January 2022 Author Update

camera taking picture of city

Hey Guys,

I’m back again. The update is pretty short this month.

What have I been writing?

As I mentioned in my last recap, I planned on taking the first part of the new year slow, only 10-15k words these past two months. I’ve written the rough draft of a short story and may need to tweak it a smidge or two. Next month, I hope to share it with you. No spoilers.

I’d also started another story just for the fun of it rather than beating myself up with deadlines just yet. No expectations, or prep. Only unwinding. Part of me dreads having to return to my last manuscript and polish it again. The other is giddy to knock it out and share it with some beta readers.

How’s Hollow’s Heist coming?

To add to before, I think my next course of action is, starting next month, I hop into the feedback I’ve gotten and trim what I’m sure is going. Then apply a tool called “the two columns to bind them all.” This will ensure everything (at least plot related) feels satisfying. I’d like to publish by May or June, but this one still has a ways to go until it’s ready.

What else is next?

Some brainstorming has been brewing for a bit and I may try different new things instead of Instagram. While social media may be better for reaching a new audience, I personally just don’t care for it and its drama. I’m not outgoing nor social. I don’t enjoy it.

That being said, I found a new outlet I might enjoy. I finally broke down to buy a new microphone for YouTube. I’d like to read a chapter of Lafonda and Leo (as cringy as my first go was), and maybe talk D&D to drum up some interest there. It may take time, but little by little, who knows what’ll pay off?

Low Places is on audio for those who may have missed it. A poem should go up in March.

Some other good news, I found the exact poem for the Well after three or four years. After all this time, the segment could make a comeback. We’ll see. I don’t know if I can share the poem itself for analysis.

What have I been reading?

I finished last weekend Of Scales and Fur: Shiva. It was pretty good. I go on, but I left an in-depth review on Goodreads that contains some spoilers.

 Also, I binged to Penpal on audio for all the spooky thriller peeps out there.

Links for both are above.

Also, I’ve enjoyed listening to TS Eliot’s poetry. It has been a good inspiration for the story I’ve been writing.

My “To-Read” list keeps growing with ARCs (Advance Reader Copies) that it may explode these coming weekends. Luckily, this newfound free time (is that a thing?) has helped.

Final thoughts

That’s all for this month. I hope you enjoy what’s to come and hope to share it with you all soon.

Until next time,

Antonio