Author | Lightnews

Rob Goss @robgoss.bsky.social · 2d

I get Ross a lot in emails (sigh), but nothing irks quite like Bob.

Rob Goss @robgoss.bsky.social · 2d

Weighty deadline made. If anyone wants me, I'll be...
Actually, I have no idea what I'll be doing for the next few days. After several weeks of intense book hustle, that is absolutely lovely. #writerslife

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Rob Goss @robgoss.bsky.social · 2d

Nice. I was in a town in Hyogo last week and the persimmon seemed to be going nuts in almost every garden.

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Rob Goss @robgoss.bsky.social · 2d

I love this one.

Rob Goss @robgoss.bsky.social · 3d

First half of my next book is due tomorrow. All it needs is a final readthrough and a few minor tweaks. A tying up of loose ends. Yet all I want to do is something else. Write #haiku. Outline another book. Clean the loo. Anything else.

deadline day
an overwhelming desire
to rearrange my desk

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Rob Goss @robgoss.bsky.social · 5d

A busy day in the office…

A black and white dog (a kuroshiba) being an idle sod while its dog-dad scrambles to deliver the first half of a book on time.

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Rob Goss @robgoss.bsky.social · 8d

Hearing my own voice is offputting at the best of times, but listening back to interviews when I'm using Japanese is next level awkward. If only I had a pound for every naruhodo.

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Rob Goss @robgoss.bsky.social · 10d

I have months where I read tons of it, then suddenly a month or two of almost none.

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Rob Goss @robgoss.bsky.social · 13d

Same. Mine came about after an impromptu zoom with another writer, where at the end he suggested we invite a couple more writers next time and maybe do it monthly. I’m not usually into meetups (and definitely not networking), but I actually look forward to this every month.

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Rob Goss @robgoss.bsky.social · 14d

I’m also part of a monthly writers zoom. We each have different areas of focus (albeit with some overlap) and it’s brilliant.

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Rob Goss @robgoss.bsky.social · 16d

I bought a can of the Scotch Ale in Akiu a few weeks ago, then had it on the Shinkansen home from Sendai. Not bad. But a post-trip train brew usually feels good. The Scotch on tap in Tono (Tono Brewery) earlier in the trip was nice.

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Rob Goss @robgoss.bsky.social · 18d

Thank you for the share @10millionhardbacks.bsky.social.

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Rob Goss @robgoss.bsky.social · 19d

Work updates are like buses. For a while, there’s nothing, then several come at once. So, I’m happy to say National Geographic’s annual Best of the World list is out today, with a bit of #Japan on it. My latest Lonely Planet is out too: a co-written book about bike rides in Japan.

A screenshot from Nat Geo, introducing a story about Yamagata Prefecture in Japan.

The cover of a Lonely Planet book called Best Bike Rides Japan.

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Rob Goss @robgoss.bsky.social · 19d

This October feels wetter than usual here in Japan. The last couple of work trips have been damp. Jogs are slippy. This morning, the hound’s damp towel has left the genkan with a sour air.

clearing skies
the dog
finds every puddle.

#haiku #haibun

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Rob Goss @robgoss.bsky.social · 20d

That’s an unexpected stat. Though since our (rice-loving) lad has gone to uni, we are having it with far fewer meals. And cooking about half the amount when we do.

Rob Goss @robgoss.bsky.social · 21d

Message to self: remember the sodding yeast.

A clump of cooked bread dough. Not risen because I forgot to put yeast in the bread maker.

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Rob Goss @robgoss.bsky.social · 21d

Sorting through bookcases today, tidying them up, making piles of things for book swaps and recycling. And finding some bangers I’d forgotten I have. Like this:

Book cover of British Railways Locomotives. 1957.

A very geeky list of 1950s British Railways shed codes.

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Rob Goss @robgoss.bsky.social · Oct 11

I'm similar. I get some of my most satisfying work done Saturday mornings, but don't have to do anything then. Sundays are off. Theres often flexibility to have a weekday off, usually after a tiring trip or after a big deadline. Every quarter I take a few days to review what I've done and refocus.

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Rob Goss @robgoss.bsky.social · Oct 10

Also, it depends on the writing. If it’s an assignment with a deadline or part of a paying project, I rarely want to look at that on a day I’ve designated as a non-work day. A poem, scribbling thoughts, or tinkering with something I’m writing for me - any time is good for that.

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Rob Goss @robgoss.bsky.social · Oct 10

It depends. An actual non-writing/work day or three off is great. Good for doing things with family. Good for thinking. And I usually feel ready/keen to write the next day. Long breaks are harder. I often start tinkering with writing or make time to write during them, or I get frustrated. You?

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Rob Goss @robgoss.bsky.social · Oct 10

A different kind of Friday today. Went to immigration to collect my new visa. Home for a few online chats with other writers. Then city office to update my MyNumber card. Now trying to do an international bank transfer for college fees and making a pig’s ear of it. Not written a thing all day.

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Rob Goss @robgoss.bsky.social · Oct 4

Some days it feels like my “getting ready to write process” is even less efficient than Neil in the Young Ones prepping for an exam. Clear the desk. Do some dishes. Check to-do app. Emails. Kettle on. Write grocery list. Make drink. Tidy a desk drawer. Etc. Etc. Etc.

youtu.be/7FtcW9u0GDE?...

The Young Ones - Neil's Exam

YouTube video by 053bss

youtu.be

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Rob Goss @robgoss.bsky.social · Oct 2

If, like me, some of your copyrighted books were used without permission to train AI, the settlement website is now up. You can search to see what work was used and register a claim. anthropiccopyrightsettlement.com

ANT Homepage | ANT

anthropiccopyrightsettlement.com

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Rob Goss @robgoss.bsky.social · Oct 2

So I can write without the need to lug a laptop around, I got a keyboard for my iPad for work trips. Hound not entirely impressed, but hopefully it’ll be an ok setup for trains, planes and hotel rooms.

A black and white shiba (dog) looking at the screen of an iPad.

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Rob Goss @robgoss.bsky.social · Oct 1

The following #haiku are brought to you courtesy of jetlag.

1 am
the caffeine-nap
bites back

2 am
the dog chases pigeons
in a squeaky dream

3 am
just darkness
creaking

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