Howdy folks! How are we all today?

Just a quick update to start the day. I finished the latest edit of Penal Earth 2, and feel pretty confident in it. I had to fill some plot holes, add some story for characters who seemed to disappear as I got invested in another element of the story.

That’s in a draw now while I work on another project. I’ll get back to it once I’ve finished this draft of War Child. Hopefully it’ll give me a little clearness and when I go back to it I’ll have fresh eyes on it.

Onto War Child though. When I was working on it last I cut the ending, with plans to use it in the next book or two. Which meant I had to write a new ending for book one. Which I’d forgotten and that was a little jarring, but I think I’m getting somewhere now. I have got myself a touch stuck with the sequence I’m working on but I think I can get it right. I might have to tweak or cut some of the scenes I’ve recently written as they’re a little repetitive and not really needed.

I have, somewhat cheekily, started on Penal Earth 3. When I say started, it’s a couple of scenes involving two separate characters. These are handwritten, kind of feeling out what their story progression could be. One takes place quite soon after book two, but the other I’m not sure if I want it to be their opening into book three or further in. I’m just not sure yet.

Looking into this year from last year I was hoping to be able to get Penal Earth 2 out this year, but with other expenses (including car) I don’t think I’ll be able to. Being practical and realistic, it ain’t gonna happen. I can live with that. As much as I hate to admit it, no one’s reading Penal Earth so it’s not like I’ve got people screaming for it (well except two awesome human beings who’ll be beta reading book two when it’s ready). I am playing with the idea of getting some short stories written and submitted to anthologies again, I just need to find a little time to look some up.

Right, I’m gonna get my arse I to gear and get into work. I’ve got a feeling it’s gonna be a busy shift.

I hope you all have an awesome day, folks. Yeah the world is a shitshow right now, but that doesn’t mean we have to add to it.