Hello Again

It's been a while. I haven't written a newsletter for so long that I'm not sure how to approach this anymore.

Why am I starting it now? Well, I'm actually writing—putting down words daily for a short novella. I’m planning to release it first online, then as an ebook, so I thought I’d use this newsletter to let you know when new chapters are available.

More importantly, maybe I can use this space to talk about writing and the creative process and answer any questions you might have.

The Novella Project

So, let's talk about the novella itself. I'm aiming for about 30,000 words, which feels like a good length to test things out. I want to play with this shorter format so that if I enjoy the process, I might produce a few each year.

For context, George Orwell's Animal Farm is about 29,000 words, Hemingway's The Old Man and the Sea is about 27,000, and Ted Chiang's "Story of Your Life" (which became the film Arrival) is about 28,000. I'm nowhere near their level, but these works show what's possible in this compact form.

I personally enjoy a fast, quick read—something long enough to feel you've experienced something meaningful, but not so long that you're waiting for it to finish. I think there are real possibilities with this format.

The Story Itself

The working title is "Skyline," grown from a short story I wrote during an experiment where I challenged myself to write a story every day.

So far, it's shaping up as a collection of interconnected stories about four survivors at the end of the world, or at least the end of society as we know it. I'd tell you more, but I'm discovering it as I go.

A Different Direction

If you're familiar with the Shepherd and Wolfe mysteries I write with my writing partner Angie, you know they have a certain energy—humor and adventure balancing the tension. Working with Angie naturally creates that dynamic.

This project is different. It's darker, exploring how to find a place in a world that isn't safe anymore. It's about saying goodbye to the past and not really being able to plan for the future.

Why I'm Doing This

I've always liked the idea of publishing stories online using the subscription model my blogging platform provides. And as I mentioned, I'm drawn to the shorter novella form.

But honestly, I just want to try writing something that's entirely my own.

I've attempted this before. I've played with ideas that eventually ran out of steam. Even earlier this year, I worked on a project I was struggling to sustain.

After some reflection, I identified where I kept losing interest and energy. This led me to rebuild my writing schedule and reorganize my daily routine. With multiple commitments—Book 5 of Counios and Gane, coaching, and teaching preparations—finding a balance was essential.

Now I feel I have things in place. The writing is happening, and I want to see if I can pull this off.

Looking Forward

At my current pace, I expect to have a first draft by early May. After sending it to an editor, I'll begin releasing it serially on my website before publishing the complete novella as an ebook.

If you have questions about the project, questions about writing, or creative challenges you'd like to discuss, I'd love to hear from you. The best newsletters happen when there's a real dialogue.

Until next time,
David