Happy New Year!

Hey, folks, Happy New Year!

I know you have been begging for an update – or at least proof-of-life – so I thought it was time for that.  Long story short, I’ve been resting and recovering from finishing Necromancer, handling some personal business, and enjoying the holiday season.

I’ve always had a deep and abiding love for the winter holidays, and after the effort of Necromancer I felt I owed myself and my children some dedicated time and effort to them, this year.  A grand time was had by all, and provided some much-needed restoration.  Then I finished off with going to Grove Park Inn in Asheville, NC, to celebrate my 20^th wedding anniversary with my wife, Laurin.  Lastly, I’ve been grieving the death of my father, who passed away a year ago January 3^rd.

This last bit has probably preoccupied me more than anything else, honestly.  Writers are weird.  Our grief process is often tied up in our need to express our emotions through prose, and I credit the dedication I had to finishing Necromancer in large part to my need to process my father’s death.  Yes, I know, Necromancer didn’t deal with that sort of thing . . . but it’s not so much the subject as the process. 

Thankfully, I have few unresolved issues with my dad.  We had a great and loving relationship with few of the father/son issues that typically crop up.  Most of my process has been about understanding my new role in the family and in life, without my father’s constant presence and support.  Having seen how grief can affect a person, I’ve had a relatively easy time of it. 

So now I’m rested, relaxed, and ready to hit the new year with ambition.

Alas, some of that ambition will take months to appear.  My focus this month is on finishing up some stuff with the printed versions of the book, starting the next audiobook adaptation, continuing to organize the Atlas, and working with Aaron Schwartz on developing the first Spellmonger D&D module.  Oh, and trying to get the basic website up.  And arranging art.  And sending out long-overdue fan gifts.  And planning a local book release party at Gallery 71, because, y’know, I just gotta. 

And that’s January.

February and beyond will involve Skyrider, the first short in a while, and Trask’s Odyssey.  I’m also hoping to catch up on some fan mail.  And continue to roll out audiobooks as fast as possible. 

But to warn you, I’m setting up for the next 10 book cycle.  That involves a lot of research.  What I can tell you about the next book is that it will be called Thaumaturge (unless I change it), it will be Min-focused, and it will concern how he tries to build his desolate fief in the Wilderlands into Sevendor 2.0.  while dodging undead lords and gurvani and figuring out how to make snowstone and appease the Sea Folk.  Hilarity ensues. 

It’s going to be an industrious, but quiet, year.   I’m still looking for a good venue for a TV deal, and a lot of this year will focus on prepping the ground for that.  Don’t look for me often on FB – as much as I enjoy it, it’s a time-sink.  But I will continue to keep you abreast of developments here and, when it’s ready, on the new website, as well as FB. 

(And let’s be honest . . . I’ve already started writing scenes for Thaumaturge.  Even though I promised myself I wouldn’t.  I just can’t be trusted . . . )

I hope all my Spellomongrels had a safe and happy holiday season, and wish you a serene Briga’s Day!

Terry