simply a couple sentences of a scene from a dream or something that inspired me. I have a lot of old story starts too that I am unashamed to cannibalize for new tales. So I am never at a total loss for what to do next and I seldom sit staring at a blinking cursor for more than a few minutes. When I sit down to write, something is going on that page, whether it's 50 words, 500, or 1500. Writing is more than just a creative endeavor, it's an attitude and a passion. I love what I do, and so I do it whenever I can. Even when things are tough, time is short, and the words just aren't coming, I will have something to report at the end of a session. Every book started with a sentence. Then you add another and another. There's no magic, you just have to grind away.
And at the end of the day, I can still sit with family, watch TV, and maybe crochet or something. Now not everybody has the luxury of writing from home rather than driving off to the 9-5 world of cubicles and time clocks. But you can grab a quick half hour and put a few sentences on a page. Or jot down some notes. That's truly all it takes. 😉👍
See you next time I have something to say,
~Nancy
