So I’m coming up on the halfway mark for this whole gestating-a-human-being thing, and I’m learning (slowly and painfully) that I can’t do quite as much creative work as I would like to do at any given time. Pregnancy is exhausting, for one. Bone-crushingly exhausting. I literally spent ten minutes this afternoon fantasizing about taking a nap. (I reserve the right to take one later, if I get my work done). There’s also a TON to do to get ready for Pip when she arrives. The nursery is still in shambles. Closets are still full of things that we probably don’t need, and are empty of baby things we will need. And I have a strong hormonal urge to Nest. In my case, that means going through old financial records and closets and drawers, getting everything in order and shredding / donating the unnecessary. I’ve been to drop things off at Goodwill twice already, and am about to run a load of books to the library. This is very strange. I’m exhausted–I mean, really, crazy exhausted, even now in second trimester–and yet I’ll get up to clean closets. Holy crap. Weird.

I’m also figuring out, that despite all good intentions to the contrary, I’m good for a half day of creative work at best. Then napping or cleaning has to happen. Preferably napping then cleaning then more napping. Sam, friends, and all have been very, very supportive, but while my mother claims she could take on the world in second trimester, I am not having this experience. Working half-time is about as good as it’s going to get right now, I think. Which frustrates me on several levels, as I need to Get Things Done. Seriously.

But I have been moving forward, if slowly. How to Drive Yourself Crazy as a Writer, my awesome satirical how-to writer’s book, is coming out on Tuesday. (Preorder at Amazon, Kobo, or Barnes & Noble.) I’m very excited about proud of this one, since I wrote it during the middle of my very tough winter, and laughing really helped me.

I also figured out this past week that I had one too many subplots in Book Five, so I decided to spin one of them off into a novella. Since my writing progress has been a little slower than planned these last few weeks (and it looks like it’s going to be late November or early December before I can get Book Five out), I thought I’d go ahead and get the novella done and release it earlier to give you guys something to read from Mindspace in the meantime. Currently halfway done on the writing piece and feeling good about it.

So, to recap: Book Five will be out late November / early December, it looks like, and you’ll get a 15-20k novella from me earlier (hopefully in late September or early October). 

I’ve also accepted that I probably won’t figure out how to record and stream video for the blog to answer the amazing questions you guys asked me a few months ago. The learning curve is just a little too steep for me right now, apologies. I will gladly answer any questions you have at our next Facebook chat (focused on Sharp & Payoff but open to others) on August the 8th at 1pm CST / 2 pm EST on my official Facebook page here. I’d love to figure out video at some future point but it’s not going to happen now 🙂

My planned short story project and Mindspace Extras book are also going to the backburner. They will happen when they happen. If I can only work half days at most, I’ll need to focus all of the time I have available on Mindspace. You guys have been extraordinarily patient with me, and I want to make sure I release something great without making you wait too much longer. I am so grateful to you guys, the fans, for reading and for all your encouragement in these last months.

I’m tired, but very grateful.