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Writing Progress Report February 2022

Writing Progress Report February 2022.

This is my Writing Progress Report February 2022.

It rained all day today. The raindrops froze on the trees at night. Then it snowed.

Writing Progress from January 2021.

I wrote two blog posts for garydavidgillen.com, including my writing progress report for January 2022, linked below.

Writing Progress Report January 2022

In January 2022, the Novel Writing Workshop at Parma, Ohio, skipped this month’s meeting.

I submitted my story “The Case of the Reluctant Pawnbroker” to the Introductory Writing Workshop at Parma, Ohio, library on January 2022.

I completed the first draft of my novel Assassin in New Marl City in July 2018. It had 99,981 words and 36 chapters. Completed pre-second draft (30 chapters long) in December 2018. It had 89,072 words. Finished the second draft edits in December 2019, which completed the second draft edit. I started writing a new chapter 1 on February 2020. Finished it in April 2020. The third draft will have 32 Chapters. I finished the third draft edits on Chapter 3 on July 2020. I hope to reset the novel and complete the revisions in 2022.

Writing Progress from January 2022 Continued

I made five posts on my Goodreads account on January 2022.

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, Popular Mechanics Re-brewed, Wormhole Generator, Runs with Scissors, and Principled Rogue to magazines.

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

Events from January 2022.

I attended ConFusion Detroit on January 2022. ConFusion Detroit 2020 was the last in-person con I attended. I have attended only virtual cons in the last two years. ConFusion 2022 was my next in-person con.

I attended ConFusion in Novi, Michigan, from January 21, 2022, to January 23, 2022. The Ann Arbor Science Fiction Association Sponsors ConFusion.

http://confusionsf.org/

The following picture is from the ConFusion 2020 notice.

This is the phoenix logo for Rising ConFusion, rising out of the ashes of COVID-19.

Writing Goals for February 2022.

I plan to write four blog posts for garydavidgillen.com including my Writing Progress Report for February 2022.

The title of the novel I am working on is Cuba Liberto. The first draft of the piece was a screenplay. My plan for the rewrite is 26 Chapters. I plan to complete writing Chapter 16 in February 2022 and submit it to the Novel Writing Workshop at Parma, Ohio, library. (The group is skipping having a meeting in January 2022.)

On February 2022, I plan to submit a story to the Introductory Writing Workshop at Parma, Ohio, library.

I plan to submit a story to the critters workshop on February 2022.

I plan to work on third draft edits for Assassin in New Marl City using comments from the Novel Writing Workshop at Parma, Ohio. On February 2022, I plan to complete third draft edits for renumbered Chapters 3 and 4.

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.

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 2022 continued.

On February 2022, 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 2022.

The next event I would like to attend is the Western Reserve Writers Conference at the South Euclid-Lyndhurst branch of the Cuyahoga County Public Library in Lyndhurst, Ohio on March 26, 2022.

This is a link to the Cuyahoga County Library website.

https://www.cuyahogalibrary.org/

Another event I would like to attend is Ice and Fire Con at Mt. Sterling, Ohio, from April 21 to April 24, 2022. I originally had a ticket for the 2020 Con but they canceled it because of COVID-19.

This is a link to the Ice and Fire Conference website.

http://www.iceandfirecon.com/

Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir

Introduction

Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir is the author’s most recent novel. Ryland Grace wakes up alone on a spaceship flying to a destination unknown. He has no memory of his past, of why he is on this interstellar mission, or why his crewmates are dead. He must discover the nature of his mission. If Ryland doesn’t solve these problems, the human race will perish.

Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir.

Summary

In Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir, Ryland Grace wakes up to a feminine computer voice. They hooked him up to monitors, and he was tired, so he goes back to sleep. They locked him in a room with two more patients who are dead in their hammocks. Ryland doesn’t remember his name or where he is located.

Ryland tries to get up, and the trauma causes a flashback. In the flashback, he gets an email from a Russian scientist urging him to help her with a problem involving an unusual IR emission headed toward Venus. He drops out of the flashback.

Ryland discovers they connected his chamber to a laboratory. He examines the equipment and performs tests that convince him he is not on Planet Earth.

Ryland must put these revelations together to understand his mission. His life and all the lives of the people on Planet Earth depend on him solving the problems put before him.

Recommendation

I thought this was a great novel. Ryland Grace was an engaging, smart, and resourceful character. He used the resources available to him to try and solve a difficult problem. I was surprised and pleased when the story turned from a problem-solving story to a story about first contact. I thought the ending fit the character and was happy with how it turned out.

This is the link to the Goodreads page of Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/54493401-project-hail-mary

My book review of Artemis by Andy Weir. Jazz, a poor smuggler & thief on the moon colony of Artemis, dreams of being rich. A little sabotage and she can retire with a million slugs. She must improvise or face death. How can she survive and get her money too?

Artemis by Andy Weir

Writing Progress Report January 2022

Writing Progress Report January 2022.

This is my Writing Progress Report January 2022.

Hey Ollie! Do you like the snow?

Writing Progress from December 2021.

I wrote two blog posts for garydavidgillen.com, including my writing progress report for December 2022, linked below.

Writing Progress Report December 2021

In December 2021, the Novel Writing Workshop at Parma, Ohio skipped this month’s meeting.

I submitted my story “Explosion at Ceres Space Station” to the Introductory Writing Workshop at Parma, Ohio, library in December 2021.

I completed the first draft of my novel Assassin in New Marl City in July 2018. It had 99,981 words and 36 chapters. Completed pre-second draft (30 chapters long) in December 2018. It had 89,072 words. Finished the second draft edits in December 2019 which completed the second draft edit. I started writing a new chapter 1 in February 2020. Finished it in April 2020. The third draft will have 32 Chapters. I finished the third draft edits on Chapter 3 in July 2020. I hope to reset the novel and complete the revisions in 2022.

Writing Progress from December 2021 Continued

I made five posts on my Goodreads account in December 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, Popular Mechanics Re-brewed, Wormhole Generator, Runs with Scissors, and Principled Rogue to magazines.

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

Events from December 2021.

I have no events to report this month.

Writing Goals for January 2022.

I plan to write four blog posts for garydavidgillen.com including my Writing Progress Report for January 2022.

The title of the novel I am working on is Cuba Liberto. The first draft of the piece was a screenplay. My plan for the rewrite is 26 Chapters. I plan to complete writing Chapter 16 in February 2022 and submit it to the Novel Writing Workshop at Parma, Ohio, library. (The group is skipping having a meeting in January 2022.)

In January 2022, I plan to submit a story to the Introductory Writing Workshop at Parma, Ohio, library.

I plan to submit a story to the critters workshop in January 2022.

I plan to work on third draft edits for Assassin in New Marl City using comments from the Novel Writing Workshop at Parma, Ohio. In January 2022, I plan to complete third draft edits for renumbered Chapters 3 and 4.

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.

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 2022 continued.

In January 2022, 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 2022.

The next event I would like to attend is ConFusion Detroit in January 2022. ConFusion Detroit 2020 was the last in-person con I attended. I have attended only virtual cons in the last two years. I would like ConFusion 2022 to be my next in-person con.

The next conference I plan to attend is ConFusion in Novi, Michigan, from January 21, 2022, to January 23, 2022. The Ann Arbor Science Fiction Association Sponsors ConFusion.

http://confusionsf.org/

The following picture is from the ConFusion 2020 notice.

This is the phoenix logo for Rising ConFusion, rising out of the ashes of COVID-19.

Fifth Season by NK Jemisin

The Fifth Season by NK Jemisin, Book #1 of the Broken Earth trilogy

Introduction

The Fifth Season by NK Jemisin follows three different narratives. It’s set in the Stillness, a post-apocalyptic or possibly a second-world fantasy land. Essun is a teacher in a small town hiding from her past until someone murders her son and her daughter goes missing. These events send her on a quest to recover her daughter. Damaya is a young girl who shows signs of having Orogeny, the ability to manipulate energy. A guardian arrives to take her to a school where she can learn her skill up to her potential. Syenite is a breeder. Her next assignment is to breed with and learn from a stronger male Orogenist. The three tales intersect and come to a dramatic conclusion which is expanded on in the second novel of the trilogy, The Obelisk Gate.

Fifth Season by NK Jemisin

Summary

The novel follows the stories of Essun, Damaya, and Syenite. Each chapter has a different viewpoint and the viewpoints do not intersect, though it is explained by the end of the novel how they are related. Two Interludes provide important information that can’t be contained in the other chapters.

Essun’s story is told in the second person. It’s like an unknown narrator is telling Essun’s story to her. Essun finds out her son is dead and her daughter has been taken. She decides to leave the town of Tirimo to search for her daughter. On her quest, she meets and travels with the mysterious Hoa and Tonkee, a woman without a community. Her quest leads to further revelations.

Damaya’s story is told in the third person. Damaya shows signs of possessing ability as an Orogenist. Guardian Schaffa takes her to the Fulcrum to be trained in Orogeny. She does well in learning and seeks the secrets of the Fulcrum. A still named Binof helps her in her search.

Syenite’s story is also in the third person. She is a breeder. Orogeny is an inherited trait, so there is a breeding program at the Fulcrum. She is assigned to Alabaster. He is a ten-ringer, the strongest level of Orogenist. She travels with him to the town of Allia. Alabaster has a mission in Allia. They learn secrets they should not have learned involving an obelisk.

The three stories are tied together and the stage is set for the second novel of the trilogy.

Recommendation

The Fifth Season by NK Jemisin is a challenging novel to read, but it is a great novel. Do not DNF it, please stick with it, because it will make sense by the end. The prologue begins with an unknown narrator who is talking to someone, revealed to be Essun in the first chapter. Essun’s chapters are all in second person and past tense. Usually, the second-person point of view is difficult to read but I like its use here. Damaya and Syenite’s sections are in third person and present tense. These transitions are hard for the reader, but it pays off by the end of the story. I think what hooked me on the novel was Damaya’s tale since she’s in a kind of twisted Harry Potter story. I’m looking forward to reading the other two novels next year.

This is the link to the Goodreads page of Fifth Season by NK Jemisin

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/38213103-the-fifth-season

Another book that reminds me of Fifth Season is Ancillary Justice. One is fantasy and the other science fiction, but they remind me of each other, in the sense that both break old tropes of the genre. They are both kind of like Science Fiction Fantasy in the old-school sense.

In Ancillary Justice by Ann Leckie, Breq plans her revenge on the Lord of the Radch. Her plans are in jeopardy when Breq befriends the disgraced former Captain Seivarden Vendaai.  Will Breq carry out her goals or will the powerful Lord defeat her? This is a link to my review.

Ancillary Justice by Ann Leckie

Writing Progress Report December 2021

This is my Writing Progress Report December 2021.

I had a nice lunch at the Welshfield Inn on December 17, 2021.

Writing Progress from November 2021.

I wrote two blog posts for garydavidgillen.com, including my writing progress report for November 2021, linked below.

Writing Progress Report November 2021

In November 2021, I couldn’t complete a chapter from my novel titled Cuba Liberto for the Novel Writing Workshop at Parma, Ohio, library due to my back injury.

I submitted my story “The Crystal Ship” to the Introductory Writing Workshop at Parma, Ohio, library in November 2021.

I completed the first draft of my novel Assassin in New Marl City in July 2018, 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. I hope to reset and complete the revisions in 2022.

Writing Progress from November 2021 Continued

I made five posts on my Goodreads account in November 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.

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

Events from November 2021.

No events to report this month.

Writing Goals for December 2021.

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

The title of the novel I am working on is Cuba Liberto. The first draft of the piece was a screenplay. My plan for the rewrite is 26 Chapters. I plan to complete writing Chapter 16 in January 2022 and submit it to the Novel Writing Workshop at Parma, Ohio, library. (The group is skipping having a meeting in December 2021.)

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

I plan to submit a story to the critters workshop in December 2021.

In December 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 both chapters to the SEL Wednesday Writing Workshop in February 2022.

I plan to work on third draft edits for Assassin in New Marl City using comments from the Novel Writing Workshop at Parma, Ohio. In December 2021, I plan to complete third draft edits for renumbered Chapters 3 and 4.

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.

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 December 2021 continued.

In December 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 December 2021.

The next event I would like to attend is ConFusion Detroit in January 2022. ConFusion Detroit 2020 was the last in-person con I attended. I have attended only virtual cons in the last two years. I would like ConFusion 2022 to be my next in-person con.

The next conference I plan to attend is ConFusion in Novi, Michigan, from January 21, 2022, to January 23, 2022. The Ann Arbor Science Fiction Association Sponsors ConFusion.

http://confusionsf.org/

The following picture is from the ConFusion 2020 notice.

This is the phoenix logo for Rising ConFusion, rising out of the ashes of COVID-19.

Burning White by Brent Weeks

Burning White by Brent Weeks.

Introduction

Burning White by Brent Weeks is the fifth and final book of The Lightbringer series. The three main characters set up their roles for the last book in the series. Gavin has lost his powers, takes on a suicide mission, and faces the god Orholam. Teia must use her skills as a master assassin and destroy the Order of the Broken Eye. Kip must prepare his army to face the White King with their last stand at the Chromeria. Kip must defeat him or risk the colors going out of balance, leading to their destruction. Their missions lead to one ultimate question. Who is the Lightbringer and will the Lightbringer bring balance to the world?

Burning White by Brent Weeks

Summary – General

Chromaturgy is the magical system of the Seven Satrapies. They call magicians who use Chromaturgy drafters, and the best drafters live on the Chromeria, the seat of the Satrapies government. Drafters can take a part of the spectrum of light and make a substance called luxin. They can shape luxin into items, with the color of the luxin determining the properties of the item. Most drafters can draft one or two colors, while the Prism can draft all the colors. There is only one Prism alive at one time and the Prism is the military, spiritual, and political leader of the Satrapies.

Summary – Characters

There are three principal viewpoint characters and three minor viewpoint characters.

Gavin was the Prism but has lost his powers. He escaped the special cells under the Chromeria. He must now find the god, Orholam, at the Tower of Heaven and kill him to save the seven satrapies.

Kip has taken the city of Dunbheo in the Blood Forest. Kip must keep his volatile coalition together to protect the city from the advancing White King. The problem is that the White King could get between the Chromeria and Dunbheo. Kip must decide who to protect. The wrong choice could lose the war and end the seven satrapies.

Teia had infiltrated the secret Order of the Broken Eye. It is a dangerous mission, complicated by her interaction with the assassin named Murder Sharp. The Order sends her on an important mission, and she must succeed or they will kill her father.

Karris White Oak is the new White. She must marshal her forces against the White King with the help and hindrance of Andross Guile.

Andross Guile is shown becoming the man he becomes through the use of flashbacks.

Liv Danavis serves the White King and has come into a significant power.

Recommendation

In Burning White by Brent Weeks, the three principal characters have important tasks to perform. The tasks are straightforward but are not complete by the end of the previous novel. In this novel, the author answered all questions about Gavin, Kip, and Teia. I felt like the ending was an unnecessary Deus ex Machina. What happened to Kip bothered me. Maybe it could have gone down another way. I guess my problem with the story as written is that I felt like Kip was the main character in the novel and he would have agency at the end. I was wrong. Gavin is the main character of the series and that clouds the ending for me.

This is the link to the Goodreads page of Burning White by Brent Weeks.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43100496-the-burning-white

My review of Blood Mirror by Brent Weeks, book 4 of The Lightbringer series. The author sets up the last conflicts for the Lightbringer to bring balance to the seven satrapies.

Blood Mirror by Brent Weeks

Review of The Broken Eye by Brent Weeks, book 3 of The Lightbringer series. Gavin, Kip, Teia, and Karris fight the Color Prince and the Order of the Broken Eye. They face a climactic confrontation at the Chromeria. Another excellent book in the series.

Broken Eye by Brent Weeks

This is the link to my review of the Blinding Knife by Brent Weeks.

The Blinding Knife by Brent Weeks

This is the link to my review of Black Prism by Brent Weeks.

The Black Prism by Brent Weeks

Writing Progress Report November 2021

This is my Writing Progress Report November 2021.

Is it fall or winter? I took this picture on November 14, 2021.

Is it fall or winter? I took this picture on November 14, 2021.

Writing Progress from October 2021.

I wrote one blog post for garydavidgillen.com, my writing progress report for October 2021, linked below.

Writing Progress Report October 2021

In October 2021, I submitted Chapter 15 of my novel titled Cuba Liberto to the Novel Writing Workshop at Parma, Ohio, library.

I submitted my story “Cautionary Tales Revisited” to the Introductory Writing Workshop at Parma, Ohio, library in October 2021.

In October 2021, I submitted my story, Game Dome, to the Wednesday Fiction Writing Workshop at South Euclid/Lyndhurst, Ohio library.

I completed the first draft of my novel Assassin in New Marl City in July 2018, 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.

Writing Progress from October 2021 Continued

I made five posts on my Goodreads account in October 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.

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

Events from October 2021.

No events to report this month.

Writing Goals for November 2021.

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

The title of the novel I am working on is Cuba Liberto. The first draft of the piece was a screenplay. My plan for the rewrite is 26 Chapters. I plan to complete writing Chapter 16 in November 2021 and submit it to the Novel Writing Workshop at Parma, Ohio, library.

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

I plan to submit a story to the critters workshop in November 2021.

In November 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 both chapters to the SEL Wednesday Writing Workshop in February 2022.

I plan to work on third draft edits for Assassin in New Marl City using comments from the Novel Writing Workshop at Parma, Ohio. In November 2021, I plan to complete third draft edits for renumbered Chapters 3 and 4.

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.

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 November 2021 continued.

In November 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 November 2021.

The next event I would like to attend is ConFusion Detroit. ConFusion Detroit 2020 was the last in-person con I attended. I have attended only virtual cons in the last two years. I would like ConFusion 2022 to be my next in-person con.

The next conference I plan to attend is ConFusion in Novi, Michigan, from January 21, 2022, to January 23, 2022. The Ann Arbor Science Fiction Association Sponsors ConFusion.

http://confusionsf.org/

The following picture is from the ConFusion 2020 notice.

Writing Progress Report October 2021

This is my Writing Progress Report October 2021.

This picture is from a nice fall display in front of the Hampton Inn in Gallipolis, Ohio.

Writing Progress from September 2021.

I wrote two blog posts for garydavidgillen.com including my writing progress report for September 2021, linked below.

Writing Progress Report September 2021

In September 2021, I submitted Chapter 14 of my novel titled Cuba Liberto to the Novel Writing Workshop at Parma, Ohio, library.

In September 2021, I submitted my story Are you Worthy to the Introductory Writing Workshop at Parma, Ohio, library.

I completed the first draft of my novel Assassin in New Marl City in July 2018, 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.

Writing Progress from September 2021 Continued

I made five posts on my Goodreads account in September 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.

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

Events from September 2021.

No events to report this month.

Writing Goals for October 2021.

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

The title of the novel I am working on is Cuba Liberto. The first draft of the piece was a screenplay. My plan for the rewrite is 26 Chapters. I plan to complete writing Chapter 15 in October 2021 and submit it to the Novel Writing Workshop at Parma, Ohio, library.

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

In October 2021, I plan to submit my story, Game Dome, to the Wednesday Fiction Writing Workshop at SouthEuclid/Lyndhurst, Ohio library.

I plan to submit a story to the critters workshop in October 2021.

In October 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 both chapters to the SEL Wednesday Writing Workshop in February 2022.

I plan to work on third draft edits for Assassin in New Marl City using comments from the Novel Writing Workshop at Parma, Ohio. In October 2021, I plan to complete third draft edits for renumbered Chapters 3 and 4.

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.

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 October 2021 continued.

In October 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 October 2021.

The next event I would like to attend is ConFusion Detroit. ConFusion Detroit 2020 was the last in-person con that I attended. I have attended only virtual cons in the last two years. I would like ConFusion 2022 to be my next in-person con.

The next conference I plan to attend is ConFusion in Novi, Michigan in January 2022. The Ann Arbor Science Fiction Association sponsors ConFusion.

http://confusionsf.org/

The following picture is from the ConFusion 2020 notice.

Murder by Other Means by John Scalzi

Murder by Other Means by John Scalzi, Book #2 of the Dispatcher series.

Introduction

Murder by Other Means by John Scalzi is about Tony Valdez, who is a legal professional murderer. In the future, people who are murdered come back to life in the place where they find most comforting. People who commit suicide and have natural deaths stay dead. 99.99% of all Murder victims return to life naked but alive. So, murderers can keep people from dying an eternal death. Times are tough for dispatchers because legitimate jobs are scarce. Tony needs money, and he takes a shady deal that goes wrong. They implicate Tony in a robbery scheme and people are dying without being murdered. Will Tony discover the criminal’s plans before they kill him by other means?

Murder by Other Means by John Scalzi

Summary

Murder by Other Means by John Scalzi is the second book of the Dispatcher series. In the first book, The Dispatcher, someone has kidnapped one of Tony’s colleagues, another dispatcher. Tony must rescue him, or his colleague may be killed and stay dead. Tony searches for him even though Tony faces his eternal death.

They set this novella in Chicago like the previous novella. Tony lost his role with the Chicago PD and needs money, so he takes a risky job. Mr. Peng is from China and wants a quick way home. Tony can provide that for him. He got the job from Lloyd Barnes, a Chicago lawyer. The translator is Mister Chen. Tony performs the dispatch.

Tony is at the bank and becomes involved in a robbery scheme in which he becomes implicated. People die in unusual ways. Tony has to unravel the mystery or he will be the next person to die and not come back.

Recommendation

Murder by Other Means by John Scalzi was originally only released as an Audible audiobook in 2020. I read the hardback novella published by Subterranean Press in 2021. The book is 191 pages long. This, the second story of the Dispatcher series, explores another ramification of the murder mechanism that rules this world. How would you murder someone without murdering them? The solution made sense. It was an enjoyable thriller.

Links

Murder by Other Means by John Scalzi is Book #2 of the Dispatcher Series

This is the link to The Dispatcher’s Goodreads page.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57590084-murder-by-other-means

John Scalzi read the first chapter in his work in progress, the Dispatcher 2, at the science fiction conference ConFusion in Detroit on January 19, 2019. This is a link to my recap of the conference and John Scalzi’s reading.

Conference Recap ConFusion Detroit 2019

The Dispatcher by John Scalzi is a police procedural set in the future where murder victims return to life. Dispatchers commit legalized murder. Will Dispatcher Tony Valdez look for his kidnapped friend even though Tony may face his eternal death?

The Dispatcher by John Scalzi

Writing Progress Report September 2021

Writing Progress Report September 2021.

This is my Writing Progress Report September 2021.

On August 21, 2021, I took a hike in Liberty Park, Twinsburg, Ohio. This picture is of one of the ledges found at the park.

Writing Progress from August 2021.

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

Writing Progress Report August 2021

In August 2021, I submitted Chapter 13 of my novel titled Cuba Liberto to the Novel Writing Workshop at Parma, Ohio, library.

In August 2021, I submitted my story Are you Worthy to the Introductory Writing Workshop at Parma, Ohio, library.

I completed the first draft of my novel Assassin in New Marl City in July 2018, 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.

Writing Progress from August 2021 Continued

I made five posts on my Goodreads account in August 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.

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

Events from August 2021.

No events to report this month.

Writing Goals for September 2021.

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

The title of the novel I am working on is Cuba Liberto. The first draft of the piece was a screenplay. My plan for the rewrite is 26 Chapters. I plan to complete writing Chapter 14 in September 2021 and submit it to the Novel Writing Workshop at Parma, Ohio, library.

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

In September 2021, I plan to submit my story, Game Dome, to the Wednesday Fiction Writing Workshop at SouthEuclid/Lyndhurst, Ohio library. The story will be critiqued in October 2021.

I plan to submit a story to the critters workshop in September 2021.

In October 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 both chapters to the SEL Wednesday Writing Workshop in February 2022.

I plan to work on third draft edits for Assassin in New Marl City using comments from the Novel Writing Workshop at Parma, Ohio. In October 2021, I plan to complete third draft edits for renumbered Chapters 3 and 4.

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.

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 September 2021 continued.

In September 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 September 2021.

This is the next event I would like to attend.

They scheduled Washington Capclave as an in-person event for October 1 to October 3, 2021. The Washington Science Fiction Association holds the conference at the Hilton in Rockville, Maryland. I would like to attend the conference.

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