Source: Stockvault
So for the past few weeks I’ve been quiet on the blogosphere for no reason other than trying to spend more time writing and meet certain deadlines. I can’t believe it’s August already, and my plan to have my novel finished is completely out the window. In fact, it’s been ripped apart by the wind and scattered in a trillion pieces. I know, how dramatic. I guess I’m in that kind of mood since I’ve made a huge realization.
The current novel I’ve worked on for this year is actually more like book 2 in the series. I know, how the @%#! didn’t I realize that when I first wrote it. Well don’t get me started. Let’s just say after struggling to make the plot work, and I threw in the possibility of this being book 2, then all of a sudden everything started falling into place. So there you have it – I’m now plotting book 1. On the bright side, the sequel is almost written. There has to be a bright side to this, right?
I mean, I love the book’s premise, the characters, the world, and the MCs voice. The idea has been rolling around in my head for a long while, and I just want to tell the story, but it’s not a straightforward tale apparently.
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On more positive news, I’m close to finishing my YA Steampunk short story for the Real Girls Don’t Rust anthology over at Pugalicious Press. I really like the name for my story:
Lotti Lowther and the Rustplague
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My other novella, Cursecaster, is coming along nicely and I hope to have that completed soon too.
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Dianne Salerni is holding a huge giveaway including a first chapter critique. Check it out.
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Lately I’ve been trying to read more and teach myself to read quicker. I figure if I read each night a couple of hours, then I’m bound to speed up. At least that’s the theory. I have so many unread books on my bookshelf and kindle, that I plan to get through them before I buy any more.
The books I’ve enjoyed most recently include:
Ruby Red is a time travel book with a strong heroine, ghosts, mistaken identity and a possible love interest. The book started slow, but once it kicked off, I was hooked. It’s very different to other time travel books, and I really enjoyed.
Here’s the blurb: Gwyneth Shepherd’s sophisticated, beautiful cousin Charlotte has been prepared her entire life for traveling through time. But unexpectedly, it is Gwyneth, who in the middle of class takes a sudden spin to a different era! Read more here.
This is the first book from Janet Evanovich I’ve read, and I’m liking her style. What I really enjoyed about this story was that it didn’t take itself too serious. By this I mean, the characters were a bit goofy and funny. Plus there’s a one-eyed cat, a crazy monkey, and magic spells involved. How couldn’t I love it.
Here’s the blurb: Life in Marblehead has had a pleasant predictability, until Diesel arrives. Rumor has it that a collection of priceless ancient relics representing the Seven Deadly Sins have made their way to Boston’s North Shore. Partnered with pastry chef Lizzie Tucker, Diesel bullies and charms his way through historic Salem to track them down—and his criminal mastermind cousin Gerewulf Grimorie. The black-haired, black-hearted Wulf is on the hunt for the relic representing gluttony. Caught in a race against time, Diesel and Lizzie soon find out that more isn’t always better, as they battle Wulf and the first of the deadly sins. Read more here.
A beautifully written and scorching sexy story. Seducing Cinderella is a romance at the core about Lucie whose life changes when she agrees to an arrangement with boxing champion Reid. It’s a fun and quick read with a HEA ending. There’s more coming in the series, so I’ll be looking forward for the sequel.
Here’s the blurb: Mixed martial arts fighter Reid Andrews’s chance to reclaim his title as light heavyweight champ is shattered when he’s injured only months before the rematch. To make sure he’s healed in time, his trainer sends him to recuperate under a professional’s care—Reid’s best friend’s little sister, all grown up. Disorganized and bookish Lucie Miller needs some professional help of her own. She’d do anything to catch the eye of a doctor she’s crushed on for years, so when Reid offers seduction lessons in exchange for 24/7 conditioning for the biggest fight of his career, Lucie jumps at the chance. Read more here.
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So what have you been reading lately? Have you ever had a huge light globe moment about your story, requiring major rework?
I have a ton of SEE THE LIGHT moments when I’m writing. I try very hard to ignore them until I get a first draft written (I try…). But at least you know what needs to be done! And like you said, a written sequel must be a plus.
I understand exactly what you mean. My revising plans are completely out the window as well and AUgust seems to be steamrolling me in terms of plans. I’m crossing my fingers and hoping to finish my (hopefully final) revision. Hope your rewrites go marvelously!
Nutschell
http://www.thewritingnut.com
Thanks… same to you with your revision:)
It’s rough to realize we’re not going to meet a goal. This just happened to me as well. I’m not going to get through the first draft of my current WIP as planned because I’ve had to set it aside to work on requested revisions to an earlier project. But you are totally right, must look on the bright side. There is ALWAYS a bright side. And I think it’s very interesting that you’ll have the sequel written first.
Good luck with all of your projects!
It will be the first time I wrote book 2 before book 1… hehe. Yep, I need more bright sides.
Oh good luck with your short story. I started writing one for that anthology and then got distracted. Oops. I don’t think I’ll be able to finish it in time. Oh well.
Re your book, at least the world and characters are sorted and you’ve found the solution. Yay!!
So true… Thanks;)
I love how you are staying positive. I recently had a similar experience. I read a draft of one of my novels and realized it would be best to start over. Oh well, if it has to be done, it has to be done. Happy writing and I can’t wait to buy your books
Thanks. So true. It just has to be done.
Some great books. I feel your pain. I did that with three books … hmm, maybe it’s a pattern. Then when I’m finally done with #1, #2 no longer works and has to be rewritten. The good news, I get better at writing them, and since I already know the world & the characters, it goes a lot faster.
That’s my thoughts too… I’m already in the characters heads
I hope things come together for your work-in-progress soon. I can’t wait to hear what you think about the Host. Noticed you are reading it. I liked it. I couldn’t read Twilight…I closed the book before I even got a quarter through and ended up giving it away. But “The Host” for some reason, grabbed me, and I finished it in a few days. Pretty solid read.
I didn’t like Twilight, but heard so many good things about Host. So far..hmm.. it’s different. Very different. It took me a while to get into the style of pretty much being talked to the whole time with very little action. Maybe that comes later. Not sure. But I’ll stick in there a while longer. I do love the premise though… very cool.
Yay for figuring out what was bothering you about your story and then setting about fixing it! I bet it feels like a pain, but in the long run it’s going to rock so much more! You go, girl!
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Thanks. I’m thinking of the long term too
That would be “plan”
At least you realized and now you have a plain.
I’ve read Seducing Cinderella and enjoyed it. This book has hit the NY Times list recently.
Yeah, Seducing Cinderella is a great read.
The most major rework I attempted was to swap the first and second halves of a novella around, and the story just worked so much better. Sometimes it’s hard to see what’s wrong until you take a step back. Enjoy writing the first/next book!
Sounds like a lot of work… not that I can speak:)
I believe in following the story and let it flow. Apparently that is what you did too and you can’t go wrong there. If you ask me, as a reader, a book that seems too much organized cannot have the appeal expected by a reader. A book’s plot should be unexpected, overwhelming, breathtaking…just like life itself.
Very true:)
That’s an awesome idea about a book 1. I think that would make everything dovetail nicely. Yay! I gave up trying to read faster. I just miss stuff and end up confused…
I’m trying… so far not too bad with my attempt to read faster.
I had the same thing happen to me.
I wrote what I thought would be Book One of a trilogy for NaNoWriMo, but then discovered one of the characters would be perfect for another story that happened before–you guessed it–what I thought was Book One.
Turns out it’s no big deal. Like Alex said, Book Two is already written.
Of course, it would have been a problem if Book One had been published as such, but fortunately, I can consider this a lesson learned!
Good to know I’m not the only one this happened to.
It sounds like such a daunting task, but it’ll be so worth it in the end. Glad to hear you’ve figured it all out though and you have a “plan” set to motion. Congrats on that! I love Janet Evanovich! She’s one of my fave authors of all time. Her Stephanie Plum series is hilarious! Good luck with moving forward with everything!
I’ve heard lots of good things about her Stephanie Plum series.. will have to check it out.
I’m glad you figured out your story, but I can understand how that can be frustrating. I can’t wait to read the rest of your steampunk one! I’ve read Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum novels. They’re just like that. Silly and make me laugh out loud.
Thanks for your help with the story:)
I’m glad you figured out your story! Those light bulb moments are awesome. They help spark that giddy feeling that makes you want to write all the time.
I’ve been reading a lot lately, too. Right now, I’m reading Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children. So far, so good!
Ohhh I’ve wanted to read that book… can’t wait to hear what you think of it.
I realized about a year ago that the first book I wrote needs to br rewritten from 3rd to 1st person. That’s on slate for this fall. Good luck with yours!
Thanks. Same to you.
Ah, think of it as a prequel. I guess that’s how prequels happen. You figured it out before it got published!
Great idea…
Hey, like you said, the sequel will be done and you’ll be ahead of the game.
So true.
If you want another bright side, you having this light bulb moment means you’re on the right track. I had my own epiphany with my work a little while ago and am 1/3 of the way through a major rewrite. It’s not as big as writing a whole other book, mind you, but I’m chopping and adding chapters all over the place. I am so happy to be doing it though, because I know the story will be stronger.
So, think of how lovely it is to do your characters justice, and how awesome it is that you’re telling their story the very best that you can! I think that’s a pretty big plus side.
But I can sympathize with thinking you’re done and then all of a sudden, you’re not. That part sucks.
Good luck!
You’re right.. I know it’s the book will be better for it:)
I just finished reading Chris Farnsworth’s next installment in his President’s Vampire series, Red White and Bloody. Can’t wait for the next one. I try to read every day even if for only a half hour. I am a fast reader but I don’t know if I learned to be or if I always was.
My schedule is to read every night instead of watching TV
Yes, there are bright sides. I’ve had to re-plot as well.
I love the title of your short story.
Thanks.