What The Hell Are You Doing?! That’s Not Writing!

Man, I have so many ideas kicking around in my head right now, it’s not funny. Not long after I finished the heretofore unpublished novel The Talented Boys back in March, I started ANOTHER novel, as well as a couple of short stories. The short stories have been slow to find a finish (although the finishes are solid and getting nearer), and the novel…. Well, it’s a novel - it’s supposed to take a long time.

Recently, though, right after the edits for all those short stories that got published in May and October wrapped up, I also started yet ANOTHER novel (without finishing the older one) AND a graphic novel script. And a poem - my first real poem in over a year.

But ask me if I’m working on any of that stuff right now. Go ahead. Ask.

(Hey, Will, are you working on any of that stuff right now?)

No.

Instead, I’ve fallen into a sort of gig painting boat miniatures for a game called Dreadfleet. Some people seem to believe I have some level of acumen when it comes to rendering miniatures in vibrant, detailed color - enough so that perhaps I might make a few dollars painting the miniatures for a popular new game. Also, I LIKE painting game pieces - it’s relaxing and satisfying, and I enjoy the compliments I get when my minis hit the game table.

Thing is, I’m a slow painter. Apparently, painting minis is a cottage industry to some guys, and they can churn out whole armies of detailed monsters and vehicles and machines of war in a matter of days, or at the most, weeks.

Ten ships and some terrain bits has taken me almost two months - and that’s painting 10-20 hours a week. And I’m still not done, although my tentative deadline for finishing a set for sale is December 1st. I’m NOT gonna make it, and in the meantime, all that shit I’ve been kicking around, thinking about writing is not getting written.

But I’m not complaining. Like I said, I ENJOY painting. And I’m getting better and faster. And right now, I get to share a few of my finished pieces with you.