Hello Space Cadets, I’m sorry for the delay in posting lately. I AM still alive; my alien overlords haven’t called me back yet. I took a few days off for Thanksgiving, and then had to play a crazy game of catch up to finish the NaNoWriMo event. It has been insane! Long days, longer nights and loads of coffee.
Okay, as for the NaNo… let me give you a recap. I finished the rewrites for book two, Fortress Beta City. It’s now with my copy editor for the last pre-publication pass. This was a lot of work, hours of conference calls giggling over pizza, but it is done. It is, hands down, the favorite book I’ve written. My former editor, and boss, was so close to the story that together we missed some ways it could’ve been better. I imagine that many authors who let outsiders play in their sandbox experience these issues. I think book one, The Legion Awakes is good, but I’m even happier with book two. And let’s face it, there is also the element of my improving skill at storytelling.
In addition to Thanksgiving, I had my 35th birthday just after Thanksgiving and it was wonderful. My wife is very supportive of my work, so she bought me a fancy dancy ergonomic desk chair. Stand back boys and girls, she’s mine and I’m keeping her!! My birthday present to myself was finishing book two, Fortress Beta City. Like I said earlier, the final structural/content editing pass is done, and I don’t tend to worry about the copy editing!! Hey, I’m just not too overly attached to the commas and whatnot. Now we wait for the final formatting before it’s off to the presses!!!!! Okay, maybe beta readers too…. but IT IS DONE!!!!
Now that I’ve mentioned the editing, I need to pretend my momma taught me some manners. I’m not an ungrateful frakker, so thank you Corey Truax!! You do good work, glad we hired you!! Tim C Taylor will love the finished product!!
Sorry literary world, he can’t be your editor…. HE’S ALL MINE!!!!! MWAHAHAHAHA!!!!
Continuing on my NaNo writing journey, I also pushed past book two and wrote over 36,000 words into book three, Operation Breakout. I’m loving this book too, it’s full of action and has improved upon the mistakes I made in earlier novels. I feel like Operation Breakout is the fulfillment of the promise of high action that was made in Fortress Beta City, and as a writer I always want to honor the implicit promises I make.
Growing, always growing (and not just my belly) towards being a better novelist. That’s what I hope I’m doing anyway. Hopefully readers will agree; I’m sure I’ll find out soon. I’ve not done it alone, I’ve had great mentors and support. I won’t list those mentors today, but I will write a post about who they are since they are so very supportive of new writers. They host podcasts, webpages and Facebook groups that are very supportive environments. Another noob would be welcome, the Fire Marshal just extended our digital capacity! Again, more to come!!
Until next time, stay frosty and don’t forget to keep your powder dry!
JR
–> As usual, all images came from the Google’s “labeled for reuse” section or are personally owned by the author of the Human Legion Universe.
Well done and congrats! Hope the good habits stick and you keep kicking those goals!
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Thanks!! For me, the words weren’t the problem. It was finding the balance of the writing, the business/social media side and time with family. Also, I want to add in time to exercise for a healthier me. If I want to make a go of writing more, I need to find the right balance. Not there yet, but maybe some day.
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Keep juggling, you’ll get there!
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Thanks!!
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Grays on the months word count! Awesome challenge
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Thanks!! 🙂
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Wow! Gratz on all that writing and re-writing. 🙂
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Wow! I’m super proud of all that accomplishment you’re knocking out! I can tell you’re just beaming with happiness! You’ve inspired me to kick it up in 2017 with my own story writing! thank you so much!
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You’re welcome and I look forward to reading it!!
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Happy birthday late! and Congrats on the word count!
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Thanks!!
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Congrats and happy belated birthday! You really picked NaNo up at the end. 😉
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Thank you!!! Yeah, once I get the ball rolling down hill it picks up speed. Plus, after we finished book two stuff I know the final words I added to it, so got one really good day out of those words.
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Congrats on winning NaNoWriMo AND Happy belated birthday!
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Thanks!!!!
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I am definitely bookmarking this website and sharing it with my acquaintances. You will be getting plenty of visitors to your website from me!
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Thank you! Hope you continue to enjoy it.
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I really like your writing style, superb information, thanks for putting up : D.
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