One flu over…soon. Maybe.

Here it is, folks–my very first dictated blog post!

I know, I know. Nobody cares. But FWIW I think it’s pretty cool that this works so well. I’m more than slightly disappointed that there’s apparently no Linux voice recognition software worth bothering with, and also that Dragon NaturallySpeaking 12 requires so much processing power that I can’t usefully run it in a Windows virtual machine. But that’s just me being a geek.

Also I haven’t yet figured out how to use this dictation-thingy to write new fiction. I think I’m just too self-conscious about it. And I’m having technical difficulties with getting it to transcribe recordings accurately. Still: it’s pretty cool. Someday I hope to write new stories whilst hiking.

So…speaking of that, when will I have new fiction ready for you? Well, it might be a while. I finished the first draft of The Secret a while back, but there are a few things to consider:

• I intend to make it available as a print book first, and that will take some time.
• Although the first draft is finished, I still have lots of work to do on it. Plus, the first and most productive part of the day gets used for writing new fiction. Bleed on the Sky got off to a slow start, but it’s coming along nicely.
• Finally, publication just isn’t my top priority right now. Writing new fiction is my top priority.
• Oh wait. There’s also my suspicion that a new release, by itself, won’t sell very well. I don’t have that many fans. It’s hard for people to find my books. OTOH releasing two new thrillers might be very helpful, especially if the first one is free.

I haven’t come to any firm decisions. I’m just noodling on all this. Meanwhile, I’ve had some sort of weird flu-like illness for the last couple of weeks–which has definitely slowed me down. For one thing, my voice has been stupid. I mean more so than usual. Which has slowed down my adoption of dictation vs. typing.

So, what’s the good news? There’s some. I’m writing. I’m having fun (sometimes). I expect this to be a very productive year. Not doing so well on the “write EVERY day” front quite yet, but it is getting easier. OTOH, in my heretofore unpublicized challenge to myself I’ve lost 20 pounds since November 1. Our ex-foster kid is finally here with us–and re-enrolled in high school. Our daughter seems to be having a good time. We’re in Alaska. I can go hiking or look at boats whenever I want. I’ve even figured out how to make my own beef jerky–how cool is that?

So I hope to get some books into your hands–or at least onto your e-readers–fairly soon. And a lot of them, too. I’ve just got to figure some stuff out.

Meanwhile? Have fun out there!

 

(This blog post untouched by human hands.)