Wraiths hits 100...

I can't believe it but here I am at page 100. Every page is a new landmark for me but this is a biggie. I know other authors can look at this post and scoff but this being MY blog, I'lll toot my horn if I want. Seriously, we all have to look for those big landmarks and milestones so we can continue to drive ourselves along our paths and keep going strong. No matter what you do, keep looking for the next little goal and strive for it!

Page 96...

Still going strong on the writing. I took care of some very important house-keeping tasks relating to this story too. I'm not finding alot of time to write the text but I can still take a few minutes to plot and scheme where the train is going. I'm still laying the tracks as I go for some of it and firming up the ground underneath other parts, making them solid and concrete. It all continues to come together!

Voice and Tone

Author Hal Duncan had this posted and even though I admit to not reading much of his material, I love the way his mind works! This is just a great way to look at the order of words, the tone of voice (even if you don't notice the subtle differences at first) and another way to think how your readers will perceive what you put down on the page...enjoy and thanks Mr. Duncan!

Just an easy little word count...

Easily the most I've ever written in one story! I'm setting new goals everyday and keeping the ideas fresh and alivestill. It all continues to evolve and it's very exciting to watch unfold.

Thanks to the fine people at Writertopia for the picometer! You're lifesavers! There's other meters there with more flair and humor that you can use but I went with something basic. I'm not boring am I? I prefer to think of myself as practical.

Aaaaaannnd...finished Hellblazer this morning under some falling snow. I like Shirley's work and the end was pretty good as it was unexpected. Wrapped up nicely though, check him out HERE

Change is...GOOD?

I've been looking at my story and the creation arc it's been taking. Surprises are jumping up and hitting me in the face with a frying pan because these words are not the ones I envisioned when the main idea struck me last summer. These characters are not the same characters I began writing about. Some of the plots and settings are different (although the main theme of redemption has held true) going from an alternative reality Earth to a completely fictional fantastic world to the story being set in our modern world...specifically my own state and county!

The craziest part of this process and maybe a nugget of wisdom if I may impart one, change is GOOD! Instead of changing things as I wrote and feeling that my story was falling apart in the past, I'm taking the view that this creation is fighting to live and breathe. I see it as keeping the story moving and fresh in my mind whereas before when I would fight the change, the story failed to bring me the same joy every time I came to the keyboard. Now, I can't wait to find what might transpire. Not to say that I have no idea where it's going. Quite the contrary, I also found I need an ending in mind and a good trusty roadmap to get me there. But the quest to find the ending is continually twisting in directions I never thought of at first.

You really have to let the story breath and take on it's own life. As a parent, I try to push my kids in directions that I would like to see them go in but ultimately, they'll end up doing what they want in this life. Sure, I can guide them along but they will meander and form their own opinions and outlooks on their world. Our characters are much the same...let them do it! After all, this is only the first draft and things will change even after it's all said and done.

Embracing the changes as they come whenever I get another chance to sit down. As it is, work, school and kids are taking over the next couple of days. Again proving my point.

Desk...notes...yeah, yeah, yeah

COUNT: 87 pgs/34,009 wrds...most of all time!

Just wanted to throw that out there. I'm really happy that I'm getting this in and down on the page. There's really nothing scarier than the white expanse of tundra that is the blank page. Now that it gets more and more covered with black ant-like words crawling over it, it doesn't seem so scary. I've gotten things done. I've gotten ideas written down and solidified to some level. Sure it'll change and transform but it's THERE.

Keeping the excitment level ihgh in the story is important and this scene has been in my mind for months now. It came fairly easy for me. All of that and I have a big goal in place for this story/novel...FINISHED BY AUGUST 25th. That date would make it one year exactly from the day I started writing it. It can be done!

Here's a smaller and closer goal for you Jay, 100pgs. Make it happen!

Notes from The Desk

Started on chapter eight, keeping on playing with working on seperate parts. Sections of the story can be written out of order. This gets the pace going and more gets done ultimately. Who knows if THIS chapter 8 will be the FINAL chapter 8? Who cares, it's the first draft.
WRITE, WRITE, WRITE!


By the way...reading John Shirley's John Constantine: Hellblazer - Subterranean and it's pretty good. Quick read but I get the feeling that Shirley is writing below his level. He seems like he's holding back some genius. Good read nonetheless.

COUNT: 80 PGS/31, 479 WRDS

Notes from the desk...

10 pages and about 3700 words over the weekend! I'm pretty happy with the turnout and what's more, the content is pretty good if I can say so without being a conceded ass. It obviously needs to be looked over but I think there's some good writing in there...

Themes and dialogue wrap around and meet back at a logical place. It all ties in nicely withthe rest of the text and the story continues to grow as do the characters. The development of characters is always important if not paramount in the story. That's something to always keep in mind. Without the character development, there is no story. If there is, it will not be worth reading for the casual person.

COUNT: 76 pgs/30,374 wrds

Let's go Wraith...go kick some butt!