Apparently, there is there weird type of flu going around. Maybe you have heard of it. I caught it, so my production crumbled this past week. I’m fine. I didn’t feel overly sick, but a type of brain fog affected me every evening that made writing/thinking a bit of a no-go, so I fell behind.

Sharp Things is done. I was hoping it could be out before the holidays. Now I doubt that is possible. Still, it remains not super far off. I’m also trying to wrap up another writing project this week. Then I can switch over to finishing off all of the 2021 writing goals.

What were my 2021 writing goals? To complete Sharp Things…and another book.

That’s right, I am trying to complete two books this year. It might have been a bit too much to chew, but it is obviously doable since it is is happening. I didn’t have to write the second book from scratch or anything. It already existed in a fairly complete manner. It was simply a matter of getting it up to snuff. I am currently wrapping up the final rewrite. I’m in the last 40 or so pages. I expect to have the rewrite done next week.

What is the second book about? I’ll go into it later, I reckon.

Meanwhile, I am reading some more Jim Thompson, this time After Dark, My Sweet. Thompson continues to be an educational experience in painting with a broad brush. The book is about three hard-boiled type characters who come together to try their hand at kidnapping. It was also a movie with Jason Patric, Rachel Ward and Bruce Dern. I even wrote a review for it awhile back.

The book is kind unfocused through the first 80 pages. The main character wanders into the lives of two other characters. Then he leaves. Then he comes right back. Then he thinks about leaving again. Then the story starts to get on with it a bit. I find this messiness interesting, however. I believe there was a point in time where Thompson write like 12 books over an 18-month period. That makes two books in one year seem pretty leisurely. Obviously, when one is putting out that much product, things are going to be a bit clunky. It seems that Thompson is able to maximize his speed by making large portions of his books simply dialogue, and the dialogue is sparse, as well. He doesn’t even waste much time adding in “he said” and “she said.” One tells who is speaking by simply following the back and forth.

So I will keep grinding in between brain fogs, naps, coughs, snots and everything else. Things will get done in the relatively near future. Stay tuned…