Fenrik, the Yakuza & Hell

...the three main ingredients in the 8th book's slow-cooker

While the Barbarians of the Storm books don’t fit into a singular genre, none of the seven previous books probably blend genres together as extremely as the next book, the second Fenrik Side Quest. This also makes this book exciting to write but pretty challenging, as well.

It’s still moving along, albeit slower than I would like. This isn’t just because of the story’s challenges but because of the life changes and problems I’ve discussed before. Although, after having just dealt with putting my father to rest and gearing up for another move over the next month, my brain power is split between multiple big things.

I’m looking to try and have my move done within the next few weeks. I have to be out of my current place by the end of May but I am able to start moving into the RV in the woods as soon as I want. Well, once I get some money to the new landlord, who isn’t even charging me full rent till June due to being really cool and understanding about my situation. This guy seems like a real standup dude and I think he’s glad to have someone living on his property that he knows isn’t a total shithead.

I am pushing myself to write every weekday morning, regardless of my currently diminished brain power. If I am not specifically writing, I’m spending the time researching or plotting out and fine tuning the details of the story.

Plus, I am nearly through the most difficult part of the book, which is the early chapters that focus on setting up the story. Fenrik is thrust back to Earth, briefly reunites with the love of his life and friends, discovers that his daughter has been abducted by a powerful devil and brought to Sulfur Hell, and also has to work with a powerful Yakuza boss who is more or less a terrorist since stealing nukes. Needless to say, there is a lot to establish and flesh out here. Oh yeah, also ninjas!

I am aiming to get past this part of the story early this week and then hopefully I will find a much better grove and can move more swiftly, which is usually what happens after I lay the foundation.

As always, I just wanted to give an update as to where I am at. Things are progressing but I feel like I’m close to going full speed again. At the same time, I’m trying not to push myself so hard that I get burnt out. But the light at the end of the tunnel keeps inching closer each day.