I’ve received a concerned email asking if Something Bad happened due to my prolonged blog absence.
This is the actual wordcount. 7 scenes left.
This is a massive epic story. This sounds terrible, but neither one of us want to take anything out. We could tighten some scenes, but taking things out breaks either characterization or the flow of the manuscript. It’s not just about delivering plot and character moments. It’s about making sure that tense scenes are followed by lighter ones.
Three things are the hardest to write: battles, making love, and horrible tragedies. The latest 5 scenes in this draft include all three. These are the ones you write, and then rewrite, and finetune, and then finetune again. And then your husband frowns at the narrative and says, “This is okay, but it’s not punching. It needs to be punching.”
And then he punches his hand with his fist to demonstrate, and we go into greater detail on the gore.
I hate being late. Hate it. Due to this self-imposed pressure, I tend to default to writing bare-bone scenes, and I am incredibly fortunate because Gordon will not let me sketch it. He forces us to slow down and make sure we wring as much impact out of every scene as we can. This is the finale, and we need to stick this landing.
We only have a few scenes left, and this is the point where you make sure that all the threads are there to be tied into a knot. Meaning, if a character A is important, he must be highlighted 75,000 words ago, so people would remember who he is. So a lot of this is going back and tweaking.
Inevitably, this is the point most writers realize they have done something stupid, and it has to be fixed now, or there is no finish. For example, we had one-noted a character. His parts had to be rewritten. Sometimes it feels like you need to adjust seven things, so one sentence you have to have would make sense.
The one absolutely wonderful and amazing thing in all of this is Tor. They are basically letting us just write.
I estimate we will finish in 2 weeks. I am so ready for my summer, I can’t even tell you.
So I owe you updates on some things.
Vellum
The first trial order has been shipped out and UPS promptly sorted it into the wrong container, causing a delay. It should be arriving by Friday to most places. One person who received it said it was bent despite the cardboard, because the mail person folded it.
All new orders are going to get the Do Not Bend stickers. I’m told they are usually ignored, but we will try. If your order has arrived bent, please let us know. If everything arrives bent, we will adjust our packaging. Also, I will replace bent orders at no charge. I bought insurance, and I intend to file all the claims.
Vellum US – ready to go pending packages arriving.
Vellum UK. We found a printer. We now need fulfillment center, someone to pack out order and ship it to UK people.
Vellum EU – printer needed. If you know of someone based in EU who can print vellum, please let us know.
Vellum AUS – looking for printer and fulfillment center.
Merch
Working on it. We want to give you mugs and goodness. Some samples below/
What’s the hold up?
I am. I am the hold up, because the book must be finished. This is kind of that primary thing where if there is no book, there is no merch or anything else. I need to get together with our long suffering designer and get things approved.
I have been falling down on the job. I have missed an invoice from an artist and did not pay it for 2 weeks, which happens never. If I get an invoice, it is paid within 48 hours. I sent the payment, an apology, and a prepayment, just in case.
Crafting update.
Kid 2: My fiancé took my blanket. He will not give it back. He says it’s cozy. I am blanketless.
Behold, a candid shot of me working on her new blanket.
Gordon has a special power of taking the worst possible pictures of me, so this is a huge win. The pattern is my own. There is pretty much no pattern. I just did some sunflowers, post double crochets and stripes. Almost done. A couple of days and it goes to her.
Surprisingly, it’s not too hot, but it is a little heavy just because of the size. I was going to add some bees I would sew on, but I think the weight is probably too much as it is.
I also ordered yarn for that one shawl I want to make, but it is being dyed to order and I am waiting. I have been waiting for a while. Grrr.
Appearances
Monday, July 1st, we will be in Austin, at BN Arboretum, in conversation with Caitlin Rozakis about her new book, Startup Hell. I will do a bigger post on this before Monday. But if you missed us and need something sign, we will do it.
Hopefully we will be coherent. Because let me tell you, there is no brain left. This is an actual conversation I had with Grace Draven.
Hopefully we can be good hosts.
And now you are all caught up. I have to go and work now, because we have a can’t miss it errand this afternoon. Love you, BDH! You guys are honestly the best.
we love you too <3
please remember to breathe between words. (and we want all the words 😇)
So, so many writers do not get the “tense scene followed by lighter one”, or even a calm/funny/silly one, or just a less tense one. For me, endless sturm und drang becomes a video game, not a story.
Oh yes. I have DNF’ed two long series at half-way through the final book, with battles going on for over 100 pages, no resolution, no progress, just endless stalemate. One of the many things I appreciate about our author-lords is that they do not do this!
I can’t wait until more of the vellum is released so I can purchase it. But I would happily take the second book instead. 😆
Sending you all the love in the world.
Y’all are doing amazing, thank you for everything you do for the Horde! That blanket is gorgeous, wishing I paid more attention when my Nana tried teaching me to crochet 🥹
Appreciate this update more than words can say. Thank you for keeping it real but – as Kate says above – not all sturm und drang. Hang in there and be proud of your words and authorial wisdom (I feel you on the former having hit 435k, ugh). Tor sounds like incredible publishing partners. I’m glad you have them with you on this journey.
Totally understand the work, work, work, work mode. I’m in that right now with my work. There’s been some grumbling on my part with the way reports from a certain federal government agency were handled this time around, but I’m persevering.
Take deep breaths while writing. Take the time you need to get things done. The Horde can (and will) wait. Yes, I said the swear word. It’s been that type of day for me.
that was a humongous word count and I’m liking it (sorry not sorry)
please take time to relax before diving into merch…. those can wait
happy mid-week
This book could be over 2000 pages and I would still read it with a smile on my face the whole time. Yall are the best and we appreciate every second of work you put in! Can’t wait for you to get your well deserved summer🤍
I love the quality books you write. You simply do *not* publish bad books.
I know it’s hard and you work long hours. Thank you for that.
Please rest when you need to and take care of yourselves. Yes, I *want* the new book. W*iting for it now (Trying not to put in dirty words.) but I can w*it because I know it will be an extra-super book – and extra long, too!
Love the blanket. I am still trying to finish a hat for my only grandchild that I started back in December. Luckily, I can still make it bigger…
All.the.words.please.and.thank.you!! Looking forward to the vellum. That blanket is gorgeous 😊
The Horde is chanting… it grows louder in the distance…
Don’t Cut Any Scenes!! Don’t Cut Any Scenes!!
We like big books, and we cannot lie!
The BDH is always here for big books. We would be happiest with the biggest books.
We love guys! You are amazing.
✨️I will be sending good vibes for all your errands/work/deadlines to gently align into an efficient healthy work flow ✨️
I never thought of a book by word count, but my jaw dropped when I saw 881 pages/204,729 words!! And still scenes to go! With that beautiful blanket over you, I don’t know how you stayed awake for the picture. Please take care of yourselves; we love our authors and want them alive to have their well-earned relaxation this summer.❤️
My vellum literally just showed up minutes ago (11:25am AZ time) and it is beautiful. Slight bend in the packaging but the contents are pristine. I’m fondling the Duke as I write. 🙂 Now comes the hard part. Where do I put the stickers?!?
I suspect the BDH will agree with me on this: writing > merch. We love our merch, but the words are what we devour.
Having said that…waterbottle? notebook? laptop? desktop? phone? Argh! So many places and only a couple of stickers!!!
Hang in there. We love you!!
We love you too! And all your words!
Take care of yourselves! Merch can wait (apologies for the coarse language), much as we want it.
“Three things are the hardest to write: battles, making love, and horrible tragedies. The latest 5 scenes in this draft include all three.”…Ooooh? good to know!
So very excited. Your summer is so soon –you can make it!
Yes, I very much highlighted this and was like…MAKING LOVE!! But also battles and tragedy, omg. I can’t wait and am so nervous at the same time.
Team Dont Take Anything Out
Team Give Us All The Scenes
😎
Love, love, love the blanket!
Making love!!! Yes
Battle scenes! Yes
Horrible tragedies!!! Nooooooooo☹️
+1
+1
Thanks for the update! The blanket is beautiful!
I love that you take such care with the work work work work work work. And I will take high word counts over merch.
I’m so thankful you two put the effort in that you do. It really comes across in the quality when we read.
Am I the only one who started humming ” I like big books and I can not lie!”? 200000+ words and seven more scenes sounds great in my ears! Just remember to rest. I desperatly want the next book but not at the cost of your health!
And the blanket is beautiful!
Beautiful blanket! While I am still in book hangover from This Kingdom, the w***t required includes time for breaks. Maybe our wonderful Mod R could field these emails with a standard reply? Writers are writing! Writers are recovering!
I do, several times a day, when they are sent to me or to the newsletter, blog issues, or anywhere that I can see 🙂
Wow. Thanks for taking time out to give us an update! You know, of course, that we won’t complain about ALLLL the scenes. 🙂
Good thoughts that the wording goes smoothly and you can take well-deserved break with all the amazing downtime things you love.
The merch look sooooo cool. I’m going to need to make some space. I can already tell that I will have absolutely NO chill when the store opens. I plan to rationalize drinkware purchases by dividing them into home and work purchases. 🙂
BDH sending love right back to you!
This is a reminder that you and Gordon are much loved. ❤️ Please don’t beat yourself up. We know you will deliver something exceptional for the hungry Book devouring horde.
🙏🏽 thank you.
I am making space in my cupboard for the “Good morning” coffee mug. Love it.🥰
I’m lost been a bit MIA on blog posts due to life.
Is this book 2 of Maggie?
Yes, indeed 🙂
Digging those sunflowers…that blanket is really lovely! Thanks for the update and we love you, too!
Grace Draven is right. Pursuit of Jade is worth the watch. I loved that show.