Apologies to everyone for being negligent in my daily postings. I keep forgetting to put all of my material together when I sit down at the desk. I have a backlog of asides and anecdotes, not to mention Han’s “weather photos”, and I’ll be getting to them soonest.
A major contributor to my quiet: I’ve had homework.
To my players: Yes, I will assign myself homework, so don’t go thinking I just pile the work onto y’all’s shoulders.
I’m not sure if I’ve ever delved into the subject on this website, but if you don’t know: I’m not a college graduate. I haven’t attended a school since 2008, or 2009 maybe. Can’t really remember. The irony of that statement is something my wife, who has a Masters degree and is fiendishly intelligent, once remarked.
“You’re a scholar for your own sake. You probably have enough knowledge for two or three different degrees, you just hate being forced to learn something.”
And she’s right, readers. I hated learning algebra and chemistry in the classroom. Reading and discussing it with others, I’m all for the subjects, though.
But I assigned myself creative writing homework, and it’s been beating me mercilessly.
This book has done wonders for my writing skill, but damn does Professor Chester make you earn it. It took nearly a week to finish her “Character Questions” section for just one character, and that was for someone already well-established. The reason for doing so turned out to be in the questions themselves: I ended up figuring out whole storylines that I had put on the back-burner just from thinking on what she asked.
Along with that, I’m still writing in the Sidewinder Stories (next chapter will be up this week, by thunder), as well as developing my personal science fiction. The two fan-fiction projects have become labors of love, since I want them to be as true to their source material as possible.
I had to take a long look at the Dresden Files idea I’ve had with Sherlock Homes. As I’ve said before, I’ve had talks with a Bakers Street Irregular (also my Sifu) and I’ve noticed spots that I’ll have to change or rewrite. It won’t be too much trouble, but if I’m going to write a story, I’m going to make sure it’s according to the original author’s wishes. Thankfully, Jim Butcher has given a lot of details that will provide for the bulk of the background, and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s works are great touchstones for someone to learn about Victorian England and the 19th century British Empire (though as a modern-day US American, I can tell I’ll have trouble with the language and mindset).
So, if I’m seemingly negligent about my daily posts, don’t fear: I’m not abandoning the work here. I’m just handling a lot of behind-the-scenes work to make sure you all have something worth your time.
Stay safe out there, readers!
-JB Swift
Swift's Corner 