Another day, huh? We push forward because we can’t go back, no matter how much we wish we could. I hope the rest of the week is kind to you all.

In today’s email: Updates on myself and my work, and a few self-care questions for y’all. Let’s do this.

It’s a bit of a slog. I’m ‘between’ writing sessions - as in the actual putting words on the page that people might someday see part. In other words, I’m outlining and working on the foundations of future writing sessions. Truthfully, it kind of sucks. I’m having trouble with the ending of one story and the beginning of another. I think the real problem is I haven’t found the main conflict of each.

I’ve got two, technically three, stories I’m actively working on:

PHARAOH SYNDICATE INVESTIGATIONS:
THE PARASITE CRIES BLACK

That is not the final title, but it’s the best I’ve got right now. In this return to my take on the Cthulhu Mythos, Lazarus and Carmine venture into the basement of an illegal casino run by their arch-nemesis, Harlan Thompson, to steal back an item intended for Miskatonic University. However, instead of a mysterious box, they find a mysterious man, who offers his help, for a small price…

There’s not a lot to say about this story yet. It’s a cosmic horror tale of mistrust and queer terror, in multiple senses of the word ‘queer’. It’s also got a basement in it, and a new character, though I’m not sure how much page time he’ll get in this one. I’m borrowing a character from a friend for this and I’m hoping it’ll go well! Wish me luck - I don’t feel confident in my cosmic horror writing skills.

RUNNER OWEN: THE LIVING BRIDE

A novel/la set in the gaslamp gothic Runner Owen world. Our hero, Owen Rosedown, infiltrates a wedding party to protect the brides from a supernatural force, but who’s going to protect him from his nemesis, the Scarred Man, who’s done the same?

Gothic as hell, this story has it all: Abbey ruins perched on a wave-ravished cliff, secretive families, a ghost, curses, and even vampires! It’s also got two brides, engaged by their families, who cannot meet until their wedding day. Owen carries letters between them, allowing plenty of time to see things maybe he shouldn’t, heh. I have the ending and some plot twists worked out, but the full details are still a mystery. And that’s frustrating me. I like having some idea of what the beginning involves even if I don’t know everything…

SUMMER NOVELLA

An experiment. An attempt to get a full novella written and edited and ready for release in June. The plot is simple right now: Our still-nameless hero runs though a carnival at night, rescuing people, fighting monsters [zombies? evil carnival prizes? clowns???] and tracking down the supernatural killers running wild though the grounds. It’s a bit slasher, bit old-school creepypasta fandom, a bit Bloodborne. Should be fun when I get to writing it.

OF COURSE I’m not just working on these three. I’ve got Old Bellblack 2.0, The Last Lawman in Fort Lostblood, and more I’m developing when the mood strikes. Sooner or later they’ll take front and center. Now isn’t that time.

Be honest with me: When was the last time you drank a glass of water? Ate some vegetables or fruit? Took a vitamin, a walk, an intentional break?

In good times, taking care of yourself is important. In bad times, it’s necessary. In dystopian times, it’s critical. When the world is pushing and pushing and pushing, you will need to stop pushing back at points and become a wall. Its hard. There’s so much to do, after all. And commercialism has hit every damn part of the self-care process to milk as many pennies out of us as possible. Influencers beg us to buy buy buy. But self-care isn’t about face masks or fancy bottled waters. It’s about doing what your body needs. It’s about being kind to yourself.

Here’s some questions to ask yourself, a basic form of checking in, to see what you need inside and out. These are very, very basic. Call these self-care 101. Let’s worry about ‘healthy’ eating after making sure we’re eating at all!

• Have I eaten lately? What was it? Did it taste good? Did I enjoy it? Why or why not?

• What have I been reading lately? Have I sat down and read a story or poem in recent memory?

• Have I been taking my medications the way I’m supposed to be? Am I unsure about anything with them? Should I look up anything, or make a note to talk to a doctor?

• When was the last time I showered? Do I need to clean myself?

• Is there any trash in my general area I can throw away? Do I need to take out the garbage? Is there something around me I can clean in 30 seconds or less? 2 minutes? 5?

• Have I talked to an actual person lately? Called, texted, messaged a living being?

• How long have I been online today? Can I stomach taking a break for 10 minutes to do something else?

• Have I been doomscrolling? How does what I’ve seen make me feel? Is there anything I can do about what I’ve seen?

• What is one action I can take to make myself feel better right now?

• What is one action I could suggest a friend do to make themselves feel better right now? How would I feel if I did it myself? Why should I do it myself?

I leave you all with something to keep your ears busy.

It’s not a rickroll, I promise.

See you this Sunday. Keep reading and don’t let the bastards grind you down.