Old Novels

I think that when you prepare to take the next step, you have to consider what you did before and what you did well and not so well.

My first novel was a horrible fantasy novel. I like characters in it. It was set to be a trilogy where everything interesting happened later. The major lesson learned is don't save anything interesting for later.

My second novel was titled the Highway West. I think this was a creative breakthrough for me. It was written before the flood of urban fantasy. I think it borrowed too much from other concepts. Still, some of the themes and idea stuck with me hardcore.

My third novel was also titled the Highway West. Yes, I really love the themes, but this time I tried to turn it into a story about an Uncle and a boy taking a road trip and learning about the magical world. Sadly, the TV show Supernatural came out and I really felt covered the same sort of ground.

My fourth novel was titled Abigail's Dragon or Dreams in the Dragon's House. This was my first novel with vibrant characters and my first breakthrough. I'm still shopping this one around.

My fifth novel was Dylan and the Dream Pirates. I think I built on the success of Abigail's Dragon. I'm awaiting feedback on it.

So then, the challenge becomes what to do next.

I've had a couple of ideas here and there. The novel market is scary. I think Abigail's Dragon and Dylan and the Dream Pirates are ready, but I fear not too many places are buying.

And yet, I still feel that urge to write novels. I haven't started a new novel in a long time and it edge is getting to me.

Old Novels

I think that when you prepare to take the next step, you have to consider what you did before and what you did well and not so well.

My first novel was a horrible fantasy novel. I like characters in it. It was set to be a trilogy where everything interesting happened later. The major lesson learned is don't save anything interesting for later.

My second novel was titled the Highway West. I think this was a creative breakthrough for me. It was written before the flood of urban fantasy. I think it borrowed too much from other concepts. Still, some of the themes and idea stuck with me hardcore.

My third novel was also titled the Highway West. Yes, I really love the themes, but this time I tried to turn it into a story about an Uncle and a boy taking a road trip and learning about the magical world. Sadly, the TV show Supernatural came out and I really felt covered the same sort of ground.

My fourth novel was titled Abigail's Dragon or Dreams in the Dragon's House. This was my first novel with vibrant characters and my first breakthrough. I'm still shopping this one around.

My fifth novel was Dylan and the Dream Pirates. I think I built on the success of Abigail's Dragon. I'm awaiting feedback on it.

So then, the challenge becomes what to do next.

I've had a couple of ideas here and there. The novel market is scary. I think Abigail's Dragon and Dylan and the Dream Pirates are ready, but I fear not too many places are buying.

And yet, I still feel that urge to write novels. I haven't started a new novel in a long time and it edge is getting to me.

Feedback

I received the feedback critique on Dylan and the Dream Pirates. It is very much a reasonable, honest look at my draft.

It still needs work. I did note a number of kind things said that are encouraging. The parts she liked are my favorite parts. Her favorite characters are also mine. I agree with 90% of the critique, which is good. I really feel like I got my money's worth.

The next step is deciding if I should revise or jump to the next project. I've heard stories of writers continually editing and revising a draft rather than giving up when they should and starting something new.

You learn something new from every story, every novel. I dont want to be that guy continually pushing a rock up a hill.

I am glad I wrote this novel. I think I learned a lot.

Feedback

I received the feedback critique on Dylan and the Dream Pirates. It is very much a reasonable, honest look at my draft.

It still needs work. I did note a number of kind things said that are encouraging. The parts she liked are my favorite parts. Her favorite characters are also mine. I agree with 90% of the critique, which is good. I really feel like I got my money's worth.

The next step is deciding if I should revise or jump to the next project. I've heard stories of writers continually editing and revising a draft rather than giving up when they should and starting something new.

You learn something new from every story, every novel. I dont want to be that guy continually pushing a rock up a hill.

I am glad I wrote this novel. I think I learned a lot.

Plan of Action: Writing 2010

My head was spinning a bit today. I've been thinking about Dylan and the Dream Pirates and how to edit it properly.

I've also been thinking about my new project. Writing a novel takes a lot of planning. I wasn't sure how I wanted to proceed.

insatia took me kindly by the hand and walked through the novel critique. We discussed her editing the book. She is usually my first editor and most of my major sales come after an edit from her. However, she never finished editing Dylan and the Dream Pirates due to real life.

And so, she is going to run through an editing pass of the book with the critique in mind with a due date of July 1st. After which, I will run through one more pass of edits and rewriting.

And so what will I be doing? Working on freelance material and writing the draft of my next book.

Reading through my notes, I have a lot of potential scenarios.

1. Mystical Rome. An alternate history novel with magic sounds fascinating. This would be really hard to write. Requires a butt ton of research on Roman history and manners.

2. The Doom That Fell Upon the Villa Diodat. An alternate history novel with lots of sex and magic during the summer Mary Shelly wrote Frankenstein. I was going to try to write it for an anthology, but the scope grew more and more and the material turned much more naughty than planned. The bonus to this one is that I've been writing it. http://jasonbandrew.wikidot.com/the-thorn-tree-pact

3. Daughter of the Iron Queen. This is a concept I came up with involving the college age daughter of Persephone discovering that she has divine blood and her step-father Hades is pissed. I liked this idea and then I found out about Percy and the Olympian Series and backburnered this idea.

4. Untitled. This is a survivalist/end of the world novel. I have a couple of different ideas for this. I thought about doing a hundred years after zombies in an isolated town. I need to ponder this one.

5. The Highway West. This is the idea that would not die. Have I progressed enough that I can work on this theme>?

This winter, illness kicked my ass. I don't want lose more chances to shine. I missed some deadlines. Time to kick some ass.

Plan of Action: Writing 2010

My head was spinning a bit today. I've been thinking about Dylan and the Dream Pirates and how to edit it properly.

I've also been thinking about my new project. Writing a novel takes a lot of planning. I wasn't sure how I wanted to proceed.

insatia took me kindly by the hand and walked through the novel critique. We discussed her editing the book. She is usually my first editor and most of my major sales come after an edit from her. However, she never finished editing Dylan and the Dream Pirates due to real life.

And so, she is going to run through an editing pass of the book with the critique in mind with a due date of July 1st. After which, I will run through one more pass of edits and rewriting.

And so what will I be doing? Working on freelance material and writing the draft of my next book.

Reading through my notes, I have a lot of potential scenarios.

1. Mystical Rome. An alternate history novel with magic sounds fascinating. This would be really hard to write. Requires a butt ton of research on Roman history and manners.

2. The Doom That Fell Upon the Villa Diodat. An alternate history novel with lots of sex and magic during the summer Mary Shelly wrote Frankenstein. I was going to try to write it for an anthology, but the scope grew more and more and the material turned much more naughty than planned. The bonus to this one is that I've been writing it. http://jasonbandrew.wikidot.com/the-thorn-tree-pact

3. Daughter of the Iron Queen. This is a concept I came up with involving the college age daughter of Persephone discovering that she has divine blood and her step-father Hades is pissed. I liked this idea and then I found out about Percy and the Olympian Series and backburnered this idea.

4. Untitled. This is a survivalist/end of the world novel. I have a couple of different ideas for this. I thought about doing a hundred years after zombies in an isolated town. I need to ponder this one.

5. The Highway West. This is the idea that would not die. Have I progressed enough that I can work on this theme>?

This winter, illness kicked my ass. I don't want lose more chances to shine. I missed some deadlines. Time to kick some ass.