Hello everyone!

It's the time of week when a new blog post appears. I'm writing this just after a kidney infection appears over the horizon, which is 'lovely'. So lets see how this next week goes.

But a few things have happened this past week that are good. I got a book I ordered before Christmas finally arrived. It's a collection of Clark Ashton Smith's Zothique Cycle called Zothique: The Final Cycle and is released by Hippocampus Press. I've only had a quick flick through and read the introduction so far, but I always enjoy Clark Ashton Smith. His stories are reliably entertaining and poetic. It should go well with my Averoigne collection of his too. I'll try and get reviews up of those once I've read them. There is also a collection of Averoigne pastiches that I'm about half way through that I'd like to review too.

Zothique: The Final Cycle,
Clark Ashton Smith,
Hippocampus Press

A copy of Zothique: The final cycle can be purchased here, for anyone interested.

Now, a bit on wargaming. I think I mentioned that I was expecting a few things through the post because I'd finally made the plunge into buying some Aeldari - Eldar for the old school - for Warhammer 40K. Well, it arrived. I'm now the pleased owned of two of the Aeldari Combat Patrol boxsets, the codex and a Fire Prism.

Eldar/Aeldari force
for Warhammer 40k

Sorry for the bad photo, it was taken on a phone that in phone years, is possibly considered a penshioner.

If I keep referring to them as Eldar, its because I'm so old, that's what they were before I gave up for a while. I still think the game is fun, but I see that there have been numerous bits of drama in the community which has felt a bit daunting for someone wanting to casually start up in the game again.

Regardless, I'm looking forward to painting them up. I've been chatting with a few folks in an Eldar group and am in the process of reading the codex from cover to cover. The only problem now is, I want to buy a load more.

Also, I still do have a big hankering for investing in the Barons' War game by Footsore Miniatures, the makers of Saga. Their Welsh and Romano-British miniatures are lovely, and they're in the process of releasing a early Crusades supplement, possibly with Richard the Lionheart and all. It looks curious, but my eyes are still currently on the Welsh and Romano-British.

Barons' War Wargame Rulebook
Footsore Miniatures

Welsh force for Barons' War
by Footsore Miniatures

Arthurian/Romano-British Cavalry,
for Saga or Barons' War,
by Footsore Miniatures

Also, I see that the DnD subculture is in uproar about Hasbro's OGL. Having expressed an interest in TTRPGs and RPGs on here numerous times I thought I might just mention that, for the foreseeable future, I'm happy with the numerous other companies that provide us with many enjoyable evenings, rolling dice and slaying great beasts in catacombs. Of my favourites, Old School Essentials, Dungeon Crawl Classics and Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 4th edition are three of my favorites, and well supported. There are others too out there.

Old School Essentials Player's Tome
RPG

Dungeon Crawl Classics Rulebook,
DCC RPG

Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay
4th Edition

But onto some writing. I've had a really productive week. I've been planning a new series of fantasy stories inspired by the Anglo-Scottish Borderlands, with the Border Reivers. I've completed all the background information for the series. I found George MacDonald Fraser's The Candlemass Road and The Steel Bonnets a great help and great for anyone wanting to look into that region during the years 1066 and 1600. It can also give greater context to the Sawney Legends which has influenced things like The Hills Have Eyes.

The Candlemass Road,
George MacDonald Fraser

The Steel Bonnets,
George MacDonald Fraser

But there have been a few other things that have been influential, like the galloglass mercenaries from Ireland and Scotland.

I also managed to finish a pile of notes planning a novella and a short story in this series, with loose plans and plot hooks done for numerous other stories depending on how these ones are received. These will be a sort of fantasy, swords and sorcery swashbuckler, with an exiled noble and a galloglass teaming up and heading out around a land similar to the Anglo-Scottish borders.

The plan is that on completion of these two stories, I then start editing the big stack of first drafts I have piled up. They'll join the heroic fantasy/swords and sorcery stories about Gwaeloch Irisgarth, the Elf Barbarian.

I really need to start getting some stuff ready for publication soon. I want to have two or three novellas as the first stories out there, and then work through editing a hand full of short stories for magazines and anthologies. There had been a time when I was getting bogged down by all of this. I was working on so many stories that I was feeling that I wouldn't see the end of it.

I feel things renewed now. I'm eager to get some stuff out there. It gets a bit tiring trying to also think ahead of what writing will make good 'business sense' but things are coming along. If I can get into the swing of things, increasing my daily word count three-fold, that could help, at least with getting the first drafts out in quick time.

Here we are near the end, and because I quite liked it last week, its the bit I might call the Refreshment Watch segment. While writing this post, I was drinking nothing very exciting, it was a lovely refreshing glass of water, gasp. For what I was watching or listening to in the background, it was a Gopher Live playthrough of The Outer Worlds: The Murder on Eridanos. Let me know what you were drinking and listening to while reading this.

Anyway, that's it for this week. Hopefully this infection won't be two disruptive and I'll have plenty to tell you about in next week's writing blog.

Bye bye everyone!

 Hello everyone!

Well, its been a moderately busy week for me. On a bad side, my oven is on its way out and I need to think about getting a replacement. But I think I've hit my swing again with my writing.

I really don't like the Christmas period if I'm honest, I find it really disruptive and it seems to be that a lot of people don't really get into the 'Christmas Spirit' anymore. The corporatisation of the holiday seems to be taking it's toll on a few people around me and they are really getting bothered by all the pressure and expectations around this period. I think I sort of agree with them. Though there is still a lot of good to be had about this period. I managed to go to my regular Yule Dinner with friends, which was lovely.

It does seem to just get in the way of getting things like length projects being done. There are usually a couple of other things about this period that add to it all as well.

But I might just be getting a little bit of an old codger with the encroachment of middle age.

But I feel the start of the year has brought a freshness of mind and a new start, in a way. I'd like to take advantage of it. Hopefully, nothing unexpected will get in the way to disrupt things as it has done before.

Anyway, I'm still working on a set of fantasy short stories and novellas based on the adventures of a swashbuckling exiled lord and an aging mercenary based on the galloglass. I have the inspiration of some of Robert E Howard's historical fiction based about the mid 16th century like Shadow of the Vulture and his Solomon Kane to blame for that. And also, George MacDonald Fraser's The Steel Bonnets - about the Anglo-Scottish Border Reivers.

Solomon Kane by Robert E Howard

The Steel Bonnets by
George MacDonald Fraser

Things are coming along nicely with that. I've the characters and background pretty much sorted out and I'm setting up a couple of stories - a short story and a novella - and should be starting actually writing these during the coming week once I've got some story specific things set in place.

I'm generally feeling pretty optimistic about all of that. Then, once I've got a first draft or two or three done, they can join the stockpile of first drafts to be edited.

I think at that point I really need to start doing just that. Editing. I think part of the big miasma like grump I'd got myself into in the build up to Christmas was partly to do with that. I'd stayed too long on one stage without seeing the end of things, with it possibly being a year or two before I would see the end of a project and have something to show for anything. So I need to rectify that.

Also, again, if anyone has any suggestions for increasing their average word counts, that would be great. I seem to pressurise myself about that and I need to somehow work out how to get my head around all of that.

But now, onto a bit of wargaming. I did take the plunge and get myself a couple of boxsets of Eldar for Warhammer 40,000. I got the codex, a couple of the combat patrols and a fire prism. The codex has already arrived and I'm still waiting on the actual models.

Warhammer 40,000 is something I've sort of had a love/hate relationship over the years. Perhaps its the curmudgeonly encroachment of middle age again, but I keep finding myself favouring the oldhammer or early middlehammer era of stuff. Thankfully, with some of the base Eldar models, they can pass for that period. But I do miss the way that James Workshop used to do things in the '90s. But, it's one of the more popular games out there and it's where 'the cool kids are at', if you'll pardon the parlance.

Eldar/Aeldari Combat Patrol boxset
for Warhammer 40K

Anyway, I remember really liking the Eldar tanks when they first came out with the elegant lines. I think I'll enjoy building and painting them and then can join in with a few games. I know a few folks who play it, so should be fun.

Eldar/Aeldari Fire Prism
Warhammer 40K

I still need to get around to building up my Empire army I got for playing 6th edition Warhammer Fantasy. And the oldhammer style Undead and Chaos armies I got too. They use models cast from the original casts, which is nice to have found out - oldschool minis for modern prices is nice instead of the collectors prices for the originals that you find on Ebay. Its hard to build up an army that way. But once it starts warming up a bit, my modelling room won't feel so uncomfortable for long periods of time. I can then get a few games of 4th and 5th edition Fantasy in.

Anyway, I think that's pretty much everything for this week. I'll post updates as things go and see you all soon.

I'm almost tempted to start mentioning what I'm listening to while I write these posts and the favored beverage while I do so as well, just for a bit of fun. The answer is a Caesar III playthrough by DDRJake and a lovely mug of builder's tea - one of my favourites. Just a bit of silliness, I know, but some little bit of fun nonetheless.

 Hello everyone!

Well, its a New Year now and I hope that you enjoyed the celebrations, whatever you did, whether partying hard or having a quiet night in, or anything in between.

I also hope that everyone enjoyed their holidays too, I realise that I haven't done that yet. So, happy Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Christmas, Yule and every other Winter celebration that I may have forgotten, I hope you all enjoyed your festivities.

I had a quiet New Year, having seen my dad earlier in the day and Christmas was quiet, having seen both my parents separately, but the main treat was the Yule dinner I had a week or so before hand. Much pork pie and many sandwiches and beers were had with friends in a Real Ale pub that is moderately famous in the city that I live in.

Now lets turn to what I intent to do this coming year.

I think in my previous post - almost three weeks ago - I was worried that I was loosing a writing spark. I was feeling very bogged down by a number of things and I was having trouble shaking it all off. I think there were a few factors in that, and I think now that a few festivities and familial pressures have been relieved, things should lighten up. Several anxieties - of which I do find troublesome and struggle sometimes - have been relieved a bit.

I feel a lot fresher now. I still have the Anglo-Saxon studies in the back of my mind for certain projects, but they aren't important now, as they once were.

I'm still to finish the fantasy novella starring an elf barbarian, a wizard and fomori. That I should hopefully start working on again soon.

In the meantime, I've started making copious notes on the Anglos-Scottish border history, particularly the Border Reivers. It really is a fascinating period of history, stretching from the Norman Conquest until the end of the Elizabethan period.

For this period, A book by George MacDonald Fraser of Flashman fame wrote a book called the Steel Bonnets, and a novel based in the period called Candlemas Road. So check those out if you'd like to learn about a version of the american Wild West that England and Scotland engaged in in the Medieval period. I keep wanting to nickname the period The Nasty North.

The Candlemass Road,
George MacDonald Fraser

The Steel Bonnets,
George MacDonald Fraser

They will be key for some fantasy stories I plan on writing, of which I'll start writing soon, just give me a week or two.

One thing I would really like to work on is my daily word count. I'd like to boost the average by a fair amount. Its almost a New Year's Resolution to improve that. So if anyone has any tips about how to do that, I'd really appreciate it.

Anyway, I think I've broken the malaise that I've been suffering from.

Over the next few days, I would also like to upload a review of a book I've recently finished. I think I mentioned it in the previous blog post, but anyway, in the previous couple of weeks, I managed to rattle through it at break neck speed. Its a book called Magick, by Judith Sonnet and I found it a very easy read. I'll tell you more about that in the review.

Magick,
Judith Sonnet

On a wargaming front, I haven't done much. I had been painting models quite a lot, but since the weather has changed, I've not managed to do much painting because it's been too cold.

I hope to rectify that soon.

It's one of the few things stopping some other plans. A friend and I are still planning on starting up a wargaming YouTube channel and having the models painted up would be great.

Otherwise, I have ordered another Bloodbowl team to go with my female dwarf team. They are some elves that I got from a third party company. A friend is soon to get my human team, so there should be a fair few games of Bloodbowl on the cards. I'll show that off once I receive it in the post and will post progress.

Female Dwarf Blood Bowl team

Also, The woods is a game that I still intend to play lots of. And I still need to finish off a few warbands for that. Its an absolutely delightful game and I think that a few videos of game play need to be up on YouTube. So I need to get that done.

I also recently found out that there had been a Border Reivers wargame. There'd been a kickstarter for it that I'd missed, only finding out about it when some folks were doing their unboxings of what they'd received. i'm still waiting for it's general release.

I'm still eyeing up getting into Baron's War by Footsore. They have some lovely models and I'm spoiled for choice before starting off. On one hand, I want the Welsh, or the Arthurian Britons, or the Early Saxons, or the Late Saxons. It's a shame I haven't got a lot more money to invest in it.

Barons' War, Footsore Miniatures

Welsh for Footsore's Barons' War

Saxons by Footsore Miniatures
for Barons' War

Lady Guinevere
Footsore Miniatures

Arthurian Briton Cavalry
by Footsore Miniatures

Also, I've still the urge - perhaps an unwise one - to get back into Warhammer 40K. I'm unsure if its a good idea or not. I've always liked the Imperial Guard, to the point that I refuse to call them by their new name. They were always my old army of choose since I first got into them twenty five years ago. But collecting them again is going to be financially ruinous, so I was thinking of the Eldar. Their starter boxes seem like a great entry point. The only real other problem is that, to put it politely, I'm really not sure about the company itself and also, some of the player base seem on the rather toxic side. But the space elves are so pretty!

Eldar Combat Patrol Boxset, Warhammer 40k,
Games Workshop,

In the mean time, I still have a couple of Warhammer Fantasy armies to finish off. I've barely even started them to be honest, but getting into Warhammer Fantasy seems a good option. I've most of an Empire army I got for playing 6th edition, which I hear is one of the more balanced editions and as a game, is perhaps one of the best editions.

I've also got the bulk of an Undead army and a Chaos army that I intend to play either forth or fifth edition with. Again, I need to complete painting them.

So that's it for this post. I've a lot to work on as of now and I hope to make this coming year a good one.

I wish you all a good, happy and prosperous year and that the ups outweigh the downs by far.

 Hello everyone!

A few things first, some social media housekeeping stuff in essence, but I've been talking note of some of the things that have been happening on Twitter - some of those obvious things - and all the folks that seem to be jumping ship.

Because of that, I now have a Mastadon profile. So now, you can find me there on @dancoghlan@mstdn.party and you can press it. It should be a link to my account. I'm still using Twitter, which you should be able to do here if you search for Dan Coghlan. I'm not planning on leaving Twitter any time soon. I'm planning on riding it out and seeing what happens, depending on what the behind the scenes changes bring.

I also, now have a facebook page and plan to be quite active on there too. I realise I should really have had a Facebook page for quite a while now, but hay ho, I have one now. And that should be found here - if you search for Dan Coghlan - author.

Yes, I like Twitter, I like it a lot, but with all the folks leaving and with all the changes, it have become worrisome. So, regardless, please take a look and see what suits. You're all welcome to come and react with me on a platform that your comfortable with. Just look for the tartan elf with a broadsword.

Gwaeloch Irisgarth,
Celtic Elf barbarian

And writing this, I now realise that I will probably have to update the introductory title page and a couple of bits on some of the pages of this very blog. But I'll get to that in time.

But onto a few other things.

I've really got into a game called The Woods made by Oakbound Studio. I think I've talked about it before. I know I've shared some stuff by Oakbound Studio before, but I just wanted to mention it once again. I've been very impressed by it. Please take a look with the link above.

The Woods by Oakbound Studio,
Skirmish Game

I have also been sorely tempted by collecting an Aeldari/Eldar army for Warhammer 40k. I've a bit of a mixed opinion about the company, but the game generally is entertaining. I'm sort of trying to subdue that temptation until after Christmas when I can actually start planning that responsibly, instead of racing into it and getting too excited about it.

This is unfortunate, I'm still eyeing up The Barons' War game too. There are some really nice models there done by Footsore Miniatures, who also do Saga.

Baron's War
by Footsore Miniatures
A Medieval Skirmish Game

Now onto my writing, which is probably what you're all here for mainly.

Finally, and I mean, finally! I've finished research to a place where I feel comfortable AND I've managed to get all the character profiles and notes sorted and now I feel comfortably prepared enough to actually start writing.

There is a story I want to write that involves the aftermath of the Norman Conquest and the opening days of the Harrying of the North.

As you can imagine, there is a lot going on with all that. I'd already had a familiarity with the period and knew of several locations that were suitable for the story and thought - quite a while ago - that I was familiar enough with the history and the location enough to be able to start writing.

But that wasn't the case. It turns out that Anglo-Saxon history is a lot like Game of Thrones but with a lot more stabbing going on. I realised that I was only familiar with the little more than the tip of that iceberg and one of the problems is that the village I'd thought most suitable as a setting didn't have one lord... not even two lords. The village had three lords. And each of them had changed and been replaced intermittently. Trying to keep track of who was who, where their manor actually was and their motivations and opinions of each other was quite stressful. There was also the problem of fitting all that into a wider picture as well, which caused problems. But everything is ironed out now. I have a decent story plan to follow now and know what I'm doing with it all.

There are even the options for this to be the start of a series of partly interlinked stories too. I'm even thinking that there could be a supernatural/spooky prequel story as the area has barrows, a cursor and the remains of a stone circle. It feels a shame to utterly ignore those so it'd be rude not to involve them somehow.

Anyway, that's what I've been up to. Tonight, I'll be concentrating on starting the short story and seeing how far I get. I'm really relieved that I've finally finished all the research to a good level and can now actually start.

Finally, I bid you all a farewell and invite you to look at the above links. I hope to see you all soon.