I’m taking a tactical pause on Kramwen and I think it’s good. I wrote the first half dozen chapters while Crown of Caphedra was being proofread and then had to redirect myself toward getting that one ready for publishing. I’ve come back to it in the last six months and carved out another six chapters, but feel it’s time to push away from the table and switch gears. It’s a good way to stave off burnout and reminds me that I have other projects.
I work my regular job full time, and I have a family who are incorrigible nighthawks. (I can’t blame them, it’s my natural tendency, too.) But, that meant my only writing time was early, early, early in the morning– and I was getting by for three years on very little sleep. This was while recovering from a health issue, and I think the lack of sleep made that drag out longer than it should have. I’ve forced myself to get an extra hour of sleep a night and it’s done wonders.
However, that means my pace has been slow. I’m planning to do a couple of short stories, and maybe some flash fiction, then return to Kramwen refreshed. I have no shortage of ideas. The plot is planned out and I’ve made huge headway on books 3 and 4 (though I’ll keep the titles secret for now.)
It seems a comfortable rhythm. A half dozen chapters; sit back and plot; return to edit those chapters; then create the next ones. Like Caphedra, Kramwen fits within a three-act context and I’m only two or three chapters away from finishing the first act. These are big ones and deserve some time for me to wind myself up before I can wait no longer and am compelled to launch into them full force.
In the meantime, here’s a photo of some cedar trees. In addition to preserving my sleep schedule, I’ve gotten out to take some walks in the warm spring we’re now enjoying. Taking time to look after yourself is the best way to allow for longer years of writing ahead. At least, that’s the plan.