Hi everyone,
While I work my fingers off to finish the first draft of Mystic Storm, you can find me over at the Seven Scribes where I’m sharing tips for beating the Time Bandits –
Stop Thief!! Beating the Time Bandits.
craft advice
And Now I Wait.
Happy Friday everyone. Please visit the 7 Scribes and read my Friday post – To Sequel or not to Sequel.
As reported last week, the book is gone. Off in the hands of my critique partners and beta readers.
Gone. . .
So now what?
Do I sit around twiddling my thumbs? No way. In the down time between feedback and the next round of revisions, I’m plotting my next book- Devil’s Advocate. Another attempt at writing an actual Urban Fantasy. Lately, with the last two books, both plots twisted into paranormal romance. We’ll see how the next book plots out.
How about having some fun? I recently crocheted a candy dot scarf for a friend. And I read Julia Rachel Barrett’s Incorporeal (excellent ghost story!).
But, I’m not even close to being done with The Undead Space Initiative. I still have to revise the first draft synopsis into something market ready. So in the meantime, a tease.
The opening paragraphs of The Undead Space Initiative.
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Life sucks then you die. It’s a universal truth. But here’s what’s scarier. Even in death, life can still suck.
Case in point … wait for it…
“Cherry! Get your skinny ass up on stage!” Jonathan barked through my dressing room door. How do I describe him? Pain in my rump. Benefactor. Reason for my current situation. None of them seem adequate enough. His main occupation? Yelling at me to perform and to make him money. And he’s always interrupting. Never lets a girl even have a moment to think.
“I’m on my way. Geez Louise.” I flung open the door, narrowly missing Jonathan’s long Roman nose. The tops of his fangs peeked out from his full lips as he smiled at me. This was a game we liked to play. I would try to smack him with the door whenever possible.
Okay, it was a game I liked to play. I’ve never managed to nail him in the face. My vampire Sire is too damn fast.
Jonathan tsked and crooked his finger. A slow smile curled his lips. “Cherry, I don’t know why I put up with you.”
“Of course you do. I’m you’re number one performer.” I flashed fang. My pearly whites are nowhere near as long as his, but they can still do the job. Due to feed soon, I tried not to stare at Jonathan’s jugular. I hated needing my Sire’s blood to stay strong and avoid overpowering hunger. The kind, if left untended long enough, made vamps go feral. I buried my nose in a bouquet of fragrant red roses, a gift from one of my many fans.
Jonathan smirked. Damn. I hated when he caught me eyeing him like a roast. Another game we liked to play – I pretended I didn’t need him. And he pretended not to notice. We both knew otherwise.
I needed him.
Crap on toast.
I Set The Book Free!
Happy Friday! Please don’t forget to check out my Friday post at the Scribes’ Blog – Can this Wreck be Saved?
Last week I reported my goal to complete my edits of The Undead Space Initiative by Sunday night. I’m happy to say goal accomplished! And, even better, the book is now in the hands of my two, trusted Beta Readers.
Notice I said readers. Not writers. I always ask readers to review the early draft first.
Why?
Because the reader is who I’m ultimately writing the book for. They read the book as an experience with an eye towards story. Does the book entertain them? Do they keep turning pages? What questions didn’t I answer?
If they tell me a story isn’t working, it’s full stop and either back to the drawing board or the story is shelved. Luckily, the only stories I’ve hidden away are my first attempts from years ago.
Once I get the green light, I then submit my story to my amazing critique partners. More to come on that, in a few weeks.
If you’re a writer, it’s crucial to share your work with first readers who can be honest and provide informative feedback.
If you’re a reader and the friend of a writer – be honest, brutally honest if need be. Our feelings won’t be hurt – promise!
I Did It My Way
Happy Friday everyone. Please remember to check out my Friday post over at the 7 Scribes. Today’s topic – Casting Call – If my book was turned into a movie.
Last week I was in a bit of a tizzy about the beginning of my WIP – The Undead Space Initiative. I’m happy to report that I have moved past it. I’m more that halfway through the editing process right now. And I’m so excited to share this book with my trusted first readers for their reaction.
I have set an aggressive goal: complete revisions by the end of this weekend!! Can I do it? Time will tell.
Tune in next week to find out!
The Revision Blues
Greetings and TGIF. Please remember to visit me at Seven Scribes for my Friday post. This week – book vs. the movie version.
So draft one of The Undead Space Initiative is done. Yay me! Now on to the hard part. Draft clean up.
Right now, I’m still in the first chapter.
Why? (Especially after almost 12,000 words a week for a month. At that rate, I should be halfway done with revisions.)
Because I let myself get bogged down in doubt (the crappy monster is at it again). I thought I was writing more of an urban fantasy with strong romantic elements.
But then, I decided to play “what if”. What if I moved the meeting of the heroine and hero up to the beginning of Chapter One – so it’s more like a romance?
A little slicing and some dicing later and now I have two versions of chapter one. Eek!
After a few slaps to the head and a week later, I’ve realized what I’m doing. Avoiding revisions. I don’t need to obesses over the first chapter. I can deal with that later. Geesh.
So moral of the story – don’t play “what if” during rough draft clean up. Save that for later, when you’ve given the book to your first readers. Then torment yourself!
Casey Wyatt 