So, here we are in May. Massive congrats to all who took part in the A-Z Challenge. I enjoyed dipping in and out of your posts and there were some great themes - just wish I could have got to more. I set my own Challenge for April, to complete revisions of my 2012 NaNo WIP. I finished on April 29th, which must be the only time I've been early for a deadline in my life - a writing one, anyway!
The book is now in the hands of some lovely beta readers - exciting in itself as I've never actually got a book to beta stage before... I acquired these betas through DL Hammons' W.I.PIt blogfest about a year ago, who actually signed up for a totally different WIP. I was pleased to find that some were still available to help, and I also rediscovered the novella I was writing at the time, which I'd completely forgotten about. So, double thanks to Don for that!
I'm aiming towards a release of my NaNo WIP some time this year, hopefully during the summer. I've been writing novels for seven years, and I've just reached the stage where I feel ready to publish one. I've been hung up on perfection, but that doesn't exist - so, I'm coming to an understanding with that fact! I'm really excited about this story and keen for other people to see it, and during revisions it became apparent that it may be the first part of a trilogy, something I'd never previously considered. So I'll be immersed in this story world for a while yet.
Apart from that, I've been slowly getting back into blogging - I'm already signed up for a blogfest and a couple of cover reveals this month, and I'm also finally joining the IWSG, whose members were massively supportive after we lost Andrew, even compiling a video tribute which was so heartwarming.
What are your plans for the rest of the month or year?
35 comments:
If you have anything that needs to be read, I'm free! :D
Plans for this month - I am about to launch a Kickstarter project (I think. If I am brave enough, there will be a post about it on my blog today!), also I need to finish revisions on my rock band story. I'm keeping things reasonably simple this month as I have a few things going on in the real world! :D
Congrats on completing your revisions! I tend to be a perfectionist, too, and agree it's good to somehow move past that, since not only is perfection impossible, but just plain unhealthy. Wishing you the best of luck with publication!
Plan ahead if you think it might be a trilogy! Trust me, it helps.
Glad you're back to blogging and that you've joined the IWSG!
Good to see you back in the blogosphere, Nick. And well done on the all work you've accomplished.
I'm slowly getting caught up after A-Z, have a few small projects in the works for May, then back into my WiP for June and July.
Madeline @ The Shellshank Redemption
It is great to hear you are ready to take the step of publication. Yes perfect manuscript does not exist. Beta reading is fun, if you receive it with an open mind. Glad you are back blogging. Be well.
I can't wait to read your book! And congrats on reaching your deadline early. I know I've never managed that :) Hope the rest of May is awesome!
I'm happy you'll be around more, Nick and that you've accomplished some stuff. Here's hoping you continue to keep up the pace.
Congrats on completing your revisions! Sounds like you have a busy month ahead. My May will be filled with edits on my 2009 NaNo novel currently being torn apart by crit partners and attempting to pump out a short story every day.
I too am returning to blogging after a long absence. Glad to see you are busy writing! And I'm sorry about the loss of your dear friend...Cheers to you and happy writing!
Glad to hear the writing/editing has been progressing well. Hope you forge ahead with your publication plans.
I am trying to make and accomplish more goals. Too often I have so much fun with the blogging/writing thing that I forget it is work and I have to set some hours and get some stuff done!
Wonderful news and plans!
As you know, I'm beta reading for a super talented blogger from the UK this month! :)
And I have a cover reveal coming, and the last touches to put on my novel - found a few mistakes just last night missed by two tireless proofreaders so I'm glad I'm going through it all again. It's a month where I'm finishing up some of my teaching, and working towards finishing the rest in June.
Happy May, Nick!!!
So glad to hear you've completed your revisions. That's a huge accomplishment! Me? I have a new book coming out later this year - Ten Zany Birds. I'm pretty excited about it.
Good to see you back Nick. No, writing perfection doesn't exist - realising that is a big step forward.
My plans involve rewriting a lot of short stories that I used to think were really good, but now can't even bear to look at. I've done a couple and I've got the next one lined up.
Great to see you back! And good luck with your WIP. I've been polishing up my NaNo novel too and hope to query it by the end of the month. Have a wonderful weekend. :)
That is so fantastic, Nick!
Congrats... ALL the BEST with your book!
Congrats, Nick! The beta stage is a fun stage!!!!
It was a crazy month, wasn't it? But we made it! My plans for the rest of the year...hopefully another book sale. Just one and I'll be happy!
Congrats on finishing early! I'm just counting down the days until school is over :-)
Congratulations on the revisions, I look forward to seeing it released into the world.
Welcome back to bloggy land. It can be strange coming back after a stint away, but everyone's so lovely it always feels like you've never been away!
"Scattergun Scribblings" has been included in the A Sunday Drive for this week. Be assured that I hope this helps to point even more new visitors in your direction.
http://asthecrackerheadcrumbles.blogspot.com/2014/05/a-sunday-drive.html
Meeting that deadline had to feel great. Good luck on the noveling. I'm deep in the revision trenches on mine and hope to have it ready to query by this summer. May the 4th be with you!
I'm so excited for you, Nick. You've been in my thoughts quite a lot. I've missed your blog posts, but I know you needed the time away. It's good to have you back.
Best of luck with the upcoming novel! Very exciting :)
Sarah Allen
(From Sarah, With Joy)
It's great to see you back. All of us here in blogland love and support you and yours.
Yes, being a perfectionist is tough. I'm the same way. Took me 12 years, so you're doing okay!
way to get back in there - we missed you, but totally understand. writing will help so much! and good luck with your next steps!
Hope the beta experience is fun as well as informative. IF you think this story might span a few books, write more then two or three of them, at least to first draft stage, if not pre-editing stage, before publishing the first one. I made this huge mistake and I wouldn't like you to do the same. For marketing and sales and reader engagement, they want more than one of the story available. This is obvious in hindsight! *Groan. :)
Great t see you back and best of luck with your writing. X
shahwharton.com
I hope to get one of my short stories finished, edited and ready for another round of critiques. Although it's over 10k words now (with more needing to add to it) and I'm wondering how much longer I will say it's just a short story before it becomes a novel. :)
So happy to see you back, and wishing you every success with your novel. That's exciting. Really enjoyed your previous post (tribute) and photos. Looking forward to seeing you in blog land more, Nick :)
Nick, congrats for meeting that deadline on the 29th--no small feat. I think as writers we often set goals to goad us to work but it can't be taken for granted when we actually exceed them! Well done.
ps
I hope your betas give you the feedback you need to make a strong ms even stronger.
I'm sorry for your loss. I read the post below to find more about Andrew. He had real pluck and was a true fighter. I would have been pleased to have known him.
My plans for this year are to write just for the hell of it. I used to have a goal to become a "famous writer," but it got in the way of the writing!
My blog is The Cheese Whines.
If you need any help, I'm always available to you! :) I loved what you sent me of the other book and I'm excited about your new one!
I'm going to be spending my month revising, but for once in my life I'm actually excited about it. I want to stop doing everything else so I can work on my revisions. :)
Ah, that's so exciting that you're thinking of publishing later this year! Congrats and can't wait to hear more.
Hi Nick - it's good to see you back .. and congratulations on deciding to get on with your writing - glad you've found lots of people to help you .. cheers Hilary
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