To give you an idea of what it’s like to write after the release week. For reasons of COVID and other factors, we have to finish Ryder as fast as possible, so I am not getting the few days off I needed. Here is how bad things are.
Nick worried me. Years ago, before Nick became Knight-Protector, he was a Crusader and his last assignment before his promotion was to infiltrate Roland’s organization. Grandfather had done something to him, something awful neither of them ever talked about. Nick Feldman had been volatile to begin with,
Wait a minute, wasn’t Kate’s guardian named Feldman? Did I confuse the names again? Why does this keep happening? This is so annoying…
… trying to remember’s the “right” last name for 15 seconds…
Nick is Greg’s kid. They have the same last name. Oh my God.
And this concludes the fried brain segment of your entertainment today. 😀
Sorry you aren’t getting time off which I think you both really really deserve.
There’s times to push and there’s time to acknowledge you’re on the verge of burning out or past that point already. Please take care of yourselves. I know I can wait for Ryder and greatly prefer you take care. You’ve already done an excellent job with book release, virtual signings, and existing Ryder installments.
Again, thank you all for writing Ryder. I am so thrilled to have Julie’s book.
Emerald Blaze is amazing. I’ve read it twice and am ready to start another read-through of the whole series.
I can’t remember who recommended this, but as a break from Hidden Legacy I’m reading “The Vanished Queen” by Lisbeth Campbell. Highly, highly recommended.
the day I got married there was a receiving line. My husband and I were introducing each other to various sundry guests. I turned to my husband said this is my husband and nothing came out. There was no name. Total blank. Never happened before and hasn’t happened since. Perhaps I was a bit stressed. I hope that you are able to get on a more normal writing schedule that doesn’t stress you to the max. I don’t want you to get so stressed that you quit writing.
Maybe index cards for each character would help? Like little cheat sheets pinned up, listing appearance, bio, relationships to other characters, and resume of key appearances.
Sometimes I think I need to do this to keep track of friends I haven’t seen since lockdown, it’s been so long since we’ve seen each other!
Take a break. Watch Black Panther on ABC at 8, commercial free. I’m in the middle of a book, so my husband is DVRing it for us to watch tomorrow.
In my case…I knew I was fried when my brain wouldn’t accept that two 4s make an eight. I had to draw 8 lines to convince myself and then count it a few more times just to make sure. Also my brain didn’t trust the calculator as well. IF I remember correctly it wasn’t even relevant to the mathI was doing back then (diff.calc) it just was a random thought that stopped me for a few minutes. LOL.
lol! Cup of tea, deep breaths, repeat as needed.
I have to say this is one of my favorite pictures and its Nick. I thought he was a cool character when he showed up at the every beginning, and I hope he has his HEA – I mean if Hugh gets redeemed – Nick has to be redeemed too, right? Roland gets to spend eternity in his magic realm – Nick should have immortality too – Kate likes him, he is like a brother – that crazy older brother that keeps messing with you.
In my mind, Nick, the Knight Crusader, was like that cop in Hill Street Blues, the crazy one doing deep undercover – Belker.
Thank you for writing Ryder. I’m sad circumstances have conspired to make it a burden. I was hoping you were getting as much joy out of writing it as we were reading it.
I too wish you could take the break you need and deserve. Sometimes breaks make us more productive but I trust you to know best for yourself!
Best wishes!
Your fried brain is still tons better than my regular brain. Thank you for sharing.
Do your best! We have faith in you! You’re the best and a few brain farts are par for the course.
Soooo… if you do *this* deadline thing, you must make yourselves a deal of *not* allowing *another one* to get plussed on immediately after. It sounds like you need a break. Gotta let the well refill!
If I can get myself to sit down on the floor with my back against a wall (pillows as required) and close my eyes, 12 minutes of thinking of nothing seems to give me fresh brain. 10 minutes doesn’t feel like enough and 15 often feels too ambitious. I don’t sweat special breathing, position, or anything like that. I choose floor because chairs don’t seem as restful with my legs hanging down, and bed or couch might suck me down into a nap. Naps are good, too! But sometimes you have to just press, so can’t go for the nap thing.
Whatever your personal tricks for more brain, I hope you do at least a few cycles of those while you are getting through generation of this latest excellent collection of words.
Then, reeest and reset at earliest opportunity. The regeneration requirement *is* real! Seriously. Must re-create so as to be able to keep doing your cool creation stuff.
In the mean time, good luck with the words! May they flow with ease and perfect energy.
When I write, I can NEVER keep all the names straight. Sometimes I can’t even remember the first name of an important character if they haven’t appeared for a while….
That’s why I always make a list of all the characters as they appear, and their relationships (including maiden names when appropriate). Otherwise, I’d have to re-read everything from the start every time I get confused (which is often).
Same thing with dates/ages. Trying to keep it in my head would be like trying to stop the tide, hopeless.
Excel spreadsheet or database with character names, books thy appear on, physical description, if it changes at a certain point, key plot things that happen to them, any iconic items, quotes, sayings, all sortable and searchable.
^_^
I used to do that when tackling licensing style guides to make sure character and plot info was right on things. c
Someone once said that if you like sausage and respect the law, you shouldn’t watch either being made. This also seems to include books. ????????
I’m a novice writer who’s writing for fun. I discovered world building last year and honestly, I’m surprised this type of problem doesn’t happen more often because I have to keep a cheat sheet with me at all times for information like that. Thank you both for all you do.
I thought Nick and Greg were brothers?
Nawh. The info is in Magic Binds, I believe. Kate originally thought brother, but then found out more. Jim’s research, I believe.
I love Nick (and Hugh and Erra and Roland!) Thank you for giving us Ryder, its amazing to revisit that world through Julie’s eyes.
Here is something to help you with the fried brain syndrome. If you visit http://www.thestoryteller.blog , you will find a curtain raiser for a book called “The house that Dhathri built”. It is set in the 1800s onwards, and is the story(ies) of a palace in South India, in the Malabar region. It is very well researched and the stories are true, even if they have been fictionalised. I suggest it mainly as it is something that is culturally completely different to anything you may be used to and therefore interesting to read! The book is available on Amazon (Kindle and paperback).
Its just a suggestion for a book to relax with!
Hahaha, courage ! ????????
I understand totally to this fried-brain-thing ????
So post release brain is kind of like baby brain?
You’ll be okay. Just send Gordon out for ice cream and yummy coffees.
Or, better yet, send the kids out for it.
I’m sorry you didn’t get the rest you deserved. But thank you for sharing ????
I hope your brain regenerates soon ????
I can’t even remember my own kids/spouse’s name on a good day. I can’t even image keeping up with an entire universe and all the relationships, etc. contained in it. Good luck!
Sorry you don’t get the much needed break you both deserve right now. As a fan I’m always demanding more, but as someone who has experienced burn out please take care of yourselves!
*hug* It will be ok. A good thing you caught it now.
My print copy of EB cane today from Bank Square Books. They wrapped it nicely in brown paper like a present. The book plate and a bookmark mark tucked inside. It was so nice…. I’ve been doing kindle version for fiction for so long…kinda forgot the experience of a sweet paperback. Thanks again for all those signatures you did!! It’s very cool and special to have …hope brain rest comes soon …
Dear baker at the Andrews home,
I’ve been looking at Pithivier recipes trying to find one the uses apples. I finally came across one from Epicurious that uses an apple butter in addition to frangipane. Is this close enough?
Thanks!
Hi Brenda, there was a recipe posted on this site; https://ilona-andrews.com/2019/a-pithivier/
Have fun baking
Thank you for taking the time to make blog posts. I hope they somehow help with the fried brain. The posts brighten our days.
Thank you, and everyone who helped, for making Emerald Blaze. It’s amazing. Worth reading and re-reading and re-re-reading. Have to go re-read all stories, especially Of Swine and Roses.
Thank you for the Cool Aunt bribe. I wouldn’t have bought a paperback copy otherwise, these days. Need adjustable type… The paperback just fits in one’s hands, though. My Precious! Whenever Cool Aunt shows up for public re-reading, it will be great.
Knowing House Andrews contains accomplished cooks, I thought of you today. Was reworking leftovers into a kinda, sorta love child of a Burmese curry. Wondered what you all might have done with quinoa, cooked chicken, beans, cilantro, lime juice, cucumber and carrots.
May the rest of your year be Boring.
I was over on Amazon reading reviews for Emerald Blaze. I like to read the one, two, and three start reviews. People’s brains are like fart muffins. One two star reviewer said she didn’t like Emerald Blaze because Catalina and Alesandro were not Kate and Curran. My brain went blank for a second. Then I am thinking different characters, different worlds, different circumstances but you are upset because the characters are not the same? Some people shouldn’t be allowed to read books much less post.
I feel for you
Checking your blog has become a vital part of my week. Thank you, from all your fans in South Africa.
I can relate. For what it’s worth, you aren’t alone. It seems the BDH suffers along with you.
If I remember correctly, Nick Feldman was the son of Kate’s guardian who’s last name was Feldman who is killed before Book 1 starts.
OK, this may be a question that has already been asked and answered, but I haven’t been able to figure out where Kate got her last name from. Is this addressed in the books?
mmmm…..good question which leads to “what was Kate’s mom’s last name”?
Happy ????. My dead tree books, got paperback and hardcover came today fromBlueWillow. Called bookshop to tell them they had arrived. The colors on the covers are so bright .
Thank you so much for another chapter in Hidden legacy.
Hope you are getting enough sleep, food and time to relax a little bit.
Miss the innkeeper. Will have to read sweep in peace again. Glad I bought all the innkeeper books and Iron and Magic.
May you never run out of words.
Thank you.
I could not remember how to spell “three.”
I was writing a check for half payment of a shared fence, leaning against the fence with the person waiting on the other side to take the check from me. Ended up writing it out on the wood of my side of the fence until my daughter came to see what was holding me up. The look on her face when I whispered the problem will never be forgotten. I assured her that her turn was coming!
I’ve forgotten names, how to spell, and in one particularly stressful time..my phone number! I needed to give it at the hospital and had to ask my friend to look it up on his phone! Spelling is always difficult. I want to spell things with British English spelling even though I live in Texas, and am from Texas. Years of living in other countries exposed me, and now I just struggle. Is it titre or titer. I don’t need CovidBrain to make me crazy. I got there by myself!
I am re-reading Emerald Blaze for the Nth time and I just want to congratulate you for your excellent Italian. Also, your consultant on the language. Auguri!!!!
I am re-reading Emerald Blaze for the Nth time and I just want to congratulate you for your excellent Italian. Also, your consultant on the language. Auguri!!!!
Am I the only one who checks this site first think in the morning? Love you guys I’m really grateful for your work. A huge hug from Puerto Ordaz Venezuela.
+1 I also check in the morning, and throughout the day. I find this community and IA to be soothing. Helpful. Like checking in with friends. Even if none of you would ever help me change my flat tire, I feel like…I could ask how to do it, and would get some great advice, answers and entertainment … 🙂
:sigh: we’ve all been there.
It’s a crazy schedule. <3
You know, just the other day I was wondering, do authors reread the series before writing the new instalment? This episode validates the question, I think! 😀
Any chance of a Nick Feldman POV? I would certainly enjoy reading about Nick meeting Kate for the first time and about subsequent events viewed through his eyes.
That is so familiar, but for me it is after grading final lab reports, final exams and submitting finals grades (receiving many emails from students concerning grades) and someone will ask me a question. I stare, which student are you? Which class? Which lab? Blank brain. Then I realize it is my kid. Makes me feel better knowing others get that way too. But, then I read one of y’all’s books to get my brain back.
May I recommend printing things and making a visual board in the writing area? It always helped me, but my thesis probably wasn’t nearly as detailed as your books, so you’ll have several pages of notes.
E-notes? You can save them.
Please get sleep. It’ll suck if there’s Dorking and grammatical errors in the published version after all the work you’re putting in.
Also, sick authors write no books. Please take care.
alert(“:)”)
Hugs and love ..yesterday I couldn’t remember my computer sign in. It’s my work one and I’ve had the same one for ohhhhhh TWENTY SEVEN YEARS.