"You've got to be kidding me," I huff.
I wanted a ham, cheese, and pickle sandwich to complete the meal deal… Instead, I had to settle for a BLT — my least favourite option.
It was either that or the plain chicken breast sandwich 🤢
So I took the bacon, lettuce, tomato, and it was everything I remembered it being.
Dry…
Tasteless tomatoes…
Loaded with more salad leaves than bacon…
And slapped between two pieces of malt bread that tasted older than Winston Churchill's walking stick.
Needless to say, I wish I hadn't eaten it.
But it did provide me with something more valuable…
TODAY’S EMAIL.
Because, in a strange roundabout kind of way, this reminds me of my writing.
Some days, I’ll set the intention to write 2,000 words (like getting that perfect ham and cheese sandwich), only for the plot to veer off in some weird direction I didn’t plan or see coming (like being left with a BLT)… only to realise the idea tastes like crap and I wish I hadn’t followed Milo the Muse.
Had a lot of those across The Divided Region series.
Like Dillian being gay and having a relationship with Reuben (scrapped that)…
Jangar being a villain (scrapped)…
Having more than one kingdom in Estos (scrapped that too)…
And many more things my fingers haven’t got the energy to type right now. Perhaps I’ll divulge more in a future email should enough inquiring minds write in.
THE RESULT?
A series with well-rounded characters — casting roles true to them — and a narrative that is tight, fast, and free of overwhelming lore.
Better still:
Each book can be read in 1–2 sittings (though Book 5 shakes that up), and you can grab them all at a saving when you get the Bundle option here:
www.djjwatsonstore.com/products/tdr-bundle
DJJW