Happy Friday!
I promised to be better at updating my author blog. In the spirit of that, I have decided to keep readers up to date with my progress (and give myself a kick up the bum to actually do it). On Fridays, I’ll be posting a break down of the progress of my current WIP(s), what problems I came up against and how I fixed it. I don’t mean this to be an instructive guide, but if it does help anybody that’ll be a bonus. It’s more of an exercise in accountability.
Writing Journal
Monday
Title:
The Bet
Genre:
Fantasy
Chapter: 23/27
Our cast discovers exactly how much trouble they are in, and what The Council has in mind for them…
Problems and pitfalls:
Time. Juggling family, editing business and writing is no mean feat. Last week I had quite a few time constraints such as doctor’s appointments. It would appear that my body is taking harsh revenge for all the stupid stuff I have done to it over the last 37 years.
My current method is to handwrite each chapter then use Dragon to dictate it into the document as I find that not only do I retain the shape of the story in my head, I can catch things that don’t sound quite right as I go along. My typing is really slow so I have found Dragon to be an absolute lifesaver. Writing by hand also means that I have an instant hard copy in case anything happens to the file. I do keep a backup but you can never be too careful. It also means that by the time I have it all typed up, the electronic copy is technically a second draft.
Starting Wordcount:
43837
Finishing wordcount:
44435
Tuesday
Title:
The Bet
Chapter:
24/27: The Council have underestimated Cassandra so she visits the Fae courts to spill the beans on The Council.
Problems and pitfalls:
Still writing by hand. Real life got in the way and I had to actually leave the house.
Starting Wordcount:
44435
Finishing wordcount:
I refuse to commit myself at this moment.
Wednesday
Title:
The Bet
Chapter:
Still on Chapter 24. Writing by hand
Problems and pitfalls:
Woke up with a thumping headache which lasted all day. Anything requiring concentration was a no go.
Thursday
Title:
The Bet
Chapter:
24/27
Problems and pitfalls:
Writing by hand. Still. I know it’s slow but that’s how I get into my flow. Insomnia hit me pretty badly last night and ended up with about three hours of sleep, so had to tend to some self-care first. Sleep is important. I am determined to catch up and finish this. It’s been a really bad week, health-wise, and I have also got an editing project on the go.
Wordcount:
I have no idea of word.count.
Friday
Title:
The Bet
Chapter:
24/27
Problems and pitfalls:
I think my hand might actually fall off at this point
Starting Wordcount:
Not a clue.
Finishing wordcount:
Watch this space…
Writing Plans
Next Week
- Send The Bet to Harry DeWulf for a read through and advice.
- Finish Outline for Charon Unfinished
- Finish Sci-fi short story for submission to Analog Magazine
Two Weeks
- Begin re-writes on The Bet
- Begin the hunt for beta readers and potential reviewers.
Later
25th March
- Send The Bet to my editor at Bolide Publishing for the real editing to begin!
Currently Reading
Styx and Stones | Adam Derbyshire
Kerian Denaris is a desperate man. Cursed for desertion and pursued by supernatural beings, he is obsessed with finding the answer to an impossible enigma. The cure for old age.
Taking passage on the mysterious galleon El Defensor, his travels take him across tempestuous seas, to mythical islands, ancient monasteries and a ships graveyard infested with creatures from nightmare.
Working alongside a colourful crew of misfits, Kerian must finally choose between pursuing his own selfish needs, or defending those of the people around him.
