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NVwryter |
Progress report |
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So how's everyone coming with their projects? Obviously, I'm traveling again, although I do try to stop by here once a day anyway. When I travel, it
can be difficult to write, because I tend to lack large chunks of time. Often when I'm on an airplane I sleep, trying to catch up on some precious zzzzs.
And then it can be hard to get back into the flow. Still, I'm working on FALLOUT as much as I can and it feels like it's kicking into gear.
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midnightwriter71 |
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I've actually gotten some work done on Love Finds You in Uncertain, Texas. Mostly, I'm trying to learn how to market the book that is published. *sigh*
I hope I get to travel one day.
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Paul W West |
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I'm finding that by not querying, I'm finding more time to work on GERTA! Before, I was too occupied with sending out queries and didn't have time
to write.
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"A novel is a train of thought pulled by a theme engine" - Oscar Collier Please visit my website at http://valona.blogspot.com/ |
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NVwryter |
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As I've said several times, it's all a balancing act. Rene is marketing, and she must. Paul has taken this economic downturn to heart and is using his
time to write. You both are doing what you should be doing! Bottom line all way round, however is as writers we MUST find time to write.
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midnightwriter71 |
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Lately, I'm feeling overwhelmed. I think I'm trying to do to much at one time and moving in too many directions. I need to focus on maybe one or two
marketing techniques and get some writing in each day. Any good ideas for marketing? Anything that worked for you or you know that has worked for others?
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midnightwriter71 |
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And BTW, one thing I HATE is not knowing how many books are selling. I wish I could peek and see...I only know what sells from my little box of books I have
here. Oh..and I have decided to try and sell them all by May 1st! :-D
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CorrinaKel |
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I finished the book I was ghostwriting and the final edit has been accepted. I adapted a script from it for a promo DVD and that's being filmed today.
Still working on the rewrite of the book that I wrote the year before last and I have the idea for the next book I will be working on, just waiting for that
itch to catch me.
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NVwryter |
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Sounds like you've been busy, Corrina! Fingers crossed for the itch to catch you.
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Illandur Stormcrow |
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I shan't promise anything, as it seems every time I do I fail to deliver, but I have started work on some of the shorts again. Being able to buy the
magazine with one of my stories in it has energized me a bit. If I can manage to get all my short projects out in submissions, then I will get beck to work on
the book.
"The pen is mightier than the sword, and considerably easier to write with!" - Marty Feldman Illandur Stormcrow, AKA David J. Cohen - Author of ![]() Art by Tal Hollingsworth at www.greenskins.com All works © David Joel Cohen |
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Paul W West |
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I'm trying to totally revise GERTA! Has any of you read "Sailor on Horseback," the story of Jack London? The book describes how London used to
write scenes and chapters at random, hang them on the indoor clothes line, then compile them in some sort of logical sequence. Well, I've found that's
pretty much what I've done, only on the computer instead of the clothes line. I'm having to rearrange all the chapters that I wrote, to make them come
into a different time frame from what I originally designed.
I'll tell you, it ain't easy. I wrote a lot, something like 30 chapters (short ones, however) and now I'm trying to make them all fit in the new time frame.
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"A novel is a train of thought pulled by a theme engine" - Oscar Collier Please visit my website at http://valona.blogspot.com/ |
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NVwryter |
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Hey Paul,
There's a computer program or two that allow you to do that, then see everything on like a bulletin board. Not sure what they're called, but I can find out. |
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Paul W West |
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Thanks Ellen. If you find it, let me know. If not, I have an outline of my chapters that I can switch around on my word processor, then simply move my novel
chapters around to follow suit. It works. I just can't find the time to do it.
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"A novel is a train of thought pulled by a theme engine" - Oscar Collier Please visit my website at http://valona.blogspot.com/ |
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CorrinaKel |
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I use a powerpoint program to make my outlines. It's very strange to think about it, but it's very effective. You can see all the chapters, or scenes,
or however you've broken it down, in thumbnails, so you can see the whole book on one screen. It works especially well for timing. I'll color code
characters so I won't "forget" about one - you can see at a glance that the person hasn't shown up for 3 chapters. It's gotten to the
point that I can look at my "outline" and see if it's going to work or if it's out of balance.
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Paul W West |
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Hmm. I like that. I may play around with that idea.
Do you write the chapters in ppt, or how do you get them in there?
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"A novel is a train of thought pulled by a theme engine" - Oscar Collier Please visit my website at http://valona.blogspot.com/ |
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Illandur Stormcrow |
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I am writing. A little here, a little there. Starting a new story. Something of a departure for me. We'll see where it goes.
"The pen is mightier than the sword, and considerably easier to write with!" - Marty Feldman Illandur Stormcrow, AKA David J. Cohen - Author of ![]() Art by Tal Hollingsworth at www.greenskins.com All works © David Joel Cohen |
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NVwryter |
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David! Okay, here's the deal, and take it from an old hen.... you ain't no spring chicken no mo'. You're a tough old rooster that needs to
focus now. Enough years of letting that talent languish. Glad to hear you're writing. But now that your boys are older, and able to entertain themselves,
focus! I expect great things from you. always have.
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Illandur Stormcrow |
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Here's the deal Ellen. Its hard to focus. I work a 40-60 hour week at a job that taxes the same "muscles" as my writing does. Programming is a
creative and mentally exausting profession. I am generally used up by the time I get home most nights. Its hard to make myself sit down at the computer after a
day of the same. It may sound like a cop out or excuses, and maybe it is, but its no less relevant for all of that. I'll write what I write. You got lucky,
you had a great idea and had the luxury of time to make it happen. That's great. Maybe I will too. We'll see.
I do appreciate your support. "The pen is mightier than the sword, and considerably easier to write with!" - Marty Feldman Illandur Stormcrow, AKA David J. Cohen - Author of ![]() Art by Tal Hollingsworth at www.greenskins.com All works © David Joel Cohen |
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Paul W West |
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David, I hear ya. I'm pretty much in the same boat. I work 40 hours a week behind a computer writing letters and reports. When I get home it's usually
honey-do time, plus, even if I were to find a free minute to write in the evenings, my creative juices just aren't there. The only real time I find to
write is during my lunch breaks at work (30 to 45 minutes per day - but more likely per week as other priorities often get in the way). I'm doing good if I
can write one chapter per month.
All I can say is hang in there. Write when you can. You're a talented writer. I love your writing style. One day I expect to see a NY Times bestseller from you, then maybe you can quit your job and become a full-time writer -- LOL! Good luck, Paul
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"A novel is a train of thought pulled by a theme engine" - Oscar Collier Please visit my website at http://valona.blogspot.com/ |
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Illandur Stormcrow |
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The new story might be the one. Its got legs, and though it is still fantasy fiction, its much more YA accessable than most of my other work. It is something
of a departure for me. Oh, and my kids are in it.
"The pen is mightier than the sword, and considerably easier to write with!" - Marty Feldman Illandur Stormcrow, AKA David J. Cohen - Author of ![]() Art by Tal Hollingsworth at www.greenskins.com All works © David Joel Cohen |
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Paul W West |
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Sounds fun, David. Let us know where we can read it.
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"A novel is a train of thought pulled by a theme engine" - Oscar Collier Please visit my website at http://valona.blogspot.com/ |
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NVwryter |
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Actually, while I was writing that first novel, I was also "working" full time with my writing, and it was easily 40 hours a week. I freelanced a
butt-load of articles, wrote nonfiction kids' books, taught as an artist in residence and was still raising a couple of kids. All while I wrote that first
novel. I understand what you mean about your creativity being drained, though. It's just I truly believe in your talent and hope you'll find the time
to make it happen.
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