Nine days to go until the Pike's Peak Writer's Conference. I finished both books. Are they as polished as they can be? No, probably not. I may work on them some more in that regard. But both are written, and sitting at 76K and 79K words, books 1 and 2 respectively.
I'm trying to figure out what to do with myself for the next few days. I suppose I should get some 3x5 cards and get my pitch process down.
After all, selling the books is as important as writing them.
Tuesday, April 15, 2014
Thursday, April 3, 2014
Change of plans... because plans change.
I got a few requests for my novel from agents. The answer from one of those agents led to a change in my plans.
I have turned my book into two books. I was sitting on a 105,000 word novel. The agent replied to me stating that most agents want new authors to be at 80,000 words. So I was either going to have to cut 25,000 words... or I was going to have to break some material off into another book.
I cut 30,000 words off actually, and am now, after much typing, sitting on two 75,000 word books. I wrote 45,000 words of prequel to what had originally been in one book.
So my novels are in this situation:
Book 1: Born of Dust and Fire. 74,207 words complete. I have it printed, and will do two rounds of editing between now and April 24th, the Pikes Peak Writer's Conference.
Book 2: On the Shores of a Dark Sea: 75.553 words complete. I will print it and revise it once to ensure it conforms to the story now told in book 1.
Book 3: Legacy: 20,000 words or so done. I expect it will be complete by mid-Summer.
Book 4: Child of Man: Just an idea, no words. But I know what story it needs to tell.
So I'm about 140,000 words from a complete series... unless there is a book 5, which is a possibility if the story of the Hive and the Adepts gets too big for 80K.
There are two books on the edge of completion! Thanks to the agent who told me 105K was way too much.
I can handle two published books instead of one. Now to find an agent. PPWC here I come.
On a side note, I got business cards today. They don't really say much, just a gimmick to hand out at conventions.
I have turned my book into two books. I was sitting on a 105,000 word novel. The agent replied to me stating that most agents want new authors to be at 80,000 words. So I was either going to have to cut 25,000 words... or I was going to have to break some material off into another book.
I cut 30,000 words off actually, and am now, after much typing, sitting on two 75,000 word books. I wrote 45,000 words of prequel to what had originally been in one book.
So my novels are in this situation:
Book 1: Born of Dust and Fire. 74,207 words complete. I have it printed, and will do two rounds of editing between now and April 24th, the Pikes Peak Writer's Conference.
Book 2: On the Shores of a Dark Sea: 75.553 words complete. I will print it and revise it once to ensure it conforms to the story now told in book 1.
Book 3: Legacy: 20,000 words or so done. I expect it will be complete by mid-Summer.
Book 4: Child of Man: Just an idea, no words. But I know what story it needs to tell.
So I'm about 140,000 words from a complete series... unless there is a book 5, which is a possibility if the story of the Hive and the Adepts gets too big for 80K.
There are two books on the edge of completion! Thanks to the agent who told me 105K was way too much.
I can handle two published books instead of one. Now to find an agent. PPWC here I come.
On a side note, I got business cards today. They don't really say much, just a gimmick to hand out at conventions.
Friday, March 7, 2014
Book 1 is done.
I am done with book 1. I'm sure there are little things that need fixed, but the editor at my publisher can fix those. ;)
I have sent out four query letters to agents, and now am going to sit back for a few days and goof off. After that I'm going to dive into book 2.
But this weekend is hang out, play computer games, wrestle the kids, eat a Big Mac and goof off time.
Oh yeah, and have a steak dinner on Sunday night. That will be good.
I ordered 8 trade paperback copies of my book on Lulu.com. I believe I may keep those as prerelease copies to sign for my friends who helped the most with this project. They'll probably be worth like $15 on Ebay someday.
I have sent out four query letters to agents, and now am going to sit back for a few days and goof off. After that I'm going to dive into book 2.
But this weekend is hang out, play computer games, wrestle the kids, eat a Big Mac and goof off time.
Oh yeah, and have a steak dinner on Sunday night. That will be good.
I ordered 8 trade paperback copies of my book on Lulu.com. I believe I may keep those as prerelease copies to sign for my friends who helped the most with this project. They'll probably be worth like $15 on Ebay someday.
Friday, February 28, 2014
Final edits
Book 1 is written, and I'm printing it out chapter by chapter for final edits. Once that's done, the book is done and will be available to publishers, etc.
I'd like to get an agent, so I don't have to worry about the selling part. I HATE selling. We'll see how that goes.
Regardless, it's almost done after quite the epic journey to get it there.
Book 2 should go significantly faster overall, after all the universe is well developed and doesn't have to be created from scratch. Many of the characters now have depth and purpose. The setting is there. Things like that take time to create, and so won't be as big of a time sink for book 2.
I'd like to get an agent, so I don't have to worry about the selling part. I HATE selling. We'll see how that goes.
Regardless, it's almost done after quite the epic journey to get it there.
Book 2 should go significantly faster overall, after all the universe is well developed and doesn't have to be created from scratch. Many of the characters now have depth and purpose. The setting is there. Things like that take time to create, and so won't be as big of a time sink for book 2.
Thursday, February 20, 2014
So it grows...
I finished the original draft of the book, only to be told I need to start at an earlier point in time by one person and told not do that by another. Just to goof around I put together two earlier chapters and LOVED them, so I guess I'll be lengthening the book. I have 5 chapters done, two nearly final and three still rough draft. But I haven't done anything for two days after writing several thousand words a day (including editing) for a few days. It goes in spurts, I suppose.
The original book came in at 89,600 words. The new book is sitting at 100,600 words. So I'm guessing 110,000 words or so completed.
I hope this weekend is highly productive. It's the preferable way to be.
The original book came in at 89,600 words. The new book is sitting at 100,600 words. So I'm guessing 110,000 words or so completed.
I hope this weekend is highly productive. It's the preferable way to be.
Thursday, February 13, 2014
Has it really been...
three weeks since I posted an entry? Holy cow time flies.
Here's what's going on.
Book 1 is in final revision. I am printing two versions for submission, the difference is where the book starts. One starts with Sarah Dayson losing her family, the other starts the night before the battle that sends her out of the galaxy.
The chapters in the long version are a lot of fun. It's not every day you get to write about people puking all over themselves. But I'm undecided as to whether or not they're fluff yet. We'll see.
I'll try to post more often, but it's easy to forget when you're trying to get every word you can into your stories.
Peace.
Here's what's going on.
Book 1 is in final revision. I am printing two versions for submission, the difference is where the book starts. One starts with Sarah Dayson losing her family, the other starts the night before the battle that sends her out of the galaxy.
The chapters in the long version are a lot of fun. It's not every day you get to write about people puking all over themselves. But I'm undecided as to whether or not they're fluff yet. We'll see.
I'll try to post more often, but it's easy to forget when you're trying to get every word you can into your stories.
Peace.
Friday, January 17, 2014
Those moments that push you onward...
I went to a critique on Wednesday, the montly Pikes Peak Writers critique. Darby Karchut (forgive me if I spell the name wrong) was there to review the submissions. She said very good things about my writing, which is, once in a while, exactly what a writer needs to push them to that next level of productivity.
I have outlined my book 2 to 30 chapters now, my wife is reviewing that outline today at work. I have a few ideas for reorganizing book 1, and a chapter I wrote for book 2 is going to be moved into book 1. I think the readers need to have a lot more exposure to the Hive. The Hive are cold and inhuman, logical to the extreme, and very ruthless in their goals. Their goals? More human hosts for their nanite intelligence.
Regardless, I'm writing again, although I haven't done so today. It's freezing in my office, and it's hard to write if you're not comfortable. I have turned up the heat....
I have outlined my book 2 to 30 chapters now, my wife is reviewing that outline today at work. I have a few ideas for reorganizing book 1, and a chapter I wrote for book 2 is going to be moved into book 1. I think the readers need to have a lot more exposure to the Hive. The Hive are cold and inhuman, logical to the extreme, and very ruthless in their goals. Their goals? More human hosts for their nanite intelligence.
Regardless, I'm writing again, although I haven't done so today. It's freezing in my office, and it's hard to write if you're not comfortable. I have turned up the heat....
Tuesday, January 7, 2014
The flu
I've had the flu since 12/26/13. I'm FINALLY at the end of the tunnel, I think, and can see the light. I hope.
It's a great diet plan, but wow, it's hard on every other aspect of your life. I've lost 20 pounds. I haven't written a thing.
That will probably change within the next few days, however. The kids are going back to school off of Christmas break, and other than a pesky cough and a few other minor things, the flu is about gone. Another plus is I sound like Barry White at the moment.
"Hey baby, yeah, come on over and talk to me about that..."
LOL!
Oh yeah.
I wonder what the science of losing/stressing your voice is? Do the vocal cords actually become looser and therefore deeper? Hmmmm. So many of life's little mysteries, so little time.
It's a great diet plan, but wow, it's hard on every other aspect of your life. I've lost 20 pounds. I haven't written a thing.
That will probably change within the next few days, however. The kids are going back to school off of Christmas break, and other than a pesky cough and a few other minor things, the flu is about gone. Another plus is I sound like Barry White at the moment.
"Hey baby, yeah, come on over and talk to me about that..."
LOL!
Oh yeah.
I wonder what the science of losing/stressing your voice is? Do the vocal cords actually become looser and therefore deeper? Hmmmm. So many of life's little mysteries, so little time.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)