Newsletter - January 3, 2023


Happy New Year! I've never been one for resolutions--or at least not for attributing significance to starting them at the the beginning of the year. But I really hope this year I can take my wife on the trip to Italy that we've talked about for years. We were scheduled to go, then Covid hit. We tried again last year, but Covid again complicated things, and now the economy and our savings have tanked. The kids can fend for themselves, right? Abandonment teaches them survival skills.

Also, sadly, the holiday is over, and I have to return to work. I enjoyed the time I had for writing, and I'm sad to see it go. My pace will slow again, but I will keep eeking out the next book.

I sent several people the first third of Mother of Trees. Edith is providing some very thought-provoking input. I'm continually shocked by the duality of wanting good feedback and dreading good feedback. :D Luckily, Edith understands that. She'll slap one hand while she high fives the other. But the bottom line is that the feedback is making the book better, so thanks to those helping!

I'm toying with a different art style for Thaumatropic Roots. Below is a scene with Elliah at the beginning of the book. Opinions?

One last one where I used an AI app to alter the face, in this case Uni Dream. My oldest says it is immoral to do so. Given the use of AI in The Guardian League, I should probably heed her warning! Still, opinions??? I think this picture captures her (somewhat) innocent wonder better. I know the original is one of many styles used for elves.

I've got my kids competing for a logo design for the Thaumatropic Roots series. I'll report out on that next week. Fun!

o To-Do list for writing last week:

  • Email updates
  • Clean up first part of Mother of Tress. Maybe start the next?

o To-Do list for writing this week:

  • Email updates
  • THINK about feedback on first third of Mother of Trees. Poke ahead on next third.

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​​May you get lost this week in another world.

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Steven J Morris

If you read fantasy for the magic, the world-building, and the occasional moment of dark humor—I write that. One urban fantasy series, one epic fantasy series, both set in the Fractured Arcana universe, with more coming. My newsletter takes you deeper into the worlds, the characters, and what's next.

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