Work on the novel hasn’t been so good lately. I got stuck on Chapter 8, but not for any reason related to the work itself. That was just the place in the story where I happened to be before the craziness that was July. It was one busy month, with Readercon, the Biff Bam Pop! barbecue, a friend’s Jack and Jill party, and Babypalooza with my in-laws. All of this is stuff I enjoyed, but it still kept me from writing.

Fortunately, I’m now back on message, things have quieted down a bit, and I’m happy to say I finished Chapter 8 just a few minutes ago. For those of you who care about the metrics, this brings me up to 30,000 words.

In honour of my return to work, I give you a lazy Sunday Thor picture. Mostly because for me today will be anything but lazy.

If you like that one, there’s another over at the ol’ photoblog.

Alrighty, time to get back to work.

• Currently reading: Patient Zero, by Jonathan Maberry

My copy of Cold to the Touch, the new collection by my friend Simon Strantzas, arrived today. The book looks great, as all Tartarus Press titles do, and it smells good, too.

If you haven’t read any of Simon’s work yet, I suggest you swing over to his website and read the stories he has available online. And if you like what you read, then you should consider picking up a copy of the book.

This one has been bumped to the top of my reading pile.

Once Thor finishes reading it.

• Currently reading: Swag, by Elmore Leonard