Leto Armitage: Blog

The writing continues to be slow. I've continued to have health and mobility issues which have been frustrating. I lost mobility due to one ankle, then an injury in the other foot, then a muscle in the first leg, then new damage to an ankle. All of this has brought with it a lack of energy as I heal and general frustration. Fortunately, I work from home and have been able to work but by the time I finish work I've had little left in me. I've had an upswing the last week though and as a result, chapter 55 needs proofing but is story complete. This will be a two-parter with chapter 56 as Robert joins the dance team on a trip to their first competition.

It's been a rough last month. Honestly, I went through a long period of some deep depression. It's not an issue I feel comfortable talking about but I'm trying to embrace the idea that we need to normalize issues with mental health. On the plus side, one day it flipped for me. I don't know but suddenly I was feeling better and able to write again. So, chapter 54 is ready for proofing and will be out soon and I'm outline chapter 55 today.

I need to give it one more read through and then I'm sending it for editing. No sex in this chapter and if I gave chapters titles, this one would be Deconstructing Robert.

Be well all. I made mushroom and sausage ravioli this morning and it is time to start dinner.

The time between chapter 51 and 52 has felt like I was fighting some nameless force opposing me getting anything done but chapter 52 is finally sent for proofing. I don't know what childbirth feels like but somehow I feel like I've been in labor for weeks. Holy moly.

So, to be blunt this summer has sucked. It has been ridiculously humid and my health concerns have continued to vex me. My health issues have gone from breathing and lung issues to a sequence of foot and ankle problems. None of these have been life threatening or particularly concerning but have been persistent and painful.

The painful part is relevant because it is difficult to write when your thoughts periodically wander to wondering how far along cybernetic limb replacements have come. However progress is continual if slow. I look forward to a time when I can write more productively.

Feedback on chapter 51 has been largely positive. I admit I did get some discouraging feedback from someone that felt it was fairly short for the amount of time it took. It was somewhat disheartening because I understand the feeling and I would like to be updating more frequently but I am slow, the pain does have an effect. And, to be frank though I want to put out chapters more quickly, I'm frustrated by the pace, but I feel that when I have forced chapters out quickly in the past that the quality suffered.

My goal right now is to get the story up to Halloween to put out a chapter on Halloween week. Lavi does love Halloween.