It has, again, been too long since I last updated all of you. My apologies. I continue to work at my leadership coaching job, and there have been a couple of distractions, one of which continues.
We were in Panama for our fifth time at Tropic Star Lodge. The fishing was not as good as the previous year, but nothing to complain about. We caught 24 Sailfish, some good-sized Dorado, and three or four other species. The weather was warm but not intolerable. It was a good trip, and we were planning our sixth visit when we got some sad news. The fishing director, Richard White, and his wife have decided to move on to Florida. Doing what we don’t know. Our first visit was Richard’s first season, and ever since, it has been like going to meet family. We aren’t sure if we will be going back next year, but we will leave the decision open for now.
The second distraction is still in progress. We are building a 40×50 metal building to house my tractor and its implements, as well as all my tools that are now crammed into a small garage and are impossible to find. The pet project is in the final stages, and we hope it will be ready for us by the end of the month. Fingers crossed.
Meanwhile, as I have been telling everyone, I have been dragging my feet on finishing Renegade. Last month, I picked up speed and am now at the 85K word count and 35 chapters. My guess is that the book will be in the area of 90K words, which is not my longest but also not my shortest.
Part of my slowness, as I have probably mentioned in past postings, is trying to insert more detail and character development. In the past year, I read 29 novels to seek examples of how I can do better. When I’m finished, you will be the judge.
Another more complicated aspect of this book is the choreographing of battle scenes, mostly in space. This has been more extensive than I have done in the past. As some of you know, I use PowerPoint as an art pad to put the battles into motion. Right now, I am on page 39 of those battle elements. I keep moving ships around to the best and most realistic combat positions. Maybe I’m overdoing it, but it is the best way for me to keep track of who shoots who and how.
Earlier this week, I contacted my editors to set up a schedule, and it looks like I can get everything done editorially by the end of the year. Editors take their time, and I have no control. Then I have to fix things.
The bad thing is that I will not be able to release the book in 2024 as I had hoped. But I’m pushing as hard as I can. For example, I was working on Chapter 35 when I stopped to write this.
Thank you all for following my work….even when it is slow going.
Feel free to ask any questions you might have.
