Apr 29, 2010
Editing Update
Well, Chapter 1 is more or less edited. Changed a few things, made dates more vague and imprecise to avoid conflicts later on, added in some extra background to my hero. Time to get to work on Chapter 2.
Paul Anthony Shortt believes in magic and monsters. In ghosts and fairies. The creatures that lurk under the bed and inside the closet. The things that live in the dark, and the heroes who stand against them. Above all, he believes that stories have the power to change the world, and the most important stories are the ones which show that monsters can be beaten.
Apr 27, 2010
Editing
Editing is new ground for me. Since my current WIP is the first novel I've finished, I've never been in a position to really look back and work out what needs to be changed to make my work publishable.
I've had some amazing help from some great friends so far, who have all offered their opinions and advice. I'm thrilled to say everything they've said so far has helped me think about the book in new ways, and see how I can better get across my intent and meaning.
So here goes. I started the editing work yesterday and it's continuing today. I'm already contemplating the re-write of a major event in the main plot.
I've had some amazing help from some great friends so far, who have all offered their opinions and advice. I'm thrilled to say everything they've said so far has helped me think about the book in new ways, and see how I can better get across my intent and meaning.
So here goes. I started the editing work yesterday and it's continuing today. I'm already contemplating the re-write of a major event in the main plot.
Paul Anthony Shortt believes in magic and monsters. In ghosts and fairies. The creatures that lurk under the bed and inside the closet. The things that live in the dark, and the heroes who stand against them. Above all, he believes that stories have the power to change the world, and the most important stories are the ones which show that monsters can be beaten.
Apr 21, 2010
Second Draft Progress
I haven't started editing yet, but I've gotten a bit of feedback on the first draft and I have to say I'm incredibly pleased I handed a few copies around to be read. It's great to get outside perspectives on the book, and see where I haven't quite managed to get across what I intended. I think the couple of changes I've already decided on will tighten up the narrative very well, and I can't wait to find out how else I can improve things.
I was also given an idea by an old friend for a background element that will add a lot of depth and direction to my hero, so cheers for that!
A few years ago, I definitely couldn't have done this. Before, I would have only wanted to hear positive reports and would have become very defensive if suggestions like this came to me. It's taken me until now to have the maturity as a writer to accept this stage as the part where I have to work to make this thing as good as it can be.
I was also given an idea by an old friend for a background element that will add a lot of depth and direction to my hero, so cheers for that!
A few years ago, I definitely couldn't have done this. Before, I would have only wanted to hear positive reports and would have become very defensive if suggestions like this came to me. It's taken me until now to have the maturity as a writer to accept this stage as the part where I have to work to make this thing as good as it can be.
Paul Anthony Shortt believes in magic and monsters. In ghosts and fairies. The creatures that lurk under the bed and inside the closet. The things that live in the dark, and the heroes who stand against them. Above all, he believes that stories have the power to change the world, and the most important stories are the ones which show that monsters can be beaten.
Apr 20, 2010
Inspiration
Working on the "between books" factsheet yesterday proved to be incredibly useful. I know what the new status quo is in the city and roughly how my hero's actions have affected things.
What I also got out of it is some major inspiration for where to go with book 2. I have a tentative working title, even if it's a bit cliché, and a nice starting-off point.
Writing down what happens between two books is such a simple idea, I'm actually a bit shocked I never thought of doing it before.
What I also got out of it is some major inspiration for where to go with book 2. I have a tentative working title, even if it's a bit cliché, and a nice starting-off point.
Writing down what happens between two books is such a simple idea, I'm actually a bit shocked I never thought of doing it before.
Paul Anthony Shortt believes in magic and monsters. In ghosts and fairies. The creatures that lurk under the bed and inside the closet. The things that live in the dark, and the heroes who stand against them. Above all, he believes that stories have the power to change the world, and the most important stories are the ones which show that monsters can be beaten.
Apr 19, 2010
In between books
It's something I never actually thought about before now, how to decide what happens in the empty space between the last page of one book and the first page of the next. I'm in that position now, while I give myself some clear head-space after finishing the first draft of book one and wait for some feedback from people who've offered to proof-read for me.
On the one hand, it's daunting because I need to consider how events will have shaped my characters and how they'll be acting and living their lives over a longer period of time, without the benefit of being "on the ground" as it were, in their heads. On the other, it's useful to be able to advance events to the point where I need them to be for the sake of the story.
I'm currently compiling a list for each character detailing what's been happening to them. I'm planning to maintain this even for characters who might not appear, so that when they do return, I have a reference point to re-introduce them.
On the one hand, it's daunting because I need to consider how events will have shaped my characters and how they'll be acting and living their lives over a longer period of time, without the benefit of being "on the ground" as it were, in their heads. On the other, it's useful to be able to advance events to the point where I need them to be for the sake of the story.
I'm currently compiling a list for each character detailing what's been happening to them. I'm planning to maintain this even for characters who might not appear, so that when they do return, I have a reference point to re-introduce them.
Paul Anthony Shortt believes in magic and monsters. In ghosts and fairies. The creatures that lurk under the bed and inside the closet. The things that live in the dark, and the heroes who stand against them. Above all, he believes that stories have the power to change the world, and the most important stories are the ones which show that monsters can be beaten.
Apr 18, 2010
Backups, pdfs and proof-reading
Under sound advice I've backed-up my work on 4 seperate hard drives, as well as the files I have saved on Google Documents. I can't express enough how useful Google Documents is for writing from pretty much anywhere, so long as there's an internet connection available.
I've compiled the seperate chapters into a single "first draft" file, which I've converted to pdf so it can be proof-read. I know full well that things need to be changed, not just in terms of possible spelling or continuity errors, but also because of differences in personal taste. If I'm to get published, my work has to appeal to the widest possible audience, and I know my ego has to take a back-seat for this to happen.
I'm oddly calm and confident about this. I actually want to hear criticism so I can learn and grow as a writer. I know that, several years ago, I couldn't have honestly said that.
I've compiled the seperate chapters into a single "first draft" file, which I've converted to pdf so it can be proof-read. I know full well that things need to be changed, not just in terms of possible spelling or continuity errors, but also because of differences in personal taste. If I'm to get published, my work has to appeal to the widest possible audience, and I know my ego has to take a back-seat for this to happen.
I'm oddly calm and confident about this. I actually want to hear criticism so I can learn and grow as a writer. I know that, several years ago, I couldn't have honestly said that.
Paul Anthony Shortt believes in magic and monsters. In ghosts and fairies. The creatures that lurk under the bed and inside the closet. The things that live in the dark, and the heroes who stand against them. Above all, he believes that stories have the power to change the world, and the most important stories are the ones which show that monsters can be beaten.
Apr 16, 2010
First Draft
Today I completed the first draft of a book I've been working on for several months. I figured this was a good time to start up my blog. It'll cover my writing, my efforts to get published, and anything else literature and writing related.
First up for me now is to get some proof-reading done and get on with my editing and revision. I want to get enough done to send it to literary agents as soon as possible.
Wish me luck.
First up for me now is to get some proof-reading done and get on with my editing and revision. I want to get enough done to send it to literary agents as soon as possible.
Wish me luck.
Paul Anthony Shortt believes in magic and monsters. In ghosts and fairies. The creatures that lurk under the bed and inside the closet. The things that live in the dark, and the heroes who stand against them. Above all, he believes that stories have the power to change the world, and the most important stories are the ones which show that monsters can be beaten.
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