Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Writing Along

Hello once again! I vowed to keep my readers...All two of you...Posted on what was happening...So here I am!

Let's just say that I have made wonderful progress. As it stands, I am presently working on the seventeenth chapter. The page count is over 90 and I would consider myself roughly halfway done. I believe that I have done a much better job of it this time. I won't let it get away from me!

As you may remember, my first effort fell flat on its face. I tried to weave together a believeable story involving seperate universes...EPIC FAIL! The characters had little in common, although I developed a few quite well, they were not intended to be the main characters. The introduction was too difficult to follow.

This time, everyone is in the same boat. I have managed to diverge the storylines enough to develop the distinct characters, but they all remain connected and frequently cross paths.

A piece of advice...Don't write without a plan...Know what you want to do, when you want to do it, and how you want to do it. I learned the painful way that shooting from the hip will result in a train-wreck of a story. I've learned from my mistake...And so far, I'm holding on to this one.

Monday, August 3, 2009

Hey! Sorry to keep you waiting!

Hi there. I figured it was time for me to dust off this blog and make a post, even though there may only be two visitors to this place. What the hell, right?

As I mentioned over six months ago, I decided on a global reset of the book. Once I had found the time to read it over and try to continue, I realized that it had completely gotten away from me. I had drifted from my original idea too far and there was really no hope of bringing it back. The storylines were just too different and had diverged so far making it a tough read. I also had second thoughts about the beginning, knowing that when I had given a copy to a friend, he didn't get past the first three pages.

So, here I am. Square one. Well, I wouldn't say that. My second attempt is progressing well. The storylines are tied together very well, I have the entire contents of the book planned out and I know what will happen. This is a change because I was doing most of the last book from the hip, which I discovered and many of you fellow writers will say is the wrong way to do it.

As of this moment, I have written ten chapters. To date, it's 58 pages of single spaced type. I managed to save a few pieces from the old book and wrap them neatly into the new one. My initial reviewers have given me plenty of feedback and cleared a few fuzzy parts up. When I finish and get published, they will be the first to receive signed copies.

There might be a possibility of having a booth at next year's Otakon. Gotta pimp my book, and I think that kind of crowd will like it.

Thursday, January 22, 2009

Global Reset

Well, my life is hell. Between full time employment and a full time job as a father, I have had little to no time for anything enjoyable. Unless you count sneaking out of work early just so I can have a couple of hours a week to myself, my spare time is as precious as platinum.

So, this past Monday, I made a vow to myself. I vowed to finish my book come hell or high water. I laid it on the line to my significant other and told her that I am going to write and that she needs to understand that I can't be disturbed when I do. I think she understands...At least I'm praying that she does.

On that note, I have decided to do a major restructuring of the story. I spent long enough away from it and had someone who is gracious enough to help me proofread tell me that the first part of the story is very difficult to follow and is not really interesting. I have thought about it and I agree with him.

Major changes in the plot are planned. I have brainstormed and laid out the foundation for it. Of course there are questions that I have to answer before I can seriously mesh things together, but I think it's going to make for a better, more enjoyable story. Most of the characters will remain the same, but scenes and events will have to change.

With that being said, I'm almost starting over. I wouldn't say that I am completely shitcanning it because there are some parts in there that are good and will fit in with the rewrite.

Now, only if I could find time...