Blog - Page 10 of 30 - Gary David Gillen

Writing Progress Report April 2021

Writing Progress Report April 2021.

This is my Writing Progress Report April 2021.

The James A. Garfield Memorial Monument at Lakeview Cemetery in Cleveland, Ohio. I toured the cemetery on April 3, 2021.

Writing Progress from March 2021.

I wrote three blog posts for garydavidgillen.com including my writing progress report for March 2021 linked below.

Writing Progress Report March 2021

In July 2018, I completed the first draft of my novel Assassin in New Marl City, totaling 99,981 words and 36 chapters. Completed pre-second draft (30 chapters long) in December 2018 at 89,072 words. Finished the second draft edits in December 2019 to complete the second draft edit. I started writing a new Chapter 1 in February 2020 and finished it in April 2020. The third draft will have 32 Chapters, and I finished the third draft edits on Chapter 3 in July 2020.

In March 2021, I submitted Chapter 8 of my novel titled Cuba Liberto to the Novel Writing Workshop at Parma, Ohio library.

In March 2021, I submitted the story “DNA Test” to the Introductory Writing Workshop at Parma, Ohio library.

Writing Progress from March 2020 Continued

I made five posts on my Goodreads account in March 2021.

In the past, I submitted the stories; Four Humors, Space Station Sunyata, and Grognard to magazines.

The seven Flash Fiction Stories I have submitted in 2020 were Space-Dog Confession, Sleeping Sickness, Caliburnus, and Popular Mechanics Re-brewed, Wormhole Generator, Runs with Scissors, and Principled Rogue to magazines.

In January 2021, I submitted “Runs with Scissors” to Fireside Magazine. It is still open.

Magazine submissions for 2021 are 4 unique stories submitted 4 times with 0 accepted, 1 pending, and 3 rejections.

The Cosmic Roots and Eldritch Shores Magazine suggested the critters workshop to me. My new plan is to submit all stories to the critters workshop before sending the stories to magazines. With the workshop feedback, I will make the last revision before submission. I plan to send in stories starting in March 2021. In the critters workshop points are earned with adequate critiques of other workshop stories. To submit stories, the author must maintain a 75% critique rate. That means three critiques per month average.

I submitted “Sleeping Sickness” to the critters workshop in March 2021.

http://critters.org/index.php

Events from March 2021.

Ice & Fire Con is a convention themed around George R. R. Martin’s A Song of Ice & Fire series and HBO’s Game of Thrones. Ice & Fire in-person cons were canceled for 2020 and 2021. Ice & Fire Virtual Con will be held from April 22 to April 25, 2021. I plan to attend.

http://www.iceandfirecon.com/

Marcon Columbus has dates posted for May 7 to May 9, 2021. I have attended this con many times and would like to attend it in 2021. I plan to have my COVID-19 shots in April 2021, so they may hold the con and I could attend.

http://marcon.org/

I attended the virtual Confluence Pittsburgh Con in October 2020. They canceled their in-person con for 2021, but they plan to hold a virtual con in October 2021, and I plan to attend.

https://confluence-sff.org/

Writing Goals April 2021.

I plan to write four blog posts for garydavidgillen.com including my Writing Progress Report for April 2021.

The title of my next novel is Cuba Liberto. I plan to complete writing Chapter 9 in April 2021 and submit it to the Novel Writing Workshop at Parma, Ohio library.

In April 2021, I plan to submit a story to the Introductory Writing Workshop at Parma, Ohio library.

I plan to work on third draft edits for Assassin in New Marl City using comments from the Novel Writing Workshop at Parma, Ohio. I plan to complete third draft edits for Chapters 4 and 5 in April 2021.

In April and May 2021, I plan to split Chapter 1 of Assassin in New Marl City into two chapters. I plan to work on these chapters and then submit them to the SEL Wednesday Writing Workshop in June 2021.

Submit the stories Space-Dog Confession, Four Humors, Space Station Sunyata, Grognard, LARP Film noir, Sleeping Sickness, Popular Mechanics Re-brewed, and Caliburnus. to other short fiction magazines. I plan one submission to the critters workshop in March 2021.

Polish and submit the stories White Bracer, Mage Squad, I Shall Not Return, Prisoner of Tarnal, and Kay-Eye for submission to short fiction magazines.

Writing Goals for April 2021 continued.

In April 2021, I plan to make five posts on my Goodreads account.

Put the novel, Assassin in New Marl City, into the writing program, Scrivener.

Buy an e-book cover for Assassin in New Marl City from Fiveer.

Planned Events for April 2021.

http://www.iceandfirecon.com/

http://marcon.org/

I attended the virtual Confluence Pittsburgh Con in October 2020. They canceled their in-person con for 2021, but they plan to hold a virtual con in October 2021, and I plan to attend.

https://confluence-sff.org/

Shadow Within by Jeanne Cavelos

Shadow Within by Jeanne Cavelos.

Shadow Within by Jeanne Cavelos, Book #7 of the Babylon 5 Universe.

Introduction

The Shadow Within by Jeanne Cavelos is a tie-in novel for the Babylon 5 TV show. It tells the background to three stories that were not covered in the show. What happened to Anna Sheridan at Z’Ha’dum, John Sheridan taking command as the captain of the Agamemnon, and the events surrounding the dedication of Babylon 5. The novel brings these three stories together. Can Anna escape Z’Ha’dum, can John defeat a plot to destroy Babylon 5, and will Commander Sinclair keep order on Babylon 5?

Summary

The Shadow Within by Jeanne Cavelos begins with Anna Sheridan, who is the focus character of the novel. Her story is the one the reader wants to know the most since they did not dramatize it in the TV show. The novel begins in November 2256, just before the dedication ceremony for Babylon 5. The events of the novel include December 2256 and January 2257. The pilot episode of the show begins immediately after the events of the novel, and season one begins in January 2258.

The novel’s plot follows three separate parts. Anna Sheridan’s journey to Z’Ha’dum, John Sheridan’s taking command of the Agamemnon, and the events on Babylon 5 itself.

Anna Sheridan is an exo-anthropologist and a consultant for Interplanetary Expeditions. Interplanetary Expeditions sponsors scientific missions to distant planets. Anna’s mentor is Dr. Chang, who asks her to come on a mission to explore the ancient ruins on the planet Alpha Omega III. They take the spaceship Icarus to Alpha Omega III, but they don’t know that the planet is also known as Z’Ha’dum and is the home planet of the Shadows. They are accompanied by the mysterious Mr. Morden, an archeo-linguist. Mr. Morden is important because of his subsequent role in the TV series. They are not prepared for what they find at Z’Ha’dum.

Summary – Continued

John Sheridan is assigned as the captain of the Earthforce spaceship Agamemnon. The crew of the spaceship suffers from low morale because of the policies of their former captain, Captain Best. John and Anna plan to celebrate their wedding anniversary together, but Earthforce assigns John a vital mission that ruins their plans. John must get through to his new crew and foil a plot to destroy Babylon 5. The first four Babylon stations were destroyed or missing, so protecting Babylon 5 is a vital mission for Earthforce. John wants to complete his mission and go see his wife after she returns from her mission to Alpha Omega III.

In orbit around Alpha Omega III, we meet the Vorlon Ambassador Kosh. On Babylon 5, we meet the Minbari Ambassador Delenn, Commander Jeffrey Sinclair, and Security Chief Michael Garibaldi. Kosh sees the Icarus land at Z’Ha’dum. Sinclair investigates the knowledge the Earth Alliance has of the Icarus’s mission. Delenn tells the Earth Alliance to avoid Z’Ha’dum in the future. Garibaldi investigates potential threats to the upcoming dedication.

Recommendation

Shadow Within by Jeanne Cavelos tells a great origin story for John and Anna Sheridan. The ending was perfect and sad, but linked up seamlessly with the TV show. The reader knows something that was not known before reading the book, and that was the purpose to add this novel to the lore of the show.

It surprised me when Kosh appears in Chapter 11 and calls Delenn. The first ten chapters were all in either Anna or John’s POV. The author added Sinclair and Garibaldi in Chapter 12. There are only 18 Chapters in the novel, so these characters are late additions to the story. Garibaldi’s part would have hardly been a “C” story in the TV show.

I would have liked to see the Babylon 5 crew through John Sheridan’s eyes. Put him inside Babylon 5, rather than having him watch the dedication. I think that would have been more interesting than seeing Garibaldi put down a lessor plot from inside the station. Keep the novel as a novel of Anna and John before we meet them on the TV show.

Links

This is the link to the Goodreads page of The Shadow Within by Jeanne Cavelos.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1111834.The_Shadow_Within

Old Man’s War by John Scalzi is the first novel in the Old Man’s War series. It is a book in the space opera category and similar to The Shadow Within. This is the link to my review.

Old Man’s War by John Scalzi

Leviathan Wakes by James S. A. Corey, book #1 of The Expanse, is a space opera set in the near future when the solar system is settled. It is a book in the space opera category and similar to The Shadow Within. In Leviathan Wakes, Jim Holden becomes the captain of the Rocinante, and Detective Miller is on a missing person case. Their paths cross and the fate of the solar system lies in their hands. This is a link to my review.

Leviathan Wakes by James S. A. Corey

Eyes of the Dragon by Stephen King

Eyes of the Dragon by Stephen King.

Introduction

Eyes of the Dragon by Stephen King is a traditional fantasy. King Roland of Delain has two sons. Prince Peter is his heir who is the perfect prince and ready to lead. His younger son is Prince Thomas, who is too young and malleable to Flagg, the court advisor, and magician. Flagg secretly assassinates the King and frames, Peter, for the murder. How will Peter clear his name, defeat the ancient Flagg, and claim his rightful throne?

Summary

Eyes of the Dragon by Stephen King is his first traditional fantasy novel. King Roland earned his kingdom by slaying a dragon. The dragon’s head is mounted on the wall in the King’s study. Peter was his firstborn son and heir. Queen Sasha died giving birth to Thomas. Flagg is the court advisor. He is a magician and a master of poisons who has been the power behind the throne for generations. Flagg thinks Peter would make too strong of a king, so he plots the fall of King Roland and Prince Peter to elevate the boy Thomas to the throne. He thinks he can control Thomas and lead the kingdom into chaos. Flagg’s plan involves the sinister poison, Dragon Sand.

The king is dead and Peter is imprisoned for the regicide in the Needle’s top, a tower prison. Thomas is King and Flagg controls him. Dennis is Thomas’s butler and his devoted servant. Peter’s best friend is Ben, he thinks Peter is innocent, and Ben finds the exiles north of the kingdom. Naomi of the exiles is a tracker who has a pack of dogs, including the dog Frisky.

Flagg is happy with the state of his plans. He has a two-headed parrot as his familiar. Thomas learns more from Flagg than Flagg ever expects he can. Peter’s escape plan involves his mother’s dollhouse and threads from many cloth napkins. Ben also has a plan to free Peter. Dennis learns some truth and delivers a letter to Ben. Ben, Dennis, Naomi, and Frisky make a plan and head to the castle.

Either Flagg will bring chaos to the Kingdom of Delain, or Peter will escape and claim his rightful kingdom.

Recommendation

Eyes of the Dragon by Stephen King is the author’s spin on a classic fairy tale. On the dust jacket, the author says he started writing this story to give a book to his young daughter who didn’t want to read his other stories of “vampires, ghoulies, and slushy crawling things.” The plot follows: the prince is wronged and must redeem himself to win his kingdom. King spins the story in his way. Flagg is a complicated villain, though he makes an unforced mistake at the end of the story. The only thing I wanted was to bring Naomi into the narrative earlier. I think a love triangle between Peter, Naomi, and Ben would have tied the story together. David Palladini enhances the story with excellent interior drawings. I added a picture of the title page below. The novel was light and interesting read.

Links

This is the link to the Goodreads page of Eyes of the Dragon by Stephen King.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/655707.The_Eyes_of_the_Dragon

The Gunslinger by Stephen King, book #1 of The Dark Tower series seemed to set up for a climax that never happened. What is there is a trippy and metaphysical non-ending.

The Gunslinger by Stephen King

Writing Progress Report March 2021

Writing Progress Report March 2021.

This is my Writing Progress Report March 2021.

March is our birthday month. A dozen Raspberry Lemon cupcakes from Casa Dolce in Mayfield Heights for birthday month.

http://www.casadolce.net/index.html

Writing Progress from February 2021.

I wrote three blog posts for garydavidgillen.com including my writing progress report for February 2021 linked below.

Writing Progress Report February 2021

In February 2021, I submitted Chapter 7 of my novel titled Cuba Liberto to the Novel Writing Workshop at Parma, Ohio library.

In February 2021, I submitted the story “Alpha Centauri Salvage” to the Introductory Writing Workshop at Parma, Ohio library.

Writing Progress from February 2020 Continued

I made five posts on my Goodreads account in February 2021.

In the past, I submitted the stories; Four Humors, Space Station Sunyata, and Grognard to magazines.

In January 2021, I submitted “Runs with Scissors” to Fireside Magazine. It is still open.

On February 1, 2021, I submitted “Wormhole Generator” to Cosmic Roots and Eldritch Shores. It was declined.

Magazine submissions for 2021 are 4 unique stories submitted 4 times with 0 accepted, 1 pending, and 3 rejections.

http://critters.org/index.php

Events from February 2021.

Marcon Columbus has dates posted for May 7 to May 9, 2021. I have attended this con many times and would like to attend it in 2021. I plan to have my COVID-19 shot well before this date, so they may hold the con and I will attend.

http://marcon.org/

I attended the virtual Confluence Pittsburgh Con in 2020. They have not decided yet if the 2021 Con will be virtual or in person. Either way, I plan to attend.

https://confluence-sff.org/

Writing Goals March 2021.

I plan to write four blog posts for garydavidgillen.com including my Writing Progress Report for March 2021.

The title of my next novel is Cuba Liberto. I plan to complete writing Chapter 8 in March 2021 and submit it to the Novel Writing Workshop at Parma, Ohio library.

In March 2021, I plan to submit a story to the Introductory Writing Workshop at Parma, Ohio library.

Polish and submit the stories White Bracer, Mage Squad, I Shall Not Return, Prisoner of Tarnal, and Kay-Eye for submission to short fiction magazines.

Writing Goals for March 2021 continued.

In March 2021, I plan to make five posts on my Goodreads account.

Put the novel, Assassin in New Marl City, into the writing program, Scrivener.

Buy an e-book cover for Assassin in New Marl City from Fiveer.

Planned Events for March 2021.

http://marcon.org/

I attended the virtual Confluence Pittsburgh Con in 2020. They have not decided yet if the 2021 Con will be virtual or in person. Either way, I plan to attend.

https://confluence-sff.org/

Last Colony by John Scalzi

Last Colony by John Scalzi.

Last Colony by John Scalzi, Book #3 of The Old Man’s War series.

Introduction

Last Colony by John Scalzi is the third book in the Old Man’s War series. John Perry, the protagonist from Old Man’s War, has retired from the Colonial Defense Forces to the colony planet of Huckleberry. Jane Sagan joins him. She is another former member of the CDF and the clone of his deceased wife. They have taken in the orphan Zoe Boutin Perry as their daughter. It’s a good life. John is a farmer and an ombudsman, while Jane is a constable. Their former commander, General Rybibki, asks them to help settle a new colony on the planet named Roanoke. What they find at Roanoke is not what they expected. Can John protect the colony, or will the colony perish leading to the extermination of humanity?

Summary

Last Colony by John Scalzi starts with John Perry and his family fitting in on their adapted colony of Huckleberry. Huckleberry was first colonized by people from India. John is the ombudsman of his town and his assistant is Savitri Guntupalli. She helps him and keeps him in line. John must settle disputes between people of his town like the Chengelpet brothers about a troublesome goat. John’s family is his wife, Constable Jane Sagan, and his adopted daughter Zoe Boutin Perry. Zoe is the biological daughter of Charles Boutin from the previous novel, The Ghost Brigades.

General Rybicki, John and Jane’s former commander, asks them to lead a first colonization team to the planet named Roanoke. When they get to Roanoke, nothing is like it seems. John must lead the colony against an alliance of alien lifeforms named the Conclave. The Conclave wants to contain humanity or destroy it. John wants neither to happen. He must go down a dangerous path if he is to succeed.

Recommendation

Last Colony by John Scalzi is a great sequel to Old Man’s War. It was fun to see John Perry and his family again. John faces an impossible position and escapes a dire fate again. Scalzi is the master of idea and dialogue. A quick read, I wanted more. He sets up the next novel in the series at the end of this novel. I am looking forward to reading book four of the series, Zoe’s Tale.

Links

This is the link to the Goodreads page of The Last Colony by John Scalzi.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/88071.The_Last_Colony

Ghost Brigades by John Scalzi is the second book in the Old Man’s War series. Jared Dirac is a clone with another man’s memories. He must save humanity from three allied alien races determined to destroy humanity.

Ghost Brigades by John Scalzi

Old Man’s War is the first novel in the Old Man’s War series. This is the link to my review.

Old Man’s War by John Scalzi

Warriors Apprentice by Lois McMaster Bujold

Warriors Apprentice by Lois McMaster Bujold, Book #2 of the Vorkosigan saga.

Introduction

Warriors Apprentice by Lois McMaster Bujold is the second book of the Vorkosigan saga. It is the first book of many to feature Miles Vorkosigan as the protagonist. Miles suffers from brittle bones because of an assassination attempt on his mother when she was pregnant with him. 17-year-old Miles fails his test to enter the Academy. He visits his grandmother in the Beta Colony. A series of events results with him getting involved in another planet’s war. Does Miles learn enough as the Warriors Apprentice to escape the mischief he has started?

Summary

At the beginning of the Warriors Apprentice by Lois McMaster Bujold, Miles Vorkosigan takes the physical test for admittance to the Imperial Service Academy of Barrayar. He has passed the written portion of the test but must navigate an obstacle course to enter the Academy. He is the son of the former Regent of the Empire. Emperor Gregor has recently gained his maturity. When Miles’s mother was pregnant with him, an assassination attempt affected Miles’s health. His bones are brittle, and he is short. There are no exceptions to the physical test. He fails the test and must decide his next move.

Miles visits his grandmother in the Beta Colony. Beta Colony is a separate sovereign planet from Barrayar. Bothari, his strong and possibly psychopathic bodyguard, and Bothari’s daughter, Elena, accompanies him. Miles tries to help jump pilot Arde Mayhew and former Barrayran officer Bazil Jesek. Helping them leads to him forming a trading company and getting involved in a war on a planet revolving around Tau Verde IV. Events escalate to the breaking point. Miles is the Warrior’s Apprentice and must become a master to succeed. Complications occur at Barrayar, forcing Miles to return to save his father.

Recommendation

Warriors Apprentice by Lois McMaster Bujold is a space opera heist. Miles is a young protagonist out of his depth as events escalate like the Sorcerer’s Apprentice. I like Miles and want him to succeed. He fails and doesn’t give up like an optimistic young man. My favorite parts were the creation of the Denarii Free Mercenaries, resolving Elena Visconti’s story, and the fate of Miles. I’m looking forward to reading the next novel in the series, The Vor Game, which won the Hugo Award for Best Novel in 1991.

Links

This is the link to the Goodreads page of The Warriors Apprentice by Lois McMaster Bujold.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6057779-the-warrior-s-apprentice

In Barrayar (Book#7 of the Vorkosigan saga) by Lois McMaster Bujold, Lady Cordelia Vorkosigan faces assassination and the birth of her son. Will she survive the regency and give birth to her son?

Barrayar by Lois McMaster Bujold

In Shards of Honor (Book#1 of the Vorkosigan saga) by Lois McMaster Bujold, Barrayaran Captain Aral Vorkosigan takes Betan Commander Cordelia Naismith prisoner. They take a hike in the jungle. What happens when they fall in love?

Shards of Honor by Lois McMaster Bujold

In Falling Free (Book #4 of the Vorkosigan saga) by Lois McMaster Bujold, space engineer Leo Graf must decide between retiring or risking his life protecting his students. The novel is a fun, self-contained space opera romp.

Falling Free by Lois McMaster Bujold

Writing Progress Report February 2021

Writing Progress Report February 2021.

This is my Writing Progress Report February 2021.

Another Sunday, another fire.

Writing Progress from January 2021.

I wrote three blog posts for garydavidgillen.com including my writing progress report for January 2021 linked below.

Writing Progress Report January 2021

No submissions to Writing Workshops in January 2021.

Writing Progress from January 2020 Continued

I made five posts on my Goodreads account in January 2021.

In the past, I submitted the stories; Four Humors, Space Station Sunyata, and Grognard to magazines.

I submitted “Principled Rogue” to Apex in January 2021.

In January 2021, I submitted “Popular Mechanics Re-brewed” to Flash Fiction Online.

I submitted “Runs with Scissors” to Fireside Magazine in January 2021.

On February 1, 2021, I submitted “Wormhole Generator” to Cosmic Roots and Eldritch Shores.

Final magazine submissions for 2020 were 7 unique stories submitted 19 times with 0 accepted, 1 pending, and 18 rejections.

Magazine submissions for 2021 are 4 unique stories submitted 4 times with 0 accepted, 1 pending, and 3 rejections.

The Cosmic Roots and Eldritch Shores Magazine suggested the critters workshop to me. My new plan is to submit all stories to the critters workshop before sending the stories to magazines. With the workshop feedback, I will make a last revision before submission. I plan to send in stories starting in March 2021. In the critters workshop points are earned with adequate critiques of other workshop stories. To submit stories, the author must maintain a 75% critique rate. That means three critiques per month average.

http://critters.org/index.php

Events from January 2021.

The next conference I had planned to attend was ConFusion in Novi, Michigan, from January 15 to 17, 2021. The Ann Arbor Science Fiction Association is the sponsor for ConFusion. They cancelled the Conference for 2021 because of COVID-19. They plan to hold the next ConFusion in January 2022.

https://2020.confusionsf.org/

Writing Goals February 2021.

I plan to write three blog posts for garydavidgillen.com including my Writing Progress Report for February 2021.

The title of my next novel is Cuba Liberto. I plan to complete writing Chapter 7 in February 2021 and submit it to the Novel Writing Workshop at Parma, Ohio library.

In February 2021, I plan to submit a story to the Introductory Writing Workshop at Parma, Ohio library.

Polish and submit the stories White Bracer, Mage Squad, I Shall Not Return, Prisoner of Tarnal, and Kay-Eye for submission to short fiction magazines.

Writing Goals for February 2021 continued.

In February 2021, I plan to make five posts on my Goodreads account.

Put the novel, Assassin in New Marl City, into the writing program, Scrivener.

Buy an e-book cover for Assassin in New Marl City from Fiveer.

Planned Events for February 2021.

http://marcon.org/

I attended the virtual Confluence Pittsburgh Con in 2020. They have not decided yet if the 2021 Con will be virtual or in person. Either way, I plan to attend.

https://confluence-sff.org/

Writing Progress Report 2020 in Review

Writing Progress Report 2020 in Review.

This is my Writing Progress Report 2020 in Review.

Nothing like a warm fire on a chilly day.

Writing Progress from January 2020 to December 2020.

I wrote 44 blog posts for garydavidgillen.com in 2020 with the last post in 2020 for Rhythm of War linked below. I have written 200 total posts on my blog from August 2016 to December 2020.

Link to my review of Rhythm of War by Brandon Sanderson.

Rhythm of War by Brandon Sanderson

Updated 86 posts between March 2020 and December 2020 on my website to improve their SEO rating to good, to leave no remaining posts to update. Project Completed as planned!!!

In July 2018, I completed the first draft of my novel Assassin in New Marl City, totaling 99,981 words and 36 chapters. Completed pre-second draft (30 chapters long) in December 2018 at 89,072 words. Finished the second draft edits in December 2019 to complete the second draft edit. I started writing a new Chapter 1 in February 2020 and finished it in April 2020. The third draft will have 32 Chapters. I finished the third draft edits for Chapter 1 in June 2020, Chapter 2 in July 2020, and Chapter 3 in August 2020.

Writing Progress from January 2020 to December 2020 Continued

From January 2020 to June 2020, I submitted Chapters 1, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, and 30 of my novel titled Assassin in New Marl City to the Novel Writing Workshop at Parma, Ohio library.

From July 2020 to December 2020, I submitted Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 of my novel titled Cuba Liberto to the Novel Writing Workshop at Parma, Ohio library.

I submitted three stories to the Wednesday Fiction Writing Workshop at the South Euclid-Lyndhurst Library in 2020. I submitted All Potions Sold Greenhouse, Four Humors, and Chapters 1 and 2 of my novel Cuba Liberto.

In 2020, I submitted nine stories to the Introductory Writing Workshop at Parma, Ohio library. I submitted Hanibal Washington’s Fall, Dear Allie, Am I Going Insane?, Patient X, Principled Rogue, Bowling Ball Story, Fort Weimer, Thanksgiving?, and Giraffe.

Writing Progress from January 2020 to December 2020 Continued

I made sixty posts on my Goodreads account in 2020 for 275 posts.

In the past, I submitted the stories; Four Humors, Space Station Sunyata, and Grognard to magazines.

Final magazine submissions for 2020 were 7 unique stories submitted 19 times with 0 accepted, 0 pending, and 19 rejections.

Events from January 2020 to December 2020.

I attended the ConFusion Conference in Novi, Michigan, from January 16 to 19, 2020. The Ann Arbor Science Fiction Association Sponsors ConFusion. This was the last one I attended in person because of COVID-19.

https://2020.confusionsf.org/

The next conference I planned to attend in person was Cleveland ConCoction from March 20 to 22, 2020.

They canceled it because of COVID-19. I plan to go to ConCoction in 2021, but I don’t know if they will hold it.

This is a link to the Cleveland ConCoction website.

http://www.clevelandconcoction.org/

Events from January 2020 to December 2020. continued

I attended virtual Dragon Con Atlanta from September 3 to 7, 2020, and attended eight events. This conference is a great opportunity for me because Atlanta is far away, and I am not likely to attend this con in person.

Link to Dragon Con’s website.

https://www.dragoncon.org/

They held a virtual conference called C’monfluence the Novelization 2020, from October 2 to October 4. The Guest of Honor was Martha Wells. I attended the conference virtually. They canceled Confluence Conference in Pittsburgh because of COVID-19. I plan to go to the next Confluence from July 23 to July 25, 2021.

Link to Confluence’s website.

http://confluence-sff.org/

I attended the virtual Gotham Writers Conference from October 16 to October 18, 2020, sponsored by Gotham Writers Workshop.

https://www.writingclasses.com/

Writing Goals for January 2021 to December 2021.

I plan to write 48 blog posts for garydavidgillen.com in 2021.

The title of my next novel is Cuba Liberto. I plan to write Chapters 7 to 18 in 2021 and submit it to the Novel Writing Workshop at Parma, Ohio library.

In 2021, I plan to submit two stories to the Wednesday Writing Workshop at South Euclid, Ohio library.

In 2021, I plan to submit 12 stories to the Introductory Writing Workshop at Parma, Ohio library.

I plan to work on third draft edits for Assassin in New Marl City using comments from the Novel Writing Workshop at Parma, Ohio. I plan to complete third draft edits for Chapters 4 to 30 in 2021.

Submit the stories Space-Dog Confession, Four Humors, Space Station Sunyata, Grognard, Game Dome, Sleeping Sickness, Popular Mechanics Re-brewed, and Caliburnus. to other short fiction magazines. I plan three submissions for January 2021.

Polish and submit the stories White Bracer, Mage Squad, I Shall Not Return, Prisoner of Tarnal, and Kay-Eye for submission to short fiction magazines.

Writing Goals for January 2021 to December 2021 continued.

In 2021, I plan to make 60 posts on my Goodreads account.

Put the novel, Assassin in New Marl City, into the writing program, Scrivener.

Buy an e-book cover for Assassin in New Marl City from Fiveer.

Planned Events for January 2021 to December 2021.

At this point (January 2021), it is unclear whether they will hold any cons in person in 2021.

I’d like to attend Cleveland Concoction in March, but their website does not have any information about their return.

If the Cuyahoga County Library presents a Western Reserve Writers conference in April, I would attend, but there is nothing on their calendar so far.

I had planned to attend Ice and Fire Con (Sterling Heights, Ohio) from April 28 to May 3, 2021, but they postponed the con to 2022. I bought tickets for the 2020 con and plan to use those tickets in 2022.

Planned Events for January 2021 to December 2021 continued.

http://marcon.org/

I attended the virtual Confluence Pittsburgh Con in 2020. They have not decided yet if the 2021 Con will be virtual or in person. Either way, I plan to attend.

https://confluence-sff.org/

Capclave (Rockville, Md) held a virtual con in 2020 that I missed. As of now, they scheduled a con for October 1 to October 3, 2021. I would like to attend the con in 2021 if it is virtual or in person.

https://www.capclave.org/capclave/capclave21/

I attended the virtual Dragoncon Atlanta in 2020. The dates are September 2 to September 6, 2021. If it is virtual in 2021, I plan to attend.

https://www.dragoncon.org/

I attended the virtual Gotham Writers Conference in 2020. They have not decided yet if the 2021 Con will be virtual or in person. Either way, I plan to attend.

https://www.writingclasses.com/writers-conference/index

Writing Progress Report 2020 in Review.

Lord of Chaos by Robert Jordan

Lord of Chaos by Robert Jordan, Book Six of the Wheel of Time series.

Introduction

Lord of Chaos by Robert Jordan is the sixth book of The Wheel of Time series. The novel follows eight storylines for the forces of Light. The Forsaken also plot to pit the forces of Light against each other. Rand travels by portal between Cairhien and Caemlyn, trying to merge his power and planning for Elayne to become the queen of both countries. Mat is at the head of the Band of the Red Hand and Rand points his forces at the Forsaken Sammuel in Ilian.

Perrin feels the ta’veren pull and heads to Caemlyn to help Rand. Egwene learns from the Wise Ones and faces her destiny. Nynaeve and Elayne are part of the Salidar Aes Sedai. Min travels to Caemlyn to convince Rand to support the Salidar Aes Sedai. When the Forsaken plot pushes Rand to the edge, will the Lord of Chaos rule or will Rand succeed?

Summary – Prologue

Lord of Chaos by Robert Jordan follows eight characters and features various Forsaken.

The prologue of the novel is 72 pages in the paperback and covers eleven different points of view.

Forsaken Demandred hatches the Lord of Chaos Plot with other Forsaken. There were a total of Thirteen Forsaken who swerved the Dark One during the Age of Legends. Though Rand and others have killed a few. (or have they?)

Nynaeve and Elayne are part of the Salidar Aes Sedai in the town of Salidar in Altara. The Salidar six rule the Salidar Aes Sedai. They want to elect their Amyrlin Seat to reclaim the White Tower from Elaida, the White Tower Aes Sedai Amyrlin Seat.

Perrin and Faile rule the Two Rivers in Andor. Perrin feels the pull of ta’veren to aide Rand.

Summary-Prologue Continued

Gawyn Trakand (Elayne’s brother) leads the Younglings (former Warders in Training) serving the White Tower Aes Sedai of the Amyrlin Seat Elaida in Tar Valon.

Katherine Alruddin Aes Sedai is part of the White Tower Embassy to Rand. She is part of the Black Ajah and conspires with a noblewoman from Cairhein against Rand.

Sevanna of the Shaido Clan of the Aiel plans her revenge against Rand.

Morgase Trakand (Elayne’s and Gawyn’s mother and the rightful queen of Andor) had fled Andor to enlist the aid of the Whitecloaks (in Amador) to regain her throne. (The Forsaken Ravin had taken her kingdom. Rand eliminated Ravin, but no one knows Morgase is still alive.)

Lord Captain Commander Pedron Naill of the Children of the Light (the Whitecloaks) offers Morgase a price for his aid to help her retake Andor. It is a price that Morgase is reluctant to pay.

Forsaken Mesaana converses with Forsaken Semirhage and Forsaken Demandred.

Forsaken Osan’gar and Forsaken Aran’gar are reborn at Shayol Ghul.

Summary–Groups of characters

Lord of Chaos by Robert Jordan follows three groups of characters. The first group is the ta’veren; Rand, Perrin, and Mat, all from the Two Rivers. The ta’veren are agents of Light for the Wheel of Time. Rand is the Dragon Reborn, the main hero for the Light in the Wheel of Time. He is fated to face the Dark One and the forces of darkness at the Last Battle. Rand has the backing of the Aiel clans from the Waste (except for the Shaido clan). He has brought the clans to the Westlands. His coalition includes Tear, Cairhein, and Andor.

Mat is his best general, in charge of the Band of the Red Hand. Rand sends Mat with the Band toward Tear to occupy the thoughts of the Forsaken Sammuel who rules Ilian. Perrin rules the Two Rivers, but the pull of the ta’veren causes him to seek out Rand.

Summary–Groups of characters Continued

The second group of characters is the Two Rivers Aes Sedai; Egwene, Nynaeve, and Elayne. The Aes Sedai use the female part of the One Power. Egwene studies with the Wise Ones, Aiel who use the One Power. She came with Rand and the Aiel to Cairhein. She will face her destiny with the Salidar Aes Sedai. Elayne and Nynaeve are Accepted with the Salidar Aes Sedai.

The third group of characters is Rand’s girlfriends. The three women vie for Rand’s attention. Elayne has professed her love to him, but they have been apart for a long time. Aviendha is the Aiel assigned by the Wise Ones to watch Rand, but they have a romantic relationship. The complication to their relationship is that Aviendha knows Elayne’s love for Rand and doesn’t want to take his affection for her from him. Min is from the mountains near the Two Rivers and has the gift of foresight. She loves Rand but doesn’t know if he returns her love. She comes with the Salidar Aes Sedai embassy to Rand. Min wants to see where her relationship with Rand can go.

Summary–Best Plot Points

Three Plot Points stand out in Lord of Chaos by Robert Jordan.

Nynaeve and Elayne are Accepted (the level above Novice but below full Aes Sedai) with the Salidar Aes Sedai. They get knowledge about the Age of Legends from their captive Forsaken. Nynaeve has been contemplating how to use the One Power in a way that no one expects can work. This action has been foreshadowed since early in the series. She tries the action in Chapter 29, Fire and Spirit, and in Chapter 30, To Heal Again. These are two great chapters.

Egwene trains with the Aiel Wise Ones. She follows Rand and the Aiel to Carhien. She must figure out how she fits with the Salidar Aes Sedai. Chapter 37 When the Battle Begins covers the character’s reaction to the event that ends the previous chapter. The chapter has six points of view of characters who react to that pivotal event. The interplay between their reactions is excellent.

This whole novel, all 1011 paperback pages, leads up to what happens at Dumai’s Wells. Step-by-step Rand is boxed into a corner. What he does and the aftermath of his actions are epic and worth the page count.

Recommendation

Lord of Chaos by Robert Jordan ends with an epic climax at Dumai’s Wells. I thought three plot points were excellent. Nynaeve’s triumphant use of the One Power, Egwene’s fate with the Salidar Aes Sedai, and Rand’s brush with the insanity that led to the epic conclusion at Dumai’s Wells. But it took too long to get to those plot points. About half the chapters before Chapter 29 could have been shortened or cut and the storyline would not have been affected. The Morgase subplot is not furthered or completed in this novel and could have been dropped here. (For example, Perrin did not appear at all in The Fires of Heaven.) The best parts make reading the rest worth it.

The first season of the Amazon Prime Video will adapt the first novel of the series in 2021. I will be interested to see how the showrunners adapt this novel in a few years.

Links

This is the link to the Goodreads page of Lord of Chaos by Robert Jordan.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35231.Lord_of_Chaos

This is the link to my review of Fires of Heaven by Robert Jordan, Book Five of the Wheel of Time.

Fires of Heaven by Robert Jordan

This is the link to my review of Shadow Rising by Robert Jordan, Book Four of the Wheel of Time.

Shadow Rising by Robert Jordan

This is the link to my review of Dragon Reborn by Robert Jordan, Book three of the Wheel of Time.

Dragon Reborn by Robert Jordan

This is the link to my review of Great Hunt by Robert Jordan, Book two of the Wheel of Time.

Great Hunt by Robert Jordan

This is the link to my review of Eye of the World by Robert Jordan, Book one of the Wheel of Time.

The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan

Writing Progress Report January 2021

Writing Progress Report January 2021.

This is my Writing Progress Report January 2021.

The Presents underneath the tree. Merry Christmas!

Writing Progress from December 2020.

I wrote five blog posts for garydavidgillen.com including my writing progress report for December 2020 linked below. Posts on my blog are up to 200 total beginning in August 2016.

Writing Progress Report December 2020

Updated nine posts in December 2020 on my website to improve their SEO rating to good, to leave no remaining posts to update. Project Completed as planned!!!

In December 2020, I submitted Chapter 6 of my novel titled Cuba Liberto to the Novel Writing Workshop at Parma, Ohio library.

In December 2020, I submitted the story “Giraffe” to the Introductory Writing Workshop at Parma, Ohio library.

Writing Progress from December 2020 Continued

I made five posts on my Goodreads account in December 2020.

In the past, I submitted the stories; Four Humors, Space Station Sunyata, and Grognard to magazines.

I submitted “Runs with Scissors” to Strange Horizons in October 2020.

On December 1, 2020, I submitted “Sleeping Sickness” to Cast of Wonders.

Final magazine submissions for 2020 were 7 unique stories submitted 19 times with 0 accepted, 1 pending, and 18 rejections.

Events from December 2020.

https://2020.confusionsf.org/

Writing Goals for January 2021.

I plan to write four blog posts for garydavidgillen.com including my Writing Progress Report for January 2021.

The title of my next novel is Cuba Liberto. I plan to write Chapter 7 in January 2021 and submit it to the Novel Writing Workshop at Parma, Ohio library.

In January 2021, I plan to submit a story to the Introductory Writing Workshop at Parma, Ohio library.

Polish and submit the stories White Bracer, Mage Squad, I Shall Not Return, Prisoner of Tarnal, and Kay-Eye for submission to short fiction magazines.

Writing Goals for January 2021 continued.

In January 2021, I plan to make five posts on my Goodreads account.

Put the novel, Assassin in New Marl City, into the writing program, Scrivener.

Buy an e-book cover for Assassin in New Marl City from Fiveer.

Planned Events for January 2021.

https://2020.confusionsf.org/