Blog Post No. 485
I’m racing to the finish line with the Snow from a Distant Sky, the fifth and potentially final novella in my Synthetic Albatross Series (at least for now). There is still a lot to do in order to get it out in April. As it’s currently looking, it may be released closer to the middle or end of the month instead of at the start like I’d planned. Right now, I have a couple last edits to do (including reading it out loud to myself which takes time and isn’t very fun). Then, I have to do the layout, which is pretty quick, but takes a dedicated couple days. Continue reading “The Folly of Predictions”
I think it would be fair to call this an update, but the title came before content so I’m leaving it. As I write this, there are 14 days left in the month and left to get the coveted discount on the sett-up fee at the printer. I just finished the last review/edit of 
I’m going to try to stay on topic for this one. I’m sure no one needs to hear about being stuck inside from yet another person. We’re all in that boat together. Though, I will say, staying focused has been a challenge. I’m a creature who craves structure, so a total lack of my usual structure is challenging. That being said, I’m trying really hard to get this novella (
It’s 2020. Nine-year-old Ben is really excited about all the really cool future stuff. Current Ben is terrified with what some of the new future stuff could mean for us (like deep fake and AI). It’s all writing fuel, though. I’m currently listing out all the things I didn’t get finished this year, that I have to get done early in the new year (or was just before I started to write this). The list is long and includes some things that are more long term (or long term for finishing, but I may have to get started soon). It’s jumbled and there are overlaps and loose ends all over the place. Some of it is erroneous (or out of date) but with all the issues, it’s a requirement for me to get my head around the new year and the new and old projects I have to get done. 
For two weeks in a row, I’ve missed my days off from work. Sometimes that’s good. Sometimes you have to be a pirate and be all about the money. When you are trying to get a book out before the end of the month (and write another one) the extra shifts (especially last minute) can be disastrous. Most of my days off are not days off. I don’t always pull a nine hour shift, but I spend a good six or more working on writing, editing, layout, podcasting, and planning for all all the events I go to as a guest, or host myself. Those days off are crucial work days. I just don’t get paid. 
trays on the new economy class are pretty good. I got a lot done on the way to Toronto. Unfortunately, I spent the time working on layout (but for The Thinking Machine at least) and Flags and High Fives. I really wanted to be farther along with Thinking Machine than I realize I am, so the next novella is starting more slowly than expected. 
Tomorrow morning I’m getting on a train and heading up to Toronto to meet up with Arvin and get to work on Season Two of Flags and High Fives. We’re doing things a little differently this year, and that means I have a lot of stuff to bring up so we can get started. Since I’m taking the train (a sensible option in the winter) that means I’m going to have to sharpen my Tetris skills and rely on some muscles to get everything into a backpack and suitcase, and get them onto the train. I think that should be the most difficult part (except maybe getting it all into a cab when I get there). 
Every day I put another obligation behind me and try to get ahead with my writing. At the beginning of the year, I was knocking out a pretty respectable word count each month, but everything else loomed its head and put a stop to that. Somehow I seem to forget every time that writing is fun (and work, but also fun) and editing is a tedious mess that seems to put all progress in its place. Layout work is on the fence. I don’t mind doing it, but not at the expense of writing. Also, if you are doing it for yourself or someone else, it’s a lot easier. For yourself, if you like something, you go with it. For someone else, you do whatever they want. For multiple people, it can get a bit messy. And when your work schedule conflicts with theirs, a simple message can be the most frustrating thing in the world. 
Unfortunate news! Due to some disappointing and unforeseen circumstances, the All These Crooked Streets Book Launch has been postponed. We are working very hard to lock down another date, but at the moment, that hasn’t happened. One last piece of the puzzle needs to be locked into place, then we can continue like this deplorable delay never happened. Bearing that in mind, thanks to everyone who was going to make it on the now cancelled November 4th date, thanks to everyone who is going to be there for the new date, and thanks anyway for those who can’t make the new date even though they’d love to be there if they could. Sorry for the confusion, everyone. 
Usually sometime at the end of August or the beginning of September, I start to get really nostalgic and get caught up in thinking about the past. Inevitably I write a post about it that ends up being almost the same as the corresponding post form a year before. Still, I feel the drive to write it in an attempt to purge that action most dangerous to productivity, wistful daydreaming. Thankfully, this year, I’m just too busy to do much more than work and complain. The pressure is on and all those great accomplishments I was planning on achieving after last year’s final push disappeared into smoke surrounded by the day-job, new projects, obligations, organizations, and my own overwhelming lethargy. All is not lost, however, for I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. 
Ben Van Dongen 