I live in Texas. My state just opened itself fully with no mask mandates. Finally, we're being treated like adults. It's a refreshing change.
I still wear a mask in stores and when I can't help but be near 'strangers' - the difference is it's my choice. It's a pre-caution, really, since there's scientific proof even an N95 mask does not protect against something so small as the COVID virus/Wuhan Flu (yes, I'm one of those). Still, it looks like we've conquered the normal flu with these masks, so it's potentially worth it.
I've not written a single word in months. I had good intentions, but work has been crazy, I've been worried about elderly relatives who've had various illnesses (not all COVID related) and, of course, the unending drama within my own family (I'm a staunch conservative while my eldest daughter, who believes she knows everything since she graduated/was indoctrinated by her university, has been brainwashed to liberalism and all that entails). I've tried and failed. After dealing with everything, there just hasn't been any creativity left.
However, there is light at the end of the tunnel. Work has slowed a bit, Texas is mask-free, my elderly relatives have started to heal - family drama still exists, but three out of four ain't bad. Plus, we have some trips lined up in the coming months that should bring rest and relaxation.
I'm going to read through Runesward Tome 1 and the chapters I've written on Runesward Tome 2 today to prep myself for continuing that saga (yes, I wrote it and took copious notes, but some of the minutiae isn't fresh in mind). When it's completed, I'll start looking for an editor or two to check grammar, spelling, and continuity - but that won't be for a while.
I wrote the opening scene for InCAPable but it needs to be brushed up. I've got some refinements locked in my head and I need to think my way through them carefully. I also have taken some notes about plot threads and the like and I feel it is in a good place for now.
I've written 19.5 chapters of Runesward, Tome 2, starting with Chapter 30 and I'm in the middle of chapter 49. I need to re-do parts of chapter 48 and polish it some. For those interested in statistics, that's 211 Microsoft Word pages (I write in MS Word) composed of nearly 106,000 words. The intention had been for this Tome to be 25 chapters (more or less) but I fear I'm going to overshoot that mark. There are threads from Tome 1 I need to work with and I've introduced some new sub-plots in Tome 2 I think will really help the story line. I've not revised my chapters since I began, but I've updated my plot-lines as I've worked with them (mostly, anyway). I'm going to say this Tome might come in between 25 and 35 chapters, depending on when I stop.
Anyway, I hope you and yours are getting through the pandemic carefully and safely. I'll try to blog more as more comes to me.
Sincerely,
Kenn Ghannon