The Gods in Haven: Part Two Progress

It's been nearly two months since my last update on The Gods in Haven, when I was setting out to write part two of the novel. That would comprise six chapters, so I should have had plenty of time to complete it by now, right? Right?

Look, I've had other priorities, okay? 😀

I have made progress, however. I've written the first two chapters, one each from Chandra and Anjuna's perspective, and things are settling in nicely. The Enigma's existence is becoming clearer to Anjuna, as is the part played by the entity they're calling the Ally. Chandra's world within the Priory has expanded, as the becomes aware of a group within its walls who do not hold the Prior in high regard. It's all shaping up how I hoped.

However I've had other calls on my time, and for once, I put them ahead of my writing. I feel better for it, but it has meant it's been a while since I committed many word to the page. It'll likely to be couple more weeks before I get back to it.

Obviously, I took a break over Christmas and the New Year period – just what both me and my son needed while his house move was still dragging on. He finally exchanged contracts early in January, and will be moving in at the end of this week. Phew.

Preparation for that has taken some of my time, and helping him out will be my main priority once he's moved – if only by driving everywhere while he spends money! Lots of things to do to make the place his own.

I've been making a few changes in my own place too. A bit of post-Christmas furniture reorganisation, a little decoration, a few new gadgets to make the most of the new layout and keep the place warmer in the cold of winter. Then, I thought I was then ready to get back to writing.

I had a passing thought about an open source home automation system called Home Assistant that I had a look at a few years back. It didn't suit my needs at the time, but I wondered how it had changed, as I'd seen that most of the equipment I had supported it. It was way better than expected.

I started off in a small way, getting a hub set up, integrating a few devices, and experimenting with its capabilities. It's now a few weeks later. I've got every single smart device running in the system, with over 130 automation routines written that adapt to my needs through the day. Their operation changes depending on whether my son is in the house, and on the time of year. Yes, I got carried away.

Even better, after deploying a few cheap bluetooth proxies around the house, I've got the vast majority of it working locally, so that everything will still work without an internet connection. It's reduced my dependancy on the whims of major manufacturers, who have a tendency to pull out without warning. For example, once my candles get a promised firmware upgrade (don't ask), I'll be able to remove Samsung Smartthings completely.

It felt like being a software engineer again! Today, I've removed my last automation control from the Amazon Alexa system, so that everything is inside Home Assistant. I've still got Alexa working with my local hub, which I'm using to voice control my devices – and nothing else. Hopefully I can replace that given time. Pretty chuffed with how it turned out.

Well, I found it fun, anyway! Now in the realms of debugging issues as they come up, and integrating anything new I happen to purchase (or get free – I'm about to beta test a new product for a company!). I'll let the sense of achievement wash over me for a bit, but as soon as my son's house move is done, I'll be able to focus back on my writing, in between trips to DIY and furniture stores.

Hopefully, I'll be back soonish with a more positive update on part two. I must not get distracted again.  I must not get distracted again.  I must not get distracted again.

Maybe.