New Contract and NaNoWriMO

I mentioned on facebook that I had a new novel accepted for publication, but I’ll elaborate – it’s actually older than when I wrote Tower of Obsidian. It’s a prequel to a series I started in Junior High (and believe me – if you don’t like my writing now, you should have seen it then). When I first got signed to Champagne, I was encouraged to send in other completed novels. I wasn’t sure if the older stuff suited Burst’s Imprint, so it wasn’t until I was at WWC that I asked Ellen in person if she objected to a longer book (about 132k) let’s just say once upon a time in my fervor, I once managed to write a 300k brick, which I know is actually not that bad if you happen to be good. I like epic bricks, but even I knew it needed work. So that book is sold, and I sent in another novel. I’ll give it a wait before I send in the main course of the series, mostly because I’m slowly editing through something I’ve had edited… lots.

I blame work. I keep having slow days and then I drive all night. Thing is, I pop open my laptop to work at work, and we get assigned on something usually not serious, but time consuming. The good news, though, is that the casuals are quite happy to pick up the extra shifts, so I haven’t had any OT in about two weeks now. It feels great to go in for normal shift hours.

So if you’re friends with me on NANOWRIMO website and are all like, “And you haven’t updated why?” It’s because I’ve been editing. And I know I overthink things and it’s no one’s fault but my own. I think a big part of my problem with writing is that I find it hard to consistently get my work to a quality I like. I talked to my sister about it – the two types of readers tend to either not even notice or get self righteous over small things. I think a big part of it stems from that most media isn’t directed to people like me – books and movies for women and girls tend to be light-hearted and usually focus on relationships, whereas I like quests and adventures and characters I can relate to. So I want to do the media right, all the while knowing nothing is perfect.

So what’s it about?

It’s a sword-and–sorcery novel entitled Witchslayer’s Scion, which follows a young man’s quest for vengeance when his brother is ritually murdered. Cue a more complicating factor (my cliche, among backstory for backstory) that shows his bloodline is tied into the men that targeted his family. I originally wrote the story to flesh out the main series’ anti-hero old guy (who, very early on, started out as a villain), because I was concerned his backstory was too similar to another character’s, but while there are similarities, I was able to flesh out a very different motive for a very different character, and because the focus is different (and we go to a very different time and place) it has a very different feel. So after I send this bad boy in, I have a short to finish, a nanowrimo to start, then I guess I wait until I hear back from the other novel (I do hate flooding publishers) to get the other book sent. Then I suppose I have enough life experience to rethink Terran, my cyberpunk novel from a few years ago.

My niece is finally reading that kid’s book I wrote her. She likes it, and has decided she wants to write ‘chapter books’ when she’s older.

Love that kid.

 

Oh, and it turns out I *did* finish a book by a Canadian Author in October. I’m pretty sure I met Brenda at Canadian Mennonite University’s YA writing week back in 2010. I suspect this, because this is bang on to a segment of a story we talked about then. It’s not my normal read, but give The Art of Rebellion a Shot. So far, I’m the jerk who has given it the lowest rating.

NaNoWriMo, And the Year Thus Far

It’s that time of year again – when everyone is busy shucking out 1700 words a day. As for me, I was going to start a new science fiction novel – and still might, but I have a short story to finish, and, I haven’t announced it on FB yet, but one of my novels just got picked up by Champagne Books, and will be available in June of 2017.

On top of that, if you are writing and want to go to a literary event, I have been planning one for several months with the Portage la Prairie Library. The hard part, it turns out, isn’t coordinating everyone or my lack of time, but getting a laptop that works and me getting comfortable on it. I thought I’d be fine without a DVD-Rom, but apparently, this is still a learning curve. My old laptop has some of the documents I want on it, so I can just get stuff that way, but still!

So if you are wanting to talk books in December (or just check out some local authors!) I’m still confirming the guest list, but come on down December 9 to the Portage la Prairie Library.

Friend me on the official NaNoWriMo site, my user name is Ciage. I probably will get to that science fiction novel, but now my thoughts are turning back to my series. So my best guess is instead of one story, I’ll be working on three very different projects, but I’ve done different projects before, and every little bit of work helps.

In the meantime, taking a break from the OT (Like I said I was going to do in August – ha!) and focusing on my health and fitness. I have been pretty consistent with the stationary bike now that the weather’s getting cold for regular cycling, but the plantar fasciitis is generally getting better, so I’m thinking of stepping it up a notch. I am nervous about spraining my ankle again, but I can’t worry about it too much – the whole ‘deal with it’ but my foot is feeling better from all the AT I’ve been throwing at it, so yay.

As for reading – yeah, I finished two books (one was an audio book) but nothing Canadian last month, unless you could me finishing The Art of Rebellion on the first of the month. I know, I suck – but to be fair, I did read most of Cat’s Eye. Sometimes the amount of work I need to do can be overwhelming, but the way I see it, is one step at a time, and you’ll get where you’re going eventually.