Exactly a month.

Hey beauties!

So it’s been exactly a month since my recent post and the publication of Origin, and let me just tell you that it’s all fun and games here on out.
I’ve been relishing and enjoying all the feedback i’ve been getting from the readers that have finished Origin and i’m so happy that they enjoy my world and characters just as much as i enjoyed creating them.

Yes, i did have a little bit of a back track when i first published because of some errors i didn’t revise in the manuscript before i published, but i’ve definitely learned my lesson and earned some patience from that experience. I’m just ho
ping that nobody who purchased one of those first editions judges it by those mistakes.

It’s definitely been a learning curve going through the self publishing route, having to take on all the slippery slopes alone, but i wouldn’t change the choice i made now.
I agree with many people that Origin deserves so many more people to read it then who actually have right now, but it’s time will come, and when it does, i’m expecting it to be splendid.

As with the progress of The Mortal King #2, lets just say that it’s getting there. 

I speed wrote through the first couple of chapters, but now we’re at a stand still because of all the planning that needs to be done. This series is rather complex if you haven’t already figured it out, but i am writing as fast as i can.

 

Whilst i am writing i won’t be creating these blog posts as much as i did the first time around. Obviously if i come to different obstacles within the course then it will come straight onto here and i will let you all know what’s going on, but i do think the recording i did for Origin was enough to let people know about the self publishing route and the struggles i faced.

Even though i’ve definitely got a more detailed blog post coming with all the steps of the self publishing journey being put onto one page, that way i’ll be able to link people a lot quicker without them having to read through the whole website to find the information that they need.

I know that everybodys journey is different, but i do believe this might benefit at least 1 individual when they’re struggling in their time of writing need.

I will be lingering on this blog though that is a fact, and for people following the progress of the series i will be uploading a sort of monthly newsletter on here to update you all on what is going on and how we’re doing. 

I just want to finish this off my saying, and i know i say things like this a lot, but if you’re writing and your main aim in life is so become an author, or even just a successful writer, then just keeping writing. There is no need to doubt yourself or compare yourself to other authors out there. No you may not be the next J. K Rowling, but you will be the next YOU!

The how to of book writing.

Now i hope that this isn’t going to come off as me seeming like a know it all, but i just want to give new starting writers the best singular advice that i’ve worked out through my ever growing writing experience, and that is trust your gut! There’re so many questions when you first start writing your novel, anything from how do i know when to end a chapter? How do i know when to do this with a character? How do i know when it’ll be the right time to add this part in? When and how do i write the perfect ending for my book?

That is just a small section to the never ending drain of questions that seem to wrack a writers brain, so lets start from the beginning.

Making the perfect chapter

Now chapters, as you would know from being a reader, are never all the same. They don’t have to be equal in length to the other chapter you just finished, they can be as long or as short as you want, there is never anything perfect about them.
Chapters are always something people get confused about and i did at the start. But if you start comparing different books together then you’ll start to realise that all authors have their own perfected way of getting their writing to look the way it should. This could take you many manuscript drafts before you are finally happy with the way it turned out, and it could also completely change when you start writing your second, third, fourth book, but that doesn’t mean that it isn’t right.
There is NOTHING right or wrong about writing!
The one thing about writing that i’m not sure if everybody feels the same, is that you will feel it in your gut when it is right. When you’ve come to a good point in that chapter to stop and start the next one. You won’t have to sit there debating it. You’ll just know. And when you do, all satisfaction is washed over you!

 

Knowing when you add the perfect parts

This section could also come under planning which i’m going to write a blog post on later in more detail. But adding the perfect section into your book, whether that be a fight scene, death, a budding romance, new friendship, the first kiss, it does contain a lot of drama in that compacted mind of ours. But writing with the flow everyday will help you more than you think, because when you’re set in the mindset of your book and every bit of focus in on those words you’re writing down and on the world you’re creating, the confusion will just settle itself.
You could easily get to the end of a sentence and think, “hmm, this part would fit perfectly here, let me just change a few things around so it makes more sense” and wolah…you’ve got that confusing section in. But does this mean that you should be planning things out?

 

Planning

I don’t think there is a right or wrong way you could be doing this, it’s just preference. A lot of authors don’t plan which in the right mind is fair enough for them, but there are also a lot of people that do. I myself am one of those.
I don’t go into huge details with whiteboards, markers, big scrap books full of illustrations and pictures, but i do carry around with me a designated notebook. (I’ve got one for each of my novels individually).
This way if things come to mind, plot line, character building etc, i can just quickly jot it down and be done with it until i come to sit down and start working, then everything is there waiting for me.
There doesn’t have to be any specific way around doing this, some people think there is, but it’s all about preference just like a lot of things, just do what you feel is right for you.

 

The Ending

The ending is where we’re going to be hitting dangerous territory, but this is also a none confusing case and can be helped with that little gut feeling of yours.
Even if you’re following a word or page count, you’ll know when it’s time to bring your book to an end, whether it’s a standalone or a series. You’ll just write this sentence and think “hey…i like that!” and then you’ll come to the realisation that you’re actually done, which is a whole nother blog post in itself!
The only most important thing you have to remember if this is going to be a standalone, is to make sure that you’ve tied up all those loose end. Not many people like to be left on cliffhangers if they can help it.
The ending doesn’t have to be complicated and a lot of people even start writing their novel by writing the ending first.
You’ll know what’s right and what needs to be done.

I guess the main thing i’m trying to get out here is that the whole process of book writing is to trust what you’re thinking. If you feel like it’s right then it’s more than likely going to be right.
You have full control how things are going to look and how’re they’re going to end up, if you’re not happy with it then it’s not impossible to change.
It’s time to stop second guessing yourself and just write to your hearts content, because that’s what we are right?
Writers.

Book Reviews

I’ve made a small little decision for this blog site as of right now because i’m wanting to keep it as active as possible, so, a long with my diary entries and keeping people informed with my writing journey, i’ve decided i’m also going to be entering in some book reviews as and when i read said books. That way you’ll be able to see what i’ve been reading and what it’s been doing to help me work out my own writing.

Both the writing journey and the book reviews are going to be moved into their own categories on here so you’ll be able to find whichever your preference is with ease.

Categories

• Writing – All about writing
• Books – Book Reviews

 

This is only because my writing world is going to be going a little quiet right now because the manuscript has been sent off to possible agents and i’m going to be waiting replies, but that doesn’t mean that i’m not going to be keeping everyone informed with what’s going on.
I’m going to be including on this blog the list of agents i’ve sent to that works with fantasy books for anyones future reference, and there is also going to be the feedback i get from them, but who knows, maybe i’ll even include a little sneaky peak from the manuscript itself.
While i’m waiting i’m also going to be continuing work on the second manuscript so updates from that is also going to be included plus any helpful information and tips for the writing world that i may be able to think of to help our future writers.

LET THE ADVENTURES BEGIN!

Re-working the first chapter

Monday 15th August

The first chapter has finally been re-written and i’m a lot happier with this draft then i was with the first one. At least now i can get people sucked straight into the world instead of hovering in a somewhat contemporary world for more pages then was necessary.
This was the last piece of editing that needed to be done, so once i’ve gotten my proof readers to gouge their brains into this then hopefully it’s going to be time to rocket up and really get things on the roll.

I’ve got my query letter and book summary draft to near enough perfection for myself and i don’t think i could really be more happier with them. Even i took the advice of drafting them both and then leaving them for a month or so before reading them again, hoping that this was going to get my brain to function in a much more formal matter then creative, hopefully it did the trick.

So, i’m on the final long stretch before the manuscript is send out to my long list of literary agents that i’ve spent a long time compiling.
Exciting times are a head and i can’t wait to get some possible feedback on my writing in the near future.
Wish me luck!

Queries and Agents

Tuesday 21st June 2016

I took myself out on a bit of a limb yesterday. I’ve been constructing my query letter for a while to get it just right before i start work on the cover/synopsis letter. So, when i finished it yesterday on my work break, i thought hell, why not just send this off. 
I’d find this Junior Agent a little while ago that seemed hugely optimistic about anything fantasy and she only requested the query letter and a few pages of the manuscript, of course i had both of these, so off they went…

Now my nerves are on edge even more, and i know it’s highly unlikely that i’m going to get a response because of my lack of preparation, but I’m still excited to see if anything happens. The first time sending any of my work to agents, it feels all too real!

Doubting

Sunday 19th June 2016

So, as I’m sitting here with a day of being alone where i’m meant to be working on covering and query letter, I’m just full of doubt.
I’ve sent the full manuscripts to a few people who are going to be my proof readers and now I’m hideously nervous that my book is going to be a load of crud!
I’m now sat here thinking have i just totally humiliated myself in front of a bunch of people, because even though it sounds great to me with all my self doubt, it could actually be a bunch of donkeys ass.

I guess I’m just going to hang around for a bit longer and actually see what the reviews come back like and go from there. Maybe i’ll just start writing the second one and keep positive  like i should be.

I’ll be back to update when i know.

Staying a reader whilst becoming a writer…!

Friday 17th June 2016

As you’ll know if you’re a writer, it’s extremely important and necessary to keep reading just as much as you’re writing.
When i was working on my first novel a couple of years ago i focused solely on the writing aspect and didn’t bother reading, and because of that i couldn’t write. I thought from this that i wasn’t deemed to be a writer, so i went back to reading a huge amount like i had before, then what did i find out? All of a sudden i could write again, that was how i learned it was a necessary aspect of living this life, to make room for both of them in my day, and that’s what i still do now. 

I find it’s a lot more of a struggle now that i’m taking my writing  seriously. Some days i just want to sit there and keep plowing on with the scene i’m doing,  but with the night drawing closed and me having to wake up at 4am for work, i have to put the writing down and settle with my reading. This has become some what of a ritual now.
My other options are reading on my breaks at work, or if we’ve got nice weather i’ll sit outside with my partner for the day and the both of us will read to our hearts content together.
It’s extremely enjoyable and easier to do when you figure something that’s right for you, just make sure you keep doing both. Besides, who doesn’t want to be reading with all the amazing books and authors that have been publishing lately…give me some new Sarah. J Maas any day!

“If you don’t have the time to read, you don’t have the time or the tools to write.” – Stephen King

Editing takes away the fun

Wednesday 15th June 2016

Now the editing begins and it’s really drawn out my vibe. Yes reading my novel for the first time was amazing, seeing how it all came together. But going over the same thing continuously is a little repetitive and frustrating.
Trying to get the right words and right sentences structured together better then they were before is hideously frustrating but there is no way i’m giving up now (even though i do just want to go straight into writing the second one).

I’ll let you into my little editing process that i’m working on:

1. Print off the manuscript, read through like a normal novel and mark changes with a red pen.
2. Mark down major changes on a post-it note and stick on the page for you to reference back to when you start working on the computer again.
3. Have both the marked paper manuscript and your word document on your computer in front of you and make the changes page by page, (this is an extremely long but not dull process).
4. Then go through the post-it note pages and make all the huge changes that you’ve identified.
5. After i’ve done all this i print off the new self edited manuscript and hand it to someone who proof reads for more. This gives them the chance to get the most out of your book instead of editing it with you, even though you can give them the option to write any changes they’d do on the manuscript. Remember you’re not limited to how many times you change it or print, this has to be just right. 

Reading through it and making the paper changes takes me about a week depending on the manuscript length. I’ve nearly done this one and it comes up to 367 pages, then the computer fun begins.
The boost i’m getting though to work hard on the editing is the people who are excited to get into the rest of my novel. The proof readers who i’ve given the opportunity to read the first 4 chapters when i editing those first.

The thought i like to keep is if my non-reader proof readers are enjoying this then who else is going to enjoy my world.

I can’t wait to share this with people one day and to get back to writing the second instalment, my characters are calling to me…we’ve got a Kingdom to burn together!

PS: i may also start doing some posts on the books i’ve been reading and my thoughts and feelings on them. I love talking to people about books but don’t have many bookish friends, so who better to express my love to in words other than myself!

MANUSCRIPT COMPLETED!

Saturday 11th June 2016

Lets just sit and hyperventilate together! 

This is the details from microsoft word right now and i’m officially finished with this manuscript…woo hoo!
Now i’m spending the weekend editing the 20 odd chapters and seeing where this takes us. I’m so excited now it’s really done it’s unbelievable. Doesn’t feel real at all!

I think the excitement that empowers you when you finish a manuscript is completely overwhelming but also enough to completely freak out a new writer. Now i’m done i’m just thinking, “so what do i do now i’ve finished this?”
I guess we’ll soon find out.

8000 words!

Tuesday 12th April 2016

You heard it – 8000 words! That’s how many i’ve been able to tap out in just under 2 days of persistent writing. I’m determined to get this first draft done within the next months and with this rate of writing it’s put me just over the half way mark with my estimated length. 
I’m feeling positively motivated to keep writing after my recent posts i’ve done because the plot line is progressing just how i want it to.

Even though i’m not able to fit in a huge amount of reading because of the writing it’s so exciting and i couldn’t be happier the way things are working out.