I... I think I've just sent in the first draft of the new book...
It's rough around the edges, with some bits missing, some chapters blank... I don't mind this at all, because when my agent and me editor look at a first draft like this, they're focussing on the big picture, things like;
Does the story make sense?
Does the story work?
Are the characters consistent?
Is it as tense as it needs to be?
Does it have enough pace?
Is the book any GOOD?
These are all things I don't know, because when your head is down and you're working away, you can't look up and step back far enough to see how everything slots together. I hope they don't have any major issues with it. I hope they like it. I hope they think it's GOOD.
As I explained in a previous post, I scrapped most of what I'd written for this book at the end of December and started again. In the last month, I've had to average about twice my usual daily word amount to reach the deadline. It has been as HELLISH as it has been rewarding. I've barely been able to take any breaks, not even for twitter. The work isn't over, of course it's not, there's still a lot to do — and if my editor or agent find any major flaws in the book, that work will double.
But I managed it. I got the first draft done by writing twice as much per day as usual, and the only way I could do that was by having ridiculous amounts of fun. I wish I could tell you about it — I wish I could tell you the title that spun it off in this brand new direction — but all these things are yet to come.
Right now, though, we are gearing up to release the Armageddon Outta Here paperback in two days. As usual, I found myself in a Catch-22 position. I had a paperback coming out of a book most of you already bought in hardback (or trade paperback — the hardback-sized paperbacks), and I know a lot of you would want every edition available — because you're uber-geeks, just like me. So I wanted to give you an extra story or two (or three, as it turned out) to make it worthwhile. Of course, by including new stories, it kinda also makes people who were NOT intending to buy the paperback want to buy it, cuz they want the new stuff.
I don't like making my readers buy multiple copies of my books. If you want to, hey, go right ahead, I won't stop you, but I've never wanted anyone to feel left out if they don't buy every edition. There are some things, unfortunately, that I can't win no matter what I do. So apologies, for those who feel like they ARE missing out. That was not my intention.
But what ARE these new stories? Well, for those Billy-Ray fans out there, two of these stories are about him. They were sequences that just wouldn't fit in the last few books. Death and Texas throws our favourite hit man deluxe into a Texas Chainsaw Massacre situation, with a notable twist. Eye of the Beholder, meanwhile, explores some of his history — including how and why he lost his eyes.
And then there's Theatre of Shadows. The original version of this was written in an afternoon, behind the scenes at the roleplaying event in Dublin last year. It was at this time that I learned one very important lesson about writing — don't try to write and publish a story in the same day.
The original was flawed. This new version is radically different, and it takes the original's place in canon. So that story that was sent to everyone who took part is now a one-off, never to be reprinted.
There are some other, minor changes to one or two other stories in the collection. For instance, I noticed a mistake too late in Across a Dark Plain, which made a mess of where the story sits in continuity. This mistake is now fixed, as will be a corresponding mistake in one of the books. Remember when the Dead Men were talking about the war, and Shudder's birthday? There was a pretty significant typo that I hadn't spotted, which basically set that story a hundred years after I had meant it to take place. All that is now changed, and once again the stories make sense.
I think.
The paperback is out on Thursday, and right now I'm going to go shopping. The cupboards are bare. I won't be able to poke my head up for too long, though — I got work to do.
Good thing I love it.
Tuesday, January 27, 2015
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
4,750 comments:
«Oldest ‹Older 1801 – 2000 of 4750 Newer› Newest»(Wayke did sit next to her, it's your turn.)
(*looks at M&M's*
*shakes head and puts them aside*
*let's Kas cuddle her, gently leaning against her*)
(How did they find out, Star?)
(@J what, are you expecting a "size isn't everything" joke? XD)
(Well what did he say, you'll need to type it again :3)
(*looks at gemma*
...
*wriggles out of Kas' cuddle and pushes Gemma into her spot*)
(*Snuggles into kassy*
Yay!
*Cuddles him tightly*)
(You are, Gem. I didn't want Jai to feel left out.)
(*cuddles Gemma instead, smiling and sighing happily*)
(*curls up against a wall*)
(*mumbles 'don't want pity cuddles*)
(But Jai was using me as a pillow xD)
(*Smiles and rests her head against his chest*
I need to fine a nickname for you.)
(*walks away then fades with each step till she's little more than dust in the wind*)
(Adam nuuuuuuuu!
*can't be bothered moving*
*Kassy is warm*
*Continues cuddling into him*)
Aria2 - *Her breath catches in her throat*
*is speechless, for once*
*Sits in the grass next to her, turning it into a patch of dirt with a few black blades of grass*
So what are you doing out here by yourself..?
Because they could hear who the sound was coming from, of course. XD Puzzled me at the time, though.
*STUPID PHONE DELETED MY COMMENT YOU ARE ALL AMAZING AND ALL DESERVE HUGS, I MEAN ALL OF YOU!
EXCEPT FOR THE DAMN PHONE!)
*Smiles*
Just looking at the waterfall...it's beautiful, isn't it?
Especially when the sunlight hits it. Looks like it's made of diamonds.
-------------------------------
(Adam! nuuuuuuuu!)
Do you have a secret base here or something? or is it just the mountains?
Probably won't be on much tonight. Just in case anyone cares. I'm sure you'll all be fine without me.
Fine without you, perhaps, but certainly better off with your presence.
Yeah... it's nice.
*Looks down at the circle of dirt around him and sighs*
(No, iris. You should be here.
Secret hideout?
*raises eyebrow*
Hi Fabi)
Oh, alright then
*Smiles and waits for him to land*
*Looks over at him*
What is it, Wayke?
I... met someone the other day. She didn't die... not even when she hugged me...
I'm not Iris.
I second what Lantern said.
(Ok then. Well random...
Jai?
Don't tie me up, you creep!
Kas help!!!!!!!)
*Looks out to the distance*
It's- I don't even know what word can describe this...
*Is grinning*
*Slides down from his back and stands beside him*
--------------------------------
Was she meant to...?
No! Of course not, I don't want to kill anyone... It's just... there are some people who don't die around me.
*He sounds hopeful, almost happy*
*nods* Wont be here..
(What's wrong Jai?)
Well Wayke, that's good. But you don't need to be that close to someone to have fun with them...
We're sitting here on a beautiful Winter afternoon, the sun shining next to one of the most beautiful places in all of Blogland.
Are you not having a nice time? are you not happy?
Lonely. And monopoly.
(Monopoly?)
Family time.
(Jai, you always make me happy when you're here, you're that awesome, so if you're feeling bad, you can always talk to me. I'm here. I'll listen. I'll talk. I'll be here for you. Because you're my friend, and I love you.
*hugs her tightly*)
(What she said :3
*Hugs Jaimie tightly too, as well as kas*
Group hug!)
(*nods* group hug.
*hugs*)
Well... yes... but if I got any closer I might kill you...
*hugs both back mutely*
(*hugs back and holds her*)
I slept in.
Well, there is no need for you or I to get closer, but I'm curious.
*Reaches out and takes his hand*
*Stares down at it, watching to see if her hand will turn grey and die*
---------------------------------
*Sits on the edge of the ledge, her legs dangling over the side*
No, I don't think you could get used to this...
*Sighs happily*
(Hey Rose...
*Hugs her if she wants hugged*)
(That's a yes on the turning grey and dying thing.)
(*Tacklehugs Rose*)
*Immediately pulls away from her, jump to his feet*
Are you crazy?!
Hi Aria.
*accepts the hug graciously*
*yelps and cuddles J back*
*Sighs and looks down at her ruined skin*
Yes, probably.
*Turns her head towards the waterfall, watching it fall and glimmer In the light*
I just wanted to fine out if I could be your friend without you killing me.
It seems I can't.
I'll still try though.
(Hey, Danni. It's seven... That's not too late, is it? Or will you be late for work?)
(Find*
*cuddles Rose, if she's not too busy with John*)
Well, you just said that we don't need to be that close to be friends, right?
(*Happily nuzzles Rose*)
(Twenty-two minutes to go.)
It's late enough that I have to skip breakfast and do a four hour shift. At a bakery.
*huggles Kas*
*and cuddles Aria back*
*scrunches up her nose at J*
Hey! That tickles!
Yeah...
*frowns for a moment, thinking of something*
*Glances at him*
*Wonders If she should*
(J, I'd like to rp with you. Check your email.)
(*Keeps nuzzling her, deaf to her pleas*)
(*hugs Danni* aww, I hope time flies for you! Then you can get food!)
*Lays back and looks up at him*
*The ledge starts to crack, just behind her*
*Her eyes go wide, trying not to move*
Oh gods...
*Looks up at Malygos, trying not to panic*
*Tries to push J away halfheartedly, too busy laughing to really do much more*
I might be able to grab some bread for the ride but I don't know...
(Get all the food you can...
Twelve minutes.)
*Is breathing quickly, her heart racing*
*Nods and hugs into him tightly, scared*
*Closes her eyes and holds onto him for dear life*
*Looks at her with a confused expression*
What..?
(Where are Wayke and Aria?)
(*Stops nuzzling her and starts using her as a pillow*
*Sighs happily*)
(At the waterfall, Kassy.)
Nothing
*Smiles and gets up, moving closer to the waterfall*
*Sits at the edge, feet in the water*
*yelps as she puts her feet in as the water is freezing then laughs*
*sees a magnificent waterfall*
*approaches the significant people near it*
Five minutes.)
*Follows her cautiously*
Is it cold?
*Shakes her head, loosening her curls*
No, not really
*smiles*
I think the sun has heat it up a bit.
*Turns around and sees a figure approaching them*
*Squints*
Who's that?
(One minute.)
*approaches Aria*
*Looks close to tears*
*Looks up at him and curls into a tight ball, hugging herself, terrified*
*Can't look over at the view, then she'll instantly be scared of heights*
I think I saw her at the bar the other day...
(Till what, Kassy?)
*Looks at J for a moment then starts bopping his nose*
Hi.
Kas, what for...?
Tanya?
*Kicks her feet slightly*
(Victory.)
(Him? Tanya/Rotia is female?)
(*smiles at Danni*)
(He said her, Kassy :3)
*is confused*
*takes Kas's hands and pulls him to the ground to use him as a pillow too*
Kas! :D
*Rubs her eyes and sits up*
Malygos?
Where am I?
*Looks around*
*Feels the covers and decides to lay back down as she's freezing cold*
(*is a warm pillow for a warm body*
*smiles*)
((One of my PC cores is at 0 degrees C -_-
It's cold here.))
Hey...
(*Scrunches up his nose*
*Boops her back*
*Continues to snuggle and use her as a pillow*)
Are you ok?
What's wrong?
*Looks concerned*
*looks at the time*
*considers the 5km bike ride with really sore legs...*
*itll take longer*
*considers traffic, being early morning*
*decides to play it safe*
*slowly turns vanishes, leaving J pillowless*
Malygos no! don't heat it up, the ice and snow will melt...
I'll be fine.
What happened? how did I get here...?
(*Is pillowless and sad*)
*Frowns slightly*
Malygos, I know I'm younger than you, and not by much, but please stop talking to me like I'm a child...
And thank you, for saving me.
*Stares at him*
(*Offers herself as a pillow knowing that he'll probably reject her anyway*)
(*...
Rests his head against Gemma and closes his eyes*)
Well, I don't have to. I've only told one person of what my powers can actually do. I'm the goddess of passion and mazes, but like all gods and goddesses, I can change my appearance. I can be any being alive.
(Two players left, both doing well, who will win?!)
(*Smiles and plays with his hair softly*)
(*Mr Frozensocks returns*)
(I'm rooting for you, Jai!)
(*Grins slightly and snuggles closer*)
(So, whatcha guys doing?)
Well, because I'm the goddess of passion I can increase or decrease other peoples passion for one another. I'm basically like a cupid, but it works for anything. Like someone hating someone with a passion. I can decrease that hate that they have.
All gods and goddess can change their appearance to anything alive. Animals, other humans, dragons...
(*Steals tea*
*Remembers he doesn't drink tea*
*Hands the tea back to Adam*
*Goes back to Gemma*)
(*Continues playing with his hair with one hand and holds him close with the other*
Hey Kassy, I replied.
I asked you if you were ok.)
*Looks at Wayke then back to Tanya*
(Hey Adam, that picture... is that Deathwing?)
(Pfft, "how" he asks. Nerd here.)
Yes, I think so...I mean, I've never attempted to.
I should be able to...
*Looks up at him*
(I played a bit of it, honestly I know more of the lore than I do of the gameplay.)
(Aaaaand losing...)
(NO GEMMA'S GONNA LEAVE SOON! *clings to her* *whimpers* don't go..)
(Oh crap! *Clings as well*
*Wait he was already clinging*
*Clings tighter*)
(*sobs*
I think she's g-gone)
(*curls up crying*)
(Dedicate the page to Gemma cause obvious.)
(*whimpers and bursts back into atoms*)
(*reforms and hugs Gemma tightly*
DEREK!! I've been saving up to go for a rugby trip!!!! Now I have to get this book!! hmm.... maybe if I beg my dad to buy it.......
(*curls up and gives up*)
(*can random floating atoms curl up and give up?Probably not. One sec*)
(*curls up and gives up*)
(*hugs Jaimie*
*just hugs*)
(*hugs kas tightly, almost crushingly*)
(*Hugs them both*
*Cause he's tall*
*And therefore has long arms*)
(*leans against J, still hugging Kas, face stuffed against his chest*)
()*ruffles Jai's hair*
°W°
(Deleted comment?)
(Hello, Deathwing.)
(*insert comment about Skyrim here*)
(I feel, like I'm dying...it hurts...so much...head...stomach...headheadhead stomach too warm too bright to sharp sharp sharp pain why is my body hurting shaking shaking shaking Ow ow ow shaking shaking shaking huuuuurts pound pound loud pound pounding pain heat hot too hot hot hot burning up up up)
Paracetemol, Sil?
(Already had them, didn't help hurts hurts hurts)
(World of Warcraft, Tia.
*Huggles Jai*)
:/
I know C took ibuprofen and paracetamol at the same time, like a doue dose of painkiller, and that really worked, but at the same time recommending overdoses is probably not adviseable . . .
Do you think you're able to get to sleep, or are you in too much pain? Would just lying there and closing your eyes help?
*double dose
(*hugs J*
*shaKes head at Star*
No overdose..i cant sleep, not like this..)
()*hugs Jaimie*
:(
(Hello.)
Bethany: Thank you... You and Claire are the only things I need.
Liliana: Isn't it just? Now to make you scream...
(*hugs Kas*)
(*hugs Sophia tightly, crying on her shoulder*)
*smiles*
Mmm..I'm glad..
Onwa: *smirks*
Good luck
Appareny since paracetqmol and ibuprofen work differently it's okay, but yeah, I really wouldn't advise it.
:(
I'm sorry . . . I'm all out of tricks. :( Closing your eyes and lying still may help, though.
(*hugs Jaimie tightly back, holding her close*)
Bethany: *she wraps her wings around her* I love you.
Liliana: Thank you. *her hand glows purple and Onwa starts to feel the pain of everyone she has ever hurt or caused hurt to*
(It's fine star..not your fault..)
*smiles, snuggling against her wings*
I love you too Beth, is your hand any better?
Onwa: *tenses slightly, eyes widening a bit but grins*
Being locked in a head, I hardly caused much damage..
(Dark helps..)
Bethany: It's still a little sore...
Liliana: Now this cannot do. *she turns her hands, her arms and legs being twisted at impossible angles - so much so, they break*
Do you want more cream?
Onwa: *cries out loudly, not expecting that, but not screaming*
*chuckles slightly*
(*embraces Jai in a hug*
...)
(*hugs kas*)
Bethany: Please...
Liliana: *she gestures, twisting her broken limbs further*
Bethany: Please...
Liliana: *she gestures, twisting her broken limbs further*
*nods and fetches the tub*
*-unwraps the bandages and starts rubbing the cream in*
Onwa: *screams slightly, jerking, making it worse for herself*
(Yeah . . . )
*pops in, probably not for long*
But hi anyway. Also wbd and msd.
I am back.
Hi Loki! Wb.
Hi Zaf too! :)
I apparently missed Rose.
...
Could I give Loki a hug? Would he mind?
I would not be pleased, but I suppose you could.
*gives Loki a quick, but tight hug*
(I am freezing to death. Hmm, death...)
(Hey, Zaffy, Loki and Hope!)
(Oh, and hear hear!)
*wraps Kas in a blanket*
Hey!
(*freezes the blanket to death*
H- hey, H-Hope. How a-are you? ??)
*rolls her eyes and gives him the biggest, fluffiest, warmest blanket she can find*
I'm being lazy. XP Still didn't eat breakfast, or hang the laundry yet.
Blaaaaaaaah.
(*is slightly warmer*
Thanks...
*smiles*)
*smiles back*
*also hands him hot chocolate*
(*shares the hot chocolate with Hope*)
*accepts her share*
Thanks. :)
*sighs*
Should probably get moving... Still here, but more distant.
(Okay, what are you up to today?)
Nothing much... Warming up my voice and practicing the songs I'm planning to record though. ;)
(Yay for Melody! :3
I look forward to hearing your singing *hugs and smiles*)
Thanks!
But uh, I may not be playing the guitar yet. I'll be singing with no music for a lot of the songs, if not all.
(Aww,okay then.
Sleepy... *curls up around Melody, and falls asleep to Hope's soothing singing*)
((Good night, Hope!))
Have a good night, Tia!
I'll send you the recordings when I finish them. :)
(Gah, I can't sleep. Five in the afternoon and I'm ready to collapse, one in the morning and I can't sleep. *sighs*)
*hugs*
Felt that way yesterday. :P
(But that's the point, I didn't get sleep during the day. I wanted to, but I didn't. And yet I was no longer tired.
Still, I will poof. *ruffles Hope's hair*)
*gets her hair ruffled*
That's fine. I hope you can sleep soon. :)
Hello?
*hugs anyone here* )
Sorry, Rhos! Hi!
*hugs*
How are you feeling?
(*hugs Rhos and Hope*
*will be sleeping soon... hopefully.)
*hugs Hope and Kas*
Hi and its all good Hope,
I'm feeling alright thank you,
Except I have a bit of a cold and a sore throat
But other wise alright
How be you?
Okay Kas (for sleeping soon ) )
(I'm okay, listening to Halo 3 soundtrack and remembering that one night where DRG (a Halo clan I'm in) did the Vidmaster challenge.
Most fun I've ever had online.
Things got pretty intense towards the end, oh yeah~
I hope that cold passes...)
(Sleepy...)
I like the halo 3 soundtrack,
There was a few good songs I like from that game
And sounds like it was a really fun time (the challenge)
And thank you,
It will do soon
And go to sheep Kas!
You need sheep! )
Ditto Kas about the cold, Rhos.
*hugs again*
Sorry again for replying late. Wifi's being mean again. Guess I should be getting used to it, but meh.
I'm okay. Practicing singing and guitar at this moment, so that's also making me pretty distant.
*pokes Rhos*
Look who's talkin'. ;P It's just as late for you as it is for him, right? You should be getting some sheep too.
(S'okay, Hope.
Yeah, we started around ten on a Sunday. It was 3 in the morning and we were so close, so close, and one of the guys took a sleeping pill so we realised if we don't finish in twenty minutes, it's all over. That gave us the determination to make that final push.
Five hours of solid, repetitive, angry yet fun fun. *nods*
I'm off to sleep now, yep. You should sleep too, Rhos. Good night!)
(Ah, how I miss those guys...)
(And girl!)
Night, Kas!
That sounded like fun. :)
*mutters something quietly and walks away to do all the chores*
*again*
*hugs Danni before she goes*
*poofs because lunch*
I doubt she'll be here.
*Slowly walks in*
*And is called out again...*
*To make icing for a cake....*
I think I'm done...
(*Should be tired by now but feels totally awake*)
*is listening to her recordings*
... I know I said it's just for fun, but gah! It sounds horrible! Horrrrrrriiiiiibllllllle! Uuuugh!
*dies*
*revives, wanting to rerecord, but again having second thoughts*
*moans pathetically*
*is also being very dramatic about this, but still doesn't want to do anything yet*
Look up Mega Fauna....
They disturb me.
(They would disturb me too, but they're extinct.)
*waves feebly to Death and J*
Just by hearing about it, I'm afraid to look it up...
Double post six minutes later? Or were you just repeating it?
J! WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING AWAKE???!?!?!?
Nothing compared to Drop Bears... Look them up J.
Never mind.
Computer stuffed up and I had to open the door for mum... So I vanished briefly and I had to refresh the page which made Blogger be a pain and double comment.
*nods in understanding*
*may poof in half an hour with no warning*
...
*this basically is a warning*
Also, wbvd.
Okay Lav!
I'm writing an essay right now anyway :(
(I'm not tiredddddd...)
Post a Comment