The last month or so I’ve fallen deep into the writing, trying hard to connect the circuit on these books… Mostly I’ve just caused a few sparks here and there. Maybe germinating a seed into a lovely plant would be a better metaphor. (I’ve been doing a lot of that too.

Yes, I said books. As in, more than one.

Audacity Saga 4, which I was hoping would be the final volume, has grown large enough to split itself in two! I haven’t figured out what exactly I can do for the covers yet, though, which is a big problem.

Villains are wrecking havoc in my Clanblades stories….

And I may have started a brief side diversion with a pirate. 

I’m talking about books, I swear. 

While we’re distracted, is this the Best Tribble Gif of All Time or what?

Enough wholesomeness and diversions.

Work continues on these books. Audacity 4 (and 5?) is the farthest along. It’s reached a stage that I’ve come to think of as “any day now!” In reality, it still takes me several months of editing even after I finish a book, although I’m trying desperately to find ways to edit faster. Even as I approach the “end” it’s usually farther from the finish line than I think it is.

The chassis is in place, the engine is even running, but is it truly drivable? Not yet.

I would love to be one of those writers who could predict their work with precise release cycles. I would looooooooooooove that. I personally love plans and schedules, and I want to pull my hair out that my creative work seems to defy all that.

I have worked in other creative fields, most notably graphic design, and so I know that sometimes it’s just not up to what you want. How quickly my brain can solve a creative problem is a random algorithm relating to how long I’ve been working on the problem, what I’ve watched/played/read recently, how much sleep I’ve had, how much caffeine I’ve had, and how wild my kids have been on any given day.

There’s probably more variables. But I digress.

Spring is turning to summer fast. I’m vaxxed but still hanging out at home mostly because 1) it’s freaking fun 2) that’s where the writing gets done and 3) kids aren’t out of the woods yet.

I am dying to get these books to you. But for now, we’ll both have to settle for a snippet. Here’s one from Clanblades…

“Well, I know what I want,” Lara replied, smiling. “And I don’t care if I have no idea how I’m going to get it.”

“Determination isn’t magic, you know. It can’t fix everything.” Nyalin narrowed his eyes at her, but they were laughing.

That’s what Da keeps telling me, but it’s never stopped me from trying. And look where it’s gotten us.”

He grinned. “A dank cave with no beds or doors or wells? Or even a library?”

Her laughter was hard to contain. “The library is the most lacking room, I think. It’s just a bunch of books falling out of a very dreary looking pack. Who designed this place? Hardly fit for nobles.”

Yeska swiveled her head in their direction. I heard that.

– From LEGENDS OF THE CLANBLADES, by RK Thorne unedited and subject to change

So, that’s it for now. I’m working away, like the Little Engine That Could, trying to get over the hills that life is throwing at me. With varying degrees of speed and success…

How has your May been? Which of these books are you most looking forward to reading next?