Real Life Family Events (RLFEs) continue to happen at what seems like an elevated rate. I’m not concerned about the impact to my writing. But they raise other concerns. Also, this week, I experienced something for the first time — and despite its nature, its worth celebrating in its own way. Finally, we’re coming into the home stretch for The Sword of Sirius. What’s next for my latest trilogy? Let’s talk about all that after we take a look at this week’s infographic.
Last Week’s Progress By the Numbers

Only four chapters written this week — but the word count stayed above 10,000, so I won’t complain.
On Thursday night, I had to work through a RLFE. I’ve talked before about how I’m grateful to have a family for whom I can experience RLFEs. That’s really my take — I’m not trying to put a positive spin on it. But I’ve noticed something building over the last year or so. RLFEs, at least the ones I’ve been working through this year, are taking more and more out of me.
Without going into detail, I’ll say this: chronic situations are among the most difficult to deal with, simply because of their duration. Which can be a lifetime. Just by their nature, they present an increasing challenge to meet with good humor and grace. Add to that my sense of my own mortality, as I approach retirement age, and it adds up. I hate realizing I won’t always be here to uphold my part of the RLFEs.
For some reason, that weighs more heavily. I was more conscious of that sense as I tried to write on Saturday and Sunday. Though I have less energy, and though it’s harder to force myself to start writing (this week, anyway), once I get started, it’s like I’m more aware of what I’m doing, and in a good way. It’s not that I’m self-conscious; it’s that I’m more fully participating, if that makes sense.
This isn’t a self-help site, so I’ll wrap this up by saying if you’re dealing with chronic situations within your family, I can confirm that writing helps. It gave me extra mental perspective when it was otherwise lacking. By taking me away from the day-to-day, even if for 30 minutes here or an hour there, it helped give me get my head together so I could be more present for my family. That counts for a lot.
I’m a Real Writer Now
I noticed that I had another rating on Evolution’s Hand Book 1: Executive Action. There was no new review; just a new rating. It was my first one star review. I guess I can call myself a real writer now! I guess I should be happy that it took more than two years to happen.
I could lie and say it didn’t bother me at all. Yes, it made me question everything (which is only a slight exaggeration, given how much of my identity is tired up in being a writer). But — all kidding aside — I wish they had left a review. Even a scathing review. Because I have no idea how to interpret a random one star rating.
Even on Goodreads, my lowest review is three out of five stars — and those are bright, well-read, motivated readers. Very critical and discerning. Did the person who rated the book on Amazon truly think the writing or story deserved a single star? Did I touch on a political issue that triggered a response? Or did I mistreat a favorite trope? Looking back at the story, I can see flaws, certainly. But I can’t see it through a perspective where I’d rate it a single star.

It had to happen, sooner or later.
It’s made me hyper-aware of every possible flaw in what I’m writing now, which is Dreams of Deucalion Book 1: Stellar Entanglements. It made me consider delaying publication of The Sword of Sirius until I could reread it a couple dozen more times. In the first case, I think the reaction will actually help me close a potential plot hole and beef up a subplot or two that will benefit from more attention. But the latter? Honestly, even the harshest of my beta readers would likely have given the weakest of the three books (The Sword of Sirius Book 2: Collapse Zone) three stars — at least. And I think I fixed those issues. But even if I rewrite it a dozen times, I can’t get ahead of criticism I can’t articulate.
I need to put this into perspective. I’m reading Iain S. Banks’ Use of Weapons. It’s a wonderfully intricate deep dive into the main character and The Culture. It’s well beyond anything I’m capable of writing. It has over five thousand reviews, and most are glowing. But it has a handful one single stars that rip it to rhetorical shreds. I guess what I’m saying is that I’m in good company. And there’s no way I can write anything that would please everyone.
Home Stretch for The Sword of Sirius
This week, on top of writing more than 10,000 words in Dreams of Deucalion Book 1: Stellar Entanglements, I incorporated the proofreading results into The Sword of Sirius Book 1: Red Flag Warning. This week, I hope to start the same process for The Sword of Sirius Book 2: Collapse Zone.
I got a bit of good news last week: my proofreader thinks she can finish The Sword of Sirius Book 3: Firebreak by mid-August. That means these are the tasks standing between me and hitting Publish:
- Incorporate the proofread edit for Collapse Zone
- Obtain a cover for Firebreak
- Take delivery of the proofread edit for Firebreak
- Incorporate the proofread edit for Firebreak
- Use Kindle Create to create the eBooks for all three
- Use Word to create the paperbacks for all three
- Review the proofs
- Press Publish
I’m going to enroll all three books in Kindle Unlimited this time around. I don’t like the idea of single-sourcing them, but I want to see what KU could do for my bottom line. Ideally, I’ll release near the end of September, after a couple of announcements in my newsletter. And here, of course!
I really hope you enjoy this trilogy!
Progress against Last Week’s Goals
Here’s how I did against last week’s goals:
- Finish Trent Raven’s Midpoint: Done!
- Finish the helper plot chapter called “False Start”: Deferred! I realized I needed another helper plot (one of the main subplots) chapter first, which I finished.
- Finish Atticus Porter’s Pinch 2: Started! It ended up being two parts. I finished part 1 on Sunday.
- Finish Jadwiga Janczak’s Pinch 2: Deferred! I needed to perform some more casting, and I had to absorb the RLFE.
- Pitch another beta read for The Sword of Sirius Book 3: Firebreak: The beta reader was not available in the timeframe I needed, so I’m going with the manuscript as it.
- Bid the cover for The Sword of Sirius Book 3: Firebreak (Stretch objective): Deferred!
Goals for the Week in Progress Report 2024 Week 31
Here’s what I plan to accomplish this week:
- Finish Atticus Porter’s Pinch 2
- Write Jadwiga Janczak’s Pinch 2 (will probably stretch into at least two parts)
- Write the helper subplot chapter called False Start
- Write Trent Raven’s Pinch 2 (which will likely be two or three parts)
- Bid the cover for The Sword of Sirius Book 3: Firebreak
- Incorporate proofread feedback into The Sword of Sirius Book 2: Collapse Zone
What Do You Think?
Have your published manuscripts received any one star reviews? How did you think about them? I’d love to hear your feedback in the comments!