For a whole week I did nothing. I played World of Warcraft, went to the movies, overdosed on TV, pandered to my addiction to Warhammer Books and generally had fun.
Tragically, all good things must come to an end and the vacation is over.
Anne, the mighty editor, read MAGIC SLAYS and said that while it wasn’t awful, it could use some work. We chatted and agreed it needed a rewrite, which gives us a tight schedule until January. We have to knock out a novella by the end of this month, rip MAGIC SLAYS to shreds and rebuild it by October, and turn in Edge 3 by December.
I knew MAGIC SLAYS wasn’t that great. Gordon tried to tell me it wasn’t working, but I persisted in finishing it. I blame fatigue. I think sometimes you get so tired that you slide into a kind of tunnel vision, where the goal is in site and you force yourself to get there by any means necessary. In writing, that’s not such a great thing, because the final product suffers as a result.
To avoid this fatigue, I’m going to try a new schedule. No working on the weekends. No working after 5:00 pm. Eight hours of writing every day and no more.
In other news, Luka Brasi no longer lives with us. The house in Georgia hasn’t sold, and what was going to be a short term rental has now turned into a long-term roof over our head. Luka didn’t handle the move too well.
Like all mastiff breeds, he needs constant human contact and I do mean constant. He usually wasn’t allowed upstairs, because he has a habit of rolling in dirt, until his face becomes smeared with a glue-like mix of spit and mud and upstairs has an off-white carpet. When he was allowed, he would nudge us with his nose every thirty minutes or so, leaving a trail of mud-drool on my chair or on Gordon’s back. As our professional deadlines became dense, we ended up ignoring him most of the time.
We tried walking Luka and playing with him, but despite our best efforts, Luka developed a separation anxiety, which was reinforced by the smaller yard – he couldn’t blow off his steam by running around.
As much as we didn’t want to admit it, Luka wasn’t a happy dog. So we found a lovely family to take him: they have a female mastiff, young children who will give Luka his constant attention, and an acre of a yard, which will let him run around as much as he wants. We’ve offered them a week to bring him back if things didn’t work out and yesterday we got an email: he is doing great, they love him, and they think we’re cool for having trained him this well.
It was a hard decision to make. Gordon really liked him. The dog is on his Facebook page and on his business cards. I did my best to play devil’s advocate and talk him out of it, but the truth is keeping Luka would be selfish. He was an unhappy dude.
The sad thing is, I caused this by initiating the move to Portland. It’s better for our family overall. It just wasn’t better for Luka.
Meanwhile, Kid 2, who had never had a dog of her own, got a pug. The pug wasn’t a replacement for Luka – we got her before Luka left, because Kid 2 always wanted a buddy and of all of us, she was the only one who never got one.
Sophie “Miss B. Havin” is a silly little dog. The first day we brought her into the house, Gordon and I were sitting down and eating some chicken and she growled and barked, trying to intimidate us into surrendering the chicken to her or else. I died. We have the chain of command straightened out now, but it was too funny.
Sophie loves being washed. If the washing occurs via sprinklers, even better.
Sophie loves to steal things. Underwear. Flip-flops. She stole a pen while I was typing this.
Sophie loves to sit on Kid 2′s lap while she’s on the computer. If lap isn’t available, she will settle for sitting on her desk. I think she would sit on Kid 2′s head if she could.
Kid 2 is not a morning person and when Sophie is let in after her ten minute morning bathroom ritual, Sophie runs and jumps on Kid 2′s bed and tries to dig her face out of her hair. She is a sweet little dog.
Salem, however, is not amused by these shenanigans. With Luka gone, Delialah, the vicious Doberman, is once again permitted upstairs. Del likes Salem, but Salem doesn’t like dogs, period, and there will be blood, I just know it.
Life goes on.
We had to put our beloved cat to sleep this weekend. Even when you know you are doing it for the pet’s best interests, it still makes you so sad and lonely. So, giving away Luka for his best interest still is a loss. And I can related to bringing in the new pet. We’ve been offered an unwanted kitty and are struggling with what to do. I’m so glad to hear that Kid2 has her own special buddy.
It’s always hard to have pets go, whether to other families or to better places. We had to euthanize Kid 1′s dog and it was so awful. I’m so sorry.
Oh NO . NO Luka NO. well i guess if it’s for the pets best intrests. i’ve had to give away quite a few cats when i was younger. My kitty got pregnant and had 4 kids i wanted to keep them all but my mon said no. oh well they went to good families. i hope Luka becomes happier again
I’m so sorry you had to say goodbye to Luka – and Ellen for your kitty as well. I had to let go off my 13 year old kitty (or from her perspective, my owner) a couple of weeks ago. It’s horrible, even when you know it’s for the best. And knowing that your Luka is happy with a good family may ameliorate the loss, but it’s still a loss. Hope you’re getting lots of good snuggles from the menagerie to supplement.
Meanwhile, I would be absolutely delighted to oh-so-selflessly dedicate my time to helping with your re-writing.
Just forward things over, I’ll eagerly absorb… uh.. I mean, critique… solemnly critique…. 
oh oh me too even though I don’t know you personally, and I live in Montana but still huge fan with lots of ideas mmmm still a long shot though
Welcome back! I’m glad you’ve set limits so you can enjoy some down time. That is so important for life, not to mention the creative process!
I’m so sorry you had to give Luka up! But it sounds like he landed in clover, so that, at least, is a nice ending.
A word of warning about pugs: all of my friends who have them say they’re like potato chips — one is never enough. This seems to be true, as I have never met someone who only has one pug…*g* Sophie sure looks like a sweetie.
I look forward to hearing about the pending Del-Salem skirmishes…!
Letting go of a pet is always so difficult. Even weeks later you still feel surprised when you come home and they aren’t there. Sorry for everyone’s loss.
We once gave away a dog who was nipping at our then toddler. Never biting, but I just couldn’t allow the chance it would worsen. It was the hardest thing I ever had to do. Sometimes being a grown up stinks.
Keep up the ridiculously good work on the writing! You might not be happy with Magic Slays yet, but based on the snippits you’ve provided there are some gems in it. . . keeping on it is what makes your books (RE: stories) pretty awesome. Thanks for putting in all the effort because your fans appreciate the end result! Work/rest balance is hard on us all–hope you can make it work!
Always tough to lose a pet but at least you know she is in a good place where she has lots of room to run and be a mastiff and she has a new friend to play with. Hopefully you can go visit her on occasion!
It sounds like you are gonna be busy! Having a set time to work sounds like a good idea, you need some down time or you just get burned out and then the imagination station in your brain ceases to funtion. (wow I just said imagination station lol).
You made me think of a story I read this morning about a couple who lost their dog when they were on a nature reservation and thought he was gond forever but 4 years later he turned up! It almost made me cry thinking about the dog all alone in the dark and having to fend for himself in an area that was a swamp and had crocs and bears.
http://www.news-record.com/content/2010/08/16/article/dog_that_went_missing_years_ago_comes_home
Pets are family members with fur. It is never easy to lose a member of the family; whether by death or moving on to school or another home. It was not just best for you but best for Luca…and that is what parents do…the best for their children.
Good luck with your tight deadlines, I have faith in you guys! Glad you were able to enjoy some much needed and MUCH deserved R&R!
I’m sorry to hear your Luka news. It’s great that he’s happy now though. I’ve been on the receiving end of a situation like this. My friend moved and couldn’t handle all three of her dogs so I ended up with the reject, out of pity really. It turned out to be one of the best things that’s happened to me (pets really are good therapy), and the dog is super happy to have my exclusive attention.
I’d love to know your training secret – especially how you corrected the chain of command. Not for my dog, you understand, but for my Dad’s little monster.
Huh. Ever have random flashes of “I forgot to do that” or “I did that wrong.” I’ve had two so far today.
I totally didn’t mean to imply that Luka was a reject! I hope I didn’t give that impression. My dog was a reject. They’d tried to give her away twice before because they got tired of her after the fluffy cuteness wore off.
I am neither a writer nor a diplomat.
Sorry you had to give Luka Up Gordon
Right before I had Oliver, I had to find a new home for our Wheaton Terrier. It was just too much, and he was suffering from lack of attention/walking/dog time. Having 4 small kiddos plus a 2 year old Dog who still acted like a puppy just wasn’t working for any of us. He now has a new wonderful home with 2 other dogs, and get’s to sleep in his new parents bed =)
Ilona, I’m sorry that Slays isn’t quite up to snub yet. I’m sure it will be. You and Gordons creative genius never seems to suprise me. I think your new schedule sounds great. If you overwork you do suffer. Remember sleep is important! As is family time and refueling your demiurgic mind
Holler if you need anything
Welcome back!
Hope he’s settling in to his new home well and has fun with his new lady friend!
I’m glad you’ve given yourself a schedule now and hopefully you will stick to it despite how busy you are and allow yourself weekends and evenings to relax and enjoy family life.
Poor Luka
Sorry to hear that Luka wasn’t happy but glad you found him a good home. Also glad you enjoyed your vacation. Good luck with the tight schedule. Sophie is very cute looking
.
Take care,
E
kisses baby. and i’m proud of you for knowing luka would be happier in another environment. i know that’s hard. :::hugs:::
heh.. and Miss B. such an attitude.
woot.
austin.
woot.
Yes to the Austin
I’m sorry you had to give Luka up, but I am glad he’s happy with the new family. Miss B sounds cute, but I hope Salem and Del work out some kind of bloodless truce.
In other news, welcome back and good luck with all the writing!
Oh I’m so sorry you’ve had to say goodbye to Luka! Everyone has said it already, that being the right thing doesn’t stop it from being very painful. I really hope he’s very happy in his new home, for all your sakes.
Sophie is a cutie. Cracking up over the idea of a pug attempting to intimidate you all in to giving up your dinner *snickers*
Hope the new work schedual works for you and the rewrite goes smoother as well.
Condolences Gordon.
Wow! Sounds like a lot came at the same time!
*Because animals are such a part of the family it’s difficult to make those hard decisions…but it sure sounds like you made the right one for Luka. The hardest thing is admitting we can’t change how things are.
*Good luck with getting your house sold in GA!
*I like your work plan going forward. If you aren’t giving yourself enough time to relax and regenerate your thinking cap, its no good for anyone! Good for you for recoginizing that!
You have fast become my favorite author(s) and I love reading these updates! Keep up the good work!!! And keep taking care of yourself! Without you there is no story!
~Miracles are all around waiting to be noticed~
I had a similar problem with my grandpa’s pug after he died. He was so unhappy and in need of a person of his own and Daisy was not sharing me very well, and between work and school, there just wasn’t enough of me around for him.
I ended up calling his previous owners that we got him from… and I was all teary and crying cause I felt like I failed him, and that old fart saw his old dad, immediately got excited, ran around the yard exactly once, and then jumped in their car ready to go.
They hadn’t even made it to the front door yet.
Needless to say I was relieved and a bit appalled!
Still it was good to see the dog who had been such a great friend to my gramps happy again.
I know how hard it is to give up pets, but it sounds like he will be very happy where he is, and the stress wasn’t good for him or you all. We had a crisis over a kitten here. We have 3 grown cats indoors– my daughter loves them like they are people. We had one outdoor cat that was a feral kitten that we found in our garage. After 3 years she had kittens, one had some kind of balance problem–she wobbles when she walks, eats etc. We cuddled her etc, but had to find a home. We found one, and took her there yesterday. Emily cried, and cried, and weeped some more. Stopped, then weeped even more later. She’s ten. She traumatized. Just slap me now. I feel so mean, but she’s allergic and shouldn’t even have the 3 we have now. We didn’t know that til last year. Ugh. Sorry for the long post:(
Throughout that post , you seem to be blaming yourself for everything ( sort of like Kate does in the novels)
Book will be awesome. You have good advice and obviously are smart enough to take it.
Luka IS better off – as you would have just ended up feeling more guilty and eventually resentful of his distressed behaviour.
Move was right- kids are happy.
Don’t beat yourself up.
I am so sorry you guys had to give up Luka *HUGS* – and I am glad he is fitting in his
new home! And congrats on the new addition, Miss B looks FIERCE!
And I have faith that Magic Slays will be a fantastic book and good for taking breaks!
Hugs
Has
OHH damn. Luka went, i loved hearing about the misfit he got up to. Well, hope he like his new home as much he did the old. In other news i READ MAGIC BLEEDS, finally!!! i got my hands on it after months of agony and trying to stay away from your blog because of spoilers (not that it worked!)
Now i know you’ve probably heard this before, but im sure another time wont hurt… You guys did a AWESOME job. i loved every bit of it.
Oh, and did you know theres new cover designs for the first three Magic books?
Gotta say i like the old ones better, their more… inviting.
xoxo nas.
Don’t kick yourself too much. No one is perfect. You’re doing your best and that is all anyone (including you!) should expect.
Luka is settling in nicely so stop feeling guilty. Given a chance, everyone will thrive in Oregon. You’ll see. In ten years you will look back on all of this and thank whatever gods will listen that you made this move.
And most books need rewrites. I am just grateful that you are so committed to putting out a quality novel that you are willing to work with your editor to get things right. Keep on chugging – it will all fall into place in the end!
I’m so sorry you guys had to give up Luka. It must have been hard on you all, especiallly for Gordon. You are putting Luka’s best interest first and I’m glad he has gone to a nice family. Hope they will send you updates or arrange a visit once in a while. *hugs*
kid2, congrats on having your own dog!
I’m sure Magic Slays will be great. Sound like you and your editor know the direction you want to take with this book. Best of luck and I can’t wait to read it. Working long hours and burning out is not good, glad you are taking a new approach… Just have to fight yourself to stick with it!
x
Several years ago I had to say goodbye to a much loved dog who was with me during some very difficult times – my mother’s death and a brush with cancer. His love was unfailing and having him euthenized was the hardest decision I have ever made but it was the best decision for him. Take heart from the fact that you have done the best for Luka and that no-one can ever take away the wonderful memories that you have made with him.
Sounds like you folks have been making the tough decisions, both with Luka and the writing schedule. I don’t envy you. It seems that Luka has landed on his paws and I’m sure you’ll be able to visit him every now and then. Besides, how he has a lady friend (wink).
As to the writing: I instituted the Mon-Fri rule a couple years back when I came perilously close to burnout and I was only doing one series. I break that rule when deadlines loom (last week was full of twelve-hour days) but I revert back to the M-F, no evenings rule immediately to keep my sanity. Your output will improve and so will your mental and physical health. Best of luck on the MAGIC SLAYS rewrite. It’ll go just fine, I have no doubt.
I’m so sorry to hear about Luka. But like MaryK, I adopted two pets (cats) after their owner, my friend, was no longer able to care for them. They were a huge delight in my life. I had Sam for 10 years and Phoebe for 16. It turned out to be the blessing for me! Our dog Charlie is a rescue dog and I’m so grateful that someone gave her up for us. She’s a fabulous friend. Moose, of course, is a poodle, but a mutt in his own way. We get reports on his perfect half brother & Moose just goes and decimates another dog toy and throws up on the carpet! (truth) Attack poodle for sure.
Like the others, I’m sure the rewrite will result in a wonderful book. Your plan sounds great and something that I ‘m going to try myself as my work and play hours are combining. Keep us posted please!
I’m so sorry that the move didn’t work aout for Luka and you had to say good bye to him…. but I really admire how you were able to concentrate on what is best for the dog…. and the family you found for him sounds nice.
I like the new household member
cute pug!!
Oh, that sucks… both the book and the dog, but it takes guts to admit Luka wasn’t happy and to do the right thing for him. :O\
And eesh on the exhaustion-I’m hitting brain death point and I need a break-trying to work it so I can take a few weeks off around December, but I’m not sure if it’s going to happen. I don’t write much on weekends-can’t, not with a 4 yr old-any idea how difficult it can be to write a romance scene when you never know when you’ll hear the words…. “Mommy, I pooped….” Although that’s not why I rarely try-I need family time. but still…
Sorry about Luka. But at least he found a great home and didn’t end up elsewhere.
Meanwhile, I can’t wait for the next book but isn’t it possible to push the deadline a little. Personally, I’d rather wait a couple months and enjoy the book (which I’ll enjoy either way) more than if you were forced to complete it before you were ready.
Aww!
So Sorry! As everyone has said, it was brave and hugely unselfish of you to let Luka goes somewhere that was a better fit of environment.
After reading snippets I can’t imagine Magic Slays isn’t fabulous but I’m sure it will be even more fabulous after the edits.
Hope the house sells soon.
oh poor poor luka! well, at least he is happier now.
i’ve lost so many lovely dogs, some had to be put down…it’s too painful and even over the years i still feel it.
sorry bout luka, guys.
Noooo! Oh, that is heartbreaking, if understandable. It’s hard, but Luka needs to be happy. Best to him and hugs to you both.
LUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUKA! Sad face for you and the folks; happy face for Luka. And good luck with the pug.
Book Crazy had a short interview with Catherine Banks (I think she’s newly published), and she answered the question “Who is your favorite paranormal personality?” as:
“My favorite adult paranormal personality is Kate Daniels from the Kate Daniels series by Ilona Andrews because she’s just pure awesome.”
http://www.book-crazy.com/2010/08/friday-fav-interview-with-catherine.html