Pre-heating season is here

I don’t know about you, and maybe its a function of spending almost my entire life in the Southern United States, but Spring never really stays long in the turning of seasons before Summer barges in and overstays its welcome. But as I read about heatwaves as far afield as the UK, I’m probably not the only one. Thanks, climate change.

Book mail is the best mail

Earlier this month I received an author copy of Into the Deep, Dark Woods, which features my story “Fake Trees and True Intentions”, a cozy/spooky rom-com featuring my werewolf accountant Melvin Jones! I will never get tired of seeing a story I wrote in print. Literally the best feeling in the world.

The Thesis Project Approacheth

I am exactly half way through my MFA, which seems crazy to me. We’ve just completed a year of rigorous study in breaking down genres of fiction and taking them apart to understand why they work. I’ve written the best stories of my career so far over this last year, and have expanded my range in terms of storytelling (turns out I really like writing romance) in ways I never would have anticipated. I don’t think everyone needs an MFA education to learn what I have, but I certainly did. The structure of formal education and being forced to work outside of my comfort zone are both elements that I’ve benefited enormously from.

In just a few days, I start working in earnest of my MFA thesis, which will be a full-length novel. I have an author mentor to work with who will advise me along the way, review pages, and help me make sure I’m hitting my craft goals. I’m very excited about the project I’ve chosen! It’s a book I’ve always wanted to write, and one I’m excited to share more about over the next few months.

This means I’ll be setting aside my Gentleman Necromancer project for a little while, but I’ll come back to it better equipped to take on a novel-length project.

What I’m reading, watching, and playing

Twelve Months: A Novel of the Dresden Files by Jim Butcher

As a long-time fan of the Dresden Files, a new entry in the series is pretty much an auto-buy with me. Changes, with its blistering pace and non-stop action, has long been my favorite novel in the series, and I think its the best book Jim Butcher has written overall. At least, until Twelve Months.

This is a very different kind of Dresden story, one about the jagged path of healing after losing someone you love, about the uneven nature of grief, and Butcher delivers this story with a level of character depth and nuance that just blew me away.

The Pitt on HBO Max

I never really cared about ER growing up, but my wife and I have been absolutely riveted by its spiritual successor, The Pitt. Noah Wyle knocks it out of the park with his portrayal of a immensely talented and driven ER doctor on the brink of a mental health breakdown. We guzzled the first two season of this show and can’t wait for more.

World of Warcraft: Midnight

I’ve been a WoW player since early 2005 off and on, and I’ve enjoyed coming back to Azeroth in this latest expansion to the game. The storytelling of the last couple of expansions has been strong, and while I miss the community of the glory days of this game from 20 years ago(!) I still find myself excited to log on to my Night Elf Druid and experience the story. It feels like Blizzard is building up to something pretty big with their Worldsoul Saga, and I’m excited to see where it goes from here…once I’ve got my writing done, at least.

The Signal Boost: The River Muse by Laura Resau

My instructor Laura Resau released her latest novel this month The River Muse! On top of being a phenomenal teacher, she’s also writer of remarkable skill and nuance. Definitely put her new book on your TBR list.

Exit Music

Life is full of middles. I’m in a lot of those right now professionally, artistically, and personally. But the middle is where we learn and grow, and only when we look back can we really see where we’ve come from. So if you find yourself in a ‘middle’ and you think your wheels are spinning, keep going! The lesson is still in progress.