Hello world! There is so much going on in my life (and my writing career), and so little happening where you can see it, so I’m going to start writing these updates to bridge the gap.
The Writing Life
- The next novel, Reckless Entanglement, should be out in early 2019. DJ survived the apocalypse because she’s tough and trusts no one; Adrian has a knack for getting people to take care of her. They fall in wild, sexy love and fight the mysterious cult looming in Adrian’s background. Featuring found family, a puppy named after a Russian war general, and a lot of farm animals that just ain’t right.
- My first work-in-progress is the sequel to Eelgrass. (Let’s all scream!) I’m calling it Nothing in this Place, and although it’s a long way out, I’m so excited for this book. It has a straight couple (whaaaaaaat?), a lot of trans bakers, so many dogs I have a dog family tree saved on my computer, and the harrowing return of the Daughters of the Sea. This novel is very delicate and contemplative; it’s a lot of emotional energy to work on this series, so I’m writing a more indulgent novel at the same time.
- The second work-in-progress is an epistolary courtly love/intrigue novel. It follows a young lady, her dashing fiancée, annnnd her girlfriend. This is the most worldbuilding and the most plotting I have ever done, and they are both difficult because I am blessed with a collection of very opinionated characters for this novel. Efa would have gone anywhere I told her, and mostly just regretted that she had been given such a hard row to hoe. The characters in this novel have trashed every outline I’ve written. It will definitely include regency stylings, a lot of trans/gender feelings, arranged marriages aplenty, and tapestries. It’s the most fun I’ve had in years, and I’m excited to start telling you about it.
- There is also a short story happening, tentatively titled “The Old Life (I Know).” It is a ghost story featuring lesbians and puppies, which is not my brand yet but could be.
Gay and Happy
- My wife and I got to host our first ever holiday celebration for Thanksgiving – a tiny little gaysgiving with a few people we love. It was amazing, we feel very mature, and also I’m so tired. I made some of the best mashed potatoes ever, so I’m very proud.
- Our pipes froze (but did not burst – it turns out this is an important distinction) on Black Friday, so we got to spend most of the day blow-drying our pipes, collecting snow outside, and melting it on the stovetop to flush the toilet. My wife did most of this because she’s amazing. It’s been long enough since it happened that I can look back on this fondly, but I highly recommend not freezing your pipes when you have guests in the house. Bonus points if you can avoid doing so on a day when you are contractually obligated not to go outside and shop for, say, fresh water.
- My wife placed in a local gingerbread house decorating competition. We didn’t know this was one of her skills, so we’re both very excited! She won an actual prize, which we used to get her a new pair of cozy winter boots.
- We’ve reached the point in the year where the local seasonal roads are closed. My wife is from a place where they don’t have “seasonal limited-use highways,” and she’s very grumpy.
- St. Nicholas Day, my favorite of all holidays, is in (checks calendar) two days, and I still have no idea what I’m doing for my wife. Pray for a Christmas miracle, friends!