Olan Thorensen
Author of science fiction, action, crime, apocalyptic fiction
Yes, I’m still alive. Book 2 of Harbinger has been a bigger slog than I anticipated. For various reasons, both recognized and a mystery, many months passed with far less progress than usual. One factor, in retrospect, was the difference between what faced Yozef and what faces Zach and the others from Ellesmere. Yozef was thrust into a situation he had no control over and he was forced to adapt. The story then flowed from there. In contrast, an Ellesmere group is faced with making decisions—effectively putting them in control and simultaneously having to face consequences of that control. This raises a host of issues delving deep ethics, personal responsibility, moral philosophy, and…whew!
Also contributing to the time has been, paradoxically, my exploring ways to write faster. Experiments taking time led to dead ends, but I’ve a sense it is paying off as seen by significant progress on the Harbinger sequel the last month or two. As the clique goes, time will tell.
As for Harbinger 2 (the final title is still to be settled), the first revision is finished, coming out at 227,000 words—more than originally envisioned. The next revision may reduce that number, but the basic story structure is set. Looking to the future, I believe book 3 will go much faster by flowing from book 2—when I get to book 3.
As for a timetable to finish book 2, as longtime readers know, I’m terrible at such predictions. However, there is a definite sense the completion is coming along. I’m already eager to get back to Yozef in book 10 of Destiny’s Crucible, which is next book to work on, and deal with the consequences of book 9.
Olan
Carnigan and I hope everyone will be having, and will have, a great holiday season. This year’s story is slow coming. Some year it is due to my tardiness in starting the story, but this year it’s more the story running off on it’s own. This year’s is not holiday themed, and reader’s might review the 2021 story (Januspuvako) before reading this year’s story – whenever I finish.
Also, if you’re wondering about the posting image, you might review the 2018 story – St. Nicholas Day.
OIan
Ah…Derek has pointed out problems with the web page (olanthorensen.com). That’s because I’m in the middle of transferring to a different server and maintenance company. The previous one suddenly quit communicating. When I wanted updates, about six months ago, I only got messages about “not available” and “getting back to me.” Which never happened. I finally gave up and contracted with another company and the site is in process of switching. I just checked, the it’s active…sort of. Still links not working and some formatting problems, but it should work out in the next few days.
Just a sidebar. This kind of diversion from writing takes up far too much time. When added together with seemingly at times endless details, I find a third of the time related to books is not writing.
On a happier note, I hope, is right now I’m working on the year’s short story. It’s not a “holiday” story, but I’d recommend reading the 2021 short story, “Januspuvako” first, or review it if you already read it. It’s available at the web site (olanthorensen.com). I just checked, and download is working.
Olan
December 1, 2024
Wow! Last month of the year. For good or ill, 2025 looks like it’s going to be “interesting.”
Had a cool happening today. Suddenly began to snow – unexpectantly. First snowfall of the year. I ran out to the hot tub. One of favorite things is soaking during weather with just head sticking out – snow, rain, sleet, wind. Today started with small flakes falling straight down. After a bit, changed to a hard sleet. Not as much fun, but then changed back to snowflakes, but BIG ones this time. The view out to the scenery was beautiful and I’d occasionally look straight up to see the big flakes falling at me, blinking only when hit an eye. A good thing it let up because I was seriously wrinkling.
Hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving. I did my best on the meal, though not as good as I could have done forty years ago.
While I was writing this, Kathleen surprised me in my upper story room. Why was it a surprise? She had knee replacement surgery ten days ago and it was her first try at stairs. She’s a trooper but had some rough days after the operation.
Working on Harbinger 2. Have two sections left to finish a first rough draft. After that, it’s revise and revise, tie sections together, check to errors (over and over and over) in the futile attempt to have none. Also gearing up for the annual holiday short story. Several ideas but none yet gelled.
And, of course, writing down thought/ideas/etc for book 10 of Destiny’s Crucible.
Olan
November 12, 2024
Fall is drawing to a close, as seen by leaf fall. It was a good color year where we are and clothes are getting heavier each week as winter approaches. The latest books news is that with the release of audios for A Many-Threaded Tapestry and Appointment at Nowhere, all published books are now out in all forms. Moving forward, the current project is book 2 of the Harbinger trilogy. Tentative title is something like The Harbinger Dilemma. At about 70,000 words I took a bit longer time out than planned—a combination of other duties and some evidently needed time off from working on a project. I’m back in action and the count is running just short of 100,000 words. I fantasize I’ll finish the first complete draft by the end of the year. There’s actually an incentive. After putting it off, looks like the time is coming for cataract surgery likely around February, which is bound to disrupt writing to some degree.
As for what’s in the queue, after book 2 of Harbinger will come book 10 of Destiny’s Crucible. Still looking like the series will conclude with book 11. Why book 11 and not 10 or 9, which seem like more suited for a long series. Well . . . that’s just the way the story goes.
After book 10, nothing is scheduled. I’ve a folder with more story ideas that I’ll ever get to, so I’ll never run out. As it happened, during the hiatus with Harbinger 2, the mind was still working and making notes. Expected was notes for book 10, but unexpected was spending time, and many pages of notes, outlining a trilogy for Martha Whitworth, the 80 year old retired surgeon who was also on a certain United Airlines flight, San Francisco to Chicago. Martha, also known as Marta Witwurt, appeared in Tales of Anyar and 2023’s holiday short story for mail list members (Greensleeves—available now at olanthorensen.com). Readers/listeners of An Ancient Enemy and on the mail list will also recognize that Marta is on the same planet as Dan and Liza Oglethorpe. The next question when I might get to Marta’s expanded story. The answer . . . Some day?
Speaking of the web site (olanthorensen.com), it may have been noticed it’s been quite a while since the last update. The reason is the people/company doing the maintenance and updates essentially up and disappeared on me—never answering emails, phone calls, or completing the last update. I finally contracted another company and am working with them to recreate the old site including updates. Hopefully that will be finished in the next couple of weeks.
Olan