Hello, and welcome to this months author update. So what have I been up to? Working on my new series mostly, but more on that in a moment…

This month, I have been continuing with my driving lessons. Yes, at the grand old age of forty-six, I decided to learn to drive. Driving was something I had very little interest in because I lived in a town and had little need for driving. Then I moved to the country recently and decided it was time to bite the bullet so I can get off this mountain whenever I need to. So for the last while, I have been taking lessons…and now I can drive! Yay! Still haven’t taken my practical test yet, though. That will be soon. I’ll let you know how that went after I do it.

I do a lot of walking and hiking with my dog. These pictures are from a recent trip to Lough MacNean, a beautiful spot in County Leitrim. I often camp here with my dad and brother.

What I’m Reading

Right now, I’m reading a book of short stories called Fast Women and Neon Lights. The stories are mostly crime stories based in the nineteen-eighties, and I’m enjoying the humour and nostalgic setting very much.

I’m also reading a book called Writing Wonder by David Farland, which is all about how to bring a sense of wonder into fantasy fiction, and how to write a good magic system. It’s a good book and the content has helped me develop some aspects of my new series, especially the magic system. Props to M.D. Massey, who recommended the book on his blog.

What I’m Watching

Well, I finished watching Squid Games, which I’m sure you’ve seen by now, along with the whole world it seems. That show sure did become popular! And it’s easy to see why. It was excellent! Violent, disturbing, but still very moving at times. I hope they make a season two.

I’m very into a show called Chapelwaite right now. If you haven’t seen it, it stars Adrien Brody, who does a great job in the lead role. It’s based on a short story by Stephen King that I remember reading years ago. I won’t spoil it if you haven’t seen it, but if you like Salem’s Lot, you’ll love this.

What I’m Listening To

Synthwave! Lot’s of synthwave.

In case you don’t know, is an electronic music microgenre that is based predominantly on the music associated with action, science-fiction, and horror film soundtracks of the 1980s. Other influences are drawn from that decade’s art and video games. Synthwave musicians often espouse nostalgia for 1980s culture and attempt to capture the era’s atmosphere and celebrate it.

I have been listening to this genre of music for years now, but lately I have been listening because it ties in with the new series I’m about to start writing. Not only does the main character of the series make synthwave music as a hobby, but the music itself is helping me get into the story.

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vtwl5gEg9I0[/embedyt]

What I’m Writing

I still haven’t started writing yet, though I will be starting soon. As I said last time, I’m taking my time with developing this series. At this point, I have most of it worked out. I have my main character and some of the supporting characters, and I have a fair idea of the story for the first book.

The lead character in this series will not be a badass like Ethan Drake, at least not at first. This will be a Zero to Hero type story, with more emphasis on humour and character. Don’t worry, though, there will still be plenty of action. It’s an urban fantasy series after all. There will also be many eighties references, as the MC is a bit of an eighties nerd, obsessed as he is with everything from that era.

Writing of the series should start this week, with the first book out by Christmas, all being well.

In the meantime, I have released the box set of the Deadson Confidential series. If you haven’t read the series yet, now is the perfect opportunity to read the whole thing.

CLICK HERE TO BUY THE BOX SET