S.M. Butler's Blog, page 5

So May wasn’t quite as productive as I thought it would be, but maybe I overestimated (again) how much time I’d have between Sucky FT Job and the Amethyst Dreams release and trying to get audiobook stuff done. I uploaded my May Goals/June Plan with me video yesterday, and I already want to change all […]

I started a new vlog today and it took me nearly ten minutes to actually say what I meant to say. LOL. I don’t know if it’s just because I just woke up and the coffee hadn’t set in or I’m really just air-headed today. Suffice it to say, that footage is probably a waste. […]

That’s right! Bloodlines the First is officially out in the wild! Check out Amazon, Kobo, Apple, or anywhere else you buy books for this title! It’s currently available in eBook and paperback, with an audiobook version coming very soon. Like in the next 2-3 weeks. I will now resume my rank stalking on all retailer […]

What happens when I don’t have urgent deadlines? This video. What happens when I don’t have urgent deadlines? This video.

AD ARCs are now available over on Booksprout. There is a limited number, and a very short turnaround time since the book is releasing next week. But I did have a few unclaimed ARCs so I figured I would offer them to y’all. So if you’re not interested in reviewing the book, it won’t hurt […]

It’s been a while since I’ve been ahead of my own schedule. Like never, actually. And I still can’t shake that panicky feeling that I’m behind. I’m not behind on writing itself. There are other things that I am, like the audiobook for Bloodlines, of which I’m only a third of the way through the […]

I’m collaborating with some other authors to bring you a bunch of fun reads! For this week, I’ve put HIS LAST BREATH into this week-long promotion to celebrate Mother’s Day, and to give y’all some fun reads to help you through this really hard time for us all. So, if you haven’t tried the Reapers […]

So I finished the rewrites of Reapers 3 this morning. There’s still a lot of work to do, but because I finished them three weeks early, I get time to let the rewrite sit for a bit before I need to start edits. This is going to be kind of a longer book because I […]

I’ve found my groove on the Reapers 3 story. Actually, I’ve been completely and totally focused on that book alone for the last week and wow. I’ve gotten some progress on it. I feel like I could finish the rewrite draft this week, like tonight or tomorrow.

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So that’s going well. I hit the part of the book where I had to completely change the story, so it’s all new words. I think I’m going to probably go over on my 75k word count goal. Lately, I just haven’t been able to write shorter books. I suppose that could be a good thing? Well, I’m choosing to look at it as a good thing. Writerly growth and all that.

The thing about writing is that you never stop learning. When you learn a new skill or apply it, the style in which you write shifts too. I’ve been pretty stuck where I’m at for a while. But I think writing Bloodlines and dipping my toes into a new genre has broken through that layer of static energy and I’m getting to stretch my wings a little now.

It’s like leveling up in a game. You’ve been working toward a goal all this time, but not really making any traction. Then suddenly, you not only burst through, but you end up fighting the big boss at the end of the level and winning.

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I’m a little wary of linking you guys toward the second season of Bloodlines on Patreon right now, simply because you can’t read the first book for another three weeks. However, if you wanted to visit my Patreon page and read the first three installments, they are open to the public for you to read if you would so choose. It is spoilery–it’s set six months after the first season–so there’s that. Your warning…

[image error]Lucy and Cana before I picked them up.

It’s been a busy week. Not just on the writing front as I started Reapers 3 rewrites.

Again.

But it’s also been busy for personal reasons. I became a cat mama again this week. My last cat died seven years ago of old age. She was 17, so nice, long life for her. I hadn’t been in a position to be able to care for another animal since. Until this year. I found Lucy and Cana on one of those pet-finder sites. They were perfect. Lynx Point Siamese, around three years or so of age, and sisters that were truly bonded to each other. I knew before I even saw them in person that they were perfect for me. They needed a quiet, patient house and I wanted the company.

I haven’t been able to film them much. We’re all still getting used to each other. In fact, I had to use one of the pictures from the adoption site up above to show you them. Because they’re still hiding under the couch. LOL.

Instead, this week’s video is about starting the rewrites on Reapers 3. I hope you check it out and subscribe to the channel while you’re watching the vlog. Maybe next week, I’ll be able to capture the cats on camera, once they’re a little more comfortable in their new home. For now, I won’t push it too much. I ordered a cat tree, some treats, and some toys, so they should be here in the next week or so. I only bought immediate essentials to start out, like food and litter box and all that stuff.

My sunroom is becoming their den, haha. Everything they need is right there. Once the tree gets here, I’ll put it in there, too.

…I’m pretty sure they already own me…