Writing asides

Daily Goal: 500 words.
I wrote 100 words.
Sundays/Stories Finished: 8/0.

I didn't touch my short story today. I got a little idea that I'd like to write up on another blog and I quickly got a hundred words down on paper. The short story is still waiting for a final editor's eye. It could really use it sooner rather than later, because I hope to post it for review somewhere and feedback might take some time. I can't attend to it, however, if I don't have an hour or so of free time to do it. I don't think the final edit, before I have a finished draft, is something to do during bathroom breaks.

The first session of the role playing game I meantioned some time ago is drawing near. I have had an hour of free time today, but instead of using it on the short story I used it on preparing my character. I'll play a barbarian who I based on Severian, from Gene Wolfe's The Book of the New Sun. I don't think I would have used the hour to edit, even if I didn't have to prepare for the game. I have just been so tired today it was either preparing the character or reading The Name of the Wind.

My brother-in-law is the one who recomended the book, and lent it to me. I haven't been to a university class for a long time. It will be nice to finally be able to discuss a novel with someone, after reading it, instead of boring one's wife with countless synopses in desperation.

I should head towards bed now, but I am not that sleepy yet - tired, sure, but not sleepy. I might take a look at the short story after I finish this update.

Finished Sword of the Lictor

Daily Goal 500 words.
Yesterday I wrote 0 words.
Sundays/Stories finished 3/0.

Another week has gone and I am nowhere near completing a story. I should have had three completed short stories now 'out there' being considered.

Alas the time I do have for myself I spend reading. I have finished Sword of the Lictor and started Citadel of the Autarch, the last in the series, by Gene Wolfe. I find myself already planning what to read next and I really shouldn't. I should stick to reading one short story a day and spending the rest of my free time writing.

Sword of the Lictor was wonderful. I ought to have written a detailed review, but I don't have the time and energy tonight. I found out there is an illustrated and signed edition of the four novels. How cool they would fit on my shelf, but what little means I rule are better spent elsewhere.

I will end this post here. Tired, as always, want to read more before I go to bed, as I mostly do too, Have plenty to say, but no energy to say it with. What is the title of that short story? 'I have no mouth but I must scream'. I feel like writing, but I am always too tired, it seems. Probably just a bad excuse. I just need more discipline and routine.

Reading Gene Wolfe instead of writing

Daily Goal: 500 words.
Yesterday I wrote 0 words.
Sundays/Stories finished: 2/0.

I had a busy day again today. My brother came back from Thailand, where he has been at a kickboxing camp (I write kickboxing, because I would probably misspell, Muy Thai, is it?), and me, my wife, with baby in tow, went to see him settled in. He is going to stay in Denmark for a few days, so perhaps we can catch a movie before he leaves.

Anyway, there hasn't been much time for writing. If I really wanted to, I could have spent perhaps an hour or so writing, but I spent it reading instead. The novel I am currently reading, I am on the last few chapters, is Sword of the Lictor, by Gene Wolfe. It is the third novel in his series called the Book of the New Sun. I have heard (read rather) great things about Gene Wolfe, but I have to confess that I have been a little disappointed until now. The first two novels of the series, The Shadow of the Torturer and Claw of the Conciliator, did not sweep me of my feet. Don't get me wrong, they are entertaining books, well written, set in an interesting universe, with a great protagonist. I wouldn't consider them candidates from the greates living English writer, however. The Sword of the Lictor, on the other hand, does enter into another level of quality. I'll tell you what I think when I finish the series.

It is late here, so I will sign off for now. I also want to finish the novel before I go to sleep and it is already too late.