In an attempt to be a more consistent blogger, I plan to start writing recaps at the end of each month on just my general writing progress, release information, and general life things.
The Writing
At the end of 2019, I’d created a five-year business plan of goals I want to accomplish from 2020-2025. For the opening months of 2020, I was overzealous in my planning as I was unable to finish the rough draft of Descent by the end of February. While I have been more consistent in writing almost daily, I’ve had some off weeks, especially in March when I experienced a relapse of abdominal pain, which is stoked by anxiety and stress. I had been doing better at managing my stress and anxiety, but with the time change, some stressors at work, and now the pandemic, my coping techniques failed me.
However, I have Descent within shooting distance of 80K words. My aim is for it to be longer than Heritage Lost as it is a larger-scale work with more moving pieces as the galaxy teeters on the edge. I have it all outlined; however, I’ve had to split a few chapters in two, so the outline is adapting to that and some other minor changes. Some characters are throwing surprises at me.
I had wanted to focus on my historical fiction novel during Camp NaNoWriMo this April, but since I’m on more of a deadline with Descent, it will be my project for April. I estimate that I have about 30,000-40,000 words left on it, which means it should be done during that writing event. With my birthday being April 4 and having nowhere to go except sheltering at home, I think I should be to start Camp NaNoWriMo on a strong footing.
After Descent is wrapped up, it will go into storage, and I will work on the next installment of The Augur’s Rose, which is long overdue. Come June, I will likely launch my intense edits of Descent; it is one ugly baby right now.
The Promise
The Promise, a Heritage Lost Story, has been available on this blog for free since before Heritage Lost‘s release, and soon it will available for free on the Kindle and Kindle app, with a few new elements added to it. I’m also tentatively planning to make it available as a paperback since it is really the size of a novella. I do not have pricing decided yet on the paperback format, but I will share that once I get everything set up on Amazon. I’m shooting for both to be released toward the end of April or the beginning of May.
Live Reading
Having watched live concerts and readings in the midst of so many people being stuck at home due to COVID-19, I plan to do readings via Facebook Live. Tentatively, I’m planning to read Chapter One of Heritage Lost Friday, April 3, at 7 p.m. My birthday is Saturday, April 4, and since I can’t go anywhere to celebrate, I will have a classy live reading of Chapter Two with wine at 7 p.m. My Facebook page can be found at https://www.facebook.com/smwrightauthor. Please like and follow just in case some plans change. Depending on how well these go, I might also do a live reading of Acceptance in the future.
#AmReading
I legitimately have a problem. At one time I was poorly juggling six books, I got that number down to three. I promised myself I would never do that again. Well, guess what: I’m back at it again. This time I’m juggling one audiobook (The Heartbeat of Wounded Knee); three e-books (On Writing and Worldbuilding, Volume I, To Conquer Hell: The Meuse-Argonne, 1918, and Finally Home); and three physical books (Skin Game (The Dresden Files, #15), Her Privates We, and A People’s Tragedy).
I’m trying to contain myself from picking up more books, but I’m constantly having “Oh shiny” moments. However, I’m developing reading times so I can get through what I have started. Wish me luck with that!
Blood & Ink 