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November 15, 2005

Notes on New Books and Coffee

I've been tapering down my caffeine intake. This last bag of Colombian Supremo that I had ground was half-caffeinated and half-decaf. I can tell it is working because my cups of coffee are far less appealing nowadays. And I got a nice headache the first day or so I did it. So that's good. After this bag I have half a bag of pure decaf in the freezer, and after that, I'm on to herbal tea. Chamomile, Mint, Lemon. There's no need to continue guzzling huge cups of sugary, creamy, rich coffee every day. Too much sugar, and too much cream...and too much acidic coffee. Sometimes extremes are fun, for a time. And it was nice while it lasted. One day I shall return to the sienna shores of Coffeeville, but for now I have to leave it behind for a while.

Had to take a break for a day or two from writing the book. Had to run a bunch of errands recently, had other things to attend to, spent half a day cleaning the house for a sort of goodbye party I threw myself, to which a bunch of friends and people I used to work with (as well as the publisher for Hylas) attended. It was a real fun evening. The party was to mark the day, as I will be (from now on) writing and illustrating from my home all the time, instead of most of the time, or part-time. No more office, uncontrollable environment, or punch clock around which to crop and hang my creative process. This is very exciting, as I feel this will really open up my creative ability, and the work I create. I can feel it already. My time is best meted out by myself. I wake up at six and like to begin working by six thirty or so. In my pajamas, wild-eyed, unshaven, and mentally sharp. I have an abundance of energy in the morning, I burn hard, and get pretty tired out by evening. Sometimes I need to stop working and retreat from the workshop area. Ebb and Flow. And everything works better when I can adjust that as I see fit, when I see fit. FInally, I can best bring to life my inner world when I am not constantly cramping it, apologizing for it, or adjusting it to the outside world. So this is a very exciting stage for me, and I plan to use it well; I plan to take my work even higher, give it more energy, see how far I can take it. I am happy that I met the publisher at Hylas. He has been instrumental in helping me to get to this point.

Speaking of which, I have had some good discussions with the publisher and publishing director at Hylas Publishing, and they want some non-fiction books from me, wherein Horris guides kids through various histories of countries, ala "Horris's Scary Guide to Ancient Egypt" and such. So we'll be taking it in a more educational direction, (while retaining the flavor and fun of SCARY: A Book of Horrible Things for Kids), which I think is great. Horris seems to have found a niche in the non-fiction world, where kids are normally forced to travel dreary and dry books far too often. So I will be working on these new books (2 for now) very soon. I think for me it is best to keep working hard on the novel, finish that by the due date, get into the back-and-forth process with my editor, and then move onto the Scary History books. There will be a busy schedule, but it's work I enjoy greatly.

And now, off to more writing.

joaquín ramón herrera writes for children, adults, and other humans found elsewhere in the continuum of development. He is also an illustrator, musician, and surprise protagonist. If you have found his glasses, wallet, or keys, please contact him here.

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