August … and the question is: Will I be ready to publish The Spinner’s Game quint at Christmas? It is possible. Although I am glad it’s my own imposed deadline, and thus moveable, rather than an agent’s or publisher’s.
I haven’t much to report. Family commitments and medical appointments took huge chunks out of my available time this past month. So I’m feeling I haven’t made much progress. And yet…
Book Four: Lady of First Making (working title Asaric Sons)
After putting the rewrites for this on hold for what felt like forever, I am now two-fifths of the way through. The major rewrite part (opening chapters) is done, although the final chapter needs serious attention too. And in the middle, revision of some twiddly bits. These might appear insignificant timewise, but I’m finding they take longer than a full rewrite. Alter one small piece and the entirety can be affected.
In addition to the rewrite and revisions, I’m doing an in-depth edit and polish as I go along. I have recently discovered Pro-Writing Aid, which in my opinion knocks spots of Grammarly. As with Grammarly, it sits inside MS Word. But it doesn’t go into action until called upon. And even then, you can select any one of the twenty-three different reports, so it’s not coming at you all in one overwhelming and time-gobbling piece. I don’t use all the reports, but Grammar, Style, Diction, Overuse, Consistency and Pacing, without all the rest, is well worth the £60 annual licence.
Hopefully next month I will be able to report that this, Book Four, is complete. And then I will reveal the book cover. Another of Lauren’s wonderful designs.
Book Five: (working title Asaric Sins)
Book Five is now out with my beta readers. And three have read its entirety in less than the month and returned their feedback. For which I do thank them, ten-times over.
One of these betas is a newbie to The Spinner’s Game. It was gratifying that she was able to pick it up and get right into it without having read the previous four. The Spinner’s Game is not a series, intended as standalones. Although episodic in structure, it is a story told over the course of five books.
The feedback to date is overall good. But I’d be a liar to claim no amendments are needed, and additional material inserted. That work awaits everyone’s returns.
That’s all for now, folks. The next e-book update will be… Sunday 8th September.
Congratulations on the major headway into your project and best of wishes in all your endeavors. 🙂
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I thank you. Yea, I guess it has been a major haul. While the entirely was written in its umpteenth draft, it has still taken these past nearly two years to knock it into shape. And I’m still not there. But it’s getting closer. When we consider the entirety weighs in at 650,000 words, perhaps it’s not so surprising that it’s taking so long. I thank you for your well wishes.
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You are so dedicated and disciplined. I wouldn’t be surprised you’ll be ready by Christmas.
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But there still remains only 24 hours in a day. And it’s still a lot of work to complete. I shall just keep plodding until I am there. No other way to it. And I do enjoy it. And the next project is lined up and waiting. I’ll probvably start work on that towards the end, just to give myself a break from Kerrid and friends.
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Good grief, Woman!!
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Driven. I’ve said it before, I am driven.
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That you are!
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🙂
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Looking forward to this publication!!!
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I thank you. It has been a long haul. Especially when I look back to when I first started it. In its first carnation (2007) it was titled *In the Beginning*, was just the one book, and weighed in at just over 150,000 words. And then I editted it. And it grew. And it grew. I’m getting some good and encouraging feedback from my betas.
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That’s excellent! Having good betas is important.
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More precious than gold. I value them beyond words. And repeatedly tell them so.
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Glad you’re getting more encouraging feedback – I’m not surprised! And as you say, you are very driven, so I’m hoping to be able to have the full quint on my bookshelf by Christmas. No pressure 🙂 x
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Yea, no pressure. I’m doing my best, working, working, working … and taking breaks. 🙂
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Awesome! Can’t wait to read it.
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Hopefully by Christmas.
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I’ll be patiently waiting.
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I shall announce it, you can be sure. 🙂
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