Got some good work done this week. Not much time for any of my usual internet hopping, though. So this entry will probably be brief.
I finished the new Angelic Agents story. I really enjoy these, maybe because I'm a pastor's kid and angels have always fascinated me. I sent it to my sister who tends to do a lot of informal first reading for me. She reads a lot of the same stuff I do, and she gives good feedback.
I've been working steadily on Aeris. It is tough work, though. Not because I'm uninspired or don't know what to write, but because my work at this point is half editing, half writing. I'm making a lot of changes in Zyander's story line, which affects him and in turn Nikka, whose story is intimately entwined with his in this second book in the series. I basically have to write a chapter, read two chapters, make some changes, and write another chapter. It's slow work and takes a lot of brainpower that I just don't seem to have. (New Baby, anyone?)
I'm also worried because, series are HARD! Especially this series, which gets more and more complicated as you move through it. Not in the drama sense (I really hate that, like where the drama between the actual characters is the only action in the story. Argh.), but in the sense that I have 3 MCs, all with their own complicated story lines, and 5 tribes, each with a problem of its own, and now, I have at least 3 outside forces I have to deal with to end the series.
For the first time, I'm starting to wonder if I've bitten off more than I can chew. Can I just say it again? Series are HARD. You have to worry about character growth, keeping the overarching story line interesting, keeping each individual story for the book interesting. You have to think about how each thing that happens in the book you're currently in affects what happens in every book after. "If I add in this element to make this book interesting, how will it affect the next book. How will my characters deal with it? Am I writing myself into a corner?"
It makes my brain hurt. I'm starting to understand why people want editors. These people are professionals whose job it is to pick apart a story and point out all the inconsistencies and continuity errors.
I can't believe how close this book is to being finished. FINALLY! :)
Off to work. Happy Reading, all!
PS- As a celebration of Read and Ebook week over at Smashwords, Compis is now half off. The coupon REW50 is supposed to work until the 10th of March. Link to my book HERE
9 comments:
Sounds like you're doing great! I hear you on the half-editing, half-writing being tough. I'm on the second major go round of my current novel and it's progressing way too slowly!
I'm taking your words to heart, Kate. This latest book of mine has options for a sequel(s), but I'm a bit leery. You aren't the only one to voice these thoughts. Hmmm.
As for energy - I've been fairly good in that department (I have no new baby), but I'm still hoping that spring will breathe fresh life into my inner-drive. I tend toward hibernation mode during winter...and this winter has been mild. I have more energy, ambition, and an eager outlook when it's warm and the sun is shining. Please...Hurry!! :}
I hear you on the series being hard thing- I'm ready to pull out my hair just thinking about gettingback to the third and final book in my series. I'm about ready to swear off doing series forever. But then, i just have ot have faith that it will all come together somehow. My characters will never give me any peace if it doesn't, let alone the readers!
I'm not a writer, I just love to read and I fell in love with Compis from the get go. Just wondering how many books we'll see in the series, also please keep up the great writing!
Hi Kate, it really sounds like the series aspect is driving you crazy. Here's to hoping that you find a way to keep it all straight and yourself sane in the process.
Great job on working your goals!
Peace,
Morgan
@Deniz: Way too slowly, that's always my complaint with editing. I love it, but it takes FOREVER!
@Nadja: BE LEERY! Or get yourself a program like Scrivener, where you can write down everything you need to keep track of. That is going to be my assignment for myself when Aeris is done. I'm also much more motivated in spring and summer. But it's hard to tear myself away from my garden. lol
@Vicki: I feel your pain, but I think you've done a great job with continuity. I haven't noticed anything, anyway. :)
@loquaciousreads: Great question! And thank you for the nice words. It feels good when my book finds its intended audience. I will answer your question about the series in the next blog entry.
@Morgan: Thanks! I'll try. :)
I am itching to get my hands on the rest of Aeris, but I'll be patient :) And ditto. Series are hard! I already have book 3 in my head and until I write it, I have NO IDEA how I'm going to continue on w/ the story for more books.
Oh! I'm so ready to get my garden going too. And plant my flowers...and be able to sit outside under my canopy...without shivering. Bliss, I tell you!! Bliss!! haha
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