Paksworld

Over 80,000 words now, that is.    That doesn’t count the side notes, the entries on the “Ideas” file (where I keep reminders of what this book is supposed to be covering, and those moments of sudden inspiration that don’t come in connected fictional prose.)

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Or therapy.    Excuse #1 for spending time with knitting after many years away is that my hands get very sore from typing, and knitting is completely different in the way you use your hands.    Excuse #2 is I wanted something that could be done indoors or out, and taken along when waiting somewhere (traveling, for instance.)  Excuse #3 is that I’d been feeling the need to do something with my hands for others.  Other than family, I mean.

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Quote, remember?   In this case refers to Book IV  having turned sullen and uncooperative, largely because of  interruptions to its previously flowing progress.   And one of the interruptions was the preparatory period for Easter.   Hence the quote seemed to fit very well. Read the rest of this entry »

Book III is now Echoes of Betrayal unless the UK title conference bumps it.

Thanks to UK Editor for bringing up the possibility of changing the title, because I think this is better.  Thanks to US Editor for tossing out suggestions, too.

Very likely Book III will get a new title in the next few days.    I’m participating in the process of coming up with a new one.    There was editorial concern that Crisis of Vision, though it did fit the “hinge book” position, did not carry enough of the epic fantasy feel (and in fact “felt” more like a nonfiction book to some.)   This will not delay the schedule or anything; it’s just one of those changes that comes along, and I thought I’d give y’all a heads-up about it.   I think I mentioned that the US edition now has cover art, but I’m not cleared to show it to you yet (and the old title’s on it, so it’s a good thing it’s not spread all over the internet.)

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One of the frustrating things to all of us (except those who really REALLY don’t want to know more than is in the books as they come out) is that even when I know something, I may not be able to talk about it.    I know that, because I get questions here, and in email, about things I just can’t talk about.    So here’s a quick and dirty guide to what sorts of questions I’m likely to be able to answer (or not.)  It’s quick and dirty and won’t cover everything but it may cover some things you’ve wondered about.

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Income is welcome whenever it arrives, but when it arrives the day after the first round of entering figures in the computer–which is in the first quarter by IRS calculation–then the estimated tax part (which–since I write for a living, and the income is wildly variable from quarter to quarter as well as unpredictable–is surprisingly tricky to figure)  it’s all to be done over again.   And at least one printer in the house decides every year that printing tax documents is something it would rather not do.   This year’s printer ploy was announcing it was out of paper when it wasn’t.    However: taxes are now signed, sealed into envelopes, ready to mail tomorrow.  Whew.

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I’ve noticed a couple of problems with spoiler comments showing up in more recent threads, so…here’s a nice, fresh SpoilerSpace at the top of the list.   All comments that contain content from Kings of the North are  welcome here (and in the first Spoiler Space, if you prefer.  Either one.)   Please do not discuss events, new information on characters, etc. from this book outside of Spoiler Space threads until further notice.  It really bothers some people who haven’t read the book yet.

Yes, it’s true…faced with the need to dig through paper and computer records (or face the IRS later)  I slacked off on the writing yesterday to try to wrestle my credit card records into printable form.

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Book IV, that is.   Still busy with business stuff (and tax stuff, and Lent-into-Holy-Week music stuff and…so on) but Book IV is now back up the priority ladder and scooting along.   5000 words so far this week.   I’m not going to make 10,000, because a) I took time off today to have lunch with friends and b) I’ve invited different friends to dinner Saturday evening, which means I have to do some grocery shopping and spend some time Saturday cooking.   But still.   Book IV is back on the track and moving.

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