So. Something happens when you start writing: You start reading differently, too. I already kind of knew that since I'm a book critic - and reading for fun and reading to critique something are two very different things. When you read for fun, you (I) read to get a look into another world, to get a break from reality, or perhaps even to escape it (the story of my childhood). As a "professional" reader, you read to be able to form an opinion which then hopefully enables your reader to decide whether she wants to buy the book or not. Both kinds of reading is fun AND interesting.
Reading as a writer is just plain annoying, though. You start noticing things like personal pronouns (if there's more than one "he" in a sentence, do they all point back to the same person?), plot coherency (does our hero just have to go out into the woods alone, even if it's the most idiotic decision ever made - just to make the plot work?) - or simply the difference between the Oxford comma and the AP Stylebook comma (and that's just plain stupid to pay attention to).
It does have the advantage of making you a better writer, though, so I guess I just have to toughen up. Or to ignore all those wayward personal pronouns.

Now it's officially official: "Himiko: Bonding" is being published today! I'm so proud:).
And I haven't even had to say goodbye to my characters (a sad moment, normally), because I'm still writing what began as the last part of this book and ended up being a book all on its own. It feels as if I've just met those guys, and they're really growing on me. I can't wait to share Matt, Pietr, Aki, and Robbie with you! And then there's Sam and Jerry. Oh, yeah...

It turns out that sci-fi or anything close to that genre is a bit of a challenge to write. For example, your editor will hardly ever accept "because I say so" as an explanation for why things are the way they are in your fictional world. As a matter of fact, she will never ever accept that explanation. No, no, she's determined to have reasons and logical explanations and even rationality. It kind of sucks.
Of course, it does have the added bonus of vastly improving your story. And getting to know your characters a lot better; I now have a side plot that I can't wait to explore in the next Himiko book. Did I mention that it's a lot of fun, too? I'm really looking forward to sharing Matt and Pietr with you - only a few days left now!