April 2020 Updates

- Bluebells in west central Missouri -

March 2020 was a month that none of us will forget.

​COVID-19 became the predominant factor in most people’s lives. Despite the horrific nature of the virus, I’ve encountered enhanced kindness, cooperation, and compassion that is often present when a crisis strikes. Positivity has been a moving force in many nations throughout the world. Overall, humanity is working together for the first time in many years. One larger example of encouragement is Patrick’s Stewart’s daily reading of Shakespeare’s sonnets. Another local example is that of my nearby towns and communities banding together to help us all through this crisis.

With that in mind, I had not been particularly well-prepared for the effects of the crisis, neither at home, nor at my other professions. The mental stress has caused me to examine my own life a bit more closely. Nevertheless, my mental reevaluation is prompting me to look upon April as a month to push through several writing projects. I’ve even seen some authors already speak about how this pandemic is forcing them to reevaluate their own works-in-progress due to the pandemic’s long-lasting effect upon humanity.

A few thoughts on progress in March:
Work on The Blighter’s Shadow (book two of The Rune Cycle trilogy) continues, and the book’s cover art is in draft stage. The illustrator, Jessica Sommerkamp, is working on the interior art: additional chapter symbols and a map (or three) of the towns and cities. I’ve always enjoyed seeing more detail about cities I read. While I can easily seek out maps for real cities, fantasy and sci-fi cities can benefit from not only an aerial view, but street-level views. I know I rarely visit a new city or town without viewing the area online to get an idea of what is offered there.  

As for my sci-fi book, Adalaj, look for the initial chapter on my website in the next few weeks. The whole book will not be placed on the site, but a sample will be offered.

Finally, I started work on a short story which offers a glimpse of some characters from The Alterator’s Light two years prior to the novel’s timeline. The story will allow a wider view for readers interested in seeing additional character development.

The reader question for this month:
Why am I writing The Rune Cycle?
Stay tuned for this answer, as it will exceed the length of what this newsletter normally offers.

Next month’s question:
What is the most difficult part, in your opinion, regarding the book publishing process?

If you have questions for future newsletters, please be sure to shoot them my way at [email protected]. You can also find me on Twitter at @brigmanauthor and on Facebook at Dan Brigman, Author, or on my website, www.danbrigman.com.

Thanks again for your support! Besides taking the time to read my newsletters, you can visit the following links to create a review of The Alterator’s Light. Creating a review is quick and offers potential readers insight into what you thought about the book.
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For Amazon, please click here.

For Goodreads, please click here.

For more information about blue bells click here.

To see Mr. Stewart's daily sonnet readings, click here.

- Clearfork Creek after a heavy rain; another clear sign that spring is here -