Eight miles yesterday, out to the shores of Lough Neagh and back. The sun continues to shine in Northern Ireland although a cool breeze was most welcome on the return journey. The country roads were quiet apart from the occasional fellow runner, cyclist or dog walker. Dogs must be loving lockdown, they’ve never been walked so much. As ever, 99% of those I passed returned my greeting. Country folk are friendly.
The U.K. death total has now risen above 33,000, second only to the United States. Northern Ireland remains in lockdown. Our Executive released a five stage plan on Monday which will gradually return society to something nearing normality. It’s not time specific which I like. We are not yet ready to enter Stage One, it depends on when certain conditions are met. It could be next week or next month.
It’s unlikely the schools will return before September and I’ve no date for when my office will reopen. I’m using the time to work with my publisher on the edits for Book 2 and begin research on Book 3. I’m also busy promoting Book 1 on Twitter. I’m selling copies most days and posted a signed copy to Texas yesterday. I’ve also had another order for a signed copy from California. The ‘Kirkwood Scott Chronicles’ are going down a storm in the States.
I hope you are all keeping well as I write this. These are tough times and it’s important we stick together as a blogging community. I encourage you all to keep posting and interacting with each other. Even if it’s just to pop in and say hello. I’m contemplating blogging twice a day as a means to boosting connections with you all. My posts have been a little sporadic of late, I’m as guilty as anyone. What do you all think? Should I blog more?
Black Thoughts 
Stephen, I do truly enjoy your writing. But, please don’t put that expectation upon yourself. I get a lot out of your commentary on events in your daily life. You’re a keen observer and have a marvelous way of bringing out a point of view or life lesson that is unique, challenging and heart-felt. However, I also know that your first love (in writing) is in the longer form novels and urban fantasy. Researching, writing and promoting are all important tasks that you must do for your continued success as an author. I’d love a second daily post. But take care of yourself first.
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Thank you Denny. The last few blogs have largely sunk without trace so it’s likely one post a day for now.
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Congratulations for the selling of the book 📖 😉
A pretty good walk 😉
Stay safe!
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Thank you 😊
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More than once per day can be a bit over the top, so I’d stick with what you have been doing. (You can have too much of a good thing!) You also have other priorities to deal with like your family, work (when needed) and your books/writing.
Also, congrats on another good run. I managed about 4 miles yesterday, which was my longest run for a long while.
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Thank you. Good advice I think. Good running 🙂
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Once a day and I’m good. I’m liking the updates on what is happening across the pond. Be blessed.
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Thank you Harold. Your support is appreciated 🙂
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Wait -did you sneak a running post into a question post?
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Possibly 😉
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I’m glad you keep us up to date with your thoughts and what is going on in your part of the world. Keep it up.
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Thank you Gregory 🙂
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I’m glad that this lockdown is giving you time to work on your books. I’m excited to read the next one. I agree with Denny though – it sounds like a lot of pressure to put on yourself to blog more than once a day. I’m trying to avoid putting pressure on myself as I can’t handle it at the moment so I’m just blogging as and when I can.
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Thank you. I think I’ll stick to one for now. The new book is scheduled for release in October/November.
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Your blogging is good the way it is. But if you want to write more, go for it.
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Thank you. I’ll stick to one a day for now.
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I love your writing, however, only you know what you ‘should’ do and how you should do it.
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Thank you Deborah. Your continued support is appreciated 🙂
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I think you should be the ultimate judge on how often to blog. Sometimes I have a hard time even keeping up with your once daily offerings. Congratulations on the book progress, too. I assume that “going down a storm” is a good thing, right?
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Thank you very much. I’m more a ‘mild breeze’ as opposed to a ‘storm.’ 😊
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if you want to blog more, then you should. and if you can. I always love to hear from you I am a little behind on posts now. I will catch up though. I’m not ignoring you. Great your book is going so well. Hope it keeps up! xoxo
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Thank you very much Carol Anne. Glad your restrictions are easing on Monday 🙂
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Congrats to the Black’s, props for the blogs. Please keep at it as you will. Taking care of self and family allows you peace, joy, health and freedom to do other things that may drive you as well…
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Thank you as ever, Brendan 👍🏻
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