June 2023 - Update

Chicago in concert was amazing!

“We suffer more often in imagination than in reality.” ― Lucius Annaeus Seneca

May was gone in a flash, so I’m glad you can join me during the second week of June. June’s update will be quick and offer a glimpse of what’s coming. My writing world derailed somewhat for good reasons over the last few weeks.

Kylie came back home for her high school graduation. She finished in December 2022, and she spent the spring semester getting a start on her college career. In the fall, she will begin at Temple University in Pennsylvania to study biology. Exciting times!

And Meg and I purchased a home. This is an exciting endeavor, as it’ll be the first time owning a home. I’ve never had a real need until now. So we will be moving soon, which has taken some of my time since the last update. June and into July will be focused on moving (and writing). As I mentioned before in a previous update, plans are great, but life can and will throw curveballs. We just have to learn how to swing at those, too.

Side note: I generally include hyperlinks within the text of these updates for your convenience, but if you are skeptical of just clicking on those hyperlinks, you can check out all the full links toward the bottom of this update. 

Writing Highlights:

• Progress on the first draft of The Blighter’s Shadow is making good headway.
  • editing has been partially completed on over twelve chapters
  • there will be around 25 chapters (and possibly more)
  • many of the chapters are in the fourth to fifth drafts
  • this book will have interior art, which is an exciting addition
  • later summer or very early fall is more feasible for publication
    • I am still scheduling Beta Readers to assist with reading the entire book prior to its final publication. If you are interested, please let me know via email. I’ll get you details on the next steps as soon as I finish the first full draft.
• A short story submission was provided for possible entry in an anthology that’ll be published next year. Once I hear back, the story will pour out on the page. The genre has been determined, but I’ll leave that as a surprise for next time. 

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Inspiration: Libraries

Libraries are likely one of the most inspiring built places in the world. They are storehouses of human intellect on a scale that is unmatched by anything in human history. The internet, while an outstanding tool, offers nothing in comparison to a library.

Wandering rows and rows of library shelves throughout my life has created an unbreakable bond with books. After learning how to read by age 4, I sought out books, periodicals, newspapers, etc. as a way to travel, meet people who had been long dead, learn about current/historical events, and visit any number of fantastic realms filled with strange beasts.

Of course, my love of libraries pales in comparison to those who built some of the most beautiful structures throughout the world. You can visit 23 libraries at this link that National Geographic compiled. Visiting even one of those locations would be an excellent vacation.

Simply put, without libraries, humanity wouldn’t have reached the point at which we are today. The compilation of human knowledge has sped up our development and spurred on more philosophers to help better society and the world, all the while providing a place for children to choose new adventures.   

What am I reading:
The Right to Write by Julia Cameron

Cameron offers many useful hints to her readers about writing. My main takeaways are to just get to writing. Procrastination is a tool for perfectionists to rarely work. Also, anyone can be a writer, but you do have to write. I found many of Cameron’s chapters useful, insofar as she helps debunk many myths about the writing craft. I highly recommend this volume for anyone who wants to get into the field of writing or has been writing for decades. 

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Kylie's next chapter began in May!