Is it May 20 already?
It should be no surprise that I missed my last goal. The second draft is turning out to be more of a creative fight than I have expected. I'm on chapter 18 of 35 now. That's right, I've added about four chapters, but it is so necessary.
All for Owen has really come alive this time around. The characters are much better. The description is much better. Everything is much better.
Since I've picked up the pace again, I'm going to give myself a new goal. (Beta readers be ready)
June 10.
This date has no significance, other than I honestly think I will be able to have this draft finished by then, and I should be ready to finally to send it to readers.
Here we go again.
Monday, May 20, 2013
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Book Bomb
I wanted to post something special today.
I've learned a lot of writing techniques and approaches from reading David Farlands "Daily Kick in the Pants." I've never met David, but I've been reading his writing posts for years. I feel like I know him. I really respect his ideas and his willingness to help new authors. I can't express how much I've learned from him.
He is in a little trouble now. His son was in a terrible long boarding accident and the medical bills are going to be astronomical, especially because he doesn't have health insurance.
This is a picture of his poor son, Ben. He is in a coma right now and they are not sure what he is going to be able to do after he wakes up.
Today, several authors are sponsoring a book bomb for David Farand's book "Nightingale." For those of you who are not familiar with a books bomb, it just means that everyone is buying his book on the same day - today. This will push his book up the charts and hopefully, get the novel more recognition. And that means more money to cover the bills.
So if you are on the look for a new book and you also want to help out a great guy, go to Amazon.com and purchase a copy of his book HERE.
I've learned a lot of writing techniques and approaches from reading David Farlands "Daily Kick in the Pants." I've never met David, but I've been reading his writing posts for years. I feel like I know him. I really respect his ideas and his willingness to help new authors. I can't express how much I've learned from him.
He is in a little trouble now. His son was in a terrible long boarding accident and the medical bills are going to be astronomical, especially because he doesn't have health insurance.
This is a picture of his poor son, Ben. He is in a coma right now and they are not sure what he is going to be able to do after he wakes up.
Today, several authors are sponsoring a book bomb for David Farand's book "Nightingale." For those of you who are not familiar with a books bomb, it just means that everyone is buying his book on the same day - today. This will push his book up the charts and hopefully, get the novel more recognition. And that means more money to cover the bills.
So if you are on the look for a new book and you also want to help out a great guy, go to Amazon.com and purchase a copy of his book HERE.
Thursday, April 4, 2013
The Sounds of Writing
I've found that I write best when I have setting into the right kind of mood. Music is crucial for getting myself in the zone. The problem is that there are different moods for different scenes.
For example, in one of the first scenes of All for Owen, I want to convey a very specific feeling to the reader. I found this song "In Heaven" by The Pixies that set the right tone. You have to listen to this specific live version because it has a very unique quality. Kim deal sings it in this version rather than Frank Black, who usually sings this song.
Take a listen.
Awesome, right?
There is this creepy eery feeling that contrasts with the almost innocent lyrics. This is the essence of All for Owen, especially in the beginning.
Without giving away too much, there is an important task that the main characters need to accomplish. This journey (literal and figuratively) is captured in the moods of "Doors Unlock and Open" by Death Cab for Cutie.
Again, this has some really unique emotions in the song.
I like to create a mental soundtrack for my writing because it helps me write in the proper tone.
All for Owen should convey the innocence of some and the pure evil of others. Listening to songs like these really helps me get into the proper frame of mind. I'll try to post more inspirational songs as I go.
For example, in one of the first scenes of All for Owen, I want to convey a very specific feeling to the reader. I found this song "In Heaven" by The Pixies that set the right tone. You have to listen to this specific live version because it has a very unique quality. Kim deal sings it in this version rather than Frank Black, who usually sings this song.
Take a listen.
Awesome, right?
There is this creepy eery feeling that contrasts with the almost innocent lyrics. This is the essence of All for Owen, especially in the beginning.
Without giving away too much, there is an important task that the main characters need to accomplish. This journey (literal and figuratively) is captured in the moods of "Doors Unlock and Open" by Death Cab for Cutie.
Again, this has some really unique emotions in the song.
I like to create a mental soundtrack for my writing because it helps me write in the proper tone.
All for Owen should convey the innocence of some and the pure evil of others. Listening to songs like these really helps me get into the proper frame of mind. I'll try to post more inspirational songs as I go.
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Deadline
I'm rather disappointed in myself. I had been writing like crazy in the fall and the early winter, but January came and I lost that fire.
Maybe it was the grey of winter or the cold or maybe I just needed to take some time to think about something else. Regardless of what caused my pathetic streak of laziness, the sun is out again and I need to put the pressure on my inner writer.
Since I'm not accountable to anybody but myself, I need to make a deadline.
Here it is.
May 4th, 2013
This is the day I am going to have my manuscript written and rewritten and edited and re-edited. This is the day I am going to send out my first query letter. This is the day I'm going to begin my traditional publishing trip. I'm not going to work on All for Owen any more.
So why May 4th?
This gives my time to set shorter and closer goals within that time. I need to have beta readers read and give me input, I need to polish the blemishes. I need to rework the ending. There is a lot of work to do between now and May 4th.
Another reason I'm setting May 4th as my deadline, is because on May 5th, my brothers and I are going to hold our second annuall "Dude Fest." This year we're calling it "Cinco-De-Dude-Fest." We basically get together and do all the stuff our wives don't like to do, like play video games, shoot stuff, be slobs, and play long games like Risk. It will be a good way to celebrate the completion of All for Owen.
I'm rolling up my sleeves again and kicking my lazy self in the pants. I'm getting back to work.
Maybe it was the grey of winter or the cold or maybe I just needed to take some time to think about something else. Regardless of what caused my pathetic streak of laziness, the sun is out again and I need to put the pressure on my inner writer.
Since I'm not accountable to anybody but myself, I need to make a deadline.
Here it is.
May 4th, 2013
This is the day I am going to have my manuscript written and rewritten and edited and re-edited. This is the day I am going to send out my first query letter. This is the day I'm going to begin my traditional publishing trip. I'm not going to work on All for Owen any more.
So why May 4th?
This gives my time to set shorter and closer goals within that time. I need to have beta readers read and give me input, I need to polish the blemishes. I need to rework the ending. There is a lot of work to do between now and May 4th.
Another reason I'm setting May 4th as my deadline, is because on May 5th, my brothers and I are going to hold our second annuall "Dude Fest." This year we're calling it "Cinco-De-Dude-Fest." We basically get together and do all the stuff our wives don't like to do, like play video games, shoot stuff, be slobs, and play long games like Risk. It will be a good way to celebrate the completion of All for Owen.
I'm rolling up my sleeves again and kicking my lazy self in the pants. I'm getting back to work.
Friday, February 1, 2013
Motivation
Normally, motivating myself to write is easy. I've mastered this method called 'day dreaming'.
I like to imagine my book in it's final form and the "I totally nailed it" feeling I'll get when I read through my manuscript for the final time. I imagine my friends and family reading my manuscript and with tears of awesomeness running down their faces (yes, awesomeness can cause tears, but only in rare and extreme cases) they say things like "dude, you totally nailed it" or "that book changed my definition of awesome."
Another motivational trick is to watch YouTube clips of authors being interviewed or giving advice to new writers. I like seeing them as normal people, just like me.
Lately, none of these tricks have worked. I had been in the habit of writing almost every day for months, but now I hit a brick wall.
Maybe I'm just lazy, or I need to daydream more. Maybe what I really need is a vacation.
Needless to say, my goal of being ready for beta readers by Valentines day probably isn't going to happen. I will, however, make a point to write today and get back into the groove.
How do you get motivated?
I like to imagine my book in it's final form and the "I totally nailed it" feeling I'll get when I read through my manuscript for the final time. I imagine my friends and family reading my manuscript and with tears of awesomeness running down their faces (yes, awesomeness can cause tears, but only in rare and extreme cases) they say things like "dude, you totally nailed it" or "that book changed my definition of awesome."
Another motivational trick is to watch YouTube clips of authors being interviewed or giving advice to new writers. I like seeing them as normal people, just like me.
Lately, none of these tricks have worked. I had been in the habit of writing almost every day for months, but now I hit a brick wall.
Maybe I'm just lazy, or I need to daydream more. Maybe what I really need is a vacation.
Needless to say, my goal of being ready for beta readers by Valentines day probably isn't going to happen. I will, however, make a point to write today and get back into the groove.
How do you get motivated?
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Round 2
I'm working on the second draft of All for Owen. In fact, I am already on chapter 7.
The second draft is really fun to write. It's different from the first in several ways. I already know the story. I know the characters much better. I know what plot problems I want to fix. Etc...
This time around, I'm really focusing on Character development and consistency. So far, I'm really pleased with the direction this draft is heading. Assuming I keep the pace going, my goal is to have the second draft finished in three weeks. (February 5th.) That means I'll be looking for beta readers around Valentines day. Any takers?
So what am I reading?
This book is both inspirational and upsetting because Zusak's writing is just so good, it makes me realize how much work is ahead for me.
The second draft is really fun to write. It's different from the first in several ways. I already know the story. I know the characters much better. I know what plot problems I want to fix. Etc...
This time around, I'm really focusing on Character development and consistency. So far, I'm really pleased with the direction this draft is heading. Assuming I keep the pace going, my goal is to have the second draft finished in three weeks. (February 5th.) That means I'll be looking for beta readers around Valentines day. Any takers?
So what am I reading?
This book is both inspirational and upsetting because Zusak's writing is just so good, it makes me realize how much work is ahead for me.
Friday, January 4, 2013
One Draft Down
Good news and bad news.
First the bad news. I didn't reach my goal of finishing the first draft of ALL FOR OWEN by Dec 21, 2012.
The good news is that the world didn't actually end, (whew) so I had more time. Today, I can announce that the first draft is finished!
It's weird because I really want to be happy and celebrate this momentous occasion, but it doesn't really feel like the big accomplishment it truly is. I had the same feeling when I finished the first draft of THE CAUSE. I guess I'm the type of person who climbs up a mountain, but instead of looking around and saying "Wow, I really did it," I look around and say, "Great, now I need to get all the way back to the car without killing myself."
I've started looking at the first two chapters and I know there are serious changes to be made. The really amazing part is that I have a starting point. I know the story now and the characters. So I'm going to take a breath, then head back down the mountain.
First the bad news. I didn't reach my goal of finishing the first draft of ALL FOR OWEN by Dec 21, 2012.
The good news is that the world didn't actually end, (whew) so I had more time. Today, I can announce that the first draft is finished!
It's weird because I really want to be happy and celebrate this momentous occasion, but it doesn't really feel like the big accomplishment it truly is. I had the same feeling when I finished the first draft of THE CAUSE. I guess I'm the type of person who climbs up a mountain, but instead of looking around and saying "Wow, I really did it," I look around and say, "Great, now I need to get all the way back to the car without killing myself."
I've started looking at the first two chapters and I know there are serious changes to be made. The really amazing part is that I have a starting point. I know the story now and the characters. So I'm going to take a breath, then head back down the mountain.
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