Life Stuff

atthequillsmercy

Update: Words and Runs

Even though JustRun was supposed to be a 25-minute session, I did some more walking after it was done. I just don’t feel right doing less than 30 minutes. I also did a 40-minute Wirk session at my desk at work as I went through some books. Pretty soon, I’ll have a clearer desk.

One of the big decisions I made was to stop my weight loss medication. If you follow me on BlueSky, I’d mentioned this and as I’ve only been off it for a two days, I haven’t noticed a difference in my hunger. It takes at least 3 days for it to completely leave your system (typically). Tonight, that salad – that was sadly disappointing which is a shame because I was really looking forward to it – was too much and I handed the rest off to my kid (who also was disappointed). I am hopeful that I can be just as active and keep in control of my eating without the drugs.

Now, on to the writing stuff.

While I am technically behind, I finally finished the part of the book where I had to dig back three books to find the exact scene and get the details right. The next step is new things I’ve mentioned in previous books, but never really dug into the details. And since I was out from work for a bit, I spent a good chunk of the day catching up on whatever was waiting for me. I don’t want to think about how much more is left for me (how all these books built up without anyone asking me if they should be pulled in the first place is a mystery) but I’ll still manage to get my words in somehow. Even if I had to park it on the desk bike instead of running. Technically, my goal is to finish this book, not to hit 50k words in a month. I’m already hip deep in this book and it’s probably 30-40k words already.

Don’t be impressed. I started this story in 2018.

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Writing Update: Why do I do this to myself?

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I have to admire anyone who fills the anti-AI NaNoWriMo slot. So, here I am torturing myself for some reason. Who am I kidding? I know the reason. I don’t even remember exactly when I started writing book four in my First Brood series, and I am annoyed with myself that it’s taken this long. My goal is to finish it this month, 50k words or not. If I finish it and it’s not 50k words, I’ll move on to the next WIP: Dewey. Another story I started too long ago thinking I’d just bang it out real quick but having to switch to my other penname to make some quick pennies. Yet here it is, years later unfinished…

Ugh, that image is small… I’m a day behind. But, I managed to get through a part where I’d originally written this scene many years ago in book one of this series. It’s relevant to revisit it since this book is all about Emma and her perspective on everything that happened so far. I wanted to make sure the lore I’d established was held to while making a few little tweaks since it’s from a different writing perspective. It’s also really emotional for me. So much has changed since I wrote that… I designed that scene before I became a parent and it hits hard now that I am one.

I don’t even have to look at the Freewrite draft to know that a LOT of editing will have to take place to have this be smooth and provide a different experience for those who already read the first book.

All three of you.

I kid but seriously, I didn’t want this to be a word for word recreation of what I’ve already done. But, I only have a bit to go with this section before I can write things that I don’t have to dive this deep in to what I’ve previously written. This book is supposed to be an exploration of Emma’s character and why she’d made some interesting decisions in the previous books, not a recap. I’m flying through this but I know I’ll have to go back and make sure my goal is met. It’ll take a lot of editing… But, I’ll find a way to keep things updated and fresh here and on my Patreon with snippets of the WIP. I can already tell the published work will be a completely different animal than the Patreon posts…

And don’t count on daily writing updates.

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Blessed Samhain and Happy Halloween!

I have been working out over the last few days and gave increasing my speed a try. I was able to hold it really well, but after two days in a row of running, I decided a long walk was in order for yesterday (not pictured). Today, other than hitting up a Pokémon Go raid, I didn’t workout. I did my annual Samhain cleaning and smudged the entire house with sage. I’m ready for the wheel to turn and hopefully better times as I remember those who have gone on before me.

Since I’ve been getting more active in general, I treated myself to my little at home, bootleg hotpot/grill. It’s just so much fun to do and so delicious. And no, that’s no too much garlic. There’s no such thing.

But the real star of the show is the Samhain stew.

I got the recipe from the above book and of course I tweaked it. I use rice instead of barley. I set up the rice cooker and that cooks while I put the stew together. By the time it’s done simmering, the rice is ready. Personally, I like my scallions crunchy when I eat them, but I love this meal. I usually only make this once a year. To be fair, it’s just chicken and rice soup and I could make it whenever. I like it when it’s special, though. Whether your Pagan like me or not, may we all have a better year.

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Today’s Workout: That was too easy

I thought that restarting the 5k trainer in Just Run would be better for me after taking a break for NYCC. Today was day 2, and it has been deceptively easy so far. Not easy enough for me to jump back to the 10k trainer, but apparently, all the work I’ve been doing so far was effective. My form was good, my pace held steady, and other than the aches and pains of being 45, I wasn’t even sore after! I’m just gonna keep to the 5k trainer for now, finish it, then maybe move on to the 10k trainer. My focus should be on strength training. I keep saying that, then completely forgetting to do it. I’m sure my son wouldn’t mind if I used the weight bench I bought for him sometimes. He’s trying to bulk up.

Other than some snacks (I still love my wasabi almonds), I didn’t eat much today. This was my only meal, and it was plenty for me. I just wasn’t that hungry. And one of the main things I stick to is that if I’m not hungry, I don’t eat. It may seem like a very low-calorie amount for an entire day… That’s what the Saxenda is for, right? And I figure as long as I have energy to get through the day and I take my vitamins to keep my nails from separating (I can’t tell if my hair is thinning, because I rock a buzz cut happily), I think I’m doing ok. I believe I have blood work coming up soon. If I have any deficiencies, my doctor will tell me.

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WIP Wednesday: I’m back and muddling through…

Things have been hard. Even without the horrid cost of living, I have been struggling with even more repairs and replacements of things I need, like the oven, my car, or my washing machine. The stress of being so far in debt makes it really hard to be creative, but I try to get some words in every day. I’m even trying to manage my stress by getting back into running. I took a break for NYCC. I’m doing my best to celebrate the little wins, like my Finch app or my streak in Koala Quill.

I’m trying to pretend I have control over my life by trying out some more fun recipes and using ingredients to the fullest. I dunno, depression is really messing with my head and it’s a struggle most days. I’m not gonna do anything bad, I’m just doing my best to put one foot in front of the other each day. I hate the feeling that I have to constantly be hustling to scrape together just enough to make minimum payments on things. And this isn’t dry begging or even begging at all. I’m bitching. There’s a big difference.

I will have more content for my Patreon and a bunch of reviews I have in deck to go up. I have some more comics to sell on my shop and I’ll try and get more needlework finished at some point. I haven’t made much progress on that but I did get rid of some really gross old junk I dug up. Here and there, progress is being made in some capacity.

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atthequillsmercy

WIP Wednesday! Patreon Update for Emma!

I was on the fence as to not only what to post to Patreon this week, but how much of it. This chapter seemed short to me so I thought I’d double it up with the next one. The two of them together were too long, though. I just went with what I had. Remember with whatever stories I post on there, the first part is free. The rest are the $1 tier.

Other than that, I will freely admit my word counts are not the best. Not even sure they’re even worth listing but I’m sure some people will wanna know:

  • A: 20,814
  • B: 1,757 (published a different book under this pen name, then moved on to the story in this slot)
  • C: 20,238
  • Manos: 3,662
  • Antichrist BF: 4,433

See? Not all that impressive when it comes to pure words added. A lot of this was a big push for a smutty book and editing stuff for Patreon. I looked back at the exact dates I started Emma and Dewey and after a delightful existential crisis, I am going to do my level best to finish at least one of those before the end of the year. I do like to take a break from smut and work on what I really love to do: dark fantasy. There’s just an itch in my brain that’s scratched when I’m deep into those. Then I feel guilty when I look at my debt and go back to working on what will make a quick buck. I wanna indulge in my angsty vampires and werewolves, goshdernit!

Anyhooooo, I have to pretend I’m not a complete horrid slag of a human being and prepare for being in full cosplay for 4 days in a row at NYCC while attending a bunch of professional panels in heals that hate my feet. Yay for me? This is gonna be interesting since my feet hurt from trying to break these heels in. Maybe since I’m not completely repulsed by how I look in my janky closet cosplay, I’ll possibly post some pictures if there’s any good ones. My son picked Full Metal Alchemist for the theme this year. You’ll just have to guess who’s who!

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Today’s Workout: *Incoherent Grumbling*

I was doing so well this week, then POOF! Last night horrible gas pains woke me up around 2am and tortured me until around 5 when I got back to sleep. When I am this overtired, I don’t get on the treadmill. That takes a certain amount of focus and coordination to make sure I don’t bust my ass. I’ve been through enough this year. Desk peddler was today.

I paired some of the prepped chicken with a Tokyo Mini Noodle, green beans, onion, and garlic. I like the mini noodles because I get the fun of ramen noodles for only about 100 calories. I’m still enjoying my sandwich habit using some prosciutto, tomato, and parmesan with some basil spread. It’s so nice, I really didn’t need the chips.

I would like to say “Oh, I’m going to bed super early to make up for last night” but nah. I have to edit one of my drafts so I can print a fresh copy. Whenever I’m stuck when I’m moving forward in a story, I re-read the whole thing to shake something loose. Sometimes that works, sometimes I hit the end and get pissed there isn’t more, then begrudgingly admit that in order for there to be more, I have to write it. Being a creative is weird…

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WIP Wednesday: August 2026 Roundup

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I have to admit that while I haven’t put many more words on my longer stories, I was able to catch up with a bunch of ARCs, post a ton of reviews, and publish three stories this month on my smut pen name. I am also in the process of assembling bundles for that pen name, learning the hard way about merging and converting documents, let me tell ya…

Despite not adding on to the longer projects as much as I’d wanted to, I am ready to post to Patreon next month. I’ve also added more items to my online store; all comics I’m looking to get rid of. I’m also thinking of adding a new project to my Patreon that will be available for free on all posts. I wanna call it “There, I fixed it,” where I take ideas that I feel had potential but not the best execution. It’s mostly movies where, like The Happening, the concept could absolutely be handled in a way that’s effective and not so goofy. I think it would be a fun way to stretch my writing skills. I have no set schedule for this; it’ll be done sporadically whenever I have the chance to do it. I just don’t have the audience to commit to taking requests or a hard timeframe. I’m all about pumping out content at this point.

I am also making plans to catch up with the ARCs I have that are not comics or manga. I got a nice one from Flame Con that I wanna read and a pile of library books to get through, including Haunting Adeline, because I want to see if it’s as bad as everyone says, and In the Miso Soup for the same reason. I also have some more movie and TV show reviews on deck.

Like I said, pumping out content. Maybe volume will help me pull out of this pit.

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Workout Dump: Still peddlin!

I’m still using the Wirk desk bike or the peddler as I’m working on other things. I like to think it’s paying off as I’m down to 205. I’d creeped up close to 210 for a minute there. As long I keep up my activity, those 5 pounds should slowly fall away.

I’ve been experimenting with some different meals and out of the bunch, my favorite is that sandwich. It’s some prosciutto, cherry tomato, parmesan, a drizzle of garlic olive oil, and spicy garlic seasoning. I could have done without the chips, it was SO good. And since I have four feral cherry tomato plants in my front yard (seriously, every seed or seedling I deliberately planted died but the cherry tomatoes that withered in the fridge and I tossed outside took root) I will probably repeat this sandwich a bunch of times once those tomatoes are ripe. And the hot dogs are cut into cute shapes because the world sucks and I want some damn whimsy.

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WIP Wednesday: First Brood 4 uptate!

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I’ve updated my Patreon with the newest part of First Brood 4: Emma. That one is on the paid tier, but the first chapter is available for free.

As I’ve been editing and cleaning things for Patreon, my word counts aren’t the best:

  • A: 20,612
  • B: 912
  • C: 19,121

I’ve also started posting some of my old comics to my other website. I photographed a decent stack of them to start, and I wanna make sure I get all the condition details right before they’re all live. I’ll be selling them around cover price if they’re new and discounting the ones that are yellow or damaged. And if you’re subscribed to this blog or any of my socials, you’ve seen that I’m catching up with a LOT of reviews. I’m nearly caught up with all my recently requested digital ARCs, and once those run out, I have older digital ones and physical books floating around. I am not short on content.

I was also approved for a press pass to FlameCon! I won’t have a table there or anything, just me and my son checking it out and reporting on it for Otakus and Geeks. I post reviews there as well from time to time. I’m doing my best to get up the money I need and working as hard as I can. Thanks to everyone who’s supported me so far. It means more to me than you know.

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