Tonight sees the UK Premier of the Walking Dead. I am really looking forward to this for a number of reasons. Firstly, up until I gave up reading comics for financial reasons: Robert Kirkman and in particular the Walking Dead was my favourite series. (I also loved all of the Crossgen stuff, why did they have to go bust?) I read up to issue 48 and loved every issue, so you can imagine my delight when I found out it was being adapted for TV.
The second reason is that it is being directed by Frank Darabont. I loved the Shawshank Redemption and am one of the few people that loved the Green Mile even more. I also think the Mist is an excellent film. This man seems to choose his projects very carefully and does them justice it appears.
We will see what tonight brings with the first episode, I just hope the little one goes to sleep in time!
Friday, November 5, 2010
Books: The Pillars of the Earth
After sitting on my book shelf for a number of years, I've finally taken the plunge and picked up the Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett. I've heard many call this book the greatest piece of fiction they have read. Normally, I don't pay too much attention to these type of comments because they are often made by those who don't read very much and have little to compare it too. However, I am 400 pages into the story and have to say, I am really enjoying it so far. It's not up there with Martin or Cornwell but the saga has the sense of the epic. Who knew a story about a cathedral could be so engrossing?
November and a change of outlook
It seems every time I write a blog about doing more frequent updates, the gap between entries actually increases. This is not intentional but is just the way things work out. What have I been doing that has delayed me from posting any updates I hear you ask? I mean surely I must have some amazing explanation as to why I have abandoned my few loyal readers (of which I am so grateful for). Maybe, I had my fingers amputated and I am typing this with my nose? Well I’m afraid I don’t have one (cue the boo’s and the hurling of rotten vegetables).
You are well within your rights to be annoyed at this. I haven’t posted because I have nothing to say in regards to any updates. I haven’t lost my passion for the novel, but I have been forced to take a bit of a hiatus. This is mainly for two very good reasons. Firstly, I have just moved house. The move has been stressful as I’m sure that many of you who have been through a similar process can identify with. Secondly, I am also in the unfortunate position that many find themselves in, in that I am facing redundancy from my job. It is not clear when it is going to happen but it will be within the next 6 months probably. I don’t know how I feel about it really. It certainly is not a good time to lose a job, but then when is? Who knows, maybe this is a sign that I should concentrate on my writing and that is the career I should go for.
So, I decided to take a brief break from the book and just get the move out the way. That is now done, I am in my new house and unpacking and loving every bit of it. Soon, I will return to the book and begin writing the second one.
This morning however, I made a decision. Whilst I was not writing on the book, I am also not updating this blog, which is a shame because I do enjoy it. I just felt that as the blog is about the Ritual of the Stones I could not stray too far from that topic – just look at the vitriolic abuse GRRM gets on his blog posts on the JETs and Giants. However, I am no where near as famous as “the fishermen guy” as my wife calls him from his profile picture and no one is anxiously waiting for the release of my next book.
Therefore from now on, I will talk about all the things that make me tick. Whether it be books I’m reading, programmes I watch or even my beloved football team (who are languishing at the bottom of the Championship at the moment). As long as I flag up in the title what the subject of the post is about, my dedicated readers can choose to read it’s content or not.
So hopefully, I will now post more regularly but rest assured, I will be working on my book very soon.
You are well within your rights to be annoyed at this. I haven’t posted because I have nothing to say in regards to any updates. I haven’t lost my passion for the novel, but I have been forced to take a bit of a hiatus. This is mainly for two very good reasons. Firstly, I have just moved house. The move has been stressful as I’m sure that many of you who have been through a similar process can identify with. Secondly, I am also in the unfortunate position that many find themselves in, in that I am facing redundancy from my job. It is not clear when it is going to happen but it will be within the next 6 months probably. I don’t know how I feel about it really. It certainly is not a good time to lose a job, but then when is? Who knows, maybe this is a sign that I should concentrate on my writing and that is the career I should go for.
So, I decided to take a brief break from the book and just get the move out the way. That is now done, I am in my new house and unpacking and loving every bit of it. Soon, I will return to the book and begin writing the second one.
This morning however, I made a decision. Whilst I was not writing on the book, I am also not updating this blog, which is a shame because I do enjoy it. I just felt that as the blog is about the Ritual of the Stones I could not stray too far from that topic – just look at the vitriolic abuse GRRM gets on his blog posts on the JETs and Giants. However, I am no where near as famous as “the fishermen guy” as my wife calls him from his profile picture and no one is anxiously waiting for the release of my next book.
Therefore from now on, I will talk about all the things that make me tick. Whether it be books I’m reading, programmes I watch or even my beloved football team (who are languishing at the bottom of the Championship at the moment). As long as I flag up in the title what the subject of the post is about, my dedicated readers can choose to read it’s content or not.
So hopefully, I will now post more regularly but rest assured, I will be working on my book very soon.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
September
Happy September to you all. I’ve noticed two more members have signed up to my blog now, which kind of makes me feel guilty for not updating more regularly. So before I update you on a few things I would just like to say a massive welcome to my blog and thank you for joining.
I’ve just got back from sunny Lindos in Rhodes, where I was basking in 47c heat. About 30 of us went out for a friends wedding and had a fantastic time. It was also the first time we had taken my little boy away and we were a bit worried about how he would be. As usual the little guy didn’t let us down and was as good as gold, loving the pool more than I could have hoped for.
Anyway, enough about my life, I guess you are all wondering what is happening with the writing. Well first things first, do you remember that short story that got accepted many month ago? You don’t? Well shame on you. Anyway, Route 246 by yours truly is now in the current issue of Deathheadgrin. Please check it out at: www.Deathheadgrin.com
I have been following the magazine closely and there are some great stories every month. Larry the editor is doing a great job and is really starting to increase his audience. As for my story, it might not be my strongest work but it will probably be my fondest. Not that I am selling myself short, it is just that I have really noticed an improvement in my writing since then (more on that later). It is about a guy who experiences a very uncomfortable situation in a very normal scenario and the struggle with his conscience whether to intervene.
I’ve also received very positive feedback on another short story I have written called, “Desire.” I will be making few changes to that one and then looking to get it published also.
Which then leaves me with the Ritual of the Stones. Last post I talked about being in limbo with the book. Things haven’t changed too much in terms of people critiquing the novel but they have changed in terms of my attitude towards it. I have my wife to thank for that, as she has really been pushing me to start sending it off.
I mentioned a couple of months ago, how during the editing of the novel I wrote a brand new chapter to add more dimension to a character. This chapter was easily the strongest chapter I had written and really stood out compared to the earlier ones. Now it has come to the point where I might look for representation from an agent, I have really scrutinised the start of the book (after all it is the first 3 chapters that are asked for normally).
Despite good feedback, I have decided that Chapter 2 is not up to scratch. Its only purpose is to set up Chapter 4 which is a really cool scene. However, isolated these two chapters do not add anything essential to the story and contradict the strength of one of the lead characters.
So with a heavy heart I have decided to cut them from the book completely and over the next week write a brand new chapter that achieves the same result but in a lot stronger fashion. This will not only make one of the lead characters more consistent, but will also give more background to another character who in hindsight was a bit cartoonish.
I thought this would be a really depressing thing to do, but I am really positive about it all. One of the things that deterred me from writing a book for many years was the knowledge that I am terrible at editing. Not the process, but actually motivating myself to do it. Over the last year though, I am latently pleased how much I have turned my attitude around towards this. After all it is essential if I want to be a writer.
Look for more frequent updates as I make these changes within strict self-imposed deadlines.
Mood: Positive
I’ve just got back from sunny Lindos in Rhodes, where I was basking in 47c heat. About 30 of us went out for a friends wedding and had a fantastic time. It was also the first time we had taken my little boy away and we were a bit worried about how he would be. As usual the little guy didn’t let us down and was as good as gold, loving the pool more than I could have hoped for.
Anyway, enough about my life, I guess you are all wondering what is happening with the writing. Well first things first, do you remember that short story that got accepted many month ago? You don’t? Well shame on you. Anyway, Route 246 by yours truly is now in the current issue of Deathheadgrin. Please check it out at: www.Deathheadgrin.com
I have been following the magazine closely and there are some great stories every month. Larry the editor is doing a great job and is really starting to increase his audience. As for my story, it might not be my strongest work but it will probably be my fondest. Not that I am selling myself short, it is just that I have really noticed an improvement in my writing since then (more on that later). It is about a guy who experiences a very uncomfortable situation in a very normal scenario and the struggle with his conscience whether to intervene.
I’ve also received very positive feedback on another short story I have written called, “Desire.” I will be making few changes to that one and then looking to get it published also.
Which then leaves me with the Ritual of the Stones. Last post I talked about being in limbo with the book. Things haven’t changed too much in terms of people critiquing the novel but they have changed in terms of my attitude towards it. I have my wife to thank for that, as she has really been pushing me to start sending it off.
I mentioned a couple of months ago, how during the editing of the novel I wrote a brand new chapter to add more dimension to a character. This chapter was easily the strongest chapter I had written and really stood out compared to the earlier ones. Now it has come to the point where I might look for representation from an agent, I have really scrutinised the start of the book (after all it is the first 3 chapters that are asked for normally).
Despite good feedback, I have decided that Chapter 2 is not up to scratch. Its only purpose is to set up Chapter 4 which is a really cool scene. However, isolated these two chapters do not add anything essential to the story and contradict the strength of one of the lead characters.
So with a heavy heart I have decided to cut them from the book completely and over the next week write a brand new chapter that achieves the same result but in a lot stronger fashion. This will not only make one of the lead characters more consistent, but will also give more background to another character who in hindsight was a bit cartoonish.
I thought this would be a really depressing thing to do, but I am really positive about it all. One of the things that deterred me from writing a book for many years was the knowledge that I am terrible at editing. Not the process, but actually motivating myself to do it. Over the last year though, I am latently pleased how much I have turned my attitude around towards this. After all it is essential if I want to be a writer.
Look for more frequent updates as I make these changes within strict self-imposed deadlines.
Mood: Positive
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
In limbo
In limbo,
There is nothing worse then feeling in limbo. As things stand I have still only received two critiques back on the novel. Not that others aren’t enjoying it, it is just taking them a long time with holidays etc. Still, for an author who is anxiously pacing up and down waiting from some feedback it is incredibly frustrating.
I generally do not want to start implementing changes that the two others have suggested, in case the other readers disagree with them and it is not representative of the general opinion. I am waiting for a holistic view first which I think is the most sensible thing to do. However, I have made changes to the suggestions that have made me slap my head in stupidity as to why I never thought of making that change first.
I go on holiday in September, so I guess I will not get the feedback until after I come back now. It is a shame as I wanted to have made the final changes to the book and then begin work on book two when I return. The more time passes the harder it will be to write book two I reckon, so I might just take the plunge and begin work shortly.
I completed a brand new chapter which now gives one character a lot more depth and helps make reference to a plot point that had previously felt a bit contrived. The two friends that have read the whole book, loved the new chapter. Which was a nice bonus.
In the meantime, I have completed work on the short story I mentioned in my last update. It came in at 8,000 words and I’ve submitted it for review via the critters.org website. It will percolate to the top of the queue at the end of August if you are interested in reading it. It is slightly different to my usual stuff. It is called “Desire” and is about a young couple who have lost their sex life and are desperate to get it back before it ruins their relationship. Hope you enjoy it.
There is nothing worse then feeling in limbo. As things stand I have still only received two critiques back on the novel. Not that others aren’t enjoying it, it is just taking them a long time with holidays etc. Still, for an author who is anxiously pacing up and down waiting from some feedback it is incredibly frustrating.
I generally do not want to start implementing changes that the two others have suggested, in case the other readers disagree with them and it is not representative of the general opinion. I am waiting for a holistic view first which I think is the most sensible thing to do. However, I have made changes to the suggestions that have made me slap my head in stupidity as to why I never thought of making that change first.
I go on holiday in September, so I guess I will not get the feedback until after I come back now. It is a shame as I wanted to have made the final changes to the book and then begin work on book two when I return. The more time passes the harder it will be to write book two I reckon, so I might just take the plunge and begin work shortly.
I completed a brand new chapter which now gives one character a lot more depth and helps make reference to a plot point that had previously felt a bit contrived. The two friends that have read the whole book, loved the new chapter. Which was a nice bonus.
In the meantime, I have completed work on the short story I mentioned in my last update. It came in at 8,000 words and I’ve submitted it for review via the critters.org website. It will percolate to the top of the queue at the end of August if you are interested in reading it. It is slightly different to my usual stuff. It is called “Desire” and is about a young couple who have lost their sex life and are desperate to get it back before it ruins their relationship. Hope you enjoy it.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
July update
I have the best intentions to blog regularly (it is the only way to build up readership I know), however, I do not see the point of posting when there is nothing to update. I have contemplated talking about the fantasy world in general but that is not what this site is about. Besides there are far more competent bloggers out there that do this and they seem to have their finger magically on the pulse.
So what have I been up to? Moving house mainly. Well in the throes of moving. We have made an offer on a house which has been accepted and we have agreed an offer on ours. So it is all systems go. Unfortunately it hasn’t been as smooth as that, as we have had tremendous problems with financial advisors getting involved in the process that is nothing to do with them.
Why do I mention the move I hear you ask? (Especially as I have just opened with a paragraph stating I will not digress from the blog’s original purpose). Well simply put, the move has been consuming all of my time. From viewing houses, to showing people round ours, to completing endless solicitors forms and meeting with various brokers etc. The past month has been crazy.
Still, my book is now in the possession of none other than 5 people who are critiquing it. Better still 2 other people have already read it. These two were also the two whose opinions I was most interested in. One even read it in 2 days! Whilst it pleased me that they were so interested in the book to devour it in a couple of days, I can’t help but think, the book has taken me a year to write and someone has just consumed it in 48 hours!!
Better yet, they both seemed to really like the book. One was thoroughly impressed and has pointed out some very useful suggestions and the other (who was reluctant to read the book as he knew it would not compare to Robin Hobb, GRRM or Bernard Cornwell and didn’t want to tell me it didn’t match up to their genius), was pleasantly surprised and liked it more than they thought they would. Again, he has made some excellent suggestions.
I am still waiting for the other reviews to come in, but am currently working on inserting another chapter (which I had already made up my mind to include). There is also another scene I want to include as well. It feels good to be back in Frindoth again.
I am also 4,000 words into a short story that I am enjoying. With any luck, I can get this one published as well.
Hopefully the next update will be sooner but until then, take care.
So what have I been up to? Moving house mainly. Well in the throes of moving. We have made an offer on a house which has been accepted and we have agreed an offer on ours. So it is all systems go. Unfortunately it hasn’t been as smooth as that, as we have had tremendous problems with financial advisors getting involved in the process that is nothing to do with them.
Why do I mention the move I hear you ask? (Especially as I have just opened with a paragraph stating I will not digress from the blog’s original purpose). Well simply put, the move has been consuming all of my time. From viewing houses, to showing people round ours, to completing endless solicitors forms and meeting with various brokers etc. The past month has been crazy.
Still, my book is now in the possession of none other than 5 people who are critiquing it. Better still 2 other people have already read it. These two were also the two whose opinions I was most interested in. One even read it in 2 days! Whilst it pleased me that they were so interested in the book to devour it in a couple of days, I can’t help but think, the book has taken me a year to write and someone has just consumed it in 48 hours!!
Better yet, they both seemed to really like the book. One was thoroughly impressed and has pointed out some very useful suggestions and the other (who was reluctant to read the book as he knew it would not compare to Robin Hobb, GRRM or Bernard Cornwell and didn’t want to tell me it didn’t match up to their genius), was pleasantly surprised and liked it more than they thought they would. Again, he has made some excellent suggestions.
I am still waiting for the other reviews to come in, but am currently working on inserting another chapter (which I had already made up my mind to include). There is also another scene I want to include as well. It feels good to be back in Frindoth again.
I am also 4,000 words into a short story that I am enjoying. With any luck, I can get this one published as well.
Hopefully the next update will be sooner but until then, take care.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Mammoth update following a brief hiatus.
It’s quite worrying how quickly the weeks race by. It only feels like I posted the last update a week ago. I apologise for not doing it more frequently but I have been slaving away on the editing process.
Without further a do, I will just dive in and update you on what I have been doing:
Editing: This has been going really well. I set myself the deadline of the start of the world cup and with three chapters left to do, it looks like I will be able to achieve it. I am happy with many parts of the book.
There are still some things I would like to change and re-work but there comes a point where I need to let others see the work. Otherwise, I will have amended my work so much that I would be unreceptive to any changes suggested. So come this weekend, I will print the novel out and will send it out to those four people I have selected.
Mark C Newton: For those of you that don’t know, Mark is the author of Nights of Villjamur. An excellent debut novel in the, “Legends of the red sun” series. His second book, “City of Ruin” has just been published and I highly recommend you check it out. Mark has quite a strong online presence and out of all of the authors I read, his style of writing is most like my own.
I do not pretend to be any where near his level in my standard of writing, but there are parts of NoV where I thought, “I would have written that in the exact same way.”
Anyway, the reason I am talking about Mark is over at James Long’s Speculative Horizons blog, Mark gave a three part interview (the third has not been published yet). In part two, Mark talks about his writing.
He mentions how he always makes sure he writes 1,000 words in a session, something I do too and how he thinks self-help books on writing have their place but should not distract from the actual writing process.
The thing that really resonated with me in the interview though was the fact Mark hated editing. Something else we agreed on! When I read that, I got a rush of blood and rattled off an email to Mark asking him how he went through the process and how he improved his ability.
Mark got back to me very quickly, more quickly than I would have expected a best selling author too. It was also not just a bog standard reply but a very helpful response, where he recommended certain books and websites (contact me if you want these).
It is so refreshing (I know there are others out there) for an author to be genuinely helpful and interested in a fans work. I just thought, the least I could do was to thank Mark on here.
Critters: I mentioned in my last post that I was considering submitting a couple of chapters to get a feel of people’s opinion of the book. I relented and sent in the first 5 chapters. Which in hindsight was a mistake as this amounted to 19,000 words and put a lot of potential critiquers (I know that is not a word) off.
Having said that, 5 people were generous enough to give their opinions on the chapters and I am pleased to say overall the comments were positive. I was also giving some excellent advice.
One person in particular concentrated on the first chapter and gave their opinion on a paragraph by paragraph basis, stating what worked for them and what didn’t. Their suggestions were invaluable and I can’t thank them enough. I offered to review their work in return and if I am honest was a little apprehensive. Their comments to me were so professional and it was obvious they knew what they were talking about.
However, when I reviewed their work, I was able to offer my own suggestions and there were areas that clearly needed some improvement. This was a positive experience as it clearly demonstrated to me that everyone benefits from others looking at work. Even if someone tears your work to pieces, every one of us aspiring authors is going through exactly the same thing.
So that is all I have for now. I am gearing up for the world cup and the inevitable disappointment of England’s exit in the quarter finals but for a few weeks the country will be buzzing. Come on the three lions!!
Mood: Upbeat
Without further a do, I will just dive in and update you on what I have been doing:
Editing: This has been going really well. I set myself the deadline of the start of the world cup and with three chapters left to do, it looks like I will be able to achieve it. I am happy with many parts of the book.
There are still some things I would like to change and re-work but there comes a point where I need to let others see the work. Otherwise, I will have amended my work so much that I would be unreceptive to any changes suggested. So come this weekend, I will print the novel out and will send it out to those four people I have selected.
Mark C Newton: For those of you that don’t know, Mark is the author of Nights of Villjamur. An excellent debut novel in the, “Legends of the red sun” series. His second book, “City of Ruin” has just been published and I highly recommend you check it out. Mark has quite a strong online presence and out of all of the authors I read, his style of writing is most like my own.
I do not pretend to be any where near his level in my standard of writing, but there are parts of NoV where I thought, “I would have written that in the exact same way.”
Anyway, the reason I am talking about Mark is over at James Long’s Speculative Horizons blog, Mark gave a three part interview (the third has not been published yet). In part two, Mark talks about his writing.
He mentions how he always makes sure he writes 1,000 words in a session, something I do too and how he thinks self-help books on writing have their place but should not distract from the actual writing process.
The thing that really resonated with me in the interview though was the fact Mark hated editing. Something else we agreed on! When I read that, I got a rush of blood and rattled off an email to Mark asking him how he went through the process and how he improved his ability.
Mark got back to me very quickly, more quickly than I would have expected a best selling author too. It was also not just a bog standard reply but a very helpful response, where he recommended certain books and websites (contact me if you want these).
It is so refreshing (I know there are others out there) for an author to be genuinely helpful and interested in a fans work. I just thought, the least I could do was to thank Mark on here.
Critters: I mentioned in my last post that I was considering submitting a couple of chapters to get a feel of people’s opinion of the book. I relented and sent in the first 5 chapters. Which in hindsight was a mistake as this amounted to 19,000 words and put a lot of potential critiquers (I know that is not a word) off.
Having said that, 5 people were generous enough to give their opinions on the chapters and I am pleased to say overall the comments were positive. I was also giving some excellent advice.
One person in particular concentrated on the first chapter and gave their opinion on a paragraph by paragraph basis, stating what worked for them and what didn’t. Their suggestions were invaluable and I can’t thank them enough. I offered to review their work in return and if I am honest was a little apprehensive. Their comments to me were so professional and it was obvious they knew what they were talking about.
However, when I reviewed their work, I was able to offer my own suggestions and there were areas that clearly needed some improvement. This was a positive experience as it clearly demonstrated to me that everyone benefits from others looking at work. Even if someone tears your work to pieces, every one of us aspiring authors is going through exactly the same thing.
So that is all I have for now. I am gearing up for the world cup and the inevitable disappointment of England’s exit in the quarter finals but for a few weeks the country will be buzzing. Come on the three lions!!
Mood: Upbeat
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