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.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
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.
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...
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...
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Progress...At last!
Well, I've resumed the work. Since my last post, I've cranked out roughly three chapters, translating into roughly fifteen pages of work. At present, figure to be nearing the 60-65% range. Things are flowing into the heart of the story and pieces are all being linked together.
It's a bit easier since I purchased a laptop and have the ability to work on it at any place of my choosing.
It's a bit easier since I purchased a laptop and have the ability to work on it at any place of my choosing.
Friday, July 25, 2008
Ground to a halt
Well, looooooooong time, no talk.
Little progress has been made in the past six months, which frankly sucks. I've really wanted to continue working on it, but life has been incredibly hectic.
My wife gave birth to our third child in January. A healthy 9 lb, 11 ounce boy named Andrew. He was delivered by C-Section, which laid my wife up for a few weeks, requiring me to attend to most daily matters, sucking up whatever time I may have had. So, no work done there.
March, it was discovered that my wife had a hernia which required surgery to correct. It was to be a simple procedure, not requiring a hospital stay.
Little did I know that it was one of the most painful procedures that one can go through. They pierced her abdomen in several places, inflated her like a balloon, patched it up, and let her go. Recovery was to only take a few days...But something wasn't right.
Days turned into weeks. She was physically incapacitated for more than three weeks while she recovered. Every slight movement caused her intense pain. This took more time away from the writing.
Anyway, here it is July and I've written only one chapter since I last spoke to you. I hope to change that. My schedule is now free...No other activities other than work and the daily grind. And now I have a laptop with a word processor. YAY!
I will resume work on it shortly. I am pleased with what I have so far and hope to be done before the holidays.
Little progress has been made in the past six months, which frankly sucks. I've really wanted to continue working on it, but life has been incredibly hectic.
My wife gave birth to our third child in January. A healthy 9 lb, 11 ounce boy named Andrew. He was delivered by C-Section, which laid my wife up for a few weeks, requiring me to attend to most daily matters, sucking up whatever time I may have had. So, no work done there.
March, it was discovered that my wife had a hernia which required surgery to correct. It was to be a simple procedure, not requiring a hospital stay.
Little did I know that it was one of the most painful procedures that one can go through. They pierced her abdomen in several places, inflated her like a balloon, patched it up, and let her go. Recovery was to only take a few days...But something wasn't right.
Days turned into weeks. She was physically incapacitated for more than three weeks while she recovered. Every slight movement caused her intense pain. This took more time away from the writing.
Anyway, here it is July and I've written only one chapter since I last spoke to you. I hope to change that. My schedule is now free...No other activities other than work and the daily grind. And now I have a laptop with a word processor. YAY!
I will resume work on it shortly. I am pleased with what I have so far and hope to be done before the holidays.
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Muddling along
Well, I would call it more like grinding to a halt. Thanks to the Christmas holidays that are approaching too fast, my schedule has absolutely been blown. I am completely swamped and have really been unable to write much at all. Work has been unbelieveable and from what I understand, will be much, much worse after the New Year. And the impending birth of child #3 is also heavily on my mind.
So, basically I've been derailed. My progress was tremendous up to now, hammering out chapter after chapter, but...
Stay tuned, I'll get back to it as soon as I can.
So, basically I've been derailed. My progress was tremendous up to now, hammering out chapter after chapter, but...
Stay tuned, I'll get back to it as soon as I can.
Sunday, December 2, 2007
December Turns
Well, here it is...December. The final month of 2007. It's not really been anything special overall if you ask me. But it has been an interesting year for me.
This is going to be a hellish next two months. With the holidays fast approaching and us serving as hosts to the family, we have a great deal of preparations to complete. Right on the heels of that, we have to then prepare for the new arrival to our family. Our as of yet unnamed son that will be here at the end of January. Oi!
I hope I'll be able to find the time to write!
On that note, I would like to fill you in on what I have been doing. As stated in my previous entry, I am writing a novel. It is of the Sci-Fi/Fantasy genre based on the picture seen to the right. Her name is Brianna and I will introduce you to her later.
I started concocting the idea for this sometime late summer. The first thing that I did was simply start brainstorming ideas and putting them into a composition book. From there, I went to a bookstore and purchased a book on how to create such a work. It basically told me what I need to do to write a novel and I found it most useful. So, I spent the next several weeks planning. Plot, character development, and settings were all thought of, refined, and tweaked to make useful.
Then I began writing. For the last couple of months, I have been doing that. In my estimation, I have completed about 1/3 of the book. It's taking time and it is starting to be difficult. Yes, I know the plan, I know where I want to go and the end result, but I have to restrain myself from just going right there. Also, I have to be careful as not to drag it out. So, the balancing act continues.
Usually when I write, I take the time to summarize the story and see where I need to go next with the plot, or who's turn it is. Then, I get a general idea of what needs to happen within the next chapter and start writing. At first, I am not too concerned with how it reads as long as I get from point A to point B. Then, I go back and start to edit. I tweak the dialoge, change the words or delete/modify the actions or scenes to smooth it out. I do this to make sure that the flow is even and consistent with things.
I also have help. I have some friends that are acting as my proofreaders. They are experienced with the genre and have read many books in the area. They provide feedback, find grammatical errors, and generally help with editing. They have been very helpful and if you ever decide to write, having them could be beneficial.
Project status:
33,000 words, 14 Chapters. Estimated time of completion: Four months
This is going to be a hellish next two months. With the holidays fast approaching and us serving as hosts to the family, we have a great deal of preparations to complete. Right on the heels of that, we have to then prepare for the new arrival to our family. Our as of yet unnamed son that will be here at the end of January. Oi!
I hope I'll be able to find the time to write!
On that note, I would like to fill you in on what I have been doing. As stated in my previous entry, I am writing a novel. It is of the Sci-Fi/Fantasy genre based on the picture seen to the right. Her name is Brianna and I will introduce you to her later.
I started concocting the idea for this sometime late summer. The first thing that I did was simply start brainstorming ideas and putting them into a composition book. From there, I went to a bookstore and purchased a book on how to create such a work. It basically told me what I need to do to write a novel and I found it most useful. So, I spent the next several weeks planning. Plot, character development, and settings were all thought of, refined, and tweaked to make useful.
Then I began writing. For the last couple of months, I have been doing that. In my estimation, I have completed about 1/3 of the book. It's taking time and it is starting to be difficult. Yes, I know the plan, I know where I want to go and the end result, but I have to restrain myself from just going right there. Also, I have to be careful as not to drag it out. So, the balancing act continues.
Usually when I write, I take the time to summarize the story and see where I need to go next with the plot, or who's turn it is. Then, I get a general idea of what needs to happen within the next chapter and start writing. At first, I am not too concerned with how it reads as long as I get from point A to point B. Then, I go back and start to edit. I tweak the dialoge, change the words or delete/modify the actions or scenes to smooth it out. I do this to make sure that the flow is even and consistent with things.
I also have help. I have some friends that are acting as my proofreaders. They are experienced with the genre and have read many books in the area. They provide feedback, find grammatical errors, and generally help with editing. They have been very helpful and if you ever decide to write, having them could be beneficial.
Project status:
33,000 words, 14 Chapters. Estimated time of completion: Four months
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