"Tanakin Spider Bites" is now finished and edited... mostly. There are a few minor typos that I still have to fix that were brought to my attention by someone else but overall, the story is done for now. It may still change, but right now I'm happy with how it turned out.

TSB had a very different style than anything else I have ever written (my first attempt to write a mystery) and I think this may be part of the reason that this story felt particularly difficult to write. Still, experimentation is an important part of writing, and I feel that 11 Stories is really a chance for me to try some different styles of writing.

On another note...

I was planning on starting "Polar Mission" next, but after thinking about chronological material in PM, I think "Entry Vector" would be a much more suitable second story and I will fit "Polar Mission" in later. I have to work tomorrow, so I may not get much writing done for a while. I will try and get as much done as I can though.

EDIT: I have decided that while the story will remain the same, part of it needs to be reworked. I will wait to do this though for some time in the future (hopefully after all the short stories are done).

Posted on Saturday 18 of February, 2006 [03:24:47 UTC]

Well I feel that I'm very close to finishing "Tanakin Spider Bites." Realistically I may still have 1/5 of the story left to write but this is the part that I am probably most ready to write. I have taken a break because I was rushing it, and I don't want the end to feel sloppy so in a little bit I am going to look at the last few paragraphs I wrote (probably scrap it all) and finish the story with the same care that I've developed it.

After that, it's editing time. I plan to read through it several times, first to get an idea of continuity and also to fix obvious typos and then to add/cut description so it feels lean but not empty.

Posted on Friday 17 of February, 2006 [04:16:14 UTC]

I just wanted to take the time to post an update on my writing projects. I have started writing the first story in the collection 11 Stories. It is titled "Tanakin Spider Bites." At this point, all I can say is that it involves an investigation of a murder. I feel I am between 1/3 and 1/2 done with this story. After a first draft is completed, I plan to spend a few days on the editing process before starting the second story entitled "Polar Mission."

Below are *tentative* titles for the other nine stories:

• Entry Vector
• Identity Crisis
• Spice Martyrs
• Untitled ("A Mesodeic Fairytale" is the current working title)
• Exodus
• To Kill For
• The Branded
• The Overlooked
• The Rings of Mesotus

I am really looking forward to finishing these stories and getting them to the point where they are ready to share. I hope to finish 11 Stories before the end of this summer.

Regarding Trials of a Warrior, it is ever a work in planning. I have pages of notes that I am slowly organizing into a workable outline. A complete outline is still several months away. Sometime soon I will try to get a brief summary posted.

Well folks, that's all for this update. More updates in the future as needed. Take care and have a wonderful day.

Jonathan

Posted on Tuesday 14 of February, 2006 [15:58:34 UTC]