Writing "The Vimana Incident" was a blast, and "The Linen Butterfly" will probably be a very similar sort of story, if that gives any indication.

Already, though, I'm starting to feel the need to back away from trippy sci-fi/fantasy crossovers where competing narratives of self and reality are the norm.

I just want to go back to doing more normal stories for a bit. I think I've already kind of said so but over the last few days it's been building to the point where I really need to ground myself. The fact is, stories like these take a lot out of me because they require me to confront some of my most uncomfortable intrusive thoughts, dwelling for months at a time in a headspace where pretty much everything is in doubt.

I want to open up about something: I'm the kind of person who can get runaway doubts about anything and everything if I let myself. I remember once I was cooking with eggs, and I managed to cast enough doubt on whether the eggs were real that I had to call Kobi into the room to convince me that we hadn't bought counterfeit eggs. It isn't pleasant or fun living with a mind like this. That's what severe, pathological anxiety does to you.

When my mind is already racing with these terrifying possibilities, writing these stories is a great relief, but I have to get out of that headspace now and then.

I don't want to cancel "Metroburg," which will probably be much like "The Vimana Incident" in some respects but longer; at the present time I don't feel I'm ready to take on that project though.

I'm really warming up to "Edouard and Le Mouche," which is more of a fun satire of adventure-themed period pieces than a heavy philosophical exploration into anything at all. I think after that I might be able to tackle some more adventurous prospects.

"How Stands The Glass" might be another one worth getting into. I'm liking how the project is shaping up. I'm thinking the two brothers could be named Ephram and Alexander Walsh, but I'm not sure how authentic those names are for 18th Century New England. Research time!