Category: Weekly Writing Check In

Weekly writing check-in: a little light housekeeping

So, it’s November, which means many writers are doing National Novel Writing Month. As for me, I’m planning on using November to do a little light housekeeping.

This week, I finished the read-through of a novel I’d written a while back, and I’m thinking it could be something. With some work, that is. The next step is to essentially write an editorial letter … to myself. Then I’ll work on how I want to revise the story.

I need to move my books from Createspace to KDP Print. While I’m doing that, I want to upload the titles to Ingram Spark for extended distribution. I’m selling enough in print that I’m really leaving money on the table using Amazon’s version of extended distribution.

I’ll also search for some markets/reprint markets for some of my shorter fiction as well and fill up my submission tracker as well. It’s looking a little thin these days.

I’m sure I’ll think of other housekeeping chores for the month as well. I’ll let you know what I come up with.

Weekly writing check-in: novella!

Just a quick check-in to say: The Trouble with Doppelgangers is complete at 24,000 (give or take). I’m relieved that it didn’t turn into an actual novel. Because I would need to write another subscriber bonus (which would then turn into another novel … you get the idea).

It also reminded me how much I like writing novellas. One of these days, I’m going to have to write another novella series (I have an idea in mind, one involving dragons–sort of).

So, once I launch the Tea & Sorcery series, I’ll send the bonus to my mail list (for the curious, you can sign up for that here).

Weekly writing check-in: sugar maple show-off

I missed checking in last week due to a big event my Girl Scout troop hosted. This week, I’ve been down with a virus (fortunately just that) so I’m not quite done with the novella. Almost. I can see the end from here, and I’m excited to get back to it.

So this week, this week, I’m hoping to finish up the novella. Then, it’s thinking time. I’m not sure what I’ll tackle next. The third draft of the series starter? Maybe. Or maybe I’ll let that rest for a little while longer and revise another novel that’s been on the back burner.

We’ll see.

That’s it for this week. Until next time, I’ll leave you with all those gorgeous leaves.

Weekly writing check-in: painting and progress

I missed last week, but I have a good excuse. To the left. That. That’s my desk at the moment.

And last weekend, I was all: I can’t even.

But there’s light at the end of the tunnel, and I’m pretty sure it’s not an oncoming train.

I have been getting some writing in (thank you, Starbucks). I have about 15,000 in the novella so far, and I really hope I can finish it up this coming week.

In other news, I’m doing a short-term promotion for Straying from the Path.

If you like fairy tale retellings and haven’t grabbed a copy yet, here’s your chance. Just 99 cents, just about everywhere e-books are sold.

Weekly writing check-in: renovation (whew)

A quick check-in this week, because we’re doing a little renovation around here (painting and floors and such–nothing structural, thankfully), and I’m tired.

Make that very tired.

But I did pass the 10,000-word mark in The Trouble with Doppelgangers. I’m pretty sure it won’t turn into an actual novel (although, if it does, I can always make it the second book in the series).

I also set up a few promotions, and I’m certain I did some other things as well. At the moment?

Whew.

I’m tired.

Weekly writing check-in: In which I have a series name!

I’m so excited. At long last, I have a name for the series I’m writing and titles for the books in said series.

My cup runneth over this week.

Without further ado, I give you:

Tea & Sorcery

A while back I joked that calling this series Tea & Witches would be very, very on brand (considering Coffee & Ghosts and all that). So, yes, this is close. But this series name is actually more expansive than simply witches (although there will be witches in this series, but also a great many other magical beings).

Not only that, but I have a naming convention for the books (number to be determined) in the series. So far, I have:

Book 1: The Trouble with Necromancers

Book 1.5: The Trouble with Doppelgangers (this will be the bonus novella for newsletter subscribers)

Book 1 is done (well, the second draft–I have some more work to do on it), and as of today, the novella has 6,100 words. And seriously, I could spend years filling in the blank after The Trouble with.

In other news, I’m working to get all my print titles into IngramSpark for expanded distribution. Once that’s done, I’ll move my titles off of CreateSpace (which is closing) and into KDP Print.

Weekly writing check-in: more short stories, novella, and Photoshop

Oreo, volunteer editor

I am diligently trying to keep myself out of the Photoshop black hole. Fortunately (or, perhaps, unfortunately), I don’t have a title for the first book or the series it’s supposed to be in, so there’s only so much cover designing I can do.

Yeah. I need a title, especially since I’d like to publish this year.

In other news, not only did I complete the outline for the novella, but I started the draft. I finished up revising/editing two short stories that I plan to send off this week as well.

All in all, it was a good writing week.

Weekly writing check-in: short stories, novellas, and Photoshop

Jasper and Poppy … maybe?

Checking in late today. I fell into a Photoshop black hole, and I’m just now crawling out of it.

I splurged on a couple of Photoshop actions, and let me tell you… that’s hours of fun right there. Worth every cent.

I’m still looking for the right stock photos for my covers. The models don’t need to look exactly how I see the characters in my mind, but it helps if the attitude is right.

Then you need a supply of poses, preferably on an isolated background (or one that’s fairly neutral), and, and, and … you get the idea.

In actual writing news, I finished the short story I was working on. I’m now letting it rest a bit before I revise and send it off.

I also started outlining the companion novella. The main challenge here is to keep it at novella length. I hope to start writing it soon, possibly as early as this coming week.

Weekly writing check-in: second draft … done!

And … it’s done! The second draft came in at 81,000 words. I added about 13,000 words during the revision, and I’m feeling good about that.

I still need to do a third draft. There are things I want to refine before I send this manuscript off to an editor. I will let it sit for about a week or two before I tackle that.

Because this is going to be a series, I’ll be setting up a series bible so I can keep all my world building information in one place. I’m thinking about using OneNote, but I’m open to suggestions.

I will also work on a few short stories–in fact, I started one yesterday. And I’m planning a companion novella for the series as well, and I will ponder that a bit while I work on building the series bible.

Weekly writing check-in: home stretch

Last week, I complained about how slowly the revision was moving along. This week? I’m up 25,000 words! I feel as if I’ve stolen Jo March’s writing hat.

This part of the manuscript is more straightforward. The events I moved around occur earlier in the story, and I suspect that’s the reason I’m moving much faster now.

I have about 15,000 original words left in the first draft. I have a few scenes I pulled from there and worked on using The Emotional Craft of Fiction, which I already revised. Granted, I will need to review them because when you revise, things … change.

But with a little time and a little luck, I hope that next week I get to report that the second draft is done.