Today in Erik gender expressions, a mostly no context needed quote from me: “I need a fierce jacket with a very popped collar. That will show everyone. I am not a smiling mustache fellow to be trifled with!”
It really helps that I have figured out which friends like the same kind of books I like and I listen to them more than the ones that like books I don’t tend to like as much.
Trying to read a book as that book’s ideal reader has really helped me appreciate a lot more books and learn how I can signal and work with an audience in my own work. Much more productive than the alternative.
Definitely. I can and will see flaws in a work but to write a book and journey through this 21st century publishing hell just to get it into my hands is worth a lot of grace and respect.
I do heavily consider recommendations and know what kind of books I will probably like (broad and varied but still) so this isn’t exactly a magic trick and I am not without discernment. It’s really quite easy to like an award nominated or best selling book even if some peers of mine disliked it.
The stress of the world and the last 10 years has possibly broken me. At this point a book is like a piece of pie. It might not be my favorite flavor but THANKS FOR THE PIE EVERYTHING ELSE IS BROKEN GLASS AND MISERY. Worst case scenario, there’s another piece of pie waiting for me. How can I be mad?
Having the odd experience right now of generally liking and respecting the books I am reading and questioning if I am not cynical or critical enough to be the hater I always thought I was. The more I read and write, the more I love stories on their own terms and can’t be bothered to snark. Wtf
i respect season 2 of the pitt for saying "ignoring your depression & trauma doesn't make you the sympathetic hero, it makes you a problem in the fucking workplace"
These ribs of yours are really being terrible collabors. ☹️ Rest easy, friend.
I'm a super fun guy to hang with when I'm on a deadline."HEY ALL, I LOVE THIS TALKING STUFF BUT I'M SETTING A FOCUS TIMER FOR 45 MINUTES AND WE CAN GET BACK TO BEING HUMAN AFTER OKAY? GREAT"
I have day job work and podcast work that I need to get back to after this. I'll find time to write more but nowhere near this much for a bit. I'm due for a weekend away with some writer friends over May Day weekend though and while I'm sure we're be social like normals, I plan some focus sprints,
In the end I wrote another 3100 and a bit words for a weekend over 10k. Good progress. I'll always chase the high of generating 6 or 7k words a day from some of my younger creative fugues. Maybe those will return with other books or maybe I don't write like cocaine got a typewriter anymore.
Photo of my hand holding a tall black and neon poison can of Monster Energy zero sugar
Day 3 of my writing boot camp is not going great. Did some time in the podcast mines but no words on the page. I could call it and rest. There's no shame in it. But, no. I choose VIOLENCE. If this doesn't give me focus (or heart palpitations), I might need a new plan. Or another Monster.
I'll also say that there's a certain mad "fuck it" energy to a lot of debut novels that is beaten out of a lot of us as we get deeper into the game. Just a messy passion that bleeds all over the page. It's an infectious energy that gets you so excited that you forgive any structural wonk. 😆
Cover of book called Wife Shaped Bodies
This book was a fucking TRIP. Mushroom infected women in a body horror Bluebeard retelling set in a remote post apocalyptic compound. I REALLY need to up my mushroom game in my #wip, is what this one taught me 😆
“Writing” a book with genAI seems very similar to “hiking” in the forest by watching someone else’s YouTube videos.
Recording a mostly contemporaneous podcast/video series and then editing it is making me self conscious about the number of people, things, and books I describe as “wonderful.” I know other words, I swear. Wonderful words, even.
I’m not gonna get a cool trophy but I am doing alright ;)
I hit 4100 words *today*. 7200 for the weekend so far. My original silly goal was 20k which would finish the book. My less silly goal is 10k.
Day 2 of the Leave Erik Alone Writing Retreat and I hit 4100 words. I'm proud of these words. I'll probably keep them around a while. Tomorrow is my last hurrah. I'll be really happy if I finish this section of the book, leaving me to face the finale another day.
We will make 4th street amazing by sheer force of will, though if you are unable to come it will be somewhat diminished. It's a weird year. Everything feels tentative and on edge. I have decided to live and thrive despite fascist motherfuckers in masks but do not know if that's selfish or noble.🤷♂️
Currently planning on Boskone and not sure what else next year yet. Probably a lot because I should have a book to talk about but also *the world*.
I’ve dragged my heels because *the world* but have now booked all flights and hotels for my convention travels this year. First up, Pittsburgh and StokerCon, then 4th Street in Minneapolis, and ultimately LA for WorldCon. Planning on World Fantasy in Oakland but might carpool or train. Wheee (💰😮💨)
Day 1 of my mini (at home but antisocial) writing retreat is complete. I wrote 3100 words. Wish I had managed more. This book is harder than some previous projects. Lotta moving pieces. Hope to get more done tomorrow and Sunday.
Mando smokes a bong shaped like a star destroyer while scanning the IMDB cast list. "U.S. Agent??? They put U.S. Agent in this thing, but no Mando?"
I just found out the plot of the Mandalorian and Grogu movie is all about the two of them finding out they weren't included in Avengers Doomsday and getting super bummed.
You ever notice how in the Superman the Movie poster, he's got one fist out, and on Superman II he's got two fists out? Well BUCKLE UP, I gave him three and four fists for Superman III and Superman IV, respectively. Hilarious!
They're cowards for not doing this.
Super glad you had a cave to recuperate in but when you are up to leaving it, there’s gonna be no shortage of folks wanting to see, talk, and listen to you. Maybe all 3 at the same time even.
Hey, the audiobook of my Nebula-winning novel Someone You Can Build A Nest In is just SEVEN BUCKS! The deals lasts a while longer.
A shapeshifting monster *accidentally* falls in love with the woman who's hunting her. We've all been there, right?
I also love a narrative where people try their best without cynicism. Seeing characters try so hard and care about each other and have empathy is absolutely storytelling magic in 2026. Gimme more of that.