This week: having and keeping best intentions; an update on my writing; The Spike-related links; and being inspired by Nerdforge’s library-in-a-coffee-table.
it_happens
Many of us start out with good intentions. Whether it’s going to the gym twice per week, working on that creative project you’ve wanted to do for ages, or just not eating the whole pack of Pringles in one go, it can be easy for those intentions to slip.
I wrote last week about how I’m making better use of my time. This week, it’s all gone out the window and that’s ok.
I’m sure I don’t need to tell you that life has a habit of getting in the way; and can have a wicked sense of irony. So, of course, a day after I stated on the record my intention to refocus on my writing, I began to feel unwell. Or, more unwell.
A head cold is not the worst thing in the world, but this is the first time I’ve had one since I was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease nearly five years ago. To treat it, I’m on drugs to suppress my immune system; given I was also already feeling drained because of my anaemia, would a cold impact me more than it had in the past?
As of today, Saturday, six days after the first scratchiness at the back of my throat, it’s been a typical cold. I’ve felt rubbish, and sneezed and coughed and blown my nose a lot. Late yesterday, thankfully, I felt I was coming out the other side. According to t’internet, I need to keep an eye out for a lingering cough, but otherwise the immunosuppressants didn’t make much difference, which is a relief.
Whilst it’s important to keep showing up for the things you want to do, it’s important to know when you can’t. There are times when life will throw something exciting, harrowing, or just necessary and unavoidable at you, and there’s no point beating yourself up when you’re not as productive as you set out to be.
Equally important is to know when that “life” thing is over and it’s time to get back to it. Or worse, when you’re exaggerating something to use it as an excuse. Sometimes we’re too kind and let ourselves off the hook too easily. Honesty can be a harsh light to shine on our own faces, but it’s critical if you want to do good things.
So, yes, if you get a cold, or a pet dies, or you get tickets to see your favourite band, it’s fine to take a break from your work. But don’t let that become an excuse, and get back to being productive as soon as you can. The longer you stop, the worse it is to restart. Don’t let a pause become a full stop.
progress_report
Given the above, you won’t be surprised there’s been very little progress this week.
Despite my illness, I did at least a little work every day, on my cover art and this blog, so whilst I didn’t put any words down for my novel this week, under my rules I made up, that’s now 295 consecutive days I’ve done something to progress to my publishing goal.
On Monday, I have an iron infusion to help with my anaemia. I normally feel worse for up to three days afterward, then after nine days or so, I start to feel as close to normal as I get. A burst of energy is just what I need to accelerate into April, when I want to average a chapter per day and finish draft 2.
status.vol2
The Spike Volume 2 will contain three separate books from the perspective of seven characters.
Part 1 – draft 2 complete; further chapters to add.
Part 2 – draft 2 complete!
Part 3 – draft 2 written up to chapter 35; thirty-one chapters to go.
The intention is to complete draft 2 of part 3 by the end of April.
Part 1 is currently much shorter than the others, and I want them to be closer in length, so I will need to decide how to tighten parts 2 and 3 slightly, and add more to part 1 – I have some exciting ideas to expand it.
Then a readthrough of all parts will determine how much revision is required.
The ultimate aim is to have Volume 2 finished by the end of 2025 for publication early 2026.
connecting_links
The Spike is set in our world, incorporating real events; the links below are relevant to the themes and overarching storyline, and may or may not provide clues to the direction of the series.
I do not necessarily agree with or endorse any of the views within.
Austerity is as close to political madness as any policy gets
The slow but steady advance of driverless vehicles
An incomplete android bestiary listing the fast-moving world of humanoid robots
1.5 million-year-old bone tools discovered in Tanzania rewrite the history of human evolution
A new, challenging AGI test stumps most AI models
weekly_inspiration
Every week I share something that’s inspired my creativity.
This week, whilst I was going through tissues quicker than a chain smoker goes through cigarettes, I knew I couldn’t focus on anything for long, so the books, games, and shows I like were off the menu.
Instead, I consoled myself with shorter YouTube videos, and I found this delight from Nerdforge. This isn’t the first video of theirs I’ve enjoyed, but I love this idea so much, I went down a bit of a rabbit hole of their back catalogue and became inspired to personalise my surroundings more creatively, to make my home a more inspiring place to be, to feedback into my writing. I certainly wouldn’t go to the kind of lengths Martina and Hansi go to – I don’t have the space, tools, expertise, or money – but small touches can make a big difference.
What’s inspired you this week? Please share in the comments.
See you next week.
Arrowmaker Books 