Oh no, two posts in a row. This is what happens when we are not furiously writing.
It is a very blustery day in Texas. The world is soaking in the downpour, and the thick rain hangs like a pale haze. The fat raindrops bubble up as they strike the ground and drum a steady, comforting hum on the metal roof. It is cozy. The two dogs of Andrews household are sacked out, the cats are sleeping, and the outside critters are hiding from the rain.
We need the rain. I have to say that, or they might kick me out of Texas.
1,000 sets of borderless vellum arrived yesterday, thankfully packaged in plastic and safe from the rain. I am going to finish the customer queries today, the sticker sheets have been printed, and I am excited to get our dining room back.
I also have to mail several packages. And I hope to do little mundane things like cleaning the house.
For those of you who asked what I was knitting – it’s a shawl. I did so much crochet that I needed a palate cleanser. I scored this gorgeous Volcanic Eruption Estrelitta colorway from Miss Babs, and I paired it with S’mores Yummy 2 ply. I thought it might tone down the sparkle.
The joke is on me, because the pattern I picked calls for distinct stripes, and these two yarns blend flawlessly.
I had to frog it, because the narrow stripes the pattern needed faded completely. This is not the right pattern for this yarn, but I started and I am going to keep going. Often wrong but never in doubt!
I decided to call this mess Fireside Ember project.
Some of you noticed that the book linked in the previous post, This Monster of Mine by Shalini Abeysekara, has been dropped by her publisher. When that happens, sometimes people decide to boycott the publisher. Just in case anyone is considering it, please don’t. Shalini is entitled to royalties, so the best revenge here would be to buy this book, so she can get all the moneys.
Publishing is not for the faint of heart.
We’ve been writing for almost a year, non-stop. Vacation is not in the cards this year, so we will end up doing a staycation, and right now it honestly feels so soothing to just not have the enormous pressure of a past due deadline. People have been asking what’s next, and we don’t know yet. Right now we are going to decompress by filling all these orders, and then we will see.
A small request: please stop making threads and commenting about all of the books we have not written and demanding to know when they will get here. It doesn’t help. It makes more pressure, and more pressure will not make books happen. It will just give me a massive writer’s block, and since it takes two of us to write the books, the HA machine will grind to a halt. To create, we need room to breathe.
Well, it’s almost 10:00 am, and I have a list of things to take care of.
Oh, and ARRA has a cool announcement.
So excited that you guys will be coming to Sydney next March and I hope you enjoy your travels down under!
The weather should be nicer than the current intermittent rain…
Have fun in Australia! That sounds lovely.
Also, I think those colors go pretty well together, and the muted stripe look is kind of cool.
it’s wonderful that y’all are getting to move at a slower more relaxing pace. I hope you find joy in the mundane day to day tasks as you do in your wild adventures.
Also on a different note, Shalini Abeysekara caused my first book hangover of the year and is now an automatic buy for me. This Monster it is enthralling and intense.
PLEASE take all the time you need to rest and recover. I’d rather have fewer, better books from you than more books you’ve cranked out but not been at your best for. Thank you for your work.
+1000
That yarn! I’m in love! As a fellow crocheter I think these two would still be perfect as a shawl or cowl even if it doesn’t follow the color pattern you were aiming for.
We are also enjoying a “cold” front here in Dallas, TX but will be back to our regularly scheduled program next week with triple digits. Ugh.
Enjoy the slowdown – every person needs it in their life.
We are doing a staycation this year too and honestly it’s been so nice! Planning new recipes we want to try, a couple movies we want to watch, going to the pool, plenty of time to read, etc. I think everyone should do it at least once
How lovely you’ll be in Australia for ARR2027 — what an honor, and so thrilling!
Please take even more time than you think you need to just decompress and to relax — and to take care of all of those mundane home projects you’ve had on the back burner.
Try to get to the point where you are so bored of doing nothing/fun/housey things, and stubborn little stories are piling up in your head asking oh so politely for you to kindly make note of them — then and only then start up with writing.
Just a thought.
Be good to yourselves and your whole human & animal clan.🌼
P.S. I love the rain. This? “It is a very blustery day in Texas. The world is soaking in the downpour, and the thick rain hangs like a pale haze. The fat raindrops bubble up as they strike the ground and drum a steady, comforting hum on the metal roof. It is cozy.” Book-worthy.
+1
It’s great you’re getting a break. Everyone needs time to decompress and relax. Do something you enjoy.
I love the colors in your new project!
Are there people pressuring you about your productivity? How???
I’m kind of amazed by how much you both write while keeping top quality!
The draft of TKWNKM 2 got ready insanely fast, it was such a happy surprise. I honestly thought it would be like 3 years or more before I would see book 2 (and I was being optimistic in my estimates, writing something complex and rich and clever like that is a ton of work).
Also, I don’t mind rereading my favourites while I wait, I always find new cool details when I do it.
Please keep in mind that work is a marathon and not a sprint, it needs to be both sustainable and rewarding.
I prefer reading books that were a source of joy for the authors too, and I bet a lot of other fans feel the same. Sending all my support and best wishes that every new project (including the yarn ones!) brings you even more delight and fulfillment.
I bought This Monster of Mine; it looks good! Thanks for the recommendation 🥰
Congratulations on the invite to AUS! I bet that will be fun. Hopefully you two are able to book in time just for traveling and sightseeing while you are there 🙂 it is an awfully long flight to not stay for at least 10 days :p
And I am sorry people have been commenting on what has not been done versus appreciating what has been. That type of stress isn’t good for anyone 🫂
Yay rain! My state has been having a serious drought, so every time it comes I thank my lucky atmospheric currents. There’s also something restorative about having a cozy summer day indoors while all the plants suck up the water. I wish you guys all the rest and recovery, and continued confidence in setting your own creative pace.
Take care and enjoy a well deserved rest.
Also, if you feel like writing a publishing post, I would be very interested to learn more about what it means for a publisher to drop a book.
+1
How exciting for you! I see there is a whole week where you might be able to have an actual vacation! Gees, BDH give them time to decompress after this marathon stretch of writing, everyone deserves a break! Congratulations on finally getting some rain in your area. It’s been 95 to 104 here lately, way hotter than we are used to for such a long stretch of time. I haven’t even opened the windows at night, reminds me of Virginia Beach minus the humidity. Oh well, this too shall pass so enjoy your down time!
I don’t know any artists personally but I do follow some on Instagram if you’reinterested! You could also do those really cool pet portraits to show how regal Tuna is (don’t have any cats but personally looove long haired ones and Tuna is IT!)
Also just want to say how happy I am for you and Gordon, with the extremely long lines at conventions,finishing up your book, and handling merch among so many other things, you both have done so much this year and people are recognizing what wonderful writers you both are. I hope you can continue to do what you love and have many days off too.
Thank you for creating worlds we can get lost in no matter which reread we are on.
Yeah!! March in Australia!! I hope you take time to tour the country and have so much fun!!
If you can, visit New Zealand too, it’s my favorite 😍
I loved living and working in Australia. The people are the best and life is just amazing. Here I have city turkeys that walk down the sidewalk. There I had kangaroos on the golf course! I hope you all have the best time and can take some time to explore! Safe Travels.
One of my very favorite things to do is sit inside (dry, thankyouverymuch!) when it’s raining hard outside. I like hearing the rain on the roof, I like watching the rain hit the puddles, I like watching the rain ‘flow’ down my slightly slanted gravel driveway. If it’s not sideways rain, I have the windows up so I can hear it better. If it’s sideways rain, everything is closed up tight because I don’t need that, thank you SO much, and I take crap videos through a less than clean window.
I love the rain!!!
That photo of Tuna investigating the sticker sheet is giving me serious sticker cravings! (Also kitty cravings, which must stay unmet because my husband is allergic.)
I’m glad to see the store will reopen in August! Must buy stickers… 🤤
The shawl looks lovely. I love both sets of yarn. I’m glad you are getting your dining room back. I like to think of HA enjoying that beautiful mural and the good food you always put together.
Wonderful that you are taking a well-deserved break. As someone mentioned above, I’m having fun rereading and learning and noticing new things I have missed. it is like reading a new book!
My brother visited Australia for four weeks and loved the people and places he saw. He says he won’t go back because the long fight was so hard, though. So plan carefully.
Sorry Ilona.
This hordling does not wish to apply undue pressure. Just want to be sure you know we love Team Andrews writing and the way it fills a piece of our hearts. 💕
While we want All The Words and find w@it to be a difficult command, love your worlds and characters and remain secure that our (tiny) p@tience will be richly rewarded.
Much appreciation for all the extras from blogs and appearances to stickers and vellum.
Now take a mental break, have a cup of tea, pet a cat and relax to the sound of rain.
Beautiful shawl.
I think I have enough paw squares to start joining my first (and last) blanket. I have verified that I do not like projects of that size. Now I am turning to knockers. Before I send some off, I am going to make a couple with leftover brightly colored yarns, stuff a squeaker in them, and have dog toys. I am also experimenting with designing a sweater for Cecelia much to her disgust.
I am reading Shalini A.’s book and really enjoying it.
Thank you for the recommendation, the publisher truly dropped a good one. After I finish this book I will check out the rest of her books.
I’m also in Texas, just up the road from you and it is very wet and humid, a great day for cleaning the house around sleeping pets.
I sincerely hope you and Gordon have time to rest and pick back up normal life routines.
As members of the horde we will wait for you to recharge, we know that waiting brings the good things we have grown to love best.
I love the knitting with the muted colors and subtle stripes.
As I am. Long time fan of GRRM. I am appreciative of authors respecting their art enough to ignore the whiners. HA has gotten me through some stressful and sad times. So you take as much time as your art needs. The BDH will always want more no matter how much you give.
That’s so nice you have rain. Here in Oregon we could use some so feel free to send any residue our way! And I love both your yarns but am enamored of the Volcanic Eruption. I think a shawl of just that would be awesome, but that’s just me. I love how yours is turning out. The colors mesh well together. I am one of those who have just mentioned books I’d love you to write but I was not trying to push or pressure you. And I apologize if that is exactly what I did. I do some watercolor painting so I know that people can suggest – ‘oh, you should paint this’ but I have to paint what I feel like painting. I’m imagining it is the same for you. Please just know when we ask for books, we aren’t trying to pressure you, we are just letting you know how much we adore your books and your characters. As a proud Horde member, we want more – always – but are always ecstatic at whatever we get. I am so glad you are getting some time to relax and decompress. Enjoy listening to the rain and watching your pets snooze.
I cannot describe to you how excited I am for the Australia trip! I have been a fan as a 20 something South African in Johannesburg many moons ago..then ordering all your books from Amazon USA. Now I am a expat living in Sydney and finally…..finally I get a chance to meet you!! You will love Australia. See you soon! XXXX
Happy for Australian BDH…
That is going to be one beautiful shaw!
Book purchased. Looking forward to the read! And happy to support a fellow Canadian.
Tuna is looking FABULOUS, best model ever and is probably holding out for elebenty billion churus as per standard cat model contract.
Thank you for the book rec, I am liking it a lot and wishing you peace and coziness!
Thanks for sharing your cozy pup-snooze pictures! They will be so happy to have you around the house during your break, without your writing deadlines to distract you from the important business of tummy rubs, treats, toy games and sofa snuggles!!!
My comment/my opinion:
Anticipation of the next book after finishing an amazing experience as a reader is truly a gift. I have been appalled by the intense, relentless demands and “performance punishment” inflicted on awesome authors from some demanding readers. It shows an absence of sensitivity to the creative process and utter lack of understanding of the intense amount of work and personal investment that goes into your creations. I hope you know that you have so many new fans (like myself, started with TKWNKM, followed by Kate Daniels and friends, then Hidden Legacy…) and longer-term lovers of your literature that do appreciate you, and don’t consider your work on the level of on-demand fast food! (More proof: All those fans in Columbus were willing to travel there and wait in those impressive lines for the opportunity to meet you and show appreciation, none expecting a drive-thru experience)
Off my soap box…
I hope you are able to truly and deeply decompress and relax. But you said” Right now we are going to decompress by filling all these orders.” I don’t think that word means what you think it means 🙂 Filling the orders (and better yet, having them be finished being fulfilled) may very much make you feel less stressed, but I hope you also get to do things that sound less like… work.
I just looked for the date I first got one of your books – it looks like it was February 2015 – so I have seen so very many protestations from the Horde (and proto-Horde) about how hard it is to w**t, and when will the next book come, when will you turn the snippet you gave us last January into a trilogy, when will you get back to the event you foreshadowed in the life of a favorite character and on and on. I hope every time you read one of those questions, what you hear is “We love you and your work.” Looking back on all those years, I don’t remember the waiting at all. I remember all the joy and solace that your books have brought me. Wishing you a restorative post-deadline recuperation!
👏 Well said!
So many ways to say this, need to get it just right…
Being an author in essence is to be an artist, and to be self-employed. Artists create more when inspiration strikes (supposedly), and being self-employed means you can pick your working hours (supposedly).
But, dear Reader… BUT. Our dear IA are actually a POWERHOUSE writing couple and they always come through for us. I could give examples but then I might set the Horde slavering, so I will instead just say: BDH, stand down, chill. I am almost certain that our appetites will be wetted with snippets and other goodies.
Meanwhile, good work on the shawl, Ilona. Also good work on all the non-writing stuff that you do, such as the book plates and stickers (wish I could get my greedy ZAR paws on some…).
Your knitting project is NOT a disaster! It’s lovely and subtle. I don’t knit, but my (German ancestry) grandmother did…she knitted me a couple of lovely Irish Báinin fisherman’s sweaters and enjoyed the projects immensely.
That yarn is so pretty! I’m sure the shawl will turn out amazing, even if it doesn’t match the pattern entirely.
It’s great that you are going to Australia. Sadly I won’t be able to make any of the events cause I already have plans for one of the NZ great walks at that time. I’m already sad that I will be missing it.
Enjoy your well earned rest.
Yay. Australia. No west coast alas 🙁 , but getting HOA to Australia at all is a treat.
Staycations are my favourite! I met a couple once who told everyone they were going away in order to be left alone for their staycation, then bought in enough groceries and whatever else they needed for a week or two and – hid at home. Perhaps a little excessive – but I get it – it was a fairly small community so whenever one went out one met someone who wanted to ‘engage’. I’ve never deliberately gone that far – but a staycation tends to be my default mode. Also may I +1 everyone who is telling you to rest, relax, do nothing – my new favourite motto is ‘Time you have enjoyed wasting was not wasted’ (I regret I don’t know who I should attribute that to – I only know I didn’t think of it first).
Rhyn, the original was written by Marthe Trory Curtin in her book Phynette Married in 1912. It has been attributed to others. You did not complete it add the word “time” to the end.
The rain looks lovely- please send some north so we can finally leave our houses (I know it doesn’t actually work that way but a girl can dream)! We’ve been smothered by smoke and my children are (sometimes literally) climbing the walls and since we’ve actually reached the highest possible point on the air quality index scale today, it looks like we won’t be headed outside in the near future. I have been singing the summertime blues and let me tell you, children do not appreciate the time and effort that I put into entertaining them 😂.
I love seeing what you are knitting/crocheting and every time I read or reread your books and come across a fiber reference I pretty much scream internally like a young girl at a Taylor swift concert. Thanks for the updates, I hope you both have a chance to enjoy the peace and quiet. Finally got (read forced) my husband to listen to Maggie and now he understands my excitement when I’ve been telling him random updates about your progress on Maggie 2- I think he’s more excited than me for the second one! Best wishes on decompressing!
Take a well earned break, and hope you love visiting us. Plus I think that colour combo is deadly 😀
holy crap have fun in Australia!! you will enjoy it so much! I studied aboard there (and met my husband there) and it is a fabulous country!
Creativity under pressure… don’t have it, never will. Even trying to clear the email inbox feels overwhelming – why does it keep filling up again.
Pls do take all the vacation, ever and enjoy the rain. We need some here as well, if nothing else to clear the smoke from Canada. The sky earlier this week reminded me of New York City in the 1970s – mustard/grey.
My dogs sacked out as well… not breathing right.
You’re coming to Brisbane (Queensland,Australia) !! Wonderful news. Those strange sounds you hear are my squells of excitement. I look forward to meeting you both there, with the side benefit of meeting fellow members of the BDH.
I am excited to get whatever your writing muse decides wants to be written. I will hope for certain things, but will be deliriously happy with whatever comes out next. But you need and deserve a vacation now and we have Maggie 2 to look forward to.
I’m sorry to see that there is catastrophic flooding in Texas right now. Home sounds like the place to be as highways and roads are flooded. 🛋️📚
Oooo-beautiful project! Is it wrong to like the reverse side best? 🙂 Such a flow of colors…Thank you, HA, for putting up with the voracious BDH. Enjoy the Land Down Under!
ooohhh,I hadn’t seen this blog, the double release fooled me.
ooohhh pretty re the stickers as well as the super model cat that is Tuna- surely Tuna must be winning the ginger cat war?
oh, so it was this post that then resulted in the post about dropped authors.
I’m off to check if I can buy the e-book from the author mentioned directly, so that she gets all of the money.
we need the train in the UK desperately too, light misty non cloud burst rain for 3-4 days to help replenish the surface layers of the soil to help species like hedgehogs be about to grub easily for natural food and we just need to stop people cutting lawns to yellow drough coloured buzz cuts which completely exposed the soil and makes the impacts of the drought worse 🙁
Happy for our fellow Horde members down under ☺
Speaking for myself alone: I want all the books, all the time. You’d have to clone yourself at least twice to keep me happy, and everyone knows clones are evil. They’d probably switch from book writing to world conquest.
Please don’t clone yourself. Please do rest.
I’ll buy your books when they come out.
As always, thanks for the picture descriptions.
Signed,
A Resident Blindy (because I’m sure I’m not the only one)
You’re coming to Australia!!! Woohoo!! Best news in the morning 🙂
I live in Perth so will have to choose to visit Sydney/ Melbourne….
My calendar countdown begins 🩷
I just need to buy a paperback/ hardcover — all i have are ebooks!!
Which one should I buy? Any suggestions??
Congratulations and I’m happy the BDH can love on you globally. I can not describe to you the ways in which Kate, Arabella, Nevada, Catalina, and all the found families get me through stress. I think because of their stories (well your creativity would building AND character development) might make it through my PhD program! Going back in my 40s has been rough….but that goes to say, House Andrews, Kid 1 & 2 with all their fur babies deserve all the love, peace, and rest. Thank you for your courage to share your imaginings. We are the luckiest BDH.
October 2026 to book. Waiting now.