Hey Crew,

I had taken the day off today. I had many things to get done around the house that I’ve been putting off for way too long. And I’ve got a number of days I need to take before the end of the year, so why not take a day off and knock out some of those items?

That said, ow. My knee is killing me. I’m unsure what’s wrong with it and the doctor doesn’t seem to know either. I had X-rays and all looked good. I guess I’ll struggle with it.

Moved slowly after getting a lot done (with the help of My Favorite Daughter’s boyfriend).

As I’ve said often, I read a lot of blogs. One I read because I like the author (I don’t like his writing style), is John Scalzi’s Whatever blog. I like what he posts and am interesting in what he’s doing personally for his career, but he really is an author who “needs to be taken care of.” Reading his blog, I’m getting why I don’t care for his writing.

He’s formulaic by design.

By that, I mean, he might not plot on paper, but he knows exactly the beats he wanted to hit, the path he wants his characters to take, and that’s that. He writes s story.

Why don’t I like his stuff? Simple. It’s predictable. Right down to the beats. Never to I feel his characters are in danger or threatened because the danger seems to land on queue. His dialogue is stiff and doesn’t seem to flow naturally. And everything is wrapped up with a pretty bow at the end. I’ve read…five? books by him. I didn’t read Old Man’s War and I think I might because that was before “discovered” how to write. Meaning, before he found a formula that works for him.

You can read his blog post here: https://whatever.scalzi.com/2018/09/25/1998-2018-whatever-20-20-day-twenty-five-writing/

I don’t care for cookie-cutter books and that seems to be what he enjoys writing. I’m not knocking him. He’s as successful as he wants to be and lives a great life. He writes what he enjoys and makes the money he feels due. Good on him. As I said, I like Scalzi. I just don’t like his books (and he’s fine with that! He’s even commented on my blog stating that).

That’s not me. As I’ve said before, I like to see what’s going to happen next. It’s a thrill for me. If I know every beat before it happens, then I’m working, not writing. I’d be bored stiff. Again, that’s me. That’s how I write.

Speaking of how I write. Sheesh, I wish I’d hit the computer earlier. Put down 2300 words tonight. Got a later start than intended and was cranking along. The fact that I’m knee-deep in the ending of this book (or getting there) is helpful. I’m not 100% sure, but I think I’m 6 or 7 chapters from the end. Let’s just say, I can see daylight now.

I cannot wait to get to the end of this book and crank out V&A3.

Now I know what you’re thinking.

Hey Jay! You said you’re re-releasing V&A1 in September. Yeah, about that. It would appear My Favorite Daughter and book cover designer, has been busier than she thought she’d be. She was supposed to have 3 weeks off from school and be done with the job she’s doing at the school.

Well, the couldn’t find a replacement for her, so she’s been working a lot, and she only had 2 weeks off (she didn’t check her schedule). That said, there will be a delay in the re-releases until I get book covers. Or, I might just roll with what I’ve got and have a freebie on the book for a week (or do a deep discount). We shall see. We shall see.

I’m off to bed. Brain is tired and I need to get up at 5am again. I started with my house chores early this morning. Perhaps I’ll write early tomorrow to get a jump on my words. Again, we shall see.

Until Next Time!

Stay Awesome!