Tag: cultivation

Projects & the hermit dream

Posted on by peterhackshaw

I’m behind on Oblivion – Netherdei #3, but writing is well underway now and it’s good to be at it again.

I’ve been dealing with skin cancer – hopefully caught early enough and not for anyone to worry about – which made me realise what an absolute idiot I was in my twenties, lying in the sun on holidays covered in <5 factor oils, feeling invincible, trying to change the colour of my skin. It feels so absurd now – but if I had a word with that lad puffing his chest out in 00s Ayia Napa, Malia, Laganas or Ibiza, he wouldn’t listen. I’ll try to educate my kids instead…

As well as Netherdei #3, I’ve plotted a couple of books that I will certainly put ink to later this year, after my cultivation series is well and truly completed.

One of these is going to be a follow-up to Ever Winter. I’ve had a lot of people ask me about this in recent years as I left some strings untied, believing that I had more to explore in that world. It’s great that others share this and I hope Ever Winter will reach more audiences in the coming years, after some cool developments.

The other book that I plan to write needs a title.

It’s a near-future sci-fi, featuring an old man living on a remote island. I’ve been thinking a lot about this book and it’s made me realise that I would love to live off-grid (*with a little bit of wi-fi) someday. I’ve been enjoying programs about homesteads and preppers and all sorts of survival. I find it really interesting and see that these people all enjoy the most enviable views of nature.

In the very least, one day, I might be living in the garden shed, pretending it’s Alaska or Outer Hebrides. The kids already moan that we can’t order KFC or McDonalds where we live today, so I might have to wait a few years for this, or just get the shed now.

I’ve read quite a few books lately. The ones I’ve enjoyed the most are the 1980s-penned southern gothic horror Blackwater by Michael McDowell and Freakslaw by the brilliant, Jane Flett – another horror, unravelling page-by-page as I read it.

Although my TBR-pile is growing, buying books is considered research.

I feel better just reflecting on that fact.

The Darkest CORE

Posted on by peterhackshaw

Netherdei Book 2 release update.

The Count of Monte Cristo waited a long time for his revenge and I feel that my readers have been just as patient with the follow-up to The Shadow Sect – Netherdei #1.

Last year was very tough for me personally. Serious illness in my family – and other things – meant that I couldn’t write (in fact I couldn’t open my laptop for a while).

My deadline for submission passed, leaving me feeling even worse, although my publisher, Portal Books, were extremely supportive and understanding – which I am so grateful for.

What I can say now and what I take from this whole experience, is that I’ve poured so much of what I felt during those numbing, stagnant months, into The Darkest Core – Netherdei #2.

Last night, I submitted my draft for editing. I had a Japanese whisky (no ‘e’ in theirs) and sat down, reflecting for at least five minutes on my achievement.

Then, I did the typical writer-thing of wondering how the hell I could better The Darkest Core and surpass it in the as-yet completely unwritten Netherdei #3. That’s crazy, right?

Writers do this. They beat themselves up and don’t allow more than five minutes to celebrate what is a real success. Even if I missed the bloody deadline by a mile.

This is why I wanted to post today, after so long. To thank you all for supporting my writing journey. For messaging. Sending memes of your favourite characters and moments. For giving me a nudge.

The Darkest Core has been a labour of love, as well as a personal struggle. It has dialogue and prose that I’m most proud of, out of all of my work – and I’ve improved as a writer, just as my MC, Falken Calder is progressing immensely as a Cultivator.

You’ll never please everyone. You’ll find a critic almost everywhere. But, as my puerile mate, Warmund Tripp would say, ‘Fuck it.’

I just submitted a book that makes me proud.

I hope you love it.