I’m starting 2010 by hitting the books. The best way to learn how to write is by writing, but my focus is on writing well. For the next month I’m putting the manuscript aside and I’m reading books on the craft of fiction. After I document my favorite bits of advice, I’m going to read classics and favorites, with an eye for how the best writers have brought stories to life. Then I’ll pick up the manuscript again.
Coming soon: Great advice on writing and where to find it.
Ah…finally a chance to finish my latest edit. Two weeks off school means two weeks of full-time writing.
I’m working on: A major overhaul of my first novel Treasure Hunter Tales: The Family Legend. Only 40 pages to go for the initial word slashing (then a polish edit).
I’m listening to: LOTR Two Towers soundtrack.
My Main Character: Is inches away from being eaten at the moment.
The devil on my shoulder says: Just have him lose a finger (this time… moo hoo haa haa).
I have a snow day!!! Finally, time to write. I just compiled cuts from my first thirteen chapters (125 pages) and I hacked 11,500 words. I replaced about 7,000 of them with tighter prose and fed the rest to the word eater (see Ninjadillo on twitter).
I’m working on: My first real edit of Treasure Hunter Tales: The Family Legend, the first book in my trilogy.
I’m listening to: The soundtrack from Beowulf
I’m happy because: Snow day equals time to write.
The devil on my shoulder says: Let wifey sleep. She’ll try to make you clean when she wakes.
I’m working on: Another edit of Treasure Hunter Tales: The Family Legend. I’ve learned a lot since the last edit (wrote the second novel) and I’m literally replacing 30-40% of the words.
I’m listening to: Owl City: Fireflies
I’m happy because: Thanksgiving break means time to edit this week…sinister smile.
The devil on my shoulder says: There is nothing wrong with full bodied coffee at 9:30 at night.
Other News: I updated my website with a new novel excerpt, added music, and a new (still being developed) book trailer. See Links.
I’m working on: A major overhaul of my first novel, Treasure Hunter Tales: The Family Legend. I will end up cutting and rewriting 50-75 percent of the original.
I’m listening to: Celtic Thunder: Heartland
I’m happy because: I’m finally learning how to write fiction.
The devil on my shoulder says: Murder every word, sentence, paragraph, and scene that isn’t 100 percent necessary. That’s right, I said murder.
I’m working on: A major rewrite of my first novel, Treasure Hunter Tales: The Family Legend.
I’m listening to: The soundtrack to the movie 300.
I’m happy because: It is the weekend and time to write!
The devil on my shoulder says: Take a weekend off of school and just get this novel up to par.
I’m working on: Another edit of my first novel Treasure Hunter Tales: The Family Legend. I received some great feedback recently on how to improve the writing and the story. It’s amazing how a “finished product” is far from complete even after a professional edit.
I’m listening to: Heavy metal tonight, Disturbed: Indestructible.
I’m happy because: Monday is almost over.
The devil on my shoulder says: More chocolate-chip cookies.
So, I kicked my own butt this past weekend. It was well worth it. I finished the first edit of my second novel, Treasure Hunter Tales: The Spirit of Steel. It was a great feeling to see the story come together. When you’ve been writing something for the past year, you forget a lot of the details that you included early on. Now my first reader (wifey) can start her editing.
And the best part is that I finished it for her birthday. She’s been bugging me for months. Write on people.
Now is when I test my writers mettle, having precious little time to write at the beginning of the school year. Then on the weekends there is the temptation to watch football instead of writing. And, of course, the house needs cleaning etc.
If you let all of those things get in the way of writing on a regular basis then stop torturing yourself and admit that it isn’t really important to you. For me, I’ll just be efficient and keep wifey happy by taking breaks from editing today and helping her for a few hours (you can dust, vacuum, and pick up while watching football).
I’m working on: Editing Treasure Hunter Tales: The Spirit of Steel, book two of my trilogy. Only eighty pages to go.
I’m listening to: Annie Lennox: Into the West
I’m happy because: It’s the weekend and I have time to write.
The devil on my shoulder says: Pull an all-night-write and you might finish this edit of your book.
I’m working on: The first edit of Treasure Hunter Tales: The Spirit of Steel. It is slow going, but my beginning needed a serious makeover.
I’m listening to: Loreena McKennit: An Ancient Muse
I’m happy because: I’m back to school and will be amongst my intended audience for 182 days.
The devil on my shoulder says: Another cup of evening coffee won’t hurt.
Author J.R. Roper 