Still nottin'

on Monday, August 13, 2012
So I haven't started writing again yet, mostly because nothing interests me. Though I did think of something I might try, which worked in May.

I wrote Half because I wanted to write an urban fantasy book where I just did whatever I wanted. It was hardly the deepest novel but it was fun and I really got into the voice presented. Quarter was that with more refinement, and again written in a short time span (three weeks vs two).

I also wrote Half because I was mad at A Straight Cut (and I'm still mad at it...that book's premise is cool but the story I wrote doesn't live up to it, at least not in its current state) and needed to just creatively explode all my pent up frustrations on something. Sort of a revival, of sorts.

I'm considering doing this again, but this time in a more traditional fantasy setting. Still YA (I'm probably pigeonholing myself into YA, but whatever...I like writing them more) but with more sillyness (like Half) then brooding depression darkness death (like every other YA novel I wrote). It'll be another book I don't care about if it's bad or good, just me throwing a character on a silly adventure.

If anything, it'll force me to start writing again, which is what I really need.

It isn't as if I've been unproductive. I'm currently alpha reading two novels, still writing game reviews on a nearly-daily basis on my video game blog, working on movies/videos for said video game blog, making perler bead sprites, working, and applying to grad schools. So yeah, been a bit busy. I also am trying to play the piano more, so add it to the list.

Regardless, I need to start writing again, because I'm frustrated that I'm not. That pretty much sums it up.

So expect some awesome writing soon. Also, editing Death's Aria and submitting it to everybody I just harassed with Half. What could possibly go wrong? :D

Fighting against the tide

on Friday, August 3, 2012
Sisyphus vs Rock

Hello loyal blog followers (what's left of you, anyway). Wondering what the hell I've been doing? too.

I took July off (as mentioned in my previous update), but July is over so that technically is no longer relevant. I had every intent to write my middle-grade novel this month, but it's humor and I haven't been feeling very...humorous lately, so it's been slow going.

My current new plan is to dig up every random idea I've had over the past couple months (including those I've abandoned), write either the first chapter (in the case of new books) or next chapter (in the case of those with abandonment issues) and whichever sticks I'm writing. Except I'm not allowed to do Eighth, because if I do I'll just end up writing that, and the last thing we need is a third book in that series.

Speaking of which, Half queries are still out in the wild. I've had a handful of partial requests (though, oddly enough, not as many as Steelgods. I'll go on record and say Half is a better book, despite that) and a few personal responses (that's new), so yay for me. Once I feel enough time has passed (read: probably in September) I'm going to do Death's Aria. My goal was at least three books submitted this year and I currently have only done one, so I should probably get on that.

Regardless, as much as I'd love to keep writing Half books (which I can write quickly and get fun, cool ideas for relatively fast), there's no use in pushing sequels for a book that might not sell. I'll keep writing them in my free time (like Steelgods), but honestly if Half doesn't sell the rest are pretty much dead in the water. Which makes me kind of sad, but I brought it upon myself.

Speaking of which: those of you expecting the Quarter alpha...I apologize for how long it's taking me to edit this. Since I took July off and have since been sort of mulling around, I didn't ever finish the edit. I actually don't have much more left (though I have to rewrite a chapter), but once I get it finished it'll be headed towards your inboxes. Thanks for your patience.

Aside from that, my video game kickstarter exploded (thanks to everybody who contributed!) and so I'll also be working on providing some video content for that, which involves writing scripts. Am I spreading myself too thin? Probably, but that's hardly anything new. Here's hoping I can make something awesome. I'm actually quite excited to get all this figured out; learning something new has always been interesting for me.

In either case, I have no idea what I'm writing next (I should probably finish Half and Quarter edits...and A Straight Cut...and Naught But Glass) but I'll keep ya'll posted. I still plan on doing the next Steelgods book in September, if only to keep with the tradition (yet another sequel to a book that didn't sell...brilliant).

Keep on pushin...