This month has been a real challenge. I spent the month only working 2 days a week for my day job. In theory, that should leave plenty of time to work on my side business (writing), but in reality, I spent most of my time playing video games and watching TV. I pretty much stopped working on writing entirely as of 4/20.

I’ve always known this was a problem for me. During the times when I was unemployed, I would have had ample time to write or edit, but did neither, blaming it on stress. I’m not sure it was stress, though, not any more. I suspect the true cause is that I thrive on structure and disruptions to that structure are traumatic to me, resulting in me resorting to coping mechanisms, none of which include writing.

Fortunately, this hasn’t negatively impacted me in any meaningful way. Terra’s Fate was already good to go (and currently on pre-order for ebook format) and the boxed set I’m working on should take less time than the last three books since I’m only adding a novella to it, which will take less time to write and edit. I should have no problem getting it done by the 9/15 deadline I’ve set myself.

Lessons Learned:

• I need structure in my day to day life to be effective.
• I need to learn to develop that structure absent outside forces or I will never be able to work at writing full time.

Terra’s Fate

End of April Goal: Finish proofread, finalized preparations for book launch.

Progress:  Waiting on proof copies from IngramSpark

Deadline Status: On Schedule

Boxed Set

End of April Goal: Write new novella

Progress:  19% completed writing novella

Deadline Status: On Schedule

May 2020 Goals

• Boxed Set: Finish Writing and Draft 2.

Release Deadlines:

Ebook/Print

• Terra’s Fate: May 15, 2020
• The Darkest Day Boxed Set: September 15, 2020
• The Alien’s Pet: February 15, 2021
• Shifting Cargo: June 15, 2021
• Shifting Loot: October 15, 2021