Update

It was brought to my attention recently that I haven't posted for a few months.  All I can do is apologise.  If it would help, I could provide a rather feeble excuse combined with some outlandish story about the dog eating my laptop, or something, but somehow I don't think you would believe me.

So, what has really been happening?  I've been writing!

Last summer the drama group that I belong to performed some medieval plays at a couple of medieval festivals.  Being on the inside looking out was an interesting experience.  The surrealest part was when I was wandering around the castle grounds and catching people taking photo's out of the corner of your eye.  The immediate reaction is to think you need to get out of their way so you don't spoil the photo, and then you realise that you are the photo!

The performances were of a good enough level, that we have been invited back to the England Medieval Festival to perform again.  Realising that we need some new material, I have managed to write a short medieval play based on a legend called The Lambton Worm.  Rehearsals start next week. 
It's quite a rush thinking that people are going to be watching, and reacting to my work.

We've also started production meetings for the Pantomime Cinderella that I've written for this years main production.  The publicity has already started, and I was jumping up and down when I saw that the drama website is already naming me as the author :o)

At the risk of getting boring, there's more to tell you...  

I've been writing the new book, Ghost School, and I'm about half way through the first draft.  It's been slow going, but I'm pleased with how it's going.
I've also finally produced a list of agents for me to start sending Odd Squad to.  Hopefully next week I'll get the first batch sent.

What have you guys been up to?

Late to the Party

I’m a bit late to the party with this years NanoReviMo. 

For those of you who aren’t aware, last year, a bunch of us decided that we weren’t in a position to do the NanoWriMo, as we were knee deep in revisions.   This prompted Peggy to spearhead the Revision month as an alternative.

To have everyone giving inspiring updates, and posting the last lines that they edited, it spurred me (and hopefully the rest of the group) on to work harder than I probably would have at the time.

This year, Jessie has volunteered to put her head above the parapet and lead us all in our revision quests.  At the start of the month, I was already testing the water with querying my MS, and had started the first draft of a new project, and decided to be a fly on the wall and be inspired by everyone else.

This morning, I re-read the first page of Odd Squad, the MS I’ve been sending out. And didn’t feel draw into the story.  It felt like it was a series of statements than a story.

So... I’m throwing myself into the revisions group as a participant after all.  My goal is to make the story flow more smoothly before the end of the month.

Surprise progress

I've felt for the last six to nine months that I've struggled with my writing.  That the mucked up routine, and general 'ups and down' that life threw at me, slowed me down.

Last night, I caught up with a friend whom I hadn't seen for ages.  I mentioned that I had an MS out with a handful of Lit Agencies, and she asked if it was a couple of chapters, or a whole book.  I explained that the book had been through 8 revision/edits, and was as polished as I could get it.

I then remembered that so far this year I've written a pantomime (including two revisions), a radio play, and I'm a quarter of the way through the first draft of my new book.

It turns out that I'm doing a lot better than I originally thought.

How are you guys doing with your projects?

A change of perspective

I've always struggled with articles I've read where a successful author is being interviewed and they've been asked the question:
What is more important, Character or plot?
They always answer: Character. (With a mention that plot is also important,)

What???
How could they not see that without a plot, then nothing happens? 
If character was more important, then why can't I get it? 
And, if I can't get it, then am I destined to be a wannabe author, never managing to produce anything of a publishable quality?  (That's the insecure writer coming out there.  I have managed to put in the emotional arc into the books, but it's always been added after the story has been written - but the doubts still remain, have I done it well enough?)

When I say always struggled, what I actually meant, was until this week.  I finally settled on the notion that I should write something new.  I dug out my copy of Save the Cat, and started to map out the beats for a vague idea that keeps rising to the surface on odd occasions.

I know it's a bit cliched, but I have to say, it's like someone has turned on a light and now I can see exactly what they mean.  In filling out the beats, it draws out the characters emotional journey that they embark on as well as the physical journey.

It looks like I'm finally getting closer to catching up with the rest of you guys.

Where next?

So far, I've not received any rejections from the agencies.  I'm viewing this as a positive thing, and hoping I've managed to pass the first hurdle and had my work added to the "To be read" pile.  The thought that it's still sitting in the "Not yet looked at in the first place" pile hasn't even entered my head.  No, really!

Now that I've (finally) been brave enough to send Odd Squad out into the the world, it's left me with the dilemma of where to go next.  At the moment, there are 4 options crying out to me:

1) Carry on with the sequel.  The next two books are already outlined, and I have already written about a third of the first draft of Odd Squad 2.  The problem I have, is that the doubts are creeping in on whether the first book is strong enough.  What if I never get a deal for the first one?  Am I going down a road where the results are never going to see the light of day?

2) Write something new.  There are several ideas for different stories queued up waiting for me to breathe life into them and be captured on paper (or, at least on the screen of my laptop).  I'm thinking of using the Save The Cat framework to map one of them out and see how it develops.  The problem is knowing which one is going to have the strongest plot lines.

3) Go and try and fix Ghost School.  I know that Ghost School has an original and strong story, but I also know that there are some big problems with it.  Should re-visit it?  Wade through the issues using the things that I've learnt while writing Odd Squad and try and make it a viable project?  Some of the areas that need attention, I now know that I have the tools to be able to address their short comings.  But others..?  I get the feeling that maybe I'm not quite there yet.

4)  Go back to bed.  Ok, so this isn't really an option.  Then again, if enough people suggest it then I may give it a try ;o)

What do you guys do when you reach the end of a project?

Taking the plunge

After a month of putting off the inevitable, kidding myself that one more edit was needed, I finally sent my MS, Odd Squad, off to three agencies.
This was one of the oddest experiences I've had in a long time.  In the past I've never had had a problem submitting my work, but that was because I had absolute faith in myself, and massive gaps in my knowledge of what turns a good story into a page turner.
This time, I have invested a great deal of extra time and effort into making it the best I can.  I've applied everything I've learnt, and polished it until it shines. 
In putting the extra effort into my MS, it's made me aware of how far I still have to go in improving my craft, and the doubts have started to creep in on whether my best is good enough to get me onto the first rung of the ladder.  I guess that only time will tell.
The new challenge for me, is to let this one go (for now) and start on the next project.  Do I continue with the sequel to Odd Squad, re-pick up Ghost School, now I've learnt to fix the issues I had with it, or start on one of the half a dozen other ideas that are knocking on the door?
I'll let you know what I choose next week.
Now that I've finished rambling, what about you guys?  Where are you with your current projects?

Cover Reveal: Strength by Carrie Butler

I'm sure you all know Carrie Butler and her amazing blog So You're A Writer.  But, if you don't, you should really pop over and check her blog out.

Today I'm excited to be able to play a small part in helping with her cover reveal of her awesome debut novel: Strength which is released on the 7th March 2013.  (I know it's awesome, because I was lucky to be one of her Crit Partners.)

Well, enough of me rambling on, here's all of the important details, including the all important cover (which I saved 'til last) :o)

Title: Strength

Series: Mark of Nexus – Book 1

Publisher: Sapphire Star Publishing   
Category: New Adult (NA)
Genre: Paranormal Romance (PNR)
Release Date: March 07, 2013

When college student Rena Collins finds herself nose-to-chest with the campus outcast, her rumor-laced notions are shattered. Handsome, considerate, and seemingly sane, Wallace Blake doesn’t look like he spends his nights alone, screaming and banging on the walls of his dorm room. Hell, he doesn’t look like he spends his nights alone, period.

Too curious for her own good, Rena vows to uncover the truth behind Wallace’s madman reputation—and how two seconds of contact had left her with bruises. Of course, there are a few minor setbacks along the way: guilt, admiration, feelings of the warm and fuzzy variety…

Not to mention the unwanted attention of Wallace's powerful, supernaturally-gifted family.

They’re a bloodline divided by opposing ideals, two soon-to-be warring factions that live in secret among us. When Rena ends up caught in their crossfire, Wallace has no choice but to save her by using his powers. Now they’re really in trouble. With war on the horizon and Rena’s life in the balance, he needs to put some distance between them. But Rena won’t let go. If fighting is what it takes to prove her own strength and keep Wallace in her life, then that’s what she’ll do—even if it means risking a whole lot more than her heart.

Where to find Carrie:

WEBSITE  |  BLOG  |  SSP  |  TWITTER  |  FACEBOOK  |  GOODREADS  |  GOOGLE+ 

Where to find Strength:

BOOK PAGE  |  GOODREADS  |  FACEBOOK (New!)