I’ve been told that Dead Bait 2 is on track for a January release. I can’t wait to get a copy in my hands, and I’m sure the stories will be first-rate.

I’m in the process of finishing the second draft of my novel. I’m pleased with the progress and the lack of major changes. My plan for the first draft was 1200 words a day of quality writing, keeping careful track of momentum and story arc. I hope to have the novel prepared for my beta reader by Christmas. I’m happy with the immediate immersion into action; I’m not a fan of backstory at the beginning of a book. I know the characters so well, I feel like I can reach out and talk to them. This includes the creatures. Yes, the novel is full of them. I mean really full. The story is so stuffed with creatures they are slithering out of my manuscript and clawing at my face. But this work also has humor, love, and of course despair. Lots of despair.

The “experts” say you should write what you want to read. That definitely applies here. Cormac McCarthy’s The Road was a major inspiration for this novel in terms of cutting out the fat and just telling the damn story.

I’ve also finished a 5,000 word short story which might be my best. It will be revised this weekend and possibly sent out Christmas week.

I hope everyone is having a great holiday season. Don’t be too good.