Wrote the final chapter of "Game Faces" today, completing the first draft. Of course, there's still a lot of work to be done on it, as previously mentioned: adding sensory details, verifying consistency of facts, fleshing out characters, adding more description to action sequences. My piecemeal approach to writing generally requires this additional checking/expanding step. I'll be in the middle of, say, Chapter 10, and realize that I need to go back and set up something or explain something much earlier so that it doesn't bog down the part in Chapter 10. It's all part of my process. There may even be an element of not wanting the story to actually end yet once I've written that final line. I go back and re-read and tweak and augment because I want to stay in that world.
"The Changeling Kill" is days away from publication. I will, of course, need to get into publicizing it, mainly through my various web outlets.
And there's the book fair in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, in June. It's not far from where I live, and it will be a chance to sell books. I'll have paperback copies of "The Dreamer Gambit" but I'll take along promotional materials for "Two Faces, Two Faced" and "The Changeling Kill." This will be a new experience for me, sitting on the other side of one of those tables trying to sell something. At this point, I'm not sure if it's nerve wracking or exciting.
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
One Step Closer
Received the final cover art for "The Changeling Kill" today, and it looks fantastic with the lettering on it. Come May 1st, I'll update this page so it is there with the other two novels. And then I'll update Goodreads, Authors Den, my Google page, and Facebook. Whew!
Making progress on "Game Faces," as well. I've sketched out ideas for the wrap-up chapter, although there's one big confrontation scene I'm still tinkering with in my head. I've also gone back to earlier chapters to tweak things, scatter around important information so I don't have to do it all at the very end, and added sensory-type imagery. More of that to come. I believe I'll also have to read through it while making notes to be sure there are no anachronisms, i.e., stuff being said before it happens. Those crop up easily during these backtracking sessions.
And, oh dear, I'll have to start thinking about another cover! Once again, I have an image already in mind, but figuring out how to execute it is a whole different thing. Should I try drawing it myself? Haven't done much drawing in many years although I used to come up with some fairly decent renderings. Maybe have an artist do it? I know someone who knows someone who might be able to do it. Ah well, there's certainly time. Having a completed first draft is a long, long way to having something ready to publish.
Making progress on "Game Faces," as well. I've sketched out ideas for the wrap-up chapter, although there's one big confrontation scene I'm still tinkering with in my head. I've also gone back to earlier chapters to tweak things, scatter around important information so I don't have to do it all at the very end, and added sensory-type imagery. More of that to come. I believe I'll also have to read through it while making notes to be sure there are no anachronisms, i.e., stuff being said before it happens. Those crop up easily during these backtracking sessions.
And, oh dear, I'll have to start thinking about another cover! Once again, I have an image already in mind, but figuring out how to execute it is a whole different thing. Should I try drawing it myself? Haven't done much drawing in many years although I used to come up with some fairly decent renderings. Maybe have an artist do it? I know someone who knows someone who might be able to do it. Ah well, there's certainly time. Having a completed first draft is a long, long way to having something ready to publish.
Saturday, April 21, 2012
Put It To Bed
"The Changeling Kill" corrections, etc., were sent off to Write Words this morning, so now it's back to work on "Game Faces," to my relief. As much as I like writing novels, and to some degree reading them, it does get a little tiresome going over and over the same thing in a relatively short period of time.
In "Game Faces," I went back today and lengthened a couple of scenes. In one case, a new character needed better definition. In the other, Alex needed to get up to speed on Tracy's current jam sooner rather than later. While I did not have her hash over it in detail, merely put in a paragraph of her telling that she told him, later scenes make more sense now. I know there will be another scene inserted as well, which will provide the setup for the conclusion. Since the big action sequence is over, I also have to write the wrap up. Part of the purpose for all the additional scenes is to have some of the reasons and explanations already covered so that no new material gets introduced at the end. (So Sherlock Holmes, holding out until after it's all over to produce key bits of evidence!)
Once I have a complete first draft, inserted scenes and additional see-feel-hear-touch details, then I'll probably let it rest a bit. I'll also have to start thinking about cover art.
And on to the next project, but what will it be? I have some vague ideas for third installments of both "Dreamer" and "Faces" series, but they are so ill-defined, they don't even warrant being called "plots." I'm giving real thought to going back to one of my earlier manuscripts, the one with supernatural-psychic-new age themes. It will require some rewriting, mainly to introduce conflict much earlier in the story. There are also a number of other older novels which could benefit from rewrites to varying degrees, one of them never even got finished before. So hard to decide . . .
In "Game Faces," I went back today and lengthened a couple of scenes. In one case, a new character needed better definition. In the other, Alex needed to get up to speed on Tracy's current jam sooner rather than later. While I did not have her hash over it in detail, merely put in a paragraph of her telling that she told him, later scenes make more sense now. I know there will be another scene inserted as well, which will provide the setup for the conclusion. Since the big action sequence is over, I also have to write the wrap up. Part of the purpose for all the additional scenes is to have some of the reasons and explanations already covered so that no new material gets introduced at the end. (So Sherlock Holmes, holding out until after it's all over to produce key bits of evidence!)
Once I have a complete first draft, inserted scenes and additional see-feel-hear-touch details, then I'll probably let it rest a bit. I'll also have to start thinking about cover art.
And on to the next project, but what will it be? I have some vague ideas for third installments of both "Dreamer" and "Faces" series, but they are so ill-defined, they don't even warrant being called "plots." I'm giving real thought to going back to one of my earlier manuscripts, the one with supernatural-psychic-new age themes. It will require some rewriting, mainly to introduce conflict much earlier in the story. There are also a number of other older novels which could benefit from rewrites to varying degrees, one of them never even got finished before. So hard to decide . . .
Friday, April 20, 2012
Quite a Day
Lots of writing progress on "Game Faces": up to page 292 and done with the major climactic scene. Now it's time to do the wrap up. Of course, this is only a first draft. I already have some notes about things to add, augment, check and/or change. This is what my publisher, Arline Chase, has referred to as layering. Get the whole story down first and then go back and add elements to set the scene, bring the reader into it, add sensory details--sounds, smells. For "Game Faces," I need to make sure these additional elements take my reader to Florida.
One of the tricky parts of the first person POV is giving her the information needed to draw conclusions and form hypotheses when she isn't finding that information first hand. Tracy needs to get information from the police detective working the case in a way that seems rational and feasible. It's not terribly realistic for him to offer up his discoveries to her without being asked. My heroine is not an investigator herself, and she has no position of power. It's a two-edged sword. It presents an obstacle to extricating herself from trouble and puts her in a sort of everywoman position, but as previously noted, it also requires special handling to keep it all plausible.
"The Changeling Kill" is ready, I think, to send to my editor with a list of corrections along with a bio, a cover, and blurb. I'll probably do that later today. Here's a peek at the cover art, minus the lettering which Shelley at Write Words handles:
One of the tricky parts of the first person POV is giving her the information needed to draw conclusions and form hypotheses when she isn't finding that information first hand. Tracy needs to get information from the police detective working the case in a way that seems rational and feasible. It's not terribly realistic for him to offer up his discoveries to her without being asked. My heroine is not an investigator herself, and she has no position of power. It's a two-edged sword. It presents an obstacle to extricating herself from trouble and puts her in a sort of everywoman position, but as previously noted, it also requires special handling to keep it all plausible.
"The Changeling Kill" is ready, I think, to send to my editor with a list of corrections along with a bio, a cover, and blurb. I'll probably do that later today. Here's a peek at the cover art, minus the lettering which Shelley at Write Words handles:
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Scattered Progress
More added to "Game Faces" yesterday, bringing page total up to 275. Not nearly the progress I've made under more favorable working conditions. Problem is, I feel like the story is concluding too quickly. Of course, once I get through a first draft, I'll be going back over it to be sure I've provided enough information at various stages to make the Big Scene make sense and be sure Tracy has all the clues she needs to put things together when she needs them.
The most recent segment is proving somewhat troublesome. While she's been through a lot to this point, Tracy's a tough lady. But how tough can she be in the current circumstances and still be believable? She's not meant to be a superhero, but if she isn't at least a bit more capable than ordinary people, she won't be as interesting and her getting into these adventures won't seem plausible. It's a fine line to tread.
On a side note, I received the "Love Is Murder" newsletter yesterday, and it mentioned a book fair in nearby Glen Ellyn, Illinois, coming in June. While I did not find any info on the Glen Ellyn site about securing "a place in the tent," I'll keep watch. I have paperback editions of "The Dreamer Gambit" I can sell, and I can make chapbooks for "Two Faces, Two Faced" and "The Changeling Kill." If I can get this set up, it will be a new experience, to be on the other side of the sales table at a fair!
The most recent segment is proving somewhat troublesome. While she's been through a lot to this point, Tracy's a tough lady. But how tough can she be in the current circumstances and still be believable? She's not meant to be a superhero, but if she isn't at least a bit more capable than ordinary people, she won't be as interesting and her getting into these adventures won't seem plausible. It's a fine line to tread.
On a side note, I received the "Love Is Murder" newsletter yesterday, and it mentioned a book fair in nearby Glen Ellyn, Illinois, coming in June. While I did not find any info on the Glen Ellyn site about securing "a place in the tent," I'll keep watch. I have paperback editions of "The Dreamer Gambit" I can sell, and I can make chapbooks for "Two Faces, Two Faced" and "The Changeling Kill." If I can get this set up, it will be a new experience, to be on the other side of the sales table at a fair!
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Good Writing Day
In a burst of inspiration (and perhaps a touch of compulsion), I added some pages to "Game Faces" yesterday, bringing the total up to 269. First phase of the action sequence is done, but Tracy has a ways to go before she's out of her situation.
I've made two full readings of "The Changeling Kill" and found quite a few corrections. As many times as I went over it prior to sending to Write Words, I am amazed at how many things I'm finding that I simply missed. Examples: class instead of glass, Eight-seven instead of Eighty-seven. This is stuff that is clearly wrong when reading but that Microsoft Word's spelling and grammar check option will not catch.
Not sure if I'm up for a third go at it. While I may have missed some corrections in the first two passes, I worry that I will not be as diligent on a third because, frankly, I'm a little tired of the story for now. Should I stop at two readings and go with what I have? Proofreading is hard work.
I've made two full readings of "The Changeling Kill" and found quite a few corrections. As many times as I went over it prior to sending to Write Words, I am amazed at how many things I'm finding that I simply missed. Examples: class instead of glass, Eight-seven instead of Eighty-seven. This is stuff that is clearly wrong when reading but that Microsoft Word's spelling and grammar check option will not catch.
Not sure if I'm up for a third go at it. While I may have missed some corrections in the first two passes, I worry that I will not be as diligent on a third because, frankly, I'm a little tired of the story for now. Should I stop at two readings and go with what I have? Proofreading is hard work.
Sunday, April 15, 2012
Updates
Taxes are done! Whew!
Just received check for first quarter book sales. Guess I'm not going to be quitting my day job just yet. (Sigh)
Part way through my second proofreading of "The Changeling Kill." As usually happens, I'm tired of reading my own book for the umpteenth time, but I keep finding things and I know I have to proceed carefully to find all the issues.
I am giving consideration to entering a contest which my publisher posted for the best new Kindle books of the year. "Two Faces, Two Faced" meets the publishing date requirements. My last hurdle is signing up for PayPal which will be used for the entry fee. I am always somewhat suspicious of providing account information to places, but I guess I need to get hip with the times.
Eager to get back to writing "Game Faces." I have managed to do a little bit on it in the last few days, but no dramatic progress. As always, I continue "writing" scenes for it in my head.
Just received check for first quarter book sales. Guess I'm not going to be quitting my day job just yet. (Sigh)
Part way through my second proofreading of "The Changeling Kill." As usually happens, I'm tired of reading my own book for the umpteenth time, but I keep finding things and I know I have to proceed carefully to find all the issues.
I am giving consideration to entering a contest which my publisher posted for the best new Kindle books of the year. "Two Faces, Two Faced" meets the publishing date requirements. My last hurdle is signing up for PayPal which will be used for the entry fee. I am always somewhat suspicious of providing account information to places, but I guess I need to get hip with the times.
Eager to get back to writing "Game Faces." I have managed to do a little bit on it in the last few days, but no dramatic progress. As always, I continue "writing" scenes for it in my head.
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