Full Steam Ahead!
I live in one of the luckiest places in the world. Yes, 2020 meant a lockdown or two, but I do feel like I’m living in an island (a massive island) paradise. If your year was more directly pandemic-ed, my heart goes out to you. Yes, I did invent that word. That’s why my editors cry.
My favourite read in 2020 was a series by Ben Aaronovitch, The Rivers of London. It’s a police procedural/urban fantasy mashup. My favourite board game was Photosynthesis. And my favourite console game was The Last of Us Part II.
I’m writing early in the morning as a certain small human doesn’t care that I was up late for New Years Eve. Even one of the cats is happy to sleep rather than hassle me for food. And yes, it is sleeping in a box/toy house made from baby bath packaging.
Raising a new human has taken up much of my time, but I have also enjoyed my older child’s successes in education and sport. I can really see the beginnings of the adult they will be. My wife has been amazing as ever, working hard, making me laugh, and generally making the world a better place. The cats have slept much, eaten much, and put up with getting ‘patted’ by someone with very little motor control.
I’m going to take a moment for indulgence and check to see what I’ve worked on this year. Rather than having a big block in the middle of the day, I’ve been snatching writing opportunities wherever I can. That’s required some flexibility I didn’t know I had. I didn’t meet my unreasonable goals, but I’ve had more success than I deserved. You can tell how tired I’ve been because I’m going to have to look up file creation/modification dates to work out what I’ve done.
The Susie Steele sequel first draft - This was a real challenge to finish this year, but I hung on to the possibility like a dog on a string of sausages
Zombie adventure book - This is a very different work, aimed at kids 10+
Some early work on books complimentary to the one above
Fantasy project (codenamed CB) - This is a long work aimed at adults. Big monsters, big stakes, great characters
The touching of a couple of other projects, but nothing solid.
I’m not going to calculate a word count. It would be way too difficult, but I’m going to call it a successful year, even without a release. Writing and babies don’t easily go together. Now, to…
2021
Seriously, that sounds like it’s far in the future. Where’s my jetpack and cyborg arms? Oh well, we can’t have everything. I’m hoping this year will involve a little more sleep, and plenty of time for writing. I have a schedule that is a little optimistic, and there are some potential projects that I’ll make adjustments for if they are realised. All that said, here’s what you can expect (insert fine print about this changing at any time).
Release of the zombie adventure book - This one will be a challenge in terms of formatting, and it’ll be something new for whichever editor takes it on. Release timeframe? Q1 2021
Release of Susie Steele 2 - I will be aiming for consolidation as the length got away with me. Editing and cover art will probably take a bit of time. Targeting H1 2021, but the sooner the better.
Release CB Part 1 - This is at least a three-parter, the stretch goal is to get the second part out right at the end of the year. I’m am seriously excited about this one.
There’s potential for one other project, but that one’s nebulous at present. I’ll call it project Co-star.
I hope your 2021 is looking as exciting as mine. Is there a book you’re looking forward to? Let me know!
A big thank you all for your support. Don’t forget to leave reviews, encourage others to pick up copies of my books, and if you’re in Australia, consider purchasing print copies directly. Autographs make them great gift ideas.
- R Max Tillsley