That Appears to Have Worked

Last week, I finished reading my third book of the year. I mean, really my second, since I started reading the first early last year, but just couldn't get it finished before the year was out. But I'm counting it all the same, damn it.

That makes 2026 already leaps and bounds better than last year when it comes to reading. Which I am thrilled about, to be honest. I love reading, and falling out of the habit for so long really bothered me.

The change I made - the reading on public transit - is something that has actually worked for me. Sure, it happens only three days a week, but it's over a two hours on the days that it happens. Six hours of reading a week seems low, but it is not nothing.

I'm not sure why this has worked, when all the other attempts (like carving time before bed to read) did not, but I'm not going to question it. It's working, and I'll keep with it. The next book up is The Quantum War by Derek Künsken. It's the third book in his The Quantum Evolution series, which I have enjoyed so far. So I'm looking forward to reading it.

Writing last week didn't happen, but I was back at it this week, and it's going well. At 67 000 words so far, I do think that this will be more than one book. It's also quite a slow read, as my books tend to be in the beginning. That's not for everyone, I realise, so I'm a little worried about reader retention with this one especially. I just hope I can create an fascinating enough world, and interesting enough characters to keep people reading.

While this is happening, I'm also thinking about more things to do with my art, which is usually created in service to the stories floating around my head. I want to offer bookmarks for sale. Maybe book bags. Travel mugs. Stickers. That sort of thing. I have been doing some light research on places where I can get that done. I would prefer to work with Canadian companies, because I want to support local as much as possible, which creates some interesting restrictions in the search.

Perhaps I'll find a supplier and get some stock in for Can*Con this year, but I'm not certain that will happen. I'm kind of just thinking about it right now. At the moment, I'm concentrating on art I created for The Dying God & Other Stories. There are a lot of possibilities with that. There's a fair amount of art. Enough for a sticker sheet, at least.

Listen, last week sucked for a multitude of reasons, which I will let you know about when I get permissions to, and it did stop me in most of my work - no art, no writing, no weights... I did read, though (so yay!) - but I am nothing if not a stubborn little brat, so I'm back at it this week. I had a setback last week, but that's all it was. A setback.

The little things I've put into practice late last month are working in my favour now, so I will get things done. It all appears to be working. 

*high-fives self*

We'll check back in March and see if it's still a thing. For now, I'm pleased.

Hope your weekend was great, and the week ahead is even better.

Slán go foill!