Category: Fantasy Novels

It has been a nerve wrecking time. Taking stock of the big picture and re-arranging the important writing space. Over the last two weeks I have upgraded from the favourite armchair to a desk. I may yet haul my favourite armchair in here. The real reason for the move was to get some designated shelf space. To set up one location to find useful references. You see I am part way through writing the fourth novel in a series. It has survived a few moves and other projects in between. Now I want to give it some much needed attention.

Making a Project a Priority

After re-visiting a couple of how to write faster books for the second time. There has been a slow albeit cumbersome embrace of plotting. Or atleast the fact that a little bit of plotting helps. The main tip has been to spend five minutes writing down ideas before you write. It sort of works, on one occasion I wrote down the same amount of words for the idea as well as the scene. On another occasion I wrote five times as many words for the scene. I would love to be the person who could write down ideas and get five times as many words every time. That would be too easy, and no where near as much fun.

Finding a Moment of Calm

There is always guaranteed to be an interuption to the writing schedule. I have a few every year. It’s important to note what works best for you. So when everything settles down again you know where to start. Finding that little piece of calm to write always feels like a victory. Even if it is only one hundred words. That is more than what I began with. Sometimes a moment will be at an odd time and a notebook or a place to save an idea is handy. It beats having to remember it later and provides something to add to.

Reflection

There is one thing about plotting, it can always change. Half the time writing down ideas leads to completely different directions. You never know where it might lead, what matters most is that it helped. Writing is full of ups and downs, going sideways and in circles. It’s a journey full of interesting challenges all the way to end.

If you have ever been through a long process you will know what it’s like. In case you haven’t guessed this has been a major project. From the first moment to all the changes along the way and the decisions that had to be made. I am a writer first and foremost. It has been a roller coaster ride and I have met some wonderful people along the way. My friends are writers, readers, indie authors and traditionally published. There has been so much to learn along the way and sifting through the advice takes time. One consistent message that comes across is that writing is hard work. Editing is hard work and so is making the decision to be an indie author.

The Tragedy

If my life was a movie I can definitely say there was a huge fall before getting to this stage. I won’t lie. I almost died and for a few months spent time in hospital. Everything became jumbled and that carefully considered plan disappeared. There are two main types of self-published books. The one you publish for yourself and the one you publish for an audience. The first time I hit the publish button it was for me. I am not ashamed to say it was a selfish decision. All I wanted was to hold a physical copy of my book. After everything that happened to get that far was a big achievement.

The Climb

Something rather unexpected occurred from my first attempt I gained a few fans. Yes it was a surprise to me and I felt like I owed it to them to put all the hard work in to re-release the book. Only this time it would be for an audience. How much work is involved? Oh my goodness. I thought I knew, but that was nowhere close. Feedback from readers, comments for the developmental stage. How many edits? I lost count after more than twenty. Then there were professional edits, cover art and learning programs. Wow! Was it worth it? Yes. Was I prepared for the amount of hard work? Maybe, but the journey made the result absolutely worth it.

Time to Celebrate

In the beginning I wrote for me then thanks to a few fans I wrote for an audience. In all it has been an incredible journey spanning twelve years. From the moment I sat down at my desk. I began writing the first chapter from a series of dreams that stayed with me and wanted to be told. Then deleted it and began again. This time it was real. After writing snippets, building a world and naming characters this was it. A fantasy world appeared, one with dragons and wizards, swords and sorcery, and adventure. Thanks to everyone who has been part of the journey.

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