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April was a less than fun month. The Little Man got sick. And in turn I got sick. That hosed the beginning of the month for me to a large degree. Then work became intense. Halfway through the month, someone I've been working with for the past eleven years, gave his notice. He found a new job (good for him, it was a great opportunity) and that meant having to start learning everything I could from him before he left. Which, uh, well you try learning everything someone's been doing for eleven years in two weeks and see how easy that is. Yeah. There's no question that he was a critical member of my team, and that he'll be missed. To be frank, I've started to have some crazy dreams; just shy of nightmares, and I'm positive it has to do with the fact that my team, running lean as it was, is now a major contributer down. The night before his last day, I woke up from a dream where I was with a group of people out in the woods, and the woods had caught fire, and we were slowly being surrounded. And couldn't put out the flames. Then I woke up. That was tamer version of the kinds of dreams I'm talking about, but there's no question in my mind what that was all about.
But other than that, I've been fine. ;)
Writing: One new draft. Not happy with this draft, it's more a sketch really. I've got to go back and rethink it, make it an actual story instead of just a snippet of a moment. I've got a novel idea that's been badgering me to work on. I pushed back to place it on hold. (Sometimes the stories don't want to listen.) It might be worth doing the world building in the background, so that if I feel up for NaNo I can jump in with this idea. Or not. I've been nicking away at some revisions but they aren't as cooperative as I'd like, and I just need to get them done, and out the door.
Editing: No official duties this month. Did a little copy editing for a project that isn't mine, which was the first time I tried my hand at something more than just critiquing someone else's work. Interesting experience.
Reading: One book.
Small Favor by Jim Butcher: I bought this one on the Kindle. In fact, I found out that it was available on Jim's agent's blog, and within a minute of reading that had my Kindle out and this book purchased. One minute later, the book was downloaded, and I could start reading. Wow. I think that's exactly what Amazon envisioned. Anyway, onto the book itself. The series gets better with each novel. I'm not sure if this one will replace Dead Beat as my favorite, but it was close. The plot was action packed, with enough good twists, including at least one moment where I got to say "finally! I've only been waiting for that moment for about five books now. One of the things I'm more and more impressed with as the series grows, is that things evolve and change. Harry has an impact on his environment, and his environment (namely being the target of so much chaos and mayhem) has a lasting effect on Harry. Not just that he's had to change up his tricks, and get tough, but even in his attitude and relationships. When things change, they stay changed. As an example, whereas in the past, Charity Carpenter barely put up with Harry's presence around the house, in the opening scene during the snowball fight, she's right there having a good time with Harry and the kids. A little less noir than the previous novel, this one is a bit more about the action, and the effects of previous novels coming home to roost in rather interesting and odd combinations. There's plenty of Dresden wit, which is to say both the moments when he's actually funny, and those in which he just thinks he's funny. The magic, swords, and guns all fly fast and often this adventure around, and I get the sense that things are wearing Harry thin. This is also the second story where Butcher has tapped into Billy Goats Gruff. (His short story Restoration of Faith has a bit about a troll and a bridge.) That particular motif exemplifies just how the author managed such a complex weaving of plot lines throughout the book, such that almost every moment, you aren't sure what's next to be thrown at Harry. The cast of characters in this book is long, damn near every friend and foe, and all those who dance between in Harry's life seem to show up at one point or another. Which is probably why there's so much more action here, than old fashioned mystery. But if you've gone this far into the series, I think this one will be sure to please.
That's a wrap.
But other than that, I've been fine. ;)
Writing: One new draft. Not happy with this draft, it's more a sketch really. I've got to go back and rethink it, make it an actual story instead of just a snippet of a moment. I've got a novel idea that's been badgering me to work on. I pushed back to place it on hold. (Sometimes the stories don't want to listen.) It might be worth doing the world building in the background, so that if I feel up for NaNo I can jump in with this idea. Or not. I've been nicking away at some revisions but they aren't as cooperative as I'd like, and I just need to get them done, and out the door.
Editing: No official duties this month. Did a little copy editing for a project that isn't mine, which was the first time I tried my hand at something more than just critiquing someone else's work. Interesting experience.
Reading: One book.
Small Favor by Jim Butcher: I bought this one on the Kindle. In fact, I found out that it was available on Jim's agent's blog, and within a minute of reading that had my Kindle out and this book purchased. One minute later, the book was downloaded, and I could start reading. Wow. I think that's exactly what Amazon envisioned. Anyway, onto the book itself. The series gets better with each novel. I'm not sure if this one will replace Dead Beat as my favorite, but it was close. The plot was action packed, with enough good twists, including at least one moment where I got to say "finally! I've only been waiting for that moment for about five books now. One of the things I'm more and more impressed with as the series grows, is that things evolve and change. Harry has an impact on his environment, and his environment (namely being the target of so much chaos and mayhem) has a lasting effect on Harry. Not just that he's had to change up his tricks, and get tough, but even in his attitude and relationships. When things change, they stay changed. As an example, whereas in the past, Charity Carpenter barely put up with Harry's presence around the house, in the opening scene during the snowball fight, she's right there having a good time with Harry and the kids. A little less noir than the previous novel, this one is a bit more about the action, and the effects of previous novels coming home to roost in rather interesting and odd combinations. There's plenty of Dresden wit, which is to say both the moments when he's actually funny, and those in which he just thinks he's funny. The magic, swords, and guns all fly fast and often this adventure around, and I get the sense that things are wearing Harry thin. This is also the second story where Butcher has tapped into Billy Goats Gruff. (His short story Restoration of Faith has a bit about a troll and a bridge.) That particular motif exemplifies just how the author managed such a complex weaving of plot lines throughout the book, such that almost every moment, you aren't sure what's next to be thrown at Harry. The cast of characters in this book is long, damn near every friend and foe, and all those who dance between in Harry's life seem to show up at one point or another. Which is probably why there's so much more action here, than old fashioned mystery. But if you've gone this far into the series, I think this one will be sure to please.
That's a wrap.