πŸ‚ Navigating Seasonal Challenges & Diving into New Stories | Author Diary – November 10, 2024 πŸ“šπŸ–‹οΈ

This week’s Author Diary touches on managing seasonal affective disorder while progressing on exciting literary fronts.

🌨️ Managing Seasonal Affective Disorder:

As November rolls in, so does my annual encounter with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). It’s a familiar challenge by now, and understanding what to expect helps me navigate it more effectively. While SAD does pose its difficulties, recognising the symptoms early allows me to adjust my schedule and self-care routines to maintain productivity and well-being.

πŸ“– Starting “Blade of Sorrows”:

In terms of writing, I’ve begun drafting “Blade of Sorrows,” the third book in the Guild of Assassins series. I’m currently 15,000 words in, about 25% through the manuscript. Diving back into this dark, intricate world is exhilarating, and the initial chapters are shaping up to bring more thrilling twists and deep character explorations.

πŸ“š Reading Insights:

My reading this week included “Opus” by Gareth Gore, a deep dive into the enigmatic world of Opus Dei. The book provides an intriguing glimpse into the inner workings and controversies surrounding this Catholic institution. Additionally, I’m about halfway through “The Damnation of Power” from the Horus Heresy series, which continues to expand on the epic saga with intense conflicts and rich, detailed lore.

πŸ“… Looking Ahead:

Despite the challenges posed by SAD, I remain committed to my writing goals and literary explorations. The support and understanding of the writing community also play a crucial role in managing these seasonal hurdles.

I’d love to hear from you about how you cope with seasonal changes or manage personal challenges while keeping up with creative or professional commitments.

Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more weekly updates from my author’s life and the ongoing journey through worlds both real and imagined!

Jon Cronshaw Guild of Assassins dark assassin fantasy novel

πŸŽ‰ Celebrating 7 Years & Gearing Up for Fantasycon | Author Diary – October 4, 2024 πŸ“šπŸŽ™οΈ

Join me in this week’s Author Diary as we celebrate a significant milestone, delve into current projects, and look forward to an exciting event.

πŸŽ‰ 7th Anniversary of the Author Diary Podcast:

This week marks the seventh anniversary of my Author Diary podcast. It’s been a wonderful journey of sharing insights, challenges, and triumphs from my writing life. I’ve enjoyed connecting with all of you, and I’m grateful for your continued support.

πŸ“– Current Writing and Reading:

I’ve been making steady progress on “Forged in Blood,” the latest installment in the Guild of Assassins series. Writing this book has been an intricate process, weaving complex characters and dark themes into the narrative fabric. Alongside writing, I’ve been immersed in “Vengeful Spirit” from the Horus Heresy series, a gripping tale that complements the intense and dramatic tone of my own work.

πŸ‘₯ Reader Interaction:

In this special anniversary episode, I took the opportunity to answer some reader questions.

🏰 Prepping for Fantasycon:

Looking ahead, I’m thrilled to be attending Fantasycon next weekend. I’ll be participating in four panels discussing topics ranging from rogues and grimdark to post-apocalyptic fiction and the portrayal of disability beyond the trope of ‘superpower.’ As I prepare for the convention, I’m excited to meet many of you there, share insights, and explore the diverse and dynamic world of fantasy literature.

Stay tuned for updates from Fantasycon and more adventures from the writing desk!

I’d love to hear your thoughts on podcast milestones, your experiences with fantasy conventions, or any questions you might have about writing and reading. Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more weekly insights and updates from my author’s journey!

πŸ“š Perseverance and Progress | Author Diary – September 27, 2024 πŸ€’βœοΈ

This week’s Author Diary is a testament to the challenges and triumphs of the creative process, even when under the weather.

πŸ€’ Battling Illness:

Despite being ill this week, I pressed on with my writing commitments. It’s often difficult to maintain momentum during such times, but staying connected to my projects helps keep my spirits up.

I managed to add about 10,000 words to “Forged in Blood,” the second book in the Guild of Assassins series

πŸ“˜ Reading Updates:

 I wrapped up “Fake Heroes” by Otto English, a compelling read that offers sharp insights into cultural and historical narratives.

Moving on, I’ve started “Vengeful Spirit,” part of the expansive Horus Heresy series. Diving into this new book has been a great way to escape and recuperate, immersing myself in the rich lore of the Warhammer 40,000 universe.

πŸ“… Looking Ahead:

As I recover and continue with “Forged in Blood,” I look forward to regaining my full strength and embracing the creative challenges ahead.

Next week, I hope to share more positive updates and perhaps some insights from my journey through the Horus Heresy series.

I’d love to hear about how you cope with setbacks and continue to find inspiration in your projects or readings. Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more weekly insights from my author’s life and the perseverance that drives it!

Jon’s Author Diary – August 11, 2023

Dive into author updates from sunny Morecambe! Explore new chapters, the continuation of ‘Guild of Assassins’, and delve into the ‘Horus Heresy’ series.

Hello from sunny Morecambe!

Another week, another set of chapters in the bag. I’ve been carrying on with my Substack series ‘Guild of Assassins,’ with two more chapters complete and ready for your eyes.

In addition to that, I’ve started writing a new storyβ€”a follow-up to ‘Orphan Farm Boy of Destiny’ entitled ‘The Unchosen One.’

I’ll be releasing on my Substack every other Wednesday…for free.  

On the reading front, the Horus Heresy series remains my literary companion. Currently engrossed in ‘Angel Exterminatus’β€”book 23, for those keeping track.

If you haven’t already, do subscribe to my YouTube channel for regular updates and insights.

For those who prefer to listen, ‘Jon Cronshaw’s Author Diary’ is available as an audio podcast. Perfect for your daily commute or a quick listen while you’re doing the washing up.

Thank you for joining me on this writing journey. Your support means the world to me.

Don’t forget to hit the thumbs up, subscribe, and drop your thoughts in the comments.

So, until next time, cheerio.

Jon’s Author Diary – July 28, 2023 – Guild of Assassins, Horus Heresy

Explore Jon Cronshaw’s writing journey with Guild of Assassins, his current read – The Primarchs, and upcoming blog posts during his week off.

Welcome back to my Author Diary!

 In this week’s episode, I share my progress on writing my book, Guild of Assassins, with three chapters completed and a first draft for a fourth one.

You can catch these chapters as they go live on my Substack in the upcoming weeks: https://joncronshawauthor.substack.com.

I also delve into my current read – the 20th book of the Horus Heresy series, The Primarchs.

Please note, next week’s Author Diary will be a bit delayed as I’m taking a week off to recharge.

In the meantime, you won’t be missing out as daily blog posts will still be going live on my website https://joncronshaw.com/blog as well as updates on my Substack.

Thank you for your support and understanding.

Remember to hit the subscribe button and stay tuned for more insights into my writing journey.

So, until next time, cheerio!

Jon’s Author Diary – July 7, 2023

This week, Jon balanced writing, web migration, and tax work. A new chapter of “Guild of Assassins” is ready for Substack. His website shifted back to WordPress. Amid tasks, he read “The Outcast Dead” and began “Deliverance Lost.” He plans to return to “Ravenglass Legends” next week.

Welcome back to Jon’s Author Diary for the week ending July 9, 2023.

This week has been filled with a fair mix of creation, organization, and some obligatory tax paperwork.

I’m delighted to announce the completion of another riveting chapter from my ongoing project, Guild of Assassins, which is scheduled to go live on Substack this coming Saturday. You won’t want to miss it!

Much of my time this week was consumed with a digital migration of sorts, moving my website back to WordPress – a task that required plenty of patience and attention to detail. In between the lines of coding and content organization, I tackled my taxes, something I’m sure we can all agree is a thrilling way to spend a week.

Amid all the work, I managed to find some treasured reading time, completing ‘The Outcast Dead’ in the epic Horus Heresy series. With no pause, I’ve already dived into the next book, ‘Deliverance Lost.’ I can’t wait to share my thoughts on these in an upcoming review.

Looking ahead, I’m eager to return to the heart of my craft – writing. Next week, I will be immersing myself back into the world of Ravenglass Legends with the second book, along with the continued work on Guild of Assassins.

Make sure to tune in next week to follow along on my author journey. Like, share, and subscribe if you haven’t already, and let’s continue this writing adventure together.

So, until next time, cheerio.