I think one of the reasons I’ve been so much more productive lately is that my internet has been really unreliable since everyone else started working and schooling from home. For example, yesterday it was out for almost the full day. I used my hotspot via my phone to connect, but because I have a paygo plan through Ting (which is excellent) it costs money to use a lot of data. So I avoid accessing video with my phone.

Early in the stay at home orders it was nearly impossible to get online and stay online, so I just gave up completely on Zoom, which meant that I didn’t participate in Mary Robinette Kowal’s write-ins and classes, which was disappointing but manageable.

Today I’m going to test the premise again by attending the Stay In Place Virtual Writing Conference. The conference has many of the same speakers as Superstars Writing Seminars, so I’m pretty psyched to get an opportunity to learn from them again. The free portions are conducted through Facebook Live. The pay portions are through Zoom. We are crossing our fingers that it will work.

I created a portrait of Caedmon, the Lightning Scarred from my Thule universe and I’m pretty pleased with how it came out.

I think this week I’m going to write a story from Caedmon’s point of view. He is a quiet, measured Viking king who recognizes the vital importance of strategy and stability. This is in contrast to his wife, Magnihild, who believes that everything comes down to personal courage and grit. He has already been tested by the gods, so his trials will come in balancing his preference for negotiations with the need for military force. At least I think so now. We’ll see what happens when the story gets going.

I’m working on my book lists for the novel choosing project and I’m eyeing Dean’s novel structure workshop. However, it is at the far end of the craft workshop recommended curriculum, so I may take a more basic course next month. I’m also slowly working my way through Mark Dawson’s Self-Publishing Formula class.

It’s already the end of April and I haven’t put up my secret project. At this point everything is written and edited. One story is ready to go. The other just needs formatting. Next step is to get Amazon set up and work up a contract with my collaborator.

Steve has finished his portion of our other secret project and now it is in my lap. So that will be a priority in the next month. I’m also doing the normal writer things: writing, beta reading, editing, turning stories in to my critique group.

So that’s where I am. I hope your life is also creative and productive and that your internet works fine. Be well, friends! And stay well.