Jon Cronshaw's Author Diary: The Real Life of a Legally Blind Fantasy Author

This week, I’ve been working on Eight of Swords, part 29 of The Ravenglass Chronicles, and I’m now around halfway through the first draft.I’ve also revisited Guild of Assassins book four, and I think I’m finally ready to return to that series. Soren has been stuck in my head for a while now, and I’m starting to feel the pull to get back to his story.Away from writing, I’m almost at the end of the new series of The Diplomat and still thoroughly enjoying it.I also managed to get tickets to see CHVRCHES, which led to some thoughts about having absolutely no idea how big bands are anymore or what counts as a huge act these days.On the reading side, I’m continuing with He Who Fights With Monsters and really enjoying what the author has done with the series, particularly how it has developed as the books have gone on.Plus, the usual thoughts on writing, reading and life as an indie author.

This week, I finished the first draft of Seeker’s Reckoning, the third Ravenglass Guardians standalone.I’m also working through a proof-listen of the third Ravenglass Throne audiobook, checking everything before it moves on to the next stage.On Patreon, I’ve just posted the final chapter of The Waywarden, and later today I’ll be putting up a poll to decide what comes next. The choices are Reign of Daggers, book four in Dawn of Assassins, Wyvern Academy, and Their Finest Hour, book three in RAF Dragon Corps.Visit: patreon.com/joncronshawauthor to cast your vote.On the reading side, I’m now halfway through book five of He Who Fights With Monsters and still thoroughly enjoying the series. I also talk about the new season of The Diplomat on Netflix and what I’ve been making of it so far.And Five of Swords, episode 26 of The Ravenglass Chronicles, is now available on Kindle. Plus, the usual thoughts on writing, reading and life as an indie author.

This week, I’ve reached around 75% of the way through my draft of Seeker’s Reckoning, the third Ravenglass Guardians standalone.I also went to see The Strokes live in Manchester, which was a great night out. Their first album was huge when my wife and I first got together, so seeing them live brought back a lot of memories.I also talk about SAD hitting me this week and my energy being lower than usual. It happens every year, so I’ve learned to recognise it and work with the energy I have rather than fighting against it.On the reading side, I’ve just finished book three of He Who Fights With Monsters. I’m really enjoying the series now and, after the way this one develops, I’m very intrigued to see where the story goes next.Plus, the usual thoughts on writing, reading and life as an indie author.

This week, I’ve reached around 60% of the way through my draft of Seeker’s Reckoning, the third Ravenglass Guardians standalone, and I’ve continued working on Clout Maxxing alongside it.I’ve also been outlining a potential future project called Ravenglass Origins. This would take the story right back to the very beginning of the kingdom of Ostreich and give me a chance to look at a much earlier period in the history of the Ravenglass Universe.On the reading side, I’ve just finished book two of He Who Fights with Monsters and I’m having a great time with the series. After bouncing off it earlier in the year, I’m now fully invested and keen to keep going.Plus, the usual thoughts on writing, reading and life as an indie author.Start reading free: joncronshaw.com/starterlibrary

This week, I’ve been working across a few different projects. I’ve made more progress on Seeker’s Reckoning, continued writing Clout Maxxing, and spent time editing Seven of Swords.I’ve also finally decided what I’m going to do with Clout Maxxing. Rather than leaving it as a wacky side project, I’m going to run it as a Patreon serial, posting a new chapter every week.There are a couple of personal milestones this week too. My wife and I have now been together for 25 years, and I’ve reached nine years of recording my Author Diary podcast without missing a single week.On the reading side, I’ve returned to He Who Fights With Monsters after DNFing it earlier this year. This time around, something has clicked, and I’m really enjoying it.Plus, the usual thoughts on writing, reading and life as an indie author.Start reading free: joncronshaw.com/starterlibrary

This week, I’ve been making more progress on my strange little LitRPG side project. I still don’t quite know what I’m going to do with it, but I’m having far too much fun with it to stop.I’ve also returned to Seeker’s Reckoning, the third standalone novel in the Ravenglass Guardians series. I’m around 25% into the draft now. This one has a very different feel from the previous books, combining archaeological thriller, jungle adventure and eldritch horror in the Ravenglass Universe.I also talk about adjusting to life without my retired guide dog Digit and what it’s been like suddenly losing that constant companion from my day-to-day routine.On the reading side, I’m currently on the third Discount Dan’s Backroom Bargains book. It’s a wonderfully fun series, although at this point I’m starting to suspect it’s deliberately trolling me with all the emotional dog stuff.Plus, the usual thoughts on writing, reading and life as an indie author.Start reading free: joncronshaw.com/starterlibrary

This week, I finished the first drafts of both Wyvern Academy and The Waywarden, which means two more projects are now moving on to their next stages.I’ve also started playing around with a completely different side project, a slightly wacky LitRPG set in Britain. I’m not quite sure what I’m going to do with it yet, but it’s been a fun palate cleanser between other projects and a chance to write something very different.There’s also a much more personal update this week. Tomorrow, I’ll be saying goodbye to my guide dog Digit. He’s now retired and is being rehomed after being my constant companion since January 2018.He’ll be hugely missed, and I talk a little about what it means to reach the end of our time working together. After that, I’ll be waiting to be matched with my next guide dog.Start reading free: joncronshaw.com/starterlibrary

This week, I finished Seven of Swords and sent the completed draft off to my editor.With that one done, I’ve started work on a new novella set in the Ravenglass Universe called The Waywarden. It’s a nobledark ranger story set on the border between Ostreich and Molotok, and I talk about the story and its place in the wider world.I also did something completely different this week. I went gliding in an unpowered aircraft with Galloway’s, a local charity supporting blind and visually impaired people. It was a fantastic experience, and I talk about what it was like getting up into the air without an engine.Plus, the usual thoughts on writing, storytelling and life as an indie author.Start reading free: joncronshaw.com/starterlibrary

I’ve been feeling a bit under the weather this week, so writing has been slower than usual, but I’ve still made progress on both Seven of Swords and Wyvern Academy.Away from the writing, there’s a much bigger change coming. My guide dog’s retirement is now imminent, and he’ll be rehomed early next month. I talk about preparing for that goodbye and what the next few weeks are likely to look like.I also had my assessment for a new guide dog on Wednesday. The process is moving forward, but it sounds as though I could be without a dog for a while before the right match comes along.Start reading free: joncronshaw.com/starterlibrary

This week, I’m around 30% of the way through the first draft of Seven of Swords and talk about how the story is progressing as I get deeper into the book.I’ve also spent some more time on Wyvern Academy, adding three new chapters to the first act and continuing to develop the story beyond the original Wyvern Rider novella.On the reading side, I’ve finally finished Will Wight’s Cradle series. Start reading free: joncronshaw.com/starterlibrary