Asaric Lies (Asaric Tales Book One)
I had signed this off. Ready to go. And then I read yet another book about structure.
A minor detour to explain:
Last year on Goodreads, Joy (of Tales of Eneana ), fellow-blogger, cabin-mate at Camp NaNoWriMo in April, and one-time critique-reader, recommended Save the Cat: The Last Book on Screenwriting You’ll Ever Need by Blake Snyder. Although intended for screenwriters (the title kinda gives it away) it’s equally applicable to novels.
Or so I thought. But what works on screen doesn’t necessarily work with a novel.
Last month, in the lead-up to Christmas, I found another Save the Cat book. This one for novels: Save the Cat! Writes a Novel: The Last Book on Novel Writing You’ll Ever Need by Jessica Brody.
OMG. The best I’ve yet found—and I have read just about every book ever published on the subject. Brilliant. A must-have book for anyone planning to write a novel. Or anyone midway through writing. Or for those, like me, who have written a novel but, well, something’s askew and you just can’t find it.
I read Brody’s Save the Cat. I identified my problem. The bit that needed a fix? It wasn’t there. Alas, alack, it was lacking. But, no big problem, it was easily amended. So now I sigh in satisfaction, somewhat akin to a post-coital glow.
Asaric Axis (Asaric Tales Book Two)
They say no news is good news. Does that apply here? I hope so. The revised Asaric Axis (Asaric Tales Book Two) is still with the beta-reader, though rapidly advancing towards done (or she assures me). I await her feedback. I shall then decide whether to sign it off or apply The Cat to it. It will probably be the latter.
Asaric Skies (Asaric Tales Book Three)
This is also out with beta-readers—and, as ever, my many thanks to you wonderful volunteers. Some of these readers are swift in their response, others … well, it has been Christmas and New Year, loads of parties, and travelling, so I must forgive them.
I’m aware, from those who have sent in their comments and questionnaires, that I have plenty of fixing to do on this book too, though nothing major. At least, that’s how it stands so far. Just twiddling bits, a line here and there, an additional word, or two. But, I can’t do that until all comments are in. I am learning patience.
Asaric Sons (Asaric Tales Book Four)
At the last update I said, while waiting Book Three feedback I would focus on this penultimate book. And so I did. Checked details, checked continuity, double-checked science, replaced hastily deleted scenes, deleted extraneous words, changed imperfect to perfect wherever possible. Finished all that. I then made a start on the next stage: to check that every scene was needed, that each served a purpose, that it drove the plot on, etc.
Indeed, everything was chugging along. Monotonous but vital work. And then I found Jessica Brody and her wretched cat and set aside Book Four to work on Book One.
But now Book One is done, I can return to Four. Unless I’m detoured back to Two.
Book Cover Design
I mentioned in the previous update that Lauren (my critique partner) was working on the covers of this 5-part series. Well, they’re now complete and I so want to show them. I am totally knocked-over-backwards-pleased with them. I cannot express … But they must remain under wraps for a while longer yet.
BTW: Lauren is currently building up a design portfolio and is open to a range of projects. Want to know more? Contact Lauren at Under One Cloud where you’ll find samples of her work. Such as this sample (below)
Sample cover by Lauren Willmore
And finally, a rose by any other name …
The Spinner’s Game
When fellow blogger and photographer, Judy Lovell at Janthina Images and her sister Lynda Haviland (see also on facebook) got together to discuss my books, they expressed concern that the title I’d chosen for the series wasn’t strong enough. After all, what the chuff is an Asar? It’s not in the dictionary. Judy suggested several alternative titles (she’s one of my betas and has read others in the later series which were posted on crimsonprose. So she has a good feel for it. Her suggestion? As above. The Spinner’s Game. I love it! It’s a perfect fit.
The individual books in the Asaric Tales series have also received new names. But until I go for the big cover reveal I shall continue to refer to the books by their Asaric names, as given here in these posts. We don’t want to cause too much confusion, do we.
I’d like to take the opportunity here to thank Judy, Lauren and Lynda for their invaluable input and inspiration. A writer might be an island during drafts one to one thousand, but sooner or later, a writer can’t make it alone.
Next e-book update: Sunday 3rd February 2019.
