I should have been here last week to shout about my story, Goodbye, Snow Child, being longlisted for a BSFA award [External Link] but I was also two days in to nursing Finn through what are likely to be his twilight days – or weeks, or even months, if we’re particularly lucky. He’s starting to lose the use of his back-legs (probably arthritis) and has difficulty moving around. He’s off his food and has to be given treats and titbits, and occasionally syringe fed gravy or milk-water mixes, in order to get enough food in his stomach to dose him up with painkillers. On bad days, he basically doesn’t move and needs handling with care. On good days, he still wants to bounce and go out for walks but struggles to make it from one room to another.
So, it looks like 2020 is going to be a year of both good and bad things. Much the same as any year, I suppose, but it’s a while since I had to say a final “sleep well” to a companion. It never gets any easier and it’s going to colour everything that happens this year.
Actual writing…
I finished editing City of Dreams – which I forgot to mention last time also went through some edits a few years back when I tried to poke in another plot thread, and died a second death. I may get back to that particular plot thread at a later date, maybe even in the new WIP, because the themes and devices are something I want to look at properly. Anyway, City of Dreams has started doing the submission schlep and hopefully will find a new home.
The main WIP is now officially The Three Lancers, and I am now about 3,000 words in. I’m not telling you any more than that. Well, maybe that the horses can talk.
With luck and a fair wind, I’ll see you next week.