Here’s today’s progress on the west coast steampunk Victoriana book with zombies, air ships, toxic gas clouds, mad scientists, dead folk heroes, secret criminal societies, and Bonus! extended deleted scenes from the Civil War:

Project: The Boneshaker
New Words: 2670 (meh, but I’ve been otherwise preoccupied today)
Present Total Word Count: 104,220 words
Goal: 130,000 words by July 1st.





Things Accomplished in Fiction: Up up and away; hey, is this your first day in this bird? because you guys don’t seem to know what you’re doing; drive it like you stole it, mofos; do NOT throw up inside a gas mask — I mean seriously, don’t do it.

Other Observations: I think Zeke is going to end up with 5 segments, not four (as planned). You could reasonably argue that maybe I ought to just break this into two books, but no, that will not be necessary. This is still Briar’s book with Zeke’s seasoning, though Zeke now has about 22,000 words of seasoning to contribute at this point.

Things Accomplished in Real Life: Cleaned up and submitted 2 reviews; submitted invoice; chatted at different editor about different payment issues; took another small freelance gig; took another review assignment; fielded several phone calls from several friends.

Reason for Stopping: I want to get one of the freelance assignments underway this afternoon, so I’m going to start surfing and taking notes for it. Also, am getting hungry. I think perhaps a grilled cheese sandwich (stuffed with American and provolone and maybe a tomato slice or two) with a side order of ketchup is in my immediate future.

Total Fiction Words Composed in 2008: 172,795

And now, just because it amuses me to do so, I invite you to click the link below for a few pictures taken over the last few days. Give it a tap to see Aric noodling with the coffee roasting machine of doom, me in my new top hat, and Spain the cat emitting a ferocious yawn. [Click the thumbnails to embiggen.]