Tuesday 7th February 2017

My emotional rollercoaster of a week continues with the news today that I now officially have a world-ranking for swordfighting.
I’ve known for a while that it was coming and whilst I don’t rank particularly high, I only really started competing last year.  But, I’d like to think that 12-year-old me would be amused if he found out that his future-self held a world-ranking in a sport.
Of course, that’s going on my bio ASAP.  It would be kinda cool that if my legacy to the future was that I was a bit of a badass (“He wrote great books, but the guy was also a world-class fencer, drove into tornadoes, had half his leg blow out and walked 30 miles with a 6” hole in his shin”).  Ah, we can dream of the legacy we want to leave behind!
I’m still in a bit of a weird mood from yesterday, but I’m equally annoyed that I didn’t get any work done on the novel.  I managed to finish off my chapter this evening and whilst the net gain was only around 1000 words, I replaced a lot of the existing text so the true number is probably at least double that.
This torture scene has been a bit of a slog, but I think with a bit more polish in subsequent drafts there’s going to be some really great character dynamics that’ll really make it pop off the page.  Tomorrow, I move onto a society scene which has such a totally different vibe (deliberately) it’s almost going to feel like writing a different novel.
I’m feeling knackered today, despite an energy drink upon returning from the gym.  A combination of Sunday’s tournament, Monday’s training and shoulder presses today mean I can hardly lift my arm above my head.  Hope it eases up by tomorrow as I’m teaching cuts and counters from high guards.  I did a bit of research on that tonight as it always helps to know what you are teaching.
I’ve had a few ideas today how to cross promote my social channels using a snapchat filter so I plan on doing that.  My Instagram game is still strong though, so pleased how it’s going, although there’s still a lot to be done.  With the news that more and more authors are having to hold down day jobs because writing doesn’t pay enough to live off, the more I think the concept of the “author as a brand” is vital to anyone trying to make it as a world-class author in 2017.
If you want to follow more of my journey, then be sure to check me on my social channels.  Likewise, if you’d like me to expand on any point mentioned above, please say so in the comments.
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