Tatto For You

As per usual I begin with an apology - and this the most earnest of those so far: so very sorry for the abruptness and the length (!) of my silence. I am in fact, still alive, still working, and most significantly, preparing for fatherhood. I do suffer from chronic, low level depression which most often presents itself as a strong desire to be left alone and excessive computer gaming :\ ... yet the main reason for the sudden stop was more particularly two things: 1/ fear, as I approach the moment/scene in ECONOMOUS that motivated me to start his story in the first place; & 2/ realising that I had no idea who Miss Swift actually is (since *-SPOILERS AHEAD!-* I want to make her a main character) and not being able to proceed without her being better realised. Well, happy day \o/, thanks to my writers' group of Michael Hawke, Ben Morton & Rikki Lambert, I have a much clearer sense of her now (and quite different she is from how I have penned her so far) so proceeding can begin...

This! did arrive on my doorstep this morning!!! It is finished! Never thought I would see the day of the three spines lined up 1 - 2 - 3. And so you have continuing proof the Factotum is indeed on its way to you all, that every day is another day closer to official release, that the book is done and will soon be in the process of delivery to you local book-pusher.

Hey folks, a bit of an i nternet blackout period for me or what! Great news, having just done the last tweaks on the typeset pages the text for Monster-Blood Tattoo/Foundling's Tale Book 3, Factotum is very very soon for the printers! (You've all had to wait so long I thought every little bit of information might help the wait...) Some questions/points in last post needing to be answered, as I have to shoot off now I will just say of my intention to endeavour to get to them tomorrow.

Here it is, for all you Oz/NZ readers. As you can see, the original vision has not died, just been altered in one part on the world, yet continues elsewhere unchanged. Live on MBT ! Well, time to 'fess up too, and let you know that the release of Book 3 will be delayed a little longer *WINCE* Australia/NZ - October 2010 USA/Canada - November 2010 Other places in this big beautiful world - TBA This has been to allow the editors sufficient time to do their most necessary work and therefore worthy the delay (heck, if blame is needed then it is I who took soooooo long to pen the damn tale). Thank you for all you excellent comments previous post - I will try to get to them, but may not be able to right away. Hang in there folks, we will get there ... eventually.

Well, the final chapter is re-re-re-rewritten and I am now working on the US edit notes for the third draft. Thought I'd take a break to answer a couple of questions from last post. First off the rank, Alyosha asked: When Rossamund is setting out on his adventures, and receives the gift of a fine valise in which to carry his few belongings, he has a strong feeling that whoever made the valise intended good things for it’s owner. What’s more, when he’s packed it and lifts it, he finds it much lighter than he expected considering all that’s inside. On one hand, both of these things could be put down to the excitement of a young man at the start of an adventure. On the other hand, for someone who, at a later point in the story, can feel the pull of the moon even when it’s hidden behind clouds, maybe feelings of that sort have some real weight to them. Is Rossamund ’s valise more than it seems? Indeed it is, sir, well spotted! Indeed, you are the first person to do so (well to tell m...

You'd better believe it! The impossible has become the possible. Explicarium and character illos to go... (plus further correcting of a 3rd draft - here's hoping that will not be too great a task)

Yes, just as the title says, it is true, finally (*rolls eyes*) filled with self-doubt and trepidation, I am finished climbing the mountain. Factotum MBT Book3 1st Draft is complete! Now all that is left is to climb all the way down the other side. Now for some celebratory answers! Sylvenger was wondering ... 'in the video from Youtube for Lamplighter, it pronounces Europe's name exactly like the continent " YUR -up". I don't know, when I read the books I just thought it would be pronounced with a little more sophistication, like " yoo -ROE- puh ".' Actually, when used ordinarily it is said " YOO - rup ", though for more formal situations you will find it written Europ a and said " yoo -ROE- puh ". Ben Bryddia was wondering "... how nearly the present editions of Books 1 and 2 match their original drafts. In hindsight, would you have written them very differently?" The final volumes you all have read bear marked d...

So, I am thinking I shall keep up with this blog (indeed, that was my hope and intention) - I very much look forward to a forum happening though (hint hint - am I allowed to do that...?) - probably a powerful benefit I see is having some kind of section where questions are asked of me so I can clearly see what I have and have not answered. I am afraid to think of the number of questions that have gone unanswered here at Monster Blog Tattoo because I lose track of them in all the comments. Sorry to anyone who feels a bit snubbed by such an oversight, please, if you dare, ask again. In light of this contrition I shall now attempt to answer a question. Dear portals was axing a quekstion ... "So far all the Haacobin Empire's armies seem to all be made up of foot soldiers and suchlike. from what I know about history, cavalry always seems to be a great asset to any army, so why does the Empire have none.Sorry if they do have some, but with the definition for the Armies of the Empi...

Should I tell you..? Do you really want to know? ...Want to know just how long you will have to wait? Well... Monster-Blood Tattoo Book 3: Factotum (English language editions) will be released ~ MAY 2010 Please don't be too dismayed or beat up on me; it is a bit of a wait yes, but it will be worth it... he says in faith... =/ In the meantime I found this very cool bit of "fan art" - if I may call it that - by a young soul by the name of ponkkaa . I hope they do not mind me send folks their way. Also there is the wonderful work of our very own E.N.Reinmuth - both MBT and non; I dig you work very much ma'am! - and yes, I shall attempt to put up just how a vialimn works some day soon (certainly between now and the release of Book 3). Anyone else got a bit of MBT related (or not) stuff they want to show off? Last but not least, a new poll, in an oblique response to portal's excellent question. (please be seeing the text to the right)