And now an update on some other stuff. I’m still struggling
to take an interest in writing and reading. The most I’ve been doing is a few
interviews. I get occasions when I’ll do a bit of fiction and then my interest
wanes. I suspect this is not only a result of what happened in January last
year – I guess getting your nose rubbed in horrible reality can create an
indifference to the fictional kind – and
everything that led up to it, but depression throughout this January and
February – probably very much SAD related. As I do, I’ve been fighting this
with exercise.
I’ve not been on the internet much – for various reasons
I’ve grown sick of it. In fact I feel relieved about heading off to Crete to a
house without internet. There I hope to be a bit better mentally and be able to
knuckle down to some writing. First on the agenda will be a short story or two
… well, that’s what I think right now.
In other news, the second book of the Transformation trilogy
will be called War Factory. The original title (after just a working title of
Penny Royal II) was Factory Station Room 101. Those at Macmillan didn’t like
that much because all the present associations with Room 101 would tell the new
reader nothing. I’m happy with War Factory.
12 comments:
Well, hope you have a good sunny break. Go easy on the scorpions this time....
It's always a good thing to break away from the tech for some time. I went on a long weekend with ZERO electronics just a little while ago and it was damn refreshing.
It'll be good to know many of us fans, while we would like a million pieces of new work from you, we'd all settle for no work and you just being all right. Stay well!
Good luck mate, I hope you find a balance for your spirit.
Have you thought of taking up fly fishing?. Long walks, an art to practice, and part of it is mental calming because you have to have smooth control. You can do it anywhere there is water which might just have a fish in, including the sea, and who knows, people have caught the occasional fish, even in Greece.
me, for one.
Are you going to start wearing the "Do you even Lift?" tee shirts?.
Ian, I don't stamp on the scorpions any more but put them outside, where they eat the woodlice.
Thanks Joshua.
A distinct lack of rivers on Crete, uncletigger, and a lack of fish in the surrounding sea too. Also, I have no weights there so it'll be just kayaking and swimming, so no T-shirt.
Hadn't realised Lexx was available as a full box set, gonna have to get that :-D
I hope that the change of climate etc. helps.
I recently read the latest book and am looking forward to the following books.
Is Tor going to do a relatively rapid release of the subsequent books every few months or are we going to be waiting a year for the next one?
One of my readers sent me that Lexx box set from Japan, nakchak, so no idea where it might be obtained.
Each is going to be a year apart, CB. Perhaps by the time they're all done I'll be a functioning writer again.
You haven't stopped being a writer Neal, you just deserve some downtime, as long as you are ok, the back catalogue will more than suffice for now, just about to start from the beginning (for me anyway) Gridlinked.
Well, shit, guess you will have to come a little bit more south then, and east too, and come fishing in New Zealand, mate.
Lots and lots of fish here. Even in the harbour of our most heavily populated, AND greatest city* you can catch some great fish at the right time of year ( winter is shit, but at present we are making out like robber barons ) and the water is crystal clear . . . but go that bit further south again, to the South Island rivers, well . . . every year there are stories of American bass fishermen, who are world renowned for their skill, bringing their favourite rods, and ALL THEIR GAME here, and then breaking their rods on our monster trout, and re-arming, then learning "how to catch big fish" all over again.
If you come to Auckland, I will take you out and tie you onto some big fish, with the best will in the world, because after all, it would mean me going for a fish lol, and then, you gave us Sniper. :)
* Of all the worlds cities, every year, Auckland is voted third best on quality of life.
While you are getting tan consider a story or two about the pathun. They might be bored and ready to do something spectacular.
Also... How does one with an Augbunplug like you are about to do?
Damn iPad!
Neal,
After what happened last year you deserve a rest and a break.
Remember always - people do care about you.
AND your work of course.
I hope you feel better soon.
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