The Magic of Music

Hello, friend! How did your “war moon” go? Peacefully, I hope. March was a busy month for me, but now we’re into April and hopefully some more spring-like weather, here in Wisconsin. As anyone who’s ever lived in the Great Lakes region of the U.S. knows, Winter tends to sink its claws in and is difficult to shake off completely until closer to May. 

I’ve been meaning to ask… what kind of music do you like listening to? Lately, listening to hurdy-gurdy music and Enya on YouTube has been my jam. The day job is pretty stressful right now and I find the music soothing. I need all the comfort I can find, whether it’s in God’s Word or in the arts.

Music has also been inspiring for me as a writer. I have Spotify playlists for all my Wyldling Snare characters.

I have a fairly eclectic taste when it comes to music. I’ll listen to what’s popular now, but I grew up in the 1990s, so I tend to gravitate toward the music of that decade–or earlier. My CD collection–and doesn’t THAT statement date me–includes pop from the ‘70s, ‘80s and ‘90s, alternative, hard rock, heavy metal, electronic, spiritual, and classical albums. I’ll listen to Rammstein and then switch to Gaelic Storm, Red Hot Chili Peppers, or Styx. And I’m in the mood for Rush anytime. I’m not a big fan of country music, but I’ll listen in small doses. The same goes for R&B. Rap music I’m very particular about; the lyrics must be mostly “clean” and not denigrating towards women.

Do you have any favorite musical artists or bands? Drop a comment.

Progress on Wyldling Trials (WT)

The critique groups and my writer friends are all helping me whip book two of the Wyldling Dream series into shape. I wish I had been in the critique groups back when I was revising Wyldling Snare… but that ship has sailed, unfortunately. Camp NaNoWriMo is this month, so I have a goal to finish revisions on WT by the end of April. Or at least, the current revision of the book. All I know is I set an editing goal of 95,000 words, which is roughly WT’s length. I’m going through it scene by scene, and basing my daily “word count” on them. 

Once all the revisions and edits are done, I’m hoping to have WT ready to publish for release on August 25th. Why that date? Because it’s my wedding anniversary and therefore memorable. I needed to pick a date, and October 24th–my youngest son’s birthday–was too far away. I’d end up slacking off. And I already published Wylding Snare on my eldest son’s birthday on September 10, 2022. So, August 25th it was.

Looking for something to read in the meantime? Check out the promotions below. Give the links a click, peruse the FREE titles, maybe sign up for some newsletters. You’ll be helping out an indie author.

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Wyldling Snare by A.R. Grimes (yours truly)

A knight’s first duty is to his realm. When another world calls, will he answer? The wrong choice might destroy all he loves.

Apprentice knight Enoch Northward isn't ready to lead. But when he returns home to find his mentor dead and the heir-apparent missing, he knows he must rise to the challenge.

But the horrifying truth of his guardian’s death and disappearance of his friends leaves the grieving knight with no time to mourn. In search of answers, he ventures into the forbidden forest. There he discovers a portal leading to another world - and a girl who shares his faith and dreams.

The realm hangs in the balance as a mysterious enemy schemes to destroy it, but not all peril comes from the outside. Enoch himself harbors a secret that could destroy all he loves...

All the best!

A. R. Grimes