A Year in Review
It would be so easy to write, “whew, what a year”, very reminiscent of any other trite comment that doesn’t actually truly quantify a very really emotion or review. 2025 - like 2001, 2008, 2016, 2020 and other’s I’m not naming - was certainly…a year to remember, reflected upon, and hopefully grow from for many, many, reasons. One would hope that what emerges from 2025 would be a new…transcendent being of compassion whom progresses from the stifled cocoon of intentional nescience and sectarianism, but I feel I would be expressing futility. Also, though my series, A Chronicle of Light and Dark, is politically charged, that’s inescapable, a reflection of life in general, my Ramblings however, I prefer not venturing too far into modern politics. One cannot load anything on the internet these days without it being political and there has to be an escape.
So, A Year in Review will be about my series…for those who want to read about it anyway, lol. The Heart of the North released on 12/1, twenty-five days ago. Can it be called a success? I’d like to ask. “How can one measure success?” or declare, “The book was written and released, rejoice in the success!” All would be correct. None would fulfill what my brain is demanding. Yes, copies have been sold, no reviews have been posted yet - though that would be a boon! - and I have stumbled in the realm of patience, and I have to constantly remind myself that it’s only been twenty-five days. And while I would love to re-edit The Heart of the North - more for both my own piece of mind and my neurotic demand to continue editing - it’s done. I still cannot, for the life of me, figure out marketing/social media, I may have to accept my own limitations on that.
Either way, again, the book is out, and now we’re onto book 2, Serenity of Light. Still my goal to have it released summer of 2026, and unless something suddenly pops up, the goal will be met. And it’s a beast! For comparison, The Heart of the North is 220,600 words, not small by any means, much longer than the average fantasy book. Serenity of Light is around 396,000 words. I don’t intend to write very long fantasy, only write the story that demands being told. Trust me, I held back on The Heart of the North, and…also Serenity of Light, it could’ve been even longer, but I want to respect the readers time in addition to making certain I can print it. The printer I use allows for up to 1050 pages and I’m already on that cusp. Not sure if book 3 will reach the length of book 2, but I don’t force it. It will either be similar or longer. As long as the story is told, I’m fine either way.
Now, it may feel rushed to have Serenity of Light out less than a year than The Heart of the North, but I only managed this for two reasons, 1) Book 1 was finished early 2025 and it just took months to release it - only to feel rushed and chaotic near the deadline, definitely a learned lesson. 2) For those who humbled me by reading The Heart of the North will remember the section at the end of the book where I discuss the journey, commenting on the fact that Serenity of Light was once book 1 and had already been written. Serenity of Light has been written off and on for years; thus there was already a workable version by the time The Heart of the North was completed, merely required a healthy rewrite. I’m currently in the final grammar/punctuation edit at the moment, also seeking beta readers, hopefully I’ll be able to do so.
Taking a week off at the moment for the holidays. These forced vacations - from both A Chronicle of Light and Dark world and my hourly job (no forced here, I love vacationing from that one, lol) - are necessary for my own sanity. Working 80+ hours a week between the job that pays the bills and the written world I would love to solely live in is exhausting. I go to bed around 1730 hrs every night, waking between 0100-0200 every single morning, enabling me to write till 0430 before preparing for the rest of my day. I burn myself out multiple times a year. These forced vacations, for which I do feel guilty for taking, are a necessity. Not complaining here, merely sharing. Writing is both beautiful and stressful. Rejoicing over a well written scene can occur simultaneously with agonizing over a single badly written sentence, lol.
So, back to my vacation. Currently have Bob’s Burgers playing the background and enjoying my coffee while playing some Diablo IV at 0200. Yup, a true blue nerd here. I may be on vacation, but my mind/body is used to waking up early.
Everyone who reads this - thank you all who does! Not sure if that’s happened yet…wait, there was someone in Pakistan who did, lol - please have an amazing and safe holiday! Life is short. Read what brings you joy!
Cheers!
Patrick!