While in the last Substack article, I stated that I was going to spend less time on this platform and focus strictly on the next book, I still feel that an occasional update is okay. Especially when I have had some significant strides in the next book’s creation process. Plus, I haven’t given an update in over two weeks, so I was gone for a record amount of time here.
Fenrik 1992, the second Fenrik Side Quest is finally moving along at a pace I am very happy with. The past year, as you know, has been hell in a lot of ways and my creative process was incredibly strained because of it. Now that I have solved the biggest issue I had to contend with and have peace of mind, the creative fire is burning again. While it is not quite a blazing inferno (yet), I am finding myself getting back into a much more consistent routine. Being that I am a man of routine, this is exactly where I need to be.
This is a strange book in the Barbarians of the Storm series but it has been a hell of a lot of fun to write, thus far. And now, I am nearing the end of the first act of the story. This one has a very well-defined three act structure where each act has a different tone, as Fenrik and his Yakuza boss ally work their way towards their journey into Hell on a rescue mission… and to nuke the fuck out of it.
I also came up with a cool character concept for a group. They were supposed to only exist for one chapter, but as I wrote and things developed, one of them has become a semi-major character in the story and it has also given me more ideas for her character in future tales.
For now, that’s it. I just wanted to state where I was at in the book, and to say that things for me are getting much better. I kind of love where I am at, right now. Frankly, after the past year, I think I am exactly where I need to be. *fingers crossed* Let’s just hope life doesn’t throw one of its nasty curveballs again for awhile.
Thanks for all of you that have been supportive and understanding as I’ve had to work my way through what was the worst year of my life that didn’t involve the death of someone close. Maybe one day I will elaborate on the darker shit I went through beyond just the surface level stuff I’ve mentioned. But for now, the book is my priority.