Joe Maude

I did :) I think it looked pretty good, but I'm not sure I can back that up, as I don't particularly want to bust out the models I painted as a teenager.

I've always taken a bit of a controversial stance when it comes to painting Eldar infantry models. To me, the armour plates should be a different colour to the undersuit. Almost no one agrees with me :D

Having said that, these are gorgeous. First attempt? I'm jealous.

Fantastic! Does it have a title yet?

I'm on a train. The staff offered me extra milk for my hot chocolate. As a result of their kindness, I have just spilt milk on myself...

Dont start. I'm not going to cry about it.

A most pleasing symmetry indeed.

I have discovered the wonders of the electric bug bat. What powers this marvellous invention, you ask? Batteries? My burning hatred of flies? No, I suspect that the charge comes purley from my hubris.

On a separate note: I can confidently say that I am winning my war against nature.

It knows. You need to get off the grid. Lawn. Whatever.

Many more people fall into such categories than are diagnosed, but you also have to consider the extreme selection bias at work here. People with ADHD, ASD, etc. quite often find themselves being friends with similar people. It's a startlingly strong tendency.

Enquiring minds would like to know what sort of grim those searches are. I have definitely done my level best to get on a few watch lists while researching for my current book.

I read out chapter 17 of my novel, Pen and the Demon, at @leicwritersclub.bsky.social yesterday. I have never had such overwhelmingly positive feedback on a piece from LWC before. Everyone seems to like it. Everyone! I'm still waiting for the other shoe to drop.

Congratulations! 🎉

I have yet to undertake this rite of passage, but it's coming soon, I suspect. Want to celebrate it? We could concoct some sort of ceremony, perhaps. The ritualistic version of 'I didn't actually want that, anyway.'

More seriously, though, how are you doing?

I want to thank my amazing trans friends, who somehow put up with both myself and systematic oppression born of ignorance and fear. At the same time. You're fantastic. And you're not alone.

Yesterday evening, I ran for a bus I was early for, and fell.

Good news: I'm fine. Turns out I still bounce.

Bad news: Ow. I'm an idiot sandwich. And friction injuries have no business being this mean for their size and lack of severity.

Done. For now. Wow, it really doesn't feel any more complete than before.

So close! Just one more chapter to edit, and I'm done!

Ha... Haha hehe ho ahah.

*clears throat

Nope. More passes to do. But all joking aside, I am almost done with this one. The big one. I'm absurdly excited to be able to share it with people.

I admire your dedication almost as much as I fear it.

Feeling warm and happy after a lovely conversation. But now I'm trying to edit one of the last chapters of my novel, Pen and the Demon.

Pain, obsession, last ditch-efforts and the looming spectre of death.

I think I might need a neck brace for this much emotional whiplash.

I'm sorry you have to go through this too. Glad you know, though. It'll all be worth it in the end.

*Starts frantically looking up carrier pigeon services.

Decision of the day: Chapter 47 (of 51) of P&tD is... okay. With tweaking, it will make sense and allow the climax of the story to take off. But it could be much better. Do I spend several days reworking it, or just polish the version I have and move on, perhaps coming back to it at a later date?

Sounds topological. I bet there's room for a maths PhD in there.

Lovely description. Dark as eyes is extremely arresting. Is there context for it?

From today's edit

The Bear would be low, but its claw would reach above the roof tiles. The Fool’s Cart and the Hunchback would be easy to find. Summer constellations. She’d learned them sitting in his lap, sighting along his arm as he pointed, giving names and shapes to the fields of shining souls

Had a fantastic time at the States of Independence festival at De Montfort University, and an agent one to one with the ever-knowledgeable Oli Munson.

Thank you @farhanashaikh.bsky.social and many others for doing what you do. Your event helps so many writers and artists grow and learn.

So much to look forward to!

Editing success!

I started yesterday with a chapter that was an 1800 word mess of confusing dialogue and exposition. The new version is 2300 words of clear, powerful storytelling.

I'm going to bask in this feeling for a while.

Having a fantastic week, but every time I try to sit down and finish editing this chapter of Pen and the Demon, another thing happens. Well, not today. Today is editing day.

I just need to check this one thing on YouTube before I start...

Is flattery tax-deductable?

These look fantastic! I would be genuinely intimidated if someone plonked these down on a table. By the skill and dedication of your painting, I mean.

Though I'm sure those precious little 'nids think they're very scary. Aren't you just the scariest? Aaaaw.

Posting this while sitting on a bus, still very much out of breath.