mandrake#writingProgress Feb 2026
Installed a new plugin in Obsidian, to keep track of my #fiction #writing
I'm quite happy with the regularity with which I am able to work on my WIP despite a day job & other hobbies. My sports regiment is currently suffering the most in favour of this, and that needs to be solved. Also, since I am now editing the first draft, I am expecting the per day word counts to go down quite drastically. I am essentially rewriting every word of the first draft, but taking more care in crafting the scenes, and adding more worldbuilding and atmospheric fluff - most of which is very scarce in the first draft. I am enjoying this.
I've also gotten back to more early morning writing - which requires me to get to bed in time.
In reading:
- The Chained Knight by @lilithsaintcrow - this was recommended as a standalone read, which I don't think it is. Probably better to read the Moonknight first, otherwise its just strange, since most characters obviously know each other - but as a reader one remains just as confused as the protagonist throughout, even more so in some cases. The thing that really annoyed me about the book though, was that the protagonist had essentially no agency in this book. Just existing did the trick. Not sure if that was intentional. This alongside the overall confusing story made it a rather chewy book.
- The graveyard shift by M.L.Rio - this was a very enjoyable read. A post graduation dark academia mystery. Short, great characters, many feels for the bleak side of academic careers and shattered dreams. Good stuff.
- Picked up the diaries by Anne Lister again "I know my own heart" - which vibes nicely with the current WIP, which has a prominent lesbian couple. Though my world does not have this awkwardness and discrimination around queer relationships, because nobody needs more of that.
