Back with the Living

Oh my goodness, the last week was crazy! And not the fun writing kind of crazy (well, a little of that).

Life doesn't pause or stop for the Muse, let me tell ya. Wait, why would I need to tell you? You're all writers too...you know.

So, getting back on track, I'm just going to give a few updates on my writing progress/author quest. (I keep telling myself I'm Brain, but I'm starting to realize I might be closer to Pinky.)

• My new little novel is coming along great. Most of my free time here in Sickville has been outlining, researching, and plotting this new space epic. This'll be my first novel since Galileo War and I'm very excited.
• I've been collecting a lot of science stuff for my Science Update posts. I'll be restarting that this Saturday.
• I've got my revised Galileo War on Authonomy under its new title Duty and Devotion to get a big picture idea of what readers think. I plan on keeping it up at least through the end of March, maybe April if I keep getting productive feedback/comments.
• You might remember the flash I wrote several weeks ago and posted about. On a whim I submitted it to a small magazine, Foliate Oak. Yesterday I got word they accepted The Patient for their next issue. This is very exciting as I wasn't to sure about it. It's not my normal genre/type and glad it worked out.
• On a last note, I also have a couple book reviews outlined. Those should be coming out, one this week and one next.

Okay, I think that's all the catch up stuff.

Good writing all!

Moving On

Wow. It was a revelation evening for me last night. I sat working on Damarion's Voyage and watching Modern Family through the magic of DVR and realized I'd moved on from Galileo.

Galileo Wars was finished recently, as you know from a previous post. I've tucked it away and totally let go. The original concept of Galileo has been with me through everything. It was my first novel ever and I've been reworking and reworking and reworking it for almost two decades. It's matured with me. Its characters have evolved with me.

And now it's done. This is whether publishing-wise it's a bad story, okay story, or something agents/publishers will drool over.

I know I've probably posted that I've completed it...but it hit that along with that completion I've closed a chapter in my writing history. I feel released and free to take on any idea without the flittering thoughts of Galileo in the background.

Okay, internal moment over. I'm off to finish lunch and continue work on Damarion.

Good writing all!

Writing Update

The holiday overall has been a great writing time. It started a little rough when, through the natural clumsiness gene, one of my younger sons tripped and ran into my flash drive. This officially broke it and all the writing on it poofed away into the land of the lost.

After I restarted my heart, I thanked my blessings and my online writing group for kick starting my online backup habit. I easily retrieved everything but the last week's worth of work (about 2 chapters).

So today's writing update will seem like a lot more than usual, mainly because it's a little bit catch up from my recovery work.

Words Cut: 640
Words Added (above the cut amount): 5830
Chapters to Go: 4 (I merged two)
Estimated Time to Completion: 1 Week (hard goal but I'm determined to finish it during my vacation this week)

So, there ya go. Good writing all!

Quick Writing Progress

With the two short stories completed, I got back to work on Galileo. With about 1200 words cut and 350 put back in, I managed to finish two more chapters. Today my goal is to focus on two more. This should wrap up Nettie's story.

Okay, off to enter the world of Galileo.

Good writing all!

Flashbacks

I'm going to say it...I'm not a fan of the flashback. The word reminds me of cheesy thriller or mystery novels that involve stereotyped 1970-1980 detectives. Or the ex-cop facing off against the criminal who killed his wife and kid in revenge (overused plot alert).

Merriam describes a flashback as "an interruption of the chronological sequence (as of a film or literary work) of an event of earlier occurrence". This is probably why I don't like them. They are really just a mechanism for an info dump and I don't like info dumps. I want the information to flow out during the course of the story.

In my reading adventures - and I am a reader of vast material - info dumps side track you from the point and make it difficult to follow the storyline or keep engaged with the characters.

I know the pro argument for flashbacks. They provide pertinent information to the current situation, including character motivation, relationship dynamics, and conflict. My response is always, "Maybe you're starting the story at the wrong place then". Or maybe you're putting too much into the "pertinent information".

Now if there's parts of the characters "past life" (pre-novel) that is important, you can work those concepts in to the current storyline by their reaction to certain situations and dialogue. Take Under the Dome by Stephen King, since I just did the review and all. He worked the character's past life into the modern story without info dumping or flashback scenes. He did it with tasteful glimpses through thoughts and conversations in the moment.

Well, imagine my surprise when I realized that my Galileo dream sequences were actually flashbacks? Groan and curse...dang it! Then imagine my chagrin when I realized that my like of dream sequences have faded the more I learn my writing style.

Now dream sequences I've seen done really well in regards to the characters internal conflict and foreshadowing events to come. I just don't think that I am the kind of writer to do them well and all mine reference past events and relationships.

Argh!

Now I have these ugly things in my story and I have to find a way to work the core point of the content in better ways.

Time to be a dream killer...good writing all!

Root Cause

Last night was very productive. I started out trying to force progress on Sorcerer's Carnival. That didn't end so well and almost had my Muse and I not speaking to each other. So I moved back to Galileo and made great progress (cut 2200 words but ended up almost 500 ahead of starting word count in revisions).

This morning, I sat back to review why I've been having so much trouble with Sorcerer's Carnival. There are several factors playing into this story. First, this is my first serious fantasy story. Second, this genre - while great to read - is not easy for me to write. And Lastly, I don't think I liked the original revisions I made based on critique feedback.

Let's address each core piece and figure out how it's affecting my progress:

First: First Fantasy Draft
I had to delve into a lot of research prior to outlining and drafting this story. It was exciting for me and the first version was a bit sentimental for me. I was so excited about it. I love new opportunities for creative outlet. I don't this this is the core issue for further development.

Moving on...

Second: Difficult Genre for Me to Write
That first draft came out like a rushing waterfall. The editing and revisions have been more like water boarding torture. You wouldn't think fantasy would have so many boundaries and rules. But there are many. This is more apparent with the subject matter of sorcery and powers. Trying to be consistent with industry and reader expectations has been very difficult, aggravating, and stressful. Not too mention I hate rules and unlike sci-fi where the more implausible the farther out in the future I go...sorcery rules are bound by a historical and sometimes religious constraints. This is a definite issue to my progress on this story.

Okay, keep this going...

Third: Unhappy Critique-based Revisions
Because my weakness in the previous area, I relied heavily on the critique suggestions. Too heavily. By the time I was done changing what all the reviewers thought needed to be changed, both my Muse and I seemed pretty cut out. It didn't feel like my story anymore. This is unacceptable to me and my writing ethics.

Well, enough whining. I've come to the core of my problem and really laid out my issues. To fix this and get back on track I think I need to do the following:

• Reread the original draft
• Go through the critiques again and mark which ones fit with who I am as a writer
• Outline a balanced plan of action
• Stick with my instinct
• Put the story that I feel is right out there and hope for the best

Okay, feeling much better. Good writing all!

Galileo Chapter 22

Galileo Chapter 22 is complete...for the second draft edit that is. I had to modify some subplots to match the earlier revisions. It's starting to look good. I'm very proud of it. I lost about 600 words to put back in 1200. My chapters were running 3300-3500. I broke them all up and now they're running between 1500-2200.

Tomorrow will be the start of Chapter 23. For tonight I'm putting away the machete and lovingly tucking my laptop on the shelf.

Until tomorrow folks. Good writing all!

Organization is Important

I walked home from work yesterday figuring out a sticking point in Galileo. By the time I got home, I was all excited with several different ideas for fixing it. I sat down, turned on my computer, checked my email for any rejections...I mean acceptances (let's think positive here, people).

It was at this point I remembered receiving the rejection for Poseidon. That's okay, I was thinking, I'll just quickly open up my writing spreadsheet, note which place I had slated next for it, and send it off. Then I could get on with my unsticking.

Ugh, I opened the darn spreadsheet and realized I hadn't updated it in weeks. Needless to say, I could not close the workbook without updating it. that would violate all ingrained project manager instincts in my body.

I spent the next two hours updating my submission table, my 2009 calendar, setting up my 2010 calendar (some responses weren't due until February 2010). It didn't stop there, I had to then update my work in progress (WIP) table.

I did manage to send Poseidon off to its next potential home; and I have to admit I felt pretty proud of myself for "spring cleaning".

Maybe tonight I can get back to the meat and potatoes....writing.

Good writing all!

An End to the Beginning

Many of you know from an earlier post that I finally let go of the original concept for Galileo. Running on the tails of this development I cut the beginning chapters of my story. I reworked what I could in later parts but nixed the Earth-starting two chapters.

The original chapter 1 started with a readers' introduction into Annie and Danny's friendship and a description scene of Earth in the future. At a point where I could objectively look at the big picture needs of my story. The fact that Earth barely has any reference in this space located novel, I realized readers don't need a "first hand" experience of Earth. The detached references to Earth give more of the impact I was trying to originally go for.

I also changed Annie and Danny's relationship. The point of their relationship was to showcase a pure love in a time of chaos. I wanted it positive and engaging to show that all relationships don't have to start with a Moonlighting dynamic. In the end, I felt I could still show this positive relationship dynamic between them and still have them meet and fall in love during the story.

For chapter two, I had Nettie starting out with her friends and getting her militia assessment. I felt her carefree and high energy personality could still be shown without having her start on her home planet.

These changes have some repercussions for a subplot towards the end of the story, but I'll cross that bridge when it comes. Who knows, it might work itself out. I've already got some great revision ideas brewing for it.

Good writing all!

Progress, Progress, Progress

Yesterday was one of the most accomplishing writing days. Along with the progress mentioned in yesterday's entries, I continued into the evening and rocked.

Accomplishments:

• Added 1504 words
• Removed 347 words
• Broke several long chapters into manageable ones
• Finished revising a subplot
• Changed the motives of two secondary characters

I am all set today to keep the momentum going on this creative rush.

Good writing all!

Editing Warrior!

The morning was spent focusing on Galileo's Chapter 13 and realigning a subplot. I feel like I'm moving in the right direction and glad I revised the storyboard.

After burning myself out working on Chapters 13, I turned to editing chapter 1-3 and I've accomplished it. They are polished for this draft version and I can put big, fat checkmarks by them in my excel progress tracker.

I'm so juiced I think I'm going to keep moving on Chapters 4 and 5.

This must be how Attila the Hun felt after conquering a village...

The Galileo Sisters

Last night, while editing, I became engrossed in a few pages of the story. It was a section I hadn't read in a while. The scene was a real character development moment for Nettie, the older sister.

At that moment I paused with a realization. These two character's have been almost like a lifelong companion to me. From the beginning in my teenage years through now, I've watched and help mold their growth.

Annabel (Annie) Matterville is the younger sister and the first of the two to come into my creative realm. I dreamed her story first when I was in my early teens. As I feverishly worked to write the story, she slowly came into existence. Almost like a piece of me was torn away to bring her to life.

Annabel was the only one in the Galileo Wars Story (originally named The Knight and the Warrior) for almost a year. Then I had a dream about a girl names Antoinette (Nettie). When she was first created, she wasn't part of Annabel's story. I worked hers on a parallel track for months.

That is until 'The Dream', which I believe was spawned from an argument I had with my own sister. That night I dreamed of Nettie and Annie together, in the midst of war. Their relationship was tense, but their love and bond to each other was tight. The final puzzle piece fell into place and I knew they were related and connected in my creative plane of existence.

Their both fierce in their own ways.

Nettie is an outgoing, assertive girl with a strong athletic energy. There's a fire in her soul that seeks excitement, fun, and people. In the beginning she doesn't like to be alone and she doesn't like it quiet. Over the course of her story she grows into a woman of strength and integrity. Her powerful essence and confidence in her abilities allows her to exude a strong leadership quality only surpassed by her loyalty to comrades, friends, and family.

Annie starts out as an introverted, artistic, soul-seeking girl with daydreams and wishes. She's been placed in this boxed stereotype by her family. Shipped to the Mars training facility, she finds the expectations from home did not follow her. It is a blank slate and one she can explore and test. She excels in her training and finds a natural athleticism underneath her artistic layers. She grows into a strong defender of the weak. Her sense of loyalty to her people and her drive to save them, sends her on a journey that calls for great personal sacrifices.

I am so proud to have developed these characters. They have not stayed the same characters that were born from a teens mind, but have grown into strong women. Their story has evolved to showcase their strength and loyalty.