vLog – Clear Lake Manitoba 2024 – Reflections on the Water
Earlier last week I spent a few days at Clear Lake in Manitoba for some relaxation and writing time. The time was spent taking walks, taking a few pictures, having a burger, and eating some ice cream. In between that stuff, I wrote and just relaxed.
This year for our 2024 holiday, we’re did more of a staycation with plans for an away vacation another time. However, this trip to Clear Lake was a way to get away from it all and get some distance from the rat race.
Enjoy!
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For the first time in almost 20 years, I took my first vacation. We headed south to visit family. Had good times. Took a ton of pictures. Got lots of rest while also keeping busy sight-seeing. This video contains a bunch of shorts and reels I took while down south.
I wonder what next year will bring . . .
vLog – Oregon Vacation 2023 Shorts Compilation
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Oregon Vacation Highlight Reels and Shorts Part One
During the first week of August, I took my first vacation in approximately seventeen years. It was much needed as I was very burnt out from working.
My girlfriend (author Melinda Marshall) and I had a great time. We decompressed, got to relax, took in some sights, and even the airport experience and airplane ride (Westjet) was pleasant.
Below are some hightlight reels and shorts from the trip. Hope you enjoy them.
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Peace.
Driving through the Portland tunnel.
Seals swimming at the Oregon Zoon.
A couple giraffes giraffing at the Oregon Zoo.
A lion and his mate strolling together. Don’t steal his girlfriend!
More Oregon Vacation Highlight Reels and Shorts to come. Stay tuned . . .
Pretty sure I’m stuck in an accelerated timestream.
Anyway, I set out into 2020 with specific goals now that all my prelim work is pretty much done. (All discussed in my newsletter.)
And so . . . here is where some projects stand a couple of weeks into 2020:
Project Rebuild: First batch of second editions are my Undead World Trilogy. The new cover style–which looks incredible–is almost done. Layout to begin soon. Here is the original announcement.
Patreon: New tiers and options to be added once some second editions come out. Gigantigator Death Machine is the current feature playing as a serial novel with a new installment every two weeks. This will run until May, if I counted out the installments correctly. A new serial novel will start up after this first one is done. Please go here to start reading the previous chapters so you’re ready for the next episode.
Artwork: Putting the final touches on a commission. Have permission to share it on-line once the client receives it in the mail.
Freelance: In the middle of a project for someone and still have my client that requires two days a week. (Which slows down my published work output but, hey, need to keep the lights on somehow.)
New published work: This involves all the various projects I mentioned in previous blog posts and in the newsletter. As of this writing, the plan is to do a few second editions first then release something new then more second editions then new work, and so on. This plan keeps me at a pace I can manage, which in turn benefits you by giving you a pattern for 2020 and something to look forward to.
YouTube: The channel is growing and content is going up at, on average, a video a week. Your subscription to the channel helps keep the writing and art machine running so please subscribe if you haven’t already.
Daily blogging: Still on the Monday-to-Friday schedule. I’m doing my best to give you something each day that entertains or informs at least one person. Check back daily for new entries. If you check back and the blog hasn’t been updated, check back again later. Lately, my blogging hour has been shifting for various reasons.
Vacation: Though I took a break over the Holidays, it wasn’t really a break. In the end, I had a few days for a breather because it took me until Boxing Day to finally slow down and just relax. Throw in some Holiday activities during that relax time and I didn’t end up having a genuine break. I was back at it on the 30th. So, things are in motion for a legit winter holiday, but by the time all is arranged, that won’t be until February sometime. Watch this space.
Conventions and public appearances: One convention has been announced. I have irons in the fire in others and am waiting to hear back.
Posted through my social channels this morning:
“Hoping to find new inroads in the publishing world (books and comics) in 2020. I’m convinced the current standard system is terrible. That said, it’s up to creators to create the market, not companies. We need to get that straight first otherwise it’ll be same old, same old.”
I stand by the idea that creators create the market. Read my essay, “Why I Quit the Publishing Industry and Opted to Just Make Books Instead,” to find out my thoughts on the current climate and my general attitude toward it. If you’re a creator reading this, please check out the essay. We’re not at the mercy of various companies to get our work out. They’re at your mercy to provide them work to distribute. They don’t have a business without you. Take that to heart. Stand strong. Make new roads. Find out new ways to share with your readers. You and your readers are the ones in control, not these companies.
Okay. That’s all I’ve got for now. Thank you for checking in.
