I know I’ve been a bit shy about revealing my writing status and to be honest I haven’t gotten much done by my usual reckless standards. But after tonight (as of this post’s drafting it is half-past two in the morning and I’m about to creep off and find a bed) I’m feeling pretty good.

I don’t really have much excuse, except of course the usual constraints on my time. Mrs. Hatboy is extraordinarily patient with me and lets me write basically whenever, but I actively stop myself because when you’re me, “whenever” becomes “fucking always” very easily. Then there’s work, which is fine but stressful, and assorted domestic responsibilities that I wouldn’t trade for anything. Although a servant to do the actual chores would be great.

Oh well.

The anthology, tentatively titled Panda Egg, is coming together. Specifically, I have the final parts of two stories still to do, and the final 2/3-to-3/4 of the titular panhandling epic still to write. For a while, I didn’t really know where any of them were heading.

Sometimes it really is.

But now I’m starting to figure it out, and the words have resumed their flow.

As for The Last Days of Earth, that is still on hold although unofficially I’m still chipping away at that too. I know exactly where that story is going, but I’m still working on the telling. Every now and then I figure out a chunk of it, or solve a problem or connect up a few dots, and I scribble it down.

It’s all happening. Just not very fast. So do try to enjoy the Steal of Time. I’m certainly enjoying re-reading it as I post.