Storyteller’s Log, 17 July 2025

I know some people have a problem with summer. Too hot, too muggy, too bright, and various other complaints. I, however, love the summer. Sunshine recharges me like nothing else can. I love that I don’t need to put on layers so that the air doesn’t hurt my face. Shorts and sandals? Yes please.

This year, my wife and I bought bicycles. I haven’t owned a bike in a long time, but I used to love cycling. As a teenager, I rode from Minneapolis to Duluth for an MS 150 fundraiser. I also biked 400 miles around Nova Scotia during a hiking/biking/canoeing/camping thing I did in the summer of 1988.

Modern bicycles are far more convenient than my classic Peugeot 10-speed. I’m not even entirely certain of how many gears the new bike has. But I love going out and riding around my neighborhood.

Anyhow, welcome to another look inside my chaotic, messy mind. Let’s get into the details, shall we??

What am I working on now?

The plot for book 4 of the Gentleman Space Pirate series is moving along. I can’t deny it’s a bit slower going than I had intended, but I’m enjoying teasing the details out of my head (or wherever the hell I’m actually channeling this from).

However, in plotting book 4, I might have set myself up to do a book 5. And why not? When all is said and done, Forgotten Fodder will be 8 books (and I have ideas for more).

Speaking of Forgotten Fodder, I’m going over the edits on Book 5, Turncoat’s Gambit, from my editor. I’ve sent her Book 6. Shell Game.

I’m recording Book 5 as I go over its edits. This one has been interesting because I’d previously recorded books 1-4. I had to relisten to recall some of the voices I used. Consistency is never a bad idea.

Still speculating about new ways to expand my authorpreneur business. More to come when I make something clearer of this.

Other concerns

I’ve not decided on what to do regarding that book marketer I spoke to last week. Exploring my keyword choices in KDP is probably a good idea, but is this worth the money? Am I willing to give someone access to the backend of my business?

I suspect my discomfort is probably telling me what I need to know. Yet, I still must question if this is me fighting against my comfort zone or my gut telling me to seek something/someone else.

Whatever the case might be, I’m certain that I must be missing something. I just don’t know if it’s a matter outside of myself or within me. Maybe I should journal or blog about that along the way.

Personal shit

I got to do fencing for 5 days in a row. At an event on Saturday, then practices Sunday-Wednesday. My knees are a bit stiff but not sore. So the gel injections probably have done their thing.

This is also the first week that I had knee braces to help my floating kneecaps. I alternated between them and KT Tape. I finished PT and am working to do the home exercises, still, to keep strengthening my legs. Feeling good about that.

The Solar Saga continues. Mainly, we’re waiting. I’m annoyed because it’s been hot and we’ve run the a/c, and my solar cells aren’t helping pay for that yet. Irked is never a good thing from me or my wife, so they better get the revised plans to the town ASAP, so we can go to the next step.

Pennsic prep has begun in earnest. I found my power brick and am charging it, and have acquired a different battery with a solar panel to take my CPAP to war this year. I still need to put the roof rack on top of the car. The time has come to launder things and repack my bedding.

Am I boring? More importantly, do I care? Adventure awaits, because life’s an adventure! (Cheesy? Maybe. Do I care? Nope.)

What am I reading?

Fiction I’m reading: So, no offense to Ginger Booth, but I gave up on Thrive Earth Return (Thrive Colony Corps Space Adventures Book 1). It just did not do it for me on multiple levels, so I abandoned it.

I’m now reading Matt Haig’s The Life Impossible: A Novel. Much to Korbin’s chagrin, I’m reading an actual hardcover book (which means the cat can’t plop down on my chest while I read).

Nonfiction I’m reading: Philosophy – Seneca’s Letters from a Stoic

Audiobook I’m listening to: I’m working my way through the latest Rivers of London novel, Stone and Sky by Ben Aaronovich. I’ll need to go back to listen to or read the side stories with the character Abigail.

Last bits

That’s it for this week. Thanks for coming along.

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Thanks for reading. If you’re a creator, remember that you’re not alone, not (entirely) crazy, and though they might not know it, the world NEEDS your creations!