So you know how I said I’ve been pretty bad at updating my blog? Well, September’s update is coming 6 days into October… whoops!
Crematoria Online
I’ve spent most of September working through beta reader feedback of Crematoria Online Book 2. I’m happy to say that those who have finished it so far have thoroughly enjoyed it. But like with any beta reading process, there are some bumps to smooth off, and some places to focus on to make the story even better.
This book came out to be about 138k, which is roughly 490 pages. I’ve got another couple of scenes to add, and some rearranging to do, and I’ve got a feeling it’s going to end up breaking the 500 page mark. It’s going to be a whopper.
My beta reading team are superstars. If you want to join the team, please get in contact with me. There’s still time to read a sneak peak of book two before it goes to publishing, and book three will be going out for beta reader early next year some time.
You know how I said that the title Legacy of the Bloodreaver was locked in? Well, I’m rethinking that. I should probably learn to shut my mouth until things are finalised, hey?
BUT IT’S ALL SO EXCITING AND I LIKE TALKING ABOUT MY WORK.
There’s another in-universe short story, similar(ish) in length to Thirty to Fifty Feral Hogs coming for Halloween, too.
There’s some other things I want to talk about re: Crematoria Online right now, but they’re not set in stone, so I’m going to listen to my own advice and shut the fuck up.
Other Fiction
So many ideas, so little time. I’m enjoying writing LitRPG at the moment, but there’s a straight up horror novel festering away in my grey matter demanding to be written too. After Crematoria Online Book 2 is published, I might sate that urge. We’ll see how I feel after book two launches.
I might want to get straight into Crematoria Online book 3 and finish the trilogy off, or I might want a break. We shall see.
Real Life
Bub’s nursery is built. We’re stocked up with baby wipes and nappies. I’ve finished my swaddling training. We had the baby shower last weekend, and it was a lovely time. Thank you to everyone who came. ❤
We’re drowning in dinosaur paraphernalia, which is a wonderful state to be in. I hope our little boy is going to love dinosaurs as much as his Dad.
I started my new job this month, and it’s been great. I’m working back in the city now, which means I’m able to get back into my exercise routine. I’ve dropped 5kgs already, and I’ve only been back 3 weeks. I feel so, so much better.
Toxic workplaces are a hell of a thing. If you’re in one, get out at all costs!
Books
This month I re-read The Outsider by Stephen King. I very rarely re-read books, but I made time for this one. It was even better the second time around. Check out my review on Goodreads.
Games
Borderlands 3 came out this month, and so did The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening for Nintendo Switch. I’ve been waiting for both of these since they were announced.
Borderlands is one of my absolute favourite series, and I’ve been have a blast with Borderlands 3. I’m not a young man anymore though, so my gaming time is limited. I love how wholesome FL4K’s relationships with their pets are. I also dig that FL4K is intentionally non-binary, and the language used in all of their dialogue and text reflects that.
I finished Borderlands 3 last weekend, and it was a really satisfying campaign. I won’t delve into spoiler territory, but I was really happy with it.
Link’s Awakening DX was one of my very favourite games on my GBA Color. I remember playing through Link’s Awakening (non-DX) on a regular Gameboy, and the colour of the DX version just blew my freaking mind. Now seeing it in glorious 3D with lovely current-gen animations is a treat. I’m also surprised at all of the old memories firing off in my mind about it.
After not playing that game for like 20 years, I still remembered about the hidden bottle at the bottom of the fish pond and how to get it.
Movies
I went and saw It Chapter 2 this month, and wrote some thoughts about it. Spoilers inside!
That’s about it from me this month. If you’ve got any questions, hit me up on Twitter, Facebook, or Goodreads, and I’ll answer those questions here.
Cheers,
Matthew
Matthew J. Barbeler 