Some people have noticed that the Liaden Read-Along has, to put it gently, foundered.
Some people, not necessarily the same people, have wondered what the heck is going on with that.
I will explain.
For those who are short of time and impatient with explanations, or excuses, the short form is: I was over-ambitious.
That’s it. You may move on, as the rest of what I’m going to say past this point is an elaboration on that single fact.
Still with me?
OK.
So — over-ambitious. I had a book to finish — not due until mid-April, but I had already missed two self-imposed deadlines for producing a draft that was complete enough that I could ask beta readers for help. Ordinarily — ah. Old speech forms. What I mean to say is — Previously, I would have talked out scenes, concepts and characters with Steve and he would, in essence, since I’m Lead on this book, help me catch unfruitful discursions on the fly. I no longer have that luxury, and so find that I don’t know how long it actually takes to write a book, single-brained — thus the missed deadlines.
The alert reader will have noticed that mid-April isn’t getting any further away, so I — pushed to make it to An Ending, basically ignoring everything else in the process.
I wasn’t helped in my last minute push by the manifestation of Murphy, who decreed that I would catch a “viral something” just after the new year, so I couldn’t write for a few days.
However! I have just achieved the Good Enough for Rock ‘n Roll Draft and will be putting out a call for Beta Readers.
Which means I’ll have a couple weeks to catch up on all that stuff I let slide.
Including commentary on the Liaden Books.
I will not be continuing in a chapter-by-chapter sort of way — for one thing, I’ve been reading in the evenings, and I’m half-way through Carpe Diem, while the commentary stalled at Chapter Six in Agent of Change — and for another, that really wasn’t working for me.
What I will be doing is commenting on the books, on things that struck me, surprises, dismays, and reflections of Real Life into fiction.
And that? Is where we are. Thanks to everyone for your enthusiasm for the concept of a read-along, and I hope you’ll continue to read on until the end of Diviner’s Bow.
I certainly intend to do so.
WELL, I started working about the time you got waylaid, Sharon, and with me recently having done a complete re-read, the timing was good. I haven’t had to re-read the whole series again like some of the followers! Just keep up.
I do LOVE your comments and revelations of who wrote what and why, and how some things CAME ABOUT.
It in no way diminishes my belief that these people and Universe exist in truth, somewhere or some when. You created it, and we have been endorsing that truth and making it more real.
I love these people and this Universe, and your comments just make it more real. Especially when they refuse to do something and you have to let them choose!
Thank you for this brilliant idea of a read-along. I treasure it, getting to see some of the backstory and how/where the create came from.
I love knowing how you inter-weaved your writing, and that it was such a duet. It makes more sense now that you are able to continue writing them yourself.
Thank you so much for letting us know who did what and why. It enhances my experience. It’s funny that it just makes the Liaden Universe that much more real, that you two were able to create/experience it and write it down for yourselves and us.
Ok, I will catch up. You do it however it is most fruitful for you. I’m happy to read along as I’m able and read whatever commentary you want to give us!
Conflict of Honors was my first read in this universe, followed by Agent of Change. The contrast between the two made me ‘sit up and bark’ in excitement. I’ll take your comments in whatever format they come.
I’m just happy to be getting commentary at all! (And, well, I just finished my own re-read. I hadn’t known you were thinking of doing this when I started in December and I just went through and read basically all the “main” novels. I finished on Monday and am starting to look sideways at all the shorts and chapbooks now (grin).
I love Carpe Diem, BTW. I hope Cory and Meri don’t forget to bring Lizzie some day!
Happy to proceed in whatever way works for you! Now I have to catch up … I finished Agent of Change but started to read a couple of other books on my very long TBR list.
Anyone who has been following you on any of the many ways you communicate on Facebook could have guessed that this is exactly what took place. I hope that most of us have just been waiting patiently for whatever you want to post whenever it happens. I couldn’t not finish Agent of Change pretty quickly, as hard as I tried to go slowly. Happy to move onto the next adventure. Need to look up what it is. I am really bad with remembering titles. Looking forward to further insights. Thank you for sharing whenever you can. Life is hard. We all do the best we can, which is usually short of perfect. But, my goodness, to read along with my favorite author – that’s a rare privilege. Thank you.
Thank goodness, it wasn’t just me. I finished Agent of Change about a week ago, and tried to be patient, knowing you had come down with something “viral”. Then I could no longer resist, so this morning I started on “Conflict of Honors” and here I sit, 8 hours later, finished…
I would love to hear any of the background of how a “Conflict of Honors” came to be, given that it actually takes place before “Agent of Change” due to some of dynamics of the various characters (not trying to get ahead of myself).
And there are certain scenes in “Conflict of Honors” I would like to know who was the instigator, you or your partner…
I breezed through Agent of Change, so I’m ask for a book by book commentary.
And your writing always comes first, though it’s fun to have you guide my reread
I’m trying to catch up to you. I am listening to the audiobooks. I began Carpe Diem today. Cheever has just arrived with Edger’s message.
Just a note in your updates as to where you are on your daily updates would be enough to keep me on track if it isn’t too much trouble.
I’d forgotten how much I enjoyed these stories. They seem shorter yet richer now, knowing the characters and remembering the later stories. Thank you Sharon for launching this; this is something I’ve wanted to do for a long time! I look forward to whatever you chose to share.
No worries. I’m happy to bobble along when you post. For me its a bonus to read the books i love and then get bonus input from YOU!
I’m loving the opportunity to read through the books in publication order. I look forward to any and all reflections you are moved to share.
I’m so sorry you have to learn how to write a book without Steve.
As to accurately assessing how long projects will take, I personally suck at it despite decades of living and no major adjustments required. So there is nothing but support, appreciation. And best wishes here
I’m on I DARE. I’d already known that I read too fast to just stick to a few chapters at a time. I’m very much enjoying revisiting these books and this time I’m paying special attention to the machinations of Cats and the Tree.
I welcome any comments or background you should happen to offer as you read them all.