Good morning, Readers!

Yesterday I worked on the second beta reader's edits on Soldier. There really weren't that many, to be honest, and a good number of them made me laugh out loud.

My favourite comment was one I tweeted yesterday:​

It's still my favourite.

Though, I might be becoming a little predictable. Hmm...

It was actually really affirming. I was worried that I had missed all the big things; that I had utterly failed to draw the emotions that I had hoped to, I didn't create the tension I wanted, or the uncertainty, that the dichotomy of the protagonist's character was not developed, and neither was his fight with depression and post traumatic stress disorder (I write happy stories, y'all).

But the reader got it; all of it.

Phew!  There is nothing more gratifying than having a reader pick up on the things you were trying to get across, even if I feel badly for making them cry.  Sort of.  That means I did my job.

I'm also impressed that this time around the subtler things in the story made their mark.  There was lots of speculation happening in the comments that made me happy.  I love it when readers start theorising about what's happening and why.  Fan theories have always been my favourite kinds of theories, because it means that the story has captured their attention enough that they're expending copious amounts of time and mental energy on the story.

It is my dream to capture readers' attention in such a profound manner.

So, all in all, this round of edits did wonders for my writing ego, and it helped me put faith back into the story; that not only was it written well enough that what I wanted to portray managed to be adequately expressed, but that it was also a story worth telling.

I've had my doubts about that second point many a time with this particular story.

Right, I have to get video editing. So much catching up to do!

​Ciao!

Good morning, Readers!

This weekend was busy and lovely, and now I'm thoroughly peopled out.  Which is a shame, because I need to people for my job.

Friday was the annual dinner with my weightlifting crew.  It was a fantastic time, and I laughed so, so, so damned hard. I know so many wonderful people.  It was a fantastic dinner.

Saturday I taught.  As usual.  Following that, I visited my friend Dan, who runs an annual fundraiser for CHEO (Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario).  It's a fabulous three days of geeky activities.  I played a VR game for the first time in my life (Beat Sabre - this game) and OMG I NEED THIS GAME!  It was so much fun!  AND it's coming to PSVR.  So I need to get a VR headset.  Now accepting donations.

Ahem.

I followed that with a game of Monster Mash.  For those not in the know, Monster Mash is a D&D Battle Royale.  You get a beastie or hero, a D20, and an arena.  And off you go.  Last beastie standing wins.  It was stupid fun.  My Balor went head to head with a bear and his druid.  I got the bear, but died thanks to a magic missile from another player, and, of all the indignities, a halfling.  Yup.  On the bright side, I was not the first to die, so that was nice.

It was a great time, and I cannot recommend the event enough.  Plus it's all for a great cause.

Yesterday was spent at the Kitigan Zibi Reserve for their annual powwow.  I went for the first time last year, and loved it (you can read about that here).  Once again, I missed my friend I had hoped to meet there, so that was disappointing, but the powwow was not.  It felt larger than last year.  There certainly were more vendors, many of whom I cannot wait to see again.  They had some great stuff.

Maybe next time I'll remember my money.  Le sigh.

I went with a friend who, despite wanting to for a long while, hadn't been able to go to a powwow.  I so glad we could.  It's such a beautiful celebration of a culture that is awe-inspiringly resilient and beautiful.  Thank you again to the wonderful folks of the Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg.  I cannot imagine a better way to spend my Sunday.

This week is shaping up to be busy again.  I was looking forward to finally finishing the highlight reels for Assassin's Creed Origins, and getting the highlights for Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice started.  That's not going to happen.  Beta Reader two has just returned Soldier to me, and I have editing to get done.  So all things are dropped while that happens.

Editing is my life for the next little while.  Now, I have to go get started on the editing.  Have yourselves a fantastic day.

​Ciao!