I thought polishing my 2nd novel would be a 20-30 hour endeavor. Instead, it's a 120-hour endeavor. Minimum. Sigh. But this shows how much I've grown as a writer. I had already gone over this prose so many times, and I still can make it so much more gorgeous.

Editing with @thelauramcgill.bsky.social : Laura: I have a few ideas about how to make your novel even stronger. If — Me: Yep, you're right about everything. So let me read you a poem about coward trees. Laura: What‽ No, I think you'll want to discuss— Me: Coward. Trees.

Last rugby tournament of the season! (It was 7s. Why do I hate myself?) And then ABBA Experience with my sister!

Seitan/Chicken Parm, stuffed peppers, cheddar biscuits, cheesecake bombs, and chocolate ice cream (which stuck to the spoon and ruined the photo, lol)

Happy pride!

Gotta keep writing and believing in myself.

This is the sweetest looking minotaur I've ever seen and after reading the first 50 pages I desperately want to give him a hug. ;-;

Got some nasty blisters on my heel back at the beginning of June. Still can't run without them ripping open. It's really frustrating. It's rugby season! I wanna run and hit people! I wanna smash through rucks! Especially because I know I don't have too many seasons left before I retire.

Just had an idea for another book. That's 5 novels I need to write. Sigh. So many books to write, so little time! This one is Cosmic Horror/Comedy. I think it's a pretty fun and unique take. I can't wait to start writing it in ~6 years!

Squats after rugby are dicey, haha.

First rugby game of the season in 5-degree rain and wind. I have become one with my couch.

2025 rugby practice kit. I wanted something subtle so I could blend in.

I just read The Iron Widow, and... it's not a perfect book, but the concept of feminist mecha in sci-fi historical China just slaps. Also, nonbinary author? Canadian? Written before 25? COW ONESIE AUTHOR PHOTO‽ It's time for me to hang up my pen. I've been outdone.

The critically acclaimed self-publishing debut by @paysonrharris.bsky.social THE QUANTITY OF DESIRE has been republished by @furplanet.com. A great read with an incredibly beautiful cover (by Civetstranj).😍

A reminder that, in Canada, they're coming for us too. Let's vote, fellow Canucks: www.cbc.ca/newsinteract... www.cbc.ca/news/canada/... #politics #Canada

At the beginning of November, I got a big writing break. I set myself a big writing deadline at the end of February to take advantage. And since then, I think I've written less? Not all of this is my fault—Christmas, partners, work. But enough of it is. I need to remember to keep writing fun.

I get down on myself when I fall off the wagon. Life gets stressful, I cope by over playing video games, and my dreams feel further away than ever. This song always brings me back. Once you get started again, you won't remember why ever stopped starting again. youtu.be/qMgDOMaQ9Ho

2024 Good: 🌈 Query book #2 🌈 ECW likes book #3 🌈 Hit savings goal 🌈 Furplanet republished book #1. Mediocre: 🌕 Fell off the health wagon when life got hard. 🌕 Work is meaningful but was super stressful this year. Bad: ⚫ Book #2 took way longer in rewrites than I expected.

It may be only barely, but I survived the holidays (chugging 2 energy drinks at 8pm to drive home safely and then having to work at 9am the next day (and then doing another holiday event right after finishing work) took an extra toll on me. But I got new glasses!

Incredulity. Shock. Rage. A felon? A conman who leaves others holding the bag? A narcissist who calls fallen solders "losers"? But here's my promise: Every pound of me is queer, and I will stand and write proudly to keep space for queer children who don't have the strength yet. Keep writing.

On my way to pitch my third novel at Can*Con

Hiking Luskville Falls!

The rejection letters beneath my feet just help me reach for success. ... The rejection letters beneath my feet just help me reach for success.

New blog is up! paysonrharris.com/2024/06/18/i...

New Newsletter is up! paysonrharris.com/2024/04/09/m...

Rewrite of book #2 is done. This took almost a full year, partly because of the move and financial drama, and partly because I cut 40k words and then added 80k. So basically writing a whole new novel. I still have so much polishing to do, but this is a huge milestone.

I made some changes to the ending of my novel in progress, and I was sobbing reading it, tears streaming into my mouth. I believe in this novel so much, and the ending is so perfectly bittersweet.

February Newsletter is up! paysonrharris.com/2024/02/05/o...

My original goal was to write full time by the end of 2026. Unlikely now, as between the legal BS and the writing slump at the beginning of the year and more extensive rewrites than planned, I didn't query a book this year. But I hit my savings goal! 3 years' expenses. This year, sell a book.

Newsletter is up! paysonrharris.com/2023/12/04/w...

This is exactly the type of thing I wish I had read 15 years ago. It's not about conflict, but the instability that pushes us forward. www.sfwa.org/2022/05/10/r...

Kholodets, pizza, honey garlic pasta, roast squash and sweet potatoes, banana chocolate cake, fruit aspic with flummery, and mint oreo ice cream.

Good morning Ottawa!

Back at running!

Last night's noms. Panzerotti, fries, and ratatouille. Cookies for dessert (not pictured). Was supposed to make ice cream too but forgot to put the churner in the freezer.