It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

He's making a list, he's checking it twice

He's going to find out who's naughty or nice

Santa Claus is not subject to the data protection act

Well, it's that time of year again when the world turns just that little bit more crazy. Count that double for me - I'm still getting used to a southern hemisphere Christmas where "Oh the weather outside is frightful" means a whole different thing and the outside Christmas lights are solar powered.

But even though my day job knocks off next week I do not, nosiree. First off I've been contracted by Mantic Games to write some more background for their incoming Warpath wargame. I've already done some with their Deadzone: Infestation tabletop game, so this is familiar ground, but fairly in depth, but I'll get through it.

Secondly, and more importantly, Brood Parasites is chugging along nicely on Patreon, and need more words for the engine. The first audio chapter is up on YouTube and backer can expect chapter two before the week is out and the fifth chapter to their audiobooks before Christmas (thank you, guys!), plus I have to chase up the finished artwork for the cover. This is hugely exciting, but fair time intensive. But you know what? I wouldn't have it any other way.

And then of course there's the matter of Christmas with two little boys. But they're good kids and very reasonably choose to sleep every night (with a loose interpretation of 'choose'), so there's always time at night... in between Doctor Who episodes.

Anyway, may your December be filled with happiness and good cheer and I'll see you on the other side.

Michael

Where I Belatedly Realise Dan Abnett Answered My Question

Wanna hear something freaky?  (No?  Well screw you, this is my blog.)  I was lucky enough that my work load yesterday consisted of completely boring document which were entirely possible to reformat while I listened to something to else.  Yah, i know, right?!  Seriously though, I love work days like this, because it allows me to trawl YouTube for advice from published authors to those of us just starting out.So I gone through Salman Rushdie and Ian McEwan (both always a pleasure to listen to), when I came across the video below.  Why am I posting this?  Because way back when Dan Abnett opened himself up on his blog to questions about his work and writing.  I'm a huuuuge fan of Dan's writing.  Some might say he's wasted on IP work, but in my mind it's writers of his caliber which give the genre its legitimacy.Anyway, I asked.  And then I forgot.  And then I listened to this video.  Skip to the 7:45 minute mark if you want, but I'd suggest you listen to the whole thing....http://youtu.be/OawqNcG3bagA funny answer for an entirely unnecessary question.  But how do you write for someone who's smarter than you?  I think I'll ask Stephen Fry..... Michael