The big news (and it’s not really news) this week is that I’m back on my writing groove after celebrating the release of Hunted Fate. I’m actively working on book four, which tentatively has the working title, Vanquishing Fate. I’m also working on two projects that are about halfway complete.
Other than that, I’m trying to cram in as much of my summer vacation wish list as I can in the month that remains. Progress is slow, although I am halfway through Harry Potter, had a picnic, cleared out my stash of unplayed/unbuilt games and Lego, and read The Count of Monte Cristo.
The rest of it is going to be a binge to the finish. Some things, like finishing the two novels, aren’t going to happen, though.
Ah, well. I did make some progress on appreciating the season! (Possibly too much, at the expense of other goals.)
The Reading List
Story Genius: How to Use Brain Science to Go Beyond Outlining and Write a Riveting Novel, by Lisa Cron. This book intrigued me because, while I am far from a neuroscientist, I do have a hobby interest in the workings of the brain. So when I saw this book about the biological ways stories interact with our brains, I knew it was something I had to read. The author makes the case that our brains are hardwired to process (and even be a little bit addicted to) stories. Writers can take advantage of that quirk by crafting stories that tickle the brain in certain ways.
An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power, by Al Gore. There’s really not much to say about this book if you read, An Inconvenient Truth or saw the film. This book is the sequel, reiterating the problems the world faces, and giving actionable steps you can take to help. This book is more of a “can do” book than the first and Gore leads by example, trekking all over the world speaking his message and taking action.