What Did I Do In 2021?

I'll cut to the chase and confirm that I did not release a new book in 2021. I wrote! I wrote quite a lot. Still, after the mammoth amount of work that was The Vile Realm, my desire to be out of the house in 2021 was very strong indeed! As I have been working from home since March 2020, the writing room has become the work office. The small space that was an escape from work after a day of it is no longer the same space - it can be very difficult to re-engage in writing after being sat at the computer for the whole day! I'm sure many writers that juggle full time jobs have been in a similar boat these past two years. It's a bloody shame, as my inspiration for writing has been through the roof! There are notes everywhere...

So, what did I get done?

Writing

My next book, The Dead and the Rotten, is around 75% complete for draft one. I imagine it will be around the same length as The Crystal Keep once finished. We meet up with Marigold directly where we left him in The Vile Realm, though this episode is self-contained tale of undead and bastards. And this time, the bastard isn't Marigold! Helman Schmidt is Marigold's latest nemesis, though he's largely unaware of it as he pursues his horrific desires in blissful ignorance of the effect he's having on the sea-stack settlement Rinztown. I'm not sure how this will go down, but if readers are after 'grim' they're certainly going to get it.

The Dead and the Rotten cover, designed by Kieran McClung

In addition to work on The Dead and the Rotten, I mentioned the masses of notes, yes? I've significantly built up several more tales that I already had planned but were a little more embryonic.

The Unspeakable Below

Marigold returns to Rumiruna to find Aveline but finds Xotolo is more widespread among the citizens than he hoped. Aveline has fled to Hophilmouth in search of something that might help in the fight.

Summer of Blight

While Marigold is desperate to find the key to stopping Xotolo infect the people of the northern settlements, the Sultan of Simmermund capitalises on the panic and invades from the south.

The Golden Circlet

The origin of the boy that becomes Marigold. Begins in a location that may be familiar to readers of The Vile Realm

Delvers of the Domed Marvel

In his early twenties, Marigold was raw and unrefined, eager for adventure and glory. He takes an invitation to assist with mapping and exploration of the western continent of Tarlicia. Of course, the deadly jungles are just a barrier to the real goal in the Domed Marvel...

Non-Writing

As I mentioned, I have been outside a lot. In previous years, my outdoors adventures were often on the hills. Now, I don't want to say people shouldn't enjoy the hills, but since the pandemic began there are a lot more people on the hills. A lot! Sure, you can find a lesser know hill, probably a Corbett or Graham, but even then I have seen more people than I am used to seeing. I don't mind people (!), but a bit of solo escapism in to the peaks is somewhat diminished when there are folks passing left and right. I did go up a few - local Lomond Hills, Meall Nan Tarmachan (hottest day ever), and the Pap of Glencoe. As I said, I'm all for a great day out in the hills and everyone should try it if they've never done so.

Instead, I spent a lot more time studying the local wildlife.

During April and May, I watched Great Spotted Woodpeckers excavate a nest and raise young in Portmoak Moss.

Between May and August I went heavy on the butterfly hunting and ran as many counts during the count weeks as I was able. Despite a great turnout of counters this year, the numbers were lower than expected and many butterflies are struggling in Scotland it seems.

In September we spent a week in Speyside in a very remote house in the Glenlivet Estate. Lots of good whisky, and we were in a decent spot to (relatively) quickly get to RSPB Troup Head, where I was able to watch the Gannets on the cliffs.

Then, if you've made it this far, I spent the remainder of my outside time with the red squirrels of RSPB Loch Leven. Through this I've been able get to know some of the squirrels very well indeed, including giving them names... I may not have released a new book in 2021, but there are tales from the squirrels:

All fairly amateur, but you might enjoy them!

One thing that all of this wildlife has done for me is provide a much deeper appreciation of the fragility of our wildlife, as well as learn so much more about their habits and nature. This in turn has lead to an enormous bestiary of creatures that will feature in future story, Delvers of the Domed Marvel.

As for 2022, we appear to be working from home for a little while longer so I expect I'll still be a slow writer. Hopefully my next book will be out this year though!