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Writing Update and the Flop (Patreon)

Published:
2022-01-06 20:59:38
Imported:
2026-06
Tags:

Content

Sorry for the silence. Happy New Year to everyone. Things have been, well, interesting.

On general writing things:

- SA 12 (System Finale) is now with the editor

- SA 11 audiobook has come out, it's purchasable or you can pick up the Audible book when it gets approved. If you want the audio early, let us know via message; we'll get it to you otherwise, ACX codes for all.

- SA:AU 2 (Flat Out) is now at editors too.

- SA: Relentless 2 is cheduled for around May for editors.

- I'm starting work on ATL 7 (6k in)

- Also, during my 'break' of a few days between handing my work and starting ATL on the Monday, I started playing with plot bunnies. I repicked up a few of my old ones and started a series, so now I have like... 5 different series open. That is not good, but I'm hoping to close off one (it's just editing & writing); maybe discard a 2nd (or figure out another way of getting it redone); and then work semi-regularly on the 2 others. 

That's the writing update. Here's the part that is making me flop over, exhausted and yes, midly in burnout.

- I haven't been sleeping great (I blame Pirateaba since I'm catching up on the Wandering Inn and also chronic pain).

- we are now in sort of lockdown in Toronto. *sighs* That means everyone is in the residence. EVERYONE, including the kid who is doing virtual school. That's... not conducive for work.

- I'm mentally juggling 5 different storylines in my brain. Yes, this is all self-inflicted.

- trying to figure out deadlines for the year has made me feel a little stressed... Especially since I haven't written a short in a bit.

So, I've been considering a change in how I write things. Firstly, do people care about shorts? Should I just rip them off?

Next up, I'm thinking of keeping our publishing of chapters early as I write them up as usual; but the BIG change will be on the publishing to Amazon, etc. Now, this isn't clear how I'm doing this yet, but I'm thinking of extending my timelines.

Basically, a lot of my stress is trying to get books to my editors and then audiobook narrators on time so things come out as close together as possible. With people like Travis / Eric / etc being super busy; a lot of the time, I have to pre-plan much in the future and then NOT shift the deadlines.

What I'm thinking is pushing things such that I'm basically 6 months to a year ahead. What this sort of looks like is not for ATL 7 that I'm writing (that has to be done by end March) but for ATL 8 whose deadline is in end August. I'll just write ATL 8 right after 7, NOT write a secondary major series and give myself 6 months to finish the book. Then, if I can do it, I write ATL 9 after that, BUT publishing continues at the same schedule of every 6 months. In that sense, Patron will literally be 2 books ahead.

IF I can manage it.

What that also means is that I'll also be working on all my side projects including a new main series, BUT I won't release or announce them or do anything with them till they're written and quite potentially a book ahead. 

Then Patreon basically has like... 3 books? 4? ahead of everyone else.

I am NOT sure how this all works. I need to decide if I can afford to do this, how I'd do it and what it looks like. But between all the co-author works, the stress of juggling multiple series and frankly, the LONG FUCKING PANDEMIC, I feel the need for a change.

Anyway, thoughts, etc on shorts and all this, as always, gratefully accepted. Nothing laid in stone so far.

Comments

Austin

Thanks for the update! Sorry to hear about the burnout and everything else. Personally I enjoy the shorts but if it is easier to focus on main series/books then I'd say the shorts should be the first thing to go. They're fun and a great look at series outside of main characters but you not burning out and just working on the main books is preferable. Hope things start to calm down!

Richard

I agree with Austin. The shorts are fun, but they're not what keep me coming back. In fact I think reading the co-author stuff scratches a similar itch. Your health, your longevity (financial, creative juices, all things Tao, etc) come before all else. You wanna drop shorts and change your schedule. Go for it! Want to use Patreon as your new series guinea pig lab?!? I think that's what we're here for. :) What I'm trying to say is, I love you work, do whatever you need.

Robert Rowe

Austin & Richard said the same things I was going to say but better. The shorts are like candy bars. Fun to eat but quickly over and not missed if they don't exist. I second Richard's idea of being guinea pigs for new series.

Patrick

I agree with everyone else. Shorts are nice to have, but not a need. If it helps your mental health and focus I think the majority of people would be onboard for chopping them. Life is hard right now with the never ending pandemic. Rebalancing priorities is something I've been thinking about more lately also.

John

Shorts are good, but like what people have said here, concentrate on the main books, that's where the stories are. I also second the guinea pig idea mentioned by Richard, anything to help (I just want more stories to read!) Love your books!

Joseph Duchesne

I'm in the same boat here just an hour west of you. kids at home makes focus hard. Sleep as well is problematic, if you're like me and gravitate towards escapist books with stress. I've found that it works best to try to set a hard "bedtime" for audio books since they get my mind going, and switch to less engaging/page turning content (music, podcasts, or nonfiction) to distract my thoughts without keeping the mind so engaged. It can be hard to find a balance between engaging fiction and the troubles of the real world when you need to rest.

Ffrewyll

Not an author myself, at least not a book author, I enjoy short stories sometimes. They are great for taking my mind off something for just a bit. However I enjoy the books better. Unless your short stories are put in a book of your works I wind up needing to buy books that the only thing I have an interest in is one short story. You do need to figure out how to manage the stress you are putting yourself under. It does lead to burnout and then we your readers no longer get to read any new stories from you. I do take the long view on that in many ways. In this day and age however many will see you as an entertainment machine and be upset when they do not see news books all the time. I say take stock of your life and your stressors. Look at how to reduce the stress. Do what keeps your health and family intact and happy. Lots of ways exist to make money and a living. But you need to be alive to do them.

Corwin

Eh I am new and personally I have been looking back at your previous posts. I do love your books and I like your shorts. But that isn't a big deal if you toss them out. I know you are stressing out and maybe even a bit burnt out. But just a couple of suggestions. Some others have said. But a few are mine. 1) Test out (new) series here. Everyone joined here to support you. (Personally I own and read all of the ATL, System and AoB. So most of what you write I read) We might critique but we mean well. 2) Toss out the shorts if needed. Or maybe let fans Ghost write. You mentioned ghostwriting in previous posts. Maybe instead of you writing them you can let some of the fans Ghost write them. Not sure if anyone will ask to get paid or it would be more hassle than its worth. But some might just do it for free. Have your assistant read the drafts, the plots, the stories. And if they pass through than you can go through it and polish it with your Amazing Tao-ness if needed. 3) Try co-authoring a bit more just to take breaks. This is tough if the person is flaky. And again can be more hassle than it's worth. Just to help you find your balance. Much easier if the writer is solid and you two can sort of alternate chapters and blend. 4) Overall toss everything if needed. I rather you take a six month break and find peace and recharge. Than a burnt wreck. I would suggest a vacation to Vegas if you need one 😂😂😂 stay off the Strip it's not worth it. But various entertainment is around. My favorite as a local tends to the more expensive and fun. But really who doesn't see a value in shooting a 50 cal off a humvee, or setting a car to explode with Tanerite and a bullet. Or hiking, horseback riding, or exploring nature in a desert.

Tao Wong

I'm working on the various new series, but nothing is done enough that I am willing to showcase it to others at the moments. Once it gets closer, I'll probably push that ahead and you guys will get to see it. The question is how I'll showcase them. The biggest concern for me is starting a project and then just dropping it... and peope wanting more. So long as you guys can't see it, there's no demand for something to be finished. Whereas if I start something, show it to you all and then drop it, well, it'd suck. 2) Ghostwriting was tested once. Never again. The lack of control (same as with actual publishing of other people's work) just drives me up the wall. Co-authoring is much better. 3) Co-authoring... hah! I have like... 5 of them now. I might find a few more, since the amount of work varies per author. But yeah, it's not as much of a break since I still have my own work to release. So it's an 'add to' instead of replacement. 4) I have family. No running away sadly for me.

Corwin

Well, if ghostwriting is bad and co-authoring isn't a nice fit. I can see neither being ideal for you. As for your new series. My understanding is you are playing with them. Maybe they aren't perfect and maybe we do want more. But with Hidden Wish, and AoB I don't think you shut the door on revisiting them. Maybe as shorts. Maybe eventually as a stand alone novel or two. And if that's the case I think most of us can accept that. And I totally get you feeling bad about dropping anything. I have a few authors who wrote a book or two or three and it ends without really finishing it. But I accept it. Maybe not nicely but I do understand constrants. I don't expect a novel just for me alone. Though maybe if I paid enough 🤔🤔🤔...but no I can accept some things. Every story has an ending and a beginning. It's the middle where all the fun stuff happens. As for the vacation idea. You can bring them along. I have 2 kids who are learning the mystical arts of camping, swimming, shooting and other things from their dad. Some of my stress relief is watching my kids fail and try.