Writing – Page 8 – Brian Fence

July, Come Back!

This month has practically FLOWN by, meaning my Goodreads giveaway only has a week or so left, so if you haven’t entered to win a signed copy of Librarian (paperback only), you should do so! Stat!

We’ve had some miserable weather, some family troubles, and in my own case, a bit of writer’s block this month, so I wish I could rewind and start it over on a better foot. Don’t worry, though, Apprentice is still on track; chapters 1-5 are already out to early beta-readers, and barring any more of this horrific slump I’m in I should be able to get a couple more chapters in before I head off to England.

Worry not, though: I’ll still be hard at work even though I’m technically on vacation (just most likely I’ll be working from a pub instead of my office).

Keep cool, kiddos!

Meltybao

Holy crapola, kids, this is quite a heatwave! I woke up this morning at 8 am and it was already 82 F. This week is supposed to be mega-hot-super-sassy-sauce, and it’s making me think of that hysterical Black Books episode when Manny turns into a neanderthal. Well, those who get it, get it.

I’ll try to keep up my steady resolve, though! Yesterday I cranked out 3540 words on Apprentice, finishing up chapter five. That at least makes me feel a big better about the huge amounts of nothing I did over the weekend.

In further news, the Goodreads giveaway for Librarian is half over, so if you haven’t entered to win a free signed copy, you’d better sign up soon!

WAIT! Summer Vacation

…it’s happening! I had enough miles banked up with Virgin that I scored a free ticket back to England, so I’ll be there from 2 August until 2 September! In addition to being very excited about seeing all my old mates and visiting my haunts in Oxford, it means I’ll have a lot of time to work on Apprentice (from pubs).

Also, I’ve scored my first official book signing of Librarian — September 7th (Sat) at 1 pm and the Barnes & Noble in Brick, NJ. Nervous as anything, but I have my fingers crossed that it’ll be a success.

No Summer Vacation

There’s no rest for the wicked, it seems. I’m trying to stay positive this morning, even though I DIDN’T SLEEP and the very first pen I touched exploded, so now I have one very black hand. This isn’t doesn’t come off, precious.

In happier news, I’m hoping to get some work on Apprentice done today; specifically chapter four, as my de fact editor was in a bit of a state about the cliffhanger at the end of chapter three. Tee-hee. O:)

BIGGER NEWS! Are you a member of Goodreads? If not, I have the BEST reason to join: for the next month, I’ll be giving away TEN SIGNED COPIES OF LIBRARIAN. Winners will be decided August 1!

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Librarian

by Brian Fence

Giveaway ends July 31, 2013.

See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.

Enter to win

I’m American!

Who knew? Finally, a little justice for the LGBT community; common sense and decency prevailed, and now the federal government recognizes that I have the same rights as a heterosexual! Huzzah!

GOODBYE DOMA!

…in further news, the first three chapters of Apprentice are complete and being beta-read. I’m crankin’ this stuff out, so those who haven’t picked up Librarian — you’d better get cracking!

A Bao Flies at 428 mph

The beauty of Virgin America is that if you’re willing to cough up the cash (and I am, of course; it’s a business expense) you get wi-fi, so transcontinental flights aren’t nearly as dull as they used to be. Combined with the fact there’s a “booze button” in the display panel in front of me, I’d say I’m pretty well sorted.

Though I should be reading Librarian on my kindle YET AGAIN to look for more errors, I decided to tackle a short story starring a character who was actually created long before Lenna and her comrades — Tenny Orange. In the grand, cosmic scheme of Bao’s universe, Tenny has his own arc much like Lenna, and the discerning reader will start to notice some connection, I imagine.

The short story is going to be featured in Moon Rabbit Publishing’s (our imprint!) first ‘zine, mooncrisis!, which it set for launch this summer. We’re still looking for submissions — artwork, photography, short stories, reviews, or essays pertaining to science, science fiction, fantasy, and the like. Interested parties contact ME, the Bao!

Anyway, it’s time to press the booze button again. Chin chin!

My Japanese Self, Validated

My business cards arrived today! I feel like a proper entrepreneur! More importantly, I am ready to do business with any salary-man that walks my way! Mwahahaha.

35000 Feet, 30 Minutes, Cheap Wine

I’m off to SF to see my Meow. It’s been too long, and I’ve been running around too much lately so I need a good weekend off. A lot of people have commented that transcontinental flights are long for just a weekend, but it’s actually (for me) a really good way to detach from the clutter of life.

I mean, really… how much can you get done while being several miles in the sky and in possession of a Virgin credit card? 1200 GOOD WORDS IN 30 MINUTES, BABY. Apprentice is in full swing.

Winequill Flies — Production levels increase with cheap wine and sunshine in the window.

Banana Bliss Goes on Holiday

Once again, a big shout out to the kind people on Reddit who’ve provided valuable feedback and even offered to beta-read. It’s really amazing to see such goodness in the community.

Insanely busy week here — I’m actually in the finance business when not writing — and with it being tax time and all, and taking the time after work to grow my social presence, the second part of Lenna’s arc is still in chapter three.

HOWEVER! I’m in for a mini-vacation: heading to sunny Cali for the weekend, which means 6 hours on a plane with Lenna, a Bloody Mary (or two), and some of my new ponies.

No Longer Hobbit I

I chopped off my hair! I know in all the pictures I’ve self-indulgently posted on this site, the hair has been short, but in honor of The Hobbit‘s release this past December I had been growing out my hair. It was the melancholy what made me to do it.

After the trim, I popped by a pub and wanted to write something — but what? Continue book two? Instead, I realized I wanted to take up poetry again, so I wrote an Elizabethan sonnet. Originally, I had intended to wax romantic on the rainy afternoon, but the poem had other intentions. I’m not even sure I can post it online.

Does anyone else ever start a piece of writing, or a picture, or even a dinner, with one thing in mind, and just ever let it go in the direction ‘it’ wants? I didn’t know I had it in me. If I get the courage, one day, I’ll post it.