I will read anything you write...which I know is really unhelpful.
I, meanwhile, continue to wage my war against an upcoming non-fiction book deadline, and try not to look at more reflecting pool memes (although they ARE hilarious).
Firstly - The further (or previous - Only Backwards?) adventures of Stark, or maybe some more Hannah. Thanks for helping with Good Omens...
Secondly - I'm OK thanks apart from some mystery illness giving me random attacks of vertigo, I'm going on a two week cruise in four weeks, so that could be fun! New and cool - I've just read Songs of The Dead by Brandon Sanderson and Peter Orullian - met them both too, nice guys, great book - rock 'n' roll and dark magic set on various planes of London. Nothing is really driving me nuts apart from all of the senseless violence around the world, so I've actually stopped watching the news, and I'm less angry. My cat Shadow, turned 20 a couple of weeks ago, he's hanging in there, thin but eats well, full of life when he's not sleeping. I don't know how long he has left and I know it will hurt so bad when he goes, but right now pampering him brings me joy
Pamper and enjoy that cat. We lost ones we'd had for 18 and 21 years, and... oof. You have to focus on how lucky you've been to have all that time. Or so one of mine is telling me now, as she sits on the desk and tries to convince me it's time for lunch, three hours early.
That books sounds interesting — I'll look it out. And yes, trying to tune out of the chaotic violence and silliness of the world is a pretty essential thing right now...
So this summer I am working on bringing my brain back online after a year of long covid. It's hard to explain how your brain fails---never enough gas in the tank or enough electrons flowing, and short circuits everywhere. When it fails, you can look at something you could accomplish a year ago and you cannot see how to even begin. While I could just barely draw when ill, I could not paint. (A pencil is a very slow item of agency.) I could not write. (In our family we say "wording is failing.") So, here we are watching the brain come back online a bit at a time. A bit of art. A bit of writing. Slow going. (And I'm not the only one going through this....) Hopefully, I can inspire the juices (electrons) flowing by writing about how the juices have not been flowing. It's a start.
That sounds very, very hard. For people who spend a lot of time in their heads, and create things from there, having your mind run out of gas has got to be as debilitating — if not more — than serious physical injury. I'm glad to hear it sounds like you might be coming out the other side... and yes, writing about it might be a great way of limbering those muscles back up!
Okay, I'm taking you up on the "how are you really" energy because I really want the normal stuff too: how's the cat, what's annoying you lately, what's good, what are you eating/cooking, etc.
As for me, I'm living the classic too-many-hobbies life right now. Still working full time, and I've noticed I seem to get either time or money, never both at once. When I'm employed I've got the money but no time or energy to use it; when I'm not, I've got all the time in the world and nothing to spend. So mostly I'm just bouncing between hobbies half-committed and feeling vaguely guilty about all the things I'm neglecting.
Oh, I feel you. I've got a bunch of half-repaired watches sitting glaring at me as I'm not spending the time, as I'm chasing the end of this book to earn money to have time to fix the watches, at which point I'll start being concerned about doing more work again.
Finding a balance is hard. Though it's great to have competing things to care about, I guess!
As others have commented I will read anything you write, selfishly a new novel will be my wish. I have copy 41 of your short story The Store, thank you, which as with all your other Novels in book form I have shared my two sons now approaching their 40’s. They continue to read real books (and Substack) I like to think they won’t forget the pleasure of turning the pages of a book and help me to pass that joy to my grand children.
As for your second question I am in a good place having recently rekindled my romance with my wife of 41 years despite the terrible state of the world politics.
Keeping family close is indeed the most important thing in all of this, and I'm glad it sounds like you have such a strong relationship with yours! I'm working on the book... I just hope it's okay... and will update here on progress!
I love your dedication. It shows that there really can be a social media community, in the true sense of the word. It’s not a contradiction in terms. But I think it’s rare and is a wonderful reflection on you both, that you buck the trend of whining or hating. (I’m ashamed to say I’ve fallen into this trap on more than one occasion)
Your reflections on why some people are cat lovers and others are haters perhaps? I’m a cat lover (though own a cockapoo due to living on a fast road). Cats seem so divisive compared to most other animals.
I’m struggling mentally with our Labour government (that I voted for). Particularly its stance towards Israel and Palestine. I’ve had to cut down on news consumption for my own sanity.
I'm trying really hard to cut down on the news too, but there's JUST SO MUCH OF IT, especially here in the US. Writing about cats might be an interesting idea — thank you! For me the difference is that I've met a couple of dogs that I've liked, but I've never met a cat that i didn't immediately want to hang out with...
That photo makes me want to buy a box of sidewalk chalk and spend the day wandering around town etching thought-provoking questions in random locations.
Yes, I think it'd probably be quite context-specific: either making sense because of it, or making no sense at because of it... I'll have to come up with some!
I was leaving random thought provoking/surreal notes and questions hidden around town back in April and leaving it to the universe to help the right person stumble upon them and give them pause. It was fun, I recommend it. If you do it, don't overthink it! Or at least don't overthink all of them.
The words we write, for better or worse reveal who we are. When people on here disappear I wonder where they go and then I wonder if I have the right to ask because it's all so ephemeral. But then one hears that someone is actually gone, gone...and it hits.
And don't ask about cats. I'm a dog person, but cats, those infernal creatures, still insist on adopting me. My rescue pup is going to have a nervous breakdown...
Online relationships are odd, and we’re so obviously still trying to figure them out. But cat relationships are simple: clearly you are one of The Chosen Humans, and just have to accept that role ;-)
It’s difficult to think of what I’d like you to write about, when I’m waiting for news (I hope in the near future) of a (dare I say it) new book from you or another of your Michaels! That would make my year!
Getting to your second question, I think the best I can say is surviving. It’s tough in the UK right now, mostly due to geopolitics and tRump not realising that there is more to international diplomacy than “a deal”. Twat.
Back to your first question, it’s always a pleasure to read anything you write, and your earlier thoughts on AI I have recommended as important reading to anybody researching AI, so further thoughts would be fantastic!
Hey Steve :-) Thank you... and I really am trying to get this book done as soon as possible. I worry that I'm going to have to invent a new Michael for it, but hopefully not...
The UK does seem to be in a weird place right now, but I guess that's true everywhere. I keep hoping it's all going to calm down before too long...
I’m currently in the process of going through your entire bibliography. Just about over half way through. (thankyou Ebay!) i dread the day i’m finally up to date with nothing left to read. So all I can say is just keep writing. I will read anything you write. Even a shopping list. I’m sure it will be the most fascinating shopping list ever written.
My daughter is the publicist for The Broken Binding, she said that if you reach out to her she will send you a copy of Songs of the Dead - DM me for her email
Re: question 1 - Maybe you could write about any sliding door moments in your life/career, any pivotal moments, decisions or conversations that led to a book deal or maybe a chance meeting that resulted in a new job which opened up something else. And what might have happened to the different versions of MMS had those instances not occurred. Multiverse /wormhole territory!
Re question 2 - I'm fine thanks. In the calm before the storm, waiting time before official C diagnosis. (I'd love to drop the other C bomb instead but I won't lower the tone of the message 😄). Preparing for the worst and hoping for the best. Once Wednesday is over, then I'll know the 'scores on the doors' (for the young 'uns, that's a catchphrase from a British gameshow called The Generation Game 😄) Just a few days more, then I will know what's what and I can get the show on the road 😁
In the meantime, enjoying the sunshine and the World Cup. And I've got CJ Sansom's book Revelation, one of the Shardlake series, to get stuck into.
Plus, I've discovered today that there is a sequel to Stephen King's and Peter Straub's The Talisman called Black House. How did I not know that?! Not only that, but there is a 3rd book coming out later this year. And so I've bought the Black House and I'm looking forward to reading that soon.
All the best and get working on another Rutger novel please 😉
Ooh, I like that sliding doors idea. Thank you — I'll think about that.
Good lord, there's a sequel to BLACK HOUSE coming out? All I'd say is keep your expectations moderate on BH... though to be fair THE TALISMAN was such a seminal, life-changing book for me (sliding doors) that I was probably hoping for too much.
I'll be sending the best of good wishes for you on Wednesday, and crossing fingers — really hope you get the news you want xx
I’ve recently written a first draft to a film. I know the idea is sound and the work and character arcs are great but it needs a big old trim. I suspect I’ll be working on that for the next few decades. What are you working on Michael? What’s in the project pipeline? Thanks for the article, it made me smile
Working on this novel mainly, and dear lord that's going to need a solid kicking when I've got a first draft. The project pipeline depends on whether I can get any interest in these screen projects I'm doggedly shoving forward...
Yes. Social media isn’t all bad. I met and interacted with you and a few others on X which I enjoyed. I don’t go on X anymore and kind of miss some of those people but things change. I do still enjoy to see you on this platform though. Cheers!
I will read anything you write...which I know is really unhelpful.
I, meanwhile, continue to wage my war against an upcoming non-fiction book deadline, and try not to look at more reflecting pool memes (although they ARE hilarious).
Those pool memes are giving me life. It's just such an OBVIOUS piece of utter incompetence... right there, for everybody to see.
Firstly - The further (or previous - Only Backwards?) adventures of Stark, or maybe some more Hannah. Thanks for helping with Good Omens...
Secondly - I'm OK thanks apart from some mystery illness giving me random attacks of vertigo, I'm going on a two week cruise in four weeks, so that could be fun! New and cool - I've just read Songs of The Dead by Brandon Sanderson and Peter Orullian - met them both too, nice guys, great book - rock 'n' roll and dark magic set on various planes of London. Nothing is really driving me nuts apart from all of the senseless violence around the world, so I've actually stopped watching the news, and I'm less angry. My cat Shadow, turned 20 a couple of weeks ago, he's hanging in there, thin but eats well, full of life when he's not sleeping. I don't know how long he has left and I know it will hurt so bad when he goes, but right now pampering him brings me joy
Pamper and enjoy that cat. We lost ones we'd had for 18 and 21 years, and... oof. You have to focus on how lucky you've been to have all that time. Or so one of mine is telling me now, as she sits on the desk and tries to convince me it's time for lunch, three hours early.
That books sounds interesting — I'll look it out. And yes, trying to tune out of the chaotic violence and silliness of the world is a pretty essential thing right now...
yes! I love Stark!
Ah, I was a much younger man then, I'd worry I'd mess it up ;-)
So this summer I am working on bringing my brain back online after a year of long covid. It's hard to explain how your brain fails---never enough gas in the tank or enough electrons flowing, and short circuits everywhere. When it fails, you can look at something you could accomplish a year ago and you cannot see how to even begin. While I could just barely draw when ill, I could not paint. (A pencil is a very slow item of agency.) I could not write. (In our family we say "wording is failing.") So, here we are watching the brain come back online a bit at a time. A bit of art. A bit of writing. Slow going. (And I'm not the only one going through this....) Hopefully, I can inspire the juices (electrons) flowing by writing about how the juices have not been flowing. It's a start.
That sounds very, very hard. For people who spend a lot of time in their heads, and create things from there, having your mind run out of gas has got to be as debilitating — if not more — than serious physical injury. I'm glad to hear it sounds like you might be coming out the other side... and yes, writing about it might be a great way of limbering those muscles back up!
Thanks. I’ll get to it!!
Okay, I'm taking you up on the "how are you really" energy because I really want the normal stuff too: how's the cat, what's annoying you lately, what's good, what are you eating/cooking, etc.
As for me, I'm living the classic too-many-hobbies life right now. Still working full time, and I've noticed I seem to get either time or money, never both at once. When I'm employed I've got the money but no time or energy to use it; when I'm not, I've got all the time in the world and nothing to spend. So mostly I'm just bouncing between hobbies half-committed and feeling vaguely guilty about all the things I'm neglecting.
Oh, I feel you. I've got a bunch of half-repaired watches sitting glaring at me as I'm not spending the time, as I'm chasing the end of this book to earn money to have time to fix the watches, at which point I'll start being concerned about doing more work again.
Finding a balance is hard. Though it's great to have competing things to care about, I guess!
As others have commented I will read anything you write, selfishly a new novel will be my wish. I have copy 41 of your short story The Store, thank you, which as with all your other Novels in book form I have shared my two sons now approaching their 40’s. They continue to read real books (and Substack) I like to think they won’t forget the pleasure of turning the pages of a book and help me to pass that joy to my grand children.
As for your second question I am in a good place having recently rekindled my romance with my wife of 41 years despite the terrible state of the world politics.
Keep your family close
Keeping family close is indeed the most important thing in all of this, and I'm glad it sounds like you have such a strong relationship with yours! I'm working on the book... I just hope it's okay... and will update here on progress!
I love your dedication. It shows that there really can be a social media community, in the true sense of the word. It’s not a contradiction in terms. But I think it’s rare and is a wonderful reflection on you both, that you buck the trend of whining or hating. (I’m ashamed to say I’ve fallen into this trap on more than one occasion)
Your reflections on why some people are cat lovers and others are haters perhaps? I’m a cat lover (though own a cockapoo due to living on a fast road). Cats seem so divisive compared to most other animals.
I’m struggling mentally with our Labour government (that I voted for). Particularly its stance towards Israel and Palestine. I’ve had to cut down on news consumption for my own sanity.
I'm trying really hard to cut down on the news too, but there's JUST SO MUCH OF IT, especially here in the US. Writing about cats might be an interesting idea — thank you! For me the difference is that I've met a couple of dogs that I've liked, but I've never met a cat that i didn't immediately want to hang out with...
Fuck, that is so sad about Gareth. I looked up his Facebook page and watched his brother's fantastic eulogy. He was a real one.
Yeah, he really was. A reminder to live all the days our lives, I guess.
That photo makes me want to buy a box of sidewalk chalk and spend the day wandering around town etching thought-provoking questions in random locations.
I know, right? I saw it on the sidewalk in (I think) Brighton in the UK, and it really grabbed my attention...
What would you write with your stick of chalk? And would location influence the message?
Yes, I think it'd probably be quite context-specific: either making sense because of it, or making no sense at because of it... I'll have to come up with some!
I plan to over-think my own question for the entirety of the day (it’s still morning in California). 😊
I was leaving random thought provoking/surreal notes and questions hidden around town back in April and leaving it to the universe to help the right person stumble upon them and give them pause. It was fun, I recommend it. If you do it, don't overthink it! Or at least don't overthink all of them.
That's a fun idea... I might try it!
The words we write, for better or worse reveal who we are. When people on here disappear I wonder where they go and then I wonder if I have the right to ask because it's all so ephemeral. But then one hears that someone is actually gone, gone...and it hits.
And don't ask about cats. I'm a dog person, but cats, those infernal creatures, still insist on adopting me. My rescue pup is going to have a nervous breakdown...
Online relationships are odd, and we’re so obviously still trying to figure them out. But cat relationships are simple: clearly you are one of The Chosen Humans, and just have to accept that role ;-)
It’s difficult to think of what I’d like you to write about, when I’m waiting for news (I hope in the near future) of a (dare I say it) new book from you or another of your Michaels! That would make my year!
Getting to your second question, I think the best I can say is surviving. It’s tough in the UK right now, mostly due to geopolitics and tRump not realising that there is more to international diplomacy than “a deal”. Twat.
Back to your first question, it’s always a pleasure to read anything you write, and your earlier thoughts on AI I have recommended as important reading to anybody researching AI, so further thoughts would be fantastic!
Hope you are well Michael, don’t be a stranger!
Hey Steve :-) Thank you... and I really am trying to get this book done as soon as possible. I worry that I'm going to have to invent a new Michael for it, but hopefully not...
The UK does seem to be in a weird place right now, but I guess that's true everywhere. I keep hoping it's all going to calm down before too long...
I’m currently in the process of going through your entire bibliography. Just about over half way through. (thankyou Ebay!) i dread the day i’m finally up to date with nothing left to read. So all I can say is just keep writing. I will read anything you write. Even a shopping list. I’m sure it will be the most fascinating shopping list ever written.
Thank you - that's incredibly mode to hear... and I will.
My daughter is the publicist for The Broken Binding, she said that if you reach out to her she will send you a copy of Songs of the Dead - DM me for her email
Ooh, thank you!
Re: question 1 - Maybe you could write about any sliding door moments in your life/career, any pivotal moments, decisions or conversations that led to a book deal or maybe a chance meeting that resulted in a new job which opened up something else. And what might have happened to the different versions of MMS had those instances not occurred. Multiverse /wormhole territory!
Re question 2 - I'm fine thanks. In the calm before the storm, waiting time before official C diagnosis. (I'd love to drop the other C bomb instead but I won't lower the tone of the message 😄). Preparing for the worst and hoping for the best. Once Wednesday is over, then I'll know the 'scores on the doors' (for the young 'uns, that's a catchphrase from a British gameshow called The Generation Game 😄) Just a few days more, then I will know what's what and I can get the show on the road 😁
In the meantime, enjoying the sunshine and the World Cup. And I've got CJ Sansom's book Revelation, one of the Shardlake series, to get stuck into.
Plus, I've discovered today that there is a sequel to Stephen King's and Peter Straub's The Talisman called Black House. How did I not know that?! Not only that, but there is a 3rd book coming out later this year. And so I've bought the Black House and I'm looking forward to reading that soon.
All the best and get working on another Rutger novel please 😉
Come on England!! 🏴 😋
Ooh, I like that sliding doors idea. Thank you — I'll think about that.
Good lord, there's a sequel to BLACK HOUSE coming out? All I'd say is keep your expectations moderate on BH... though to be fair THE TALISMAN was such a seminal, life-changing book for me (sliding doors) that I was probably hoping for too much.
I'll be sending the best of good wishes for you on Wednesday, and crossing fingers — really hope you get the news you want xx
I’ve recently written a first draft to a film. I know the idea is sound and the work and character arcs are great but it needs a big old trim. I suspect I’ll be working on that for the next few decades. What are you working on Michael? What’s in the project pipeline? Thanks for the article, it made me smile
Working on this novel mainly, and dear lord that's going to need a solid kicking when I've got a first draft. The project pipeline depends on whether I can get any interest in these screen projects I'm doggedly shoving forward...
I’m okay, thanks for asking. A little hungry and a little itchy (mohair jumper) but other than that I’d say a solid 6.78
Could be 6.79 by Monday. Solid progress.
Don’t get crazy, Michael
I believe in you.
Yes. Social media isn’t all bad. I met and interacted with you and a few others on X which I enjoyed. I don’t go on X anymore and kind of miss some of those people but things change. I do still enjoy to see you on this platform though. Cheers!
Jeanine
Very true... some of those Twitter meetings have genuine length... very glad to have you here :-)