Again, not talking about the decade here, although I have to admit that as someone who was in his late teens when it began I have a huge amount of affection for the '90s, and still think it was a terrific time to grow up.
Admittedly I might feel differently were I not white and at least presenting as a straight male, but it was definitely a time when things were beginning to change for the better in terms of tackling racism and homophobia and suchlike bigotries. I remember the '90s, most of all, as a hopeful time. I miss that.
(Also, as you can see from the photo, I had considerably more hair, and all my own teeth.)
The 90s I'm talking about here, though, are the 90,000s. That is, the word count on the current novel.
I actually broke the 90k mark a couple of days ago, but once I'd edited the latest chapter the word count edged back down to just under the magic number. It's well back over the mark now and it looks like it's going to stay there, so we've officially entered the '90s!
Even if the decade is sadly far behind us. (And yes, I still have trouble dealing with the concept that 1990 was more than ten years ago. It's a thing for my generation.)
The book's been moving at a cracking pace, and the writing's been the most fun kind where it all pours smoothly out of you, but there's a big gear change coming up in the next couple of chapters. After that, the book will be moving towards its climax, the details of which aren't entirely clear yet. Those two factors may slow things down a little.
But until then, I'm enjoying the 90s.
They were, and are, great fun.
I'll be posting next week about the final remaining book on the August Derleth Award Shortlist, Sarah Gailey's Just Like Home, and there'll also be some exciting news about future projects.
Till then, be well, and be excellent to each other.
Daniel. :)
[The photo accompanying the above was taken at a writer's gathering in Sheffield in 1997 or 1998. I'm not sure of the photographer's identity, but will credit them here if anyone can let me know. D :) ]
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