Nick Kyme

Went for a five mile run at lunchtime today and for the first time in blinkin’ ages, my foot/ankle doesn’t hurt and I’m not limping. Woo hoo!

This is good news as I’m signed up for the Silverstone half marathon in March and am going to sign up (soon as they let me) for the Great North in September.

I’ve been going to the gym pretty much everyday for the last few months (with only the odd day off here and there) and am feeling pretty fit and healthy, but there’s no substitute for some actually running time.

Previously, I’d be sticking to low impact exercise like the cross trainer and rower, in fear of my ligaments, Achilles tendon (*insert injury prone body part here*) going ‘twang’ and that being it for six months. Thankfully, after a bit of an earlier return post-Robin Hood marathon that set me back a bit, I am back in the saddle and kicking ass.

I really want to build on my time from the previous half, which was just under 1 hour, 42 minutes. I’m aiming for a sub-1 hour, 40 minute time (so, looking for any digit that begins 30-something when I near the finish line – if it’s a 9, I shall spring like the proverbial bastard methinks… apologies for the expletive; felt it was warranted on this occasion). But I reckon, all thing’s being equal, that I’ll be satisfied with 1 hou, 42 minutes. We shall see – training starts here…

I’ve also been adding push-ups to my routine, three reps of 18 each (and counting – gonna move to 20 next week, I think). None of these girly, on your knees ‘push-ups’ (note, the ironic use of quotation marks), but proper legs extended ones. It’s actually bulked me out a bit and given me some useful upper body strength, which is handy for stamina and on more long distance, endurance runs.

Anywho, that’s the running. It’s picking up and I’m feeling fairly fit. Good times.

On to the writing.

Nocturne was released unto the wide world after a slew of advance copy signings and seems to be being met with much joy and satisfaction by you good people, my fans – so, thank you for that. It’s been a long journey for me and I am heartened by this response to the trilogy. Rest assured, you won’t have to weep too long once the book is over; the Salamanders will return (much sooner than I thought, too).

Took a bit of a breather after ‘Feat of Iron’, my novella for the Primarchs and I’m just starting to get going on The Great Betrayal for Time of Legends now. I say ‘getting going’, I’ve not actually finished writing the synopsis yet. This is a new and trickier prospect than the other books I’ve done, not least of which because of the subject matter (the War of the Beard/Vengeance between the dwarfs and elves). The main reason I’m taking my time is that a lot of what I do in the first book will influence what happens in the subsequent five volumes, so I’ve kinda got to get it right and leave plenty of threads, set plenty of cool stuff to pay-off later as well as write a great opening story in the saga in its own right.

I’m also not flying solo on this project either; I’ll be very ably abetted by none other than the gentleman’s gentleman of authors, Mr Chris Wraight (I have honestly never met a finer fellow). Chris and I have been exchanging numerous emails and phone calls about the project, but I think we’re closing in on the story for the opening volume now. Once I’m done of this, I hand the reins to Chris for book two (I’ll be back again in books three and five), while I think about novellas and more Salamanders (see, told you they weren’t far away).

That’ll have to be your lot for now. Shakespeare’s fine, by the way. I’m going roller skating tonight (how retro, I know) and need to do some crunches before I go.

Salut!