The UK endured something of a rare heatwave last week, particularly here in London.
For two days, we hit a scorching 36 degrees Celsius (96.8 Fahrenheit for the rebels across the pond).
I can't imagine the concrete jungles, ever-shrinking green spaces, or the giant magnifying glasses — I mean, skyscrapers — are to blame for such an exacerbated heatwave in the southeast…
No, of course not. 🤔
Nonetheless, when such heatwaves decide to bless us here, it certainly impacts life.
Even little things like going to my dentist appointment last Tuesday.
What was supposed to be a short, pleasant 0.6-mile walk to the clinic to get a filling for my chipped molar was more like traversing downtown Cancun in the summer with Eye of Sauron burning into my back for good measure.
Breeze?
What breeze?!
By the time I arrived, my t-shirt clung to my torso in ways that were deeply unflattering.
Safe to say the six-pack I never had in my early 20s is still buried!
"But wait… aren't you planning to emigrate to Cyprus?"
You must have confused Cyprus with Cork, Ireland… 👀
Jokes aside.
YES, I do plan on fleeing this forsaken isle for warmer pastures, and while the heat will most certainly be zapping, the A/C and Mediterranean Sea will surely save us.
(And my writing sessions!)
Fun fact to my North American and Aussie readers:
UK homes don't come with built-in air-conditioning. You'd think with all this "global warming" that new builds would have these installed as standard, but nope. Not here.
Greta, have a word, eh?
However, there is good news:
Cooler days are back.
I'm talking rain and temperatures sticking firmly in the teens.
Hallelujah!
Writing won't feel so much of a slog now, but let's not jinx it.
On the topic of writing: I used the opportunity last week to review/revise some of my earlier chapters when a twisted glee stretched across my sweat-slicked face after reading Chapter 3.
Oh my, is it going to pull your pigtails.
(As Patrons of my 24-hour flash sale of Book 6's outline can attest…)
What can I say?
There's a reason I write gritty fantasy over the cosy stuff.
Don't get me wrong, I love me a warm tavern scene filled with flush-cheeked patrons and hearty conversations only a tankard of mead can facilitate…
But I'm not called 'Overlord & Saviour' for nothing.
Oh gosh, no.
I need to take in equal proportions as I give, and it isn't always an even split.
Chapter 3 will certainly demonstrate that.
Anyway, enough teasing already.
If you'd like to "give" the gift of The Divided Region to a friend or family member, you can now purchase a gift card from my Storehouse.
It makes gifting e-books or audiobooks a breeze, and it might just solve the dreaded "what do I buy them this year?" problem.
Here's where to go:
https://djjwatsonstore.com/products/gift-card
DJJW