So! I'm sure most of my regulars have noticed my pace slowing down, and I feel like I owe you all an explanation as to what's going on.
First, I'm still writing - as much as I really have the spoons to, between the obligations of real life. Thankfully, cooler weather's on its way and with that, it seems like my free time opens up a LOT. So I'll be hoping I can find more time and inspiration to work on things in the coming months.
I've noticed summer causes me to slow down with everything, these last few years. Mostly because I like to try to be more active and do more things, but also because there's just more external demands on my time being made. Life's gonna life, I guess. I feel like the writing slowdown is a natural extension of that. I've barely been doing this for over a year, but in that time I definitely feel like I've found my creative stride better during the cooler seasons.
To keep the creative juices flowing, I've kicked off a series of writing prompts which some folks have been extremely awesome in joining up with and contributing some really great tiny pieces of fiction, which I've been loving reading through. It never ceases to amaze me how much absolutely brilliant writing talent there is in our community. Love you guys.
That's only part of it, though. I'm also taking on larger, more ambitious projects. I wanted to share with you guys what I'm working on and hopefully you'll see some things you're excited about in the list. Let's get going.
The Beach House
This is quickly shaping up to be a substantial adult romance novel by my estimation. The pacing of this story opens at the relatively frantic pace of bustling morning markets, travel arrangements, the panic and realization of what Jack's gotten himself into, and getting settled in on the island, but as Chapter 3 draws to a close things begin to slow down... Through chapters 4, 5, and beyond, my intent is to settle into that vacation-like, slow-paced, casual and comfortable vibe that hopefully lands the reader feeling squarely snuggled into Sol de Vida's relaxed lifestyle.
Tent, Part 4
The long-anticipated and awaited continuation of the Tent saga is officially in the works now! I've been working on outlining off and on this last week, alternating between working on it and The Beach House as inspiration calls. For fans of Dom and Aaron, and how they've been exploring the scary world of first romances entangled with the intricacies and challenges of predator/prey relationships in the BtF world, you have something to look forward to! :o)
POLARIS
The POLARIS series is dear to my heart. VAS Laboratories might be new to you all, but this is actually one of my oldest and most beloved worldbuilding projects that I've been working on for 20 years and the main reason why I've kicked off the After the Fall universe with a series set within this hypercorporation's headquarters campus itself. The reception of the POLARIS stories is mixed and that's fine; this is largely a passion project of mine but I also understand that it's somewhat off brand for those who are more used to BtF's narrative voice. If you're a fan of more gritty sci-fi interspersed with absolutely debauched horny-world stuff, this might be worth checking out if you've been on the fence.
Brand New In Box
Another After the Fall-universe story, but this one organized as a novel-length monster. At the moment, this is largely on hold and its writing/outlining in absolute shambles of patchwork at the moment, but this is a story that's set in the larger After the Fall universe and involves VAS Laboratories products as a part of a much larger and more expansive, higher-stakes story. I do intend to post this in parts, and the first act is almost done, I just haven't had the spoons amidst my other WIPs to pick it up and finish it. It's going to be a crazy ride, and when the tone changes in act 1 and the story *really* starts it might be a bit jarring, but I think it'll be a fun experiment.
Brotherhood
This has been briefly paused, but is not forgotten by any stretch. I know we have some Brotherhood fans in the mix and I haven't forgotten about these guys - but right now we're switching focus to some of the bigger projects above. Brotherhood has always been intended as a 'free-written' series for when I just need to create something but I'm not feeling inspired toward anything specific. There will be plot holes, time skips, loose ends and more in this, and that's going to be okay. This series has always been intended to be easy-mode writing for me.
Treehouse, Heatwave, Gina's House, SatAM, off-canon stuff, etc.
These stories are not forgotten, but not being actively worked on at the moment. I want to clear my plate of the larger WIPs and things I'm working on at the moment, but in the coming months I do hope to have some more posts for these series/groups as well. Treehouse is particularly close to my heart of course, and I know it's the reason I have a lot of you guys here. I keep that in mind and I think about these guys a lot. I have some ideas for some fun new heists for the boys, but really, if you saw my WIPs folder you'd probably get why I need to be responsible and let these guys sit backstage for a little while. Don't worry, they'll be back. :o)
So that's it, I think; most of my WIPs and project statuses explained. As always, thank you ALL for reading and being here, showing your support and love and the great vibes we all share together. I'll be happy to discuss anything in the comments here, as any feedback I get helps me understand what my audience is enjoying and what I'm doing right - and where I can improve.
See you guys below. :o)
