M.J. Oelkers's Blog, page 7
March 23, 2024
Queries
Started reaching out to a few editors through Reedsy. Digging through the self-publish Reddit got me on that trail and it seems to be the right place. Website is easy to use, both in searching for professionals and posting my listing.
My favorite thing is how prompt people have been to respond. I sent out five queries and each received a response in less than 48 hours. That verges on conceptually impossible after sending cold-queries to agents for half a year. People are forthcoming about the services they provide, have reviews of their work, and some even offer to take a look at a couple pages to provide a sample of their style.
The one thing I need to remain mindful of is that everyone I reach out to in this capacity is trying to sell me something. Perhaps that's a bit cynical, but it feels like an odd change of pace to have people coming back telling me I have strong writing and that my story sounds interesting. Feels like a bit of smoke being blown where it doesn't belong. This is business, and I would benefit from keeping that in mind.
Outside of that, book six continues to progress. Things are falling more comfortably into place as I near the end of the second act. The final act is going to be a non-stop rollercoaster, and I'm excited to tuck back into that style after a period of relative calm.
I also kind of want to add another story into the series after this one. Something to round out one of the main characters for the final story. We'll see how I'm feeling when book six wraps.
Toodles.
My favorite thing is how prompt people have been to respond. I sent out five queries and each received a response in less than 48 hours. That verges on conceptually impossible after sending cold-queries to agents for half a year. People are forthcoming about the services they provide, have reviews of their work, and some even offer to take a look at a couple pages to provide a sample of their style.
The one thing I need to remain mindful of is that everyone I reach out to in this capacity is trying to sell me something. Perhaps that's a bit cynical, but it feels like an odd change of pace to have people coming back telling me I have strong writing and that my story sounds interesting. Feels like a bit of smoke being blown where it doesn't belong. This is business, and I would benefit from keeping that in mind.
Outside of that, book six continues to progress. Things are falling more comfortably into place as I near the end of the second act. The final act is going to be a non-stop rollercoaster, and I'm excited to tuck back into that style after a period of relative calm.
I also kind of want to add another story into the series after this one. Something to round out one of the main characters for the final story. We'll see how I'm feeling when book six wraps.
Toodles.
March 15, 2024
Research
Been reading around about the process for self-publication. Mostly cursory information. Probes into what all goes into the process and how much it will likely cost. The numbers were not too far out of expectations, and the process itself does not seem terribly labor intensive. Apart from trying to actually sell the thing, which will be compounded by the fact that I'm a terrible salesperson.
All that said, self-pup is continuing to look more and more like the direction I am headed. Got a few more replies back from agencies over the past couple days. One of them also specified word count, stating that Shikaree is "too long for traditional publication." I find that hard to swallow, given that it is shorter than my previous book. Would have made more sense if they came back with something like, "This is too long for me to market." I digress.
One thing that will be nice is the amount of control that self-publication afford me. That is not to say that I'm chomping at some sort of bit or that I'm concerned about artistic vision. Nothing so high-minded. No, I'm more excited about being able to research who I hand my work to for copyediting. That I'll be able to hire a cover artist of my choosing. List the book for a more reasonable price. Best of all, I'll be able to read the damn thing for an audiobook without needing to ask permission. All things highlighted by the kind folks of the interwebs when marketing my first book.
Toodles.
All that said, self-pup is continuing to look more and more like the direction I am headed. Got a few more replies back from agencies over the past couple days. One of them also specified word count, stating that Shikaree is "too long for traditional publication." I find that hard to swallow, given that it is shorter than my previous book. Would have made more sense if they came back with something like, "This is too long for me to market." I digress.
One thing that will be nice is the amount of control that self-publication afford me. That is not to say that I'm chomping at some sort of bit or that I'm concerned about artistic vision. Nothing so high-minded. No, I'm more excited about being able to research who I hand my work to for copyediting. That I'll be able to hire a cover artist of my choosing. List the book for a more reasonable price. Best of all, I'll be able to read the damn thing for an audiobook without needing to ask permission. All things highlighted by the kind folks of the interwebs when marketing my first book.
Toodles.
March 7, 2024
Break
That's past tense, not a promise of what's to come. Spent four consecutive days doing nothing but playing boardgames with friends. A yearly tradition that leaves me exhausted, but the good kind of exhausted. Tire but happy. My brain turns to a warm bowl of oatmeal garnished with a cinnamon stick. Absolute comfort.
I didn't realize how much I needed a break until it was taken. Part of me wanted to wake up early and get down a page before leaving the house each day. What would have amounted to token progress for the sake of progress. Not a valuable step forward, but the creation of placeholder to make me feel better about allowing myself to breathe.
It's been an awful long time since I took a proper break from writing. Ever since this whole business started up some three years ago, I've written almost every day. Breaks typically came one day at a time and only after finishing a chapter (barring some kind of sickness putting me on my ass). My longest breaks came in the form of a week after the completion of a full draft. Even then I would be thinking about the project to come next.
Loving something doesn't mean I shouldn't take the occasional break. A proper break, at that. One where I let the whole arc fall out of my brain for a few days and focus wholeheartedly on something else. The benefits were tangible the moment I picked back up. Looked back on a handful of lackluster pages, ripped 'em out of the draft, and started fresh. Both pace and quality were leagues ahead of where I left off.
I guess the short version is, "Yes, there can be too much of a good thing."
Until next time,
Toodles
I didn't realize how much I needed a break until it was taken. Part of me wanted to wake up early and get down a page before leaving the house each day. What would have amounted to token progress for the sake of progress. Not a valuable step forward, but the creation of placeholder to make me feel better about allowing myself to breathe.
It's been an awful long time since I took a proper break from writing. Ever since this whole business started up some three years ago, I've written almost every day. Breaks typically came one day at a time and only after finishing a chapter (barring some kind of sickness putting me on my ass). My longest breaks came in the form of a week after the completion of a full draft. Even then I would be thinking about the project to come next.
Loving something doesn't mean I shouldn't take the occasional break. A proper break, at that. One where I let the whole arc fall out of my brain for a few days and focus wholeheartedly on something else. The benefits were tangible the moment I picked back up. Looked back on a handful of lackluster pages, ripped 'em out of the draft, and started fresh. Both pace and quality were leagues ahead of where I left off.
I guess the short version is, "Yes, there can be too much of a good thing."
Until next time,
Toodles
February 28, 2024
Tricksy
And here I thought I got out of that slump. Fool me once and all that. Oh well. The past is the past, and I'm not yet dead. There's always room to move forward so long as I draw breath.
Been having a little trouble with the current story I'm writing (number six for the Arnstead books). Some of that comes from the general difficulties I have with winter, to be sure. The rest of it stems from the nature of the work. This is a more intimate story than I'm used to working on. Relies a lot more on interpersonal relationships than action and daring do to pull the story along. Not that I'm complaining. It's just something different that requires adaptation on my part.
Still no substantial bites on representation for Shikaree. By this point, I think I'm comfortable doing some research into the self-publication process. I can, at the very least, do things that would need to be done anyways. The first item that comes to mind is hiring a professional editor to run through the manuscript and make sure it doesn't look as abysmal as the current print of 'Spellseeker.' Not interested in altering the story. Just want to make sure the presentation is clear and clean. I'll keep sending out feelers while working through that part of the process. If there are still no bites after I'm satisfied with edits, then I'll wager it's time to put the self-pub process into proper gear.
Toodles.
Been having a little trouble with the current story I'm writing (number six for the Arnstead books). Some of that comes from the general difficulties I have with winter, to be sure. The rest of it stems from the nature of the work. This is a more intimate story than I'm used to working on. Relies a lot more on interpersonal relationships than action and daring do to pull the story along. Not that I'm complaining. It's just something different that requires adaptation on my part.
Still no substantial bites on representation for Shikaree. By this point, I think I'm comfortable doing some research into the self-publication process. I can, at the very least, do things that would need to be done anyways. The first item that comes to mind is hiring a professional editor to run through the manuscript and make sure it doesn't look as abysmal as the current print of 'Spellseeker.' Not interested in altering the story. Just want to make sure the presentation is clear and clean. I'll keep sending out feelers while working through that part of the process. If there are still no bites after I'm satisfied with edits, then I'll wager it's time to put the self-pub process into proper gear.
Toodles.
February 8, 2024
Motivation
Helluva thing isn't it? Motivation, I mean. Sometimes it's just... there. You get everything done, plus a dozen other things you hadn't planned to do. Boredom comes from a lack of tasks to complete rather than staring at a daunting list miles long. Feels like you're on top of the world and nothing can tear you down.
Until something inevitably does. Then you sit on the bottom, looking up at the pillar from which you've toppled with a sense of longing that feels centuries old. The most ancient possible fact that could assault your senses. There is everything to be done, but nothing to be done about it. Too tired to be productive and yet too guilty to derive pleasure from the squandered time.
This is where last week's post went. Lost under that pile of filth labeled as 'obligation.' It crosses my mind to perform the task. I have the time to do it when the thought occurs. The problem is... I simply don't. Not because I'm busy, but because my brain refuses to do something that I acknowledge is simple, brief, and will bring me satisfaction after completion. Real bastard, my brain is.
That said, I've maintained the minimum of getting down at least two pages of the current story each day. The one standard I've yet to let fall. I hope for all I'm worth that it's a pattern I can maintain until my last breath. I enjoy it far too much to consider any other outcome. Perhaps I need to look into moving somewhere that consistently warm. A place where I can just walk outside and cook under the sun at any time of year. Something to ponder, I suppose.
Toodles.
Until something inevitably does. Then you sit on the bottom, looking up at the pillar from which you've toppled with a sense of longing that feels centuries old. The most ancient possible fact that could assault your senses. There is everything to be done, but nothing to be done about it. Too tired to be productive and yet too guilty to derive pleasure from the squandered time.
This is where last week's post went. Lost under that pile of filth labeled as 'obligation.' It crosses my mind to perform the task. I have the time to do it when the thought occurs. The problem is... I simply don't. Not because I'm busy, but because my brain refuses to do something that I acknowledge is simple, brief, and will bring me satisfaction after completion. Real bastard, my brain is.
That said, I've maintained the minimum of getting down at least two pages of the current story each day. The one standard I've yet to let fall. I hope for all I'm worth that it's a pattern I can maintain until my last breath. I enjoy it far too much to consider any other outcome. Perhaps I need to look into moving somewhere that consistently warm. A place where I can just walk outside and cook under the sun at any time of year. Something to ponder, I suppose.
Toodles.
January 24, 2024
Flagging
The last couple weeks have been very low energy. It crossed my mind to punch a post up here a few times, but the thought always turned to dust and trickled into dark recesses. Not so much a matter of forgetting as setting the thought on a shelf an gazing longingly at it. Never a fun place to be, let me tell you.
Routine has been a little lackluster, as well. The wonderful nature of normal depression plus seasonal depression. It's like a moth-eaten blanket wet with all the snow and ice we've been getting. Bare minimum I've been able to maintain my writing every day. The working out and reading almost seem to take turns. I'm struggling to keep all three going at once.
Another contributing factor might be where I'm at in the current book. It's making me anxious whenever I sit down to write. Something three chapters in a row of me being on edge just while writing it. There's going to be a bit of a cooldown before it ramps again, but man has it been stressful. I feel like it shouldn't be. Maybe I'm just attached to all my imaginary friends. Hurts to make them hurt. Not that it's going to stop me, but it does make the process a little painful sometimes.
Toodles
Routine has been a little lackluster, as well. The wonderful nature of normal depression plus seasonal depression. It's like a moth-eaten blanket wet with all the snow and ice we've been getting. Bare minimum I've been able to maintain my writing every day. The working out and reading almost seem to take turns. I'm struggling to keep all three going at once.
Another contributing factor might be where I'm at in the current book. It's making me anxious whenever I sit down to write. Something three chapters in a row of me being on edge just while writing it. There's going to be a bit of a cooldown before it ramps again, but man has it been stressful. I feel like it shouldn't be. Maybe I'm just attached to all my imaginary friends. Hurts to make them hurt. Not that it's going to stop me, but it does make the process a little painful sometimes.
Toodles
January 10, 2024
A Little Irish
The reading goes well while the year is yet young. In fairness, the first thing I shot through was a volume of Berserk that had been staring at me for the better part of a month. Not exactly what one might call heavy reading. It got me to thinking, however, that manga has a place on this site, as well. I set about tossing the handful I've read over the years (a small handful, at that) up onto the reading list.
With that out of the way, I turned my gaze toward something a bit more dense. 'Irish Myths and Legends' by Lady Augusta Gregory. A volume I procured while in Ireland a little over a year ago. As a lover of mythology from around the world, it seemed a crime not grab something while I was there. What better place to acquire the myths of Ireland than from Ireland itself? There was a second book I bought at the same time, but one at a time seems like the proper order of business.
My head is a little stuff while I write this. Less conversational than normal. A side effect of writing this immediately after reading of the myths and legends. Though there are worse problems to have, I suppose. I very well could write the next of these entries in emoticons and wingdings. Would be quite the sight, would it not?
But really, that's enough of that. The writing continues to go well. I've settled on the exact nature of the trauma that will shape the entirety of one of the protagonists' lives. I feel like an utter bastard while I write it, but damn if it's not satisfying when those details fall into place. Especially when my notes going into the chapter were basically 'trauma goes here.'
Toodles.
With that out of the way, I turned my gaze toward something a bit more dense. 'Irish Myths and Legends' by Lady Augusta Gregory. A volume I procured while in Ireland a little over a year ago. As a lover of mythology from around the world, it seemed a crime not grab something while I was there. What better place to acquire the myths of Ireland than from Ireland itself? There was a second book I bought at the same time, but one at a time seems like the proper order of business.
My head is a little stuff while I write this. Less conversational than normal. A side effect of writing this immediately after reading of the myths and legends. Though there are worse problems to have, I suppose. I very well could write the next of these entries in emoticons and wingdings. Would be quite the sight, would it not?
But really, that's enough of that. The writing continues to go well. I've settled on the exact nature of the trauma that will shape the entirety of one of the protagonists' lives. I feel like an utter bastard while I write it, but damn if it's not satisfying when those details fall into place. Especially when my notes going into the chapter were basically 'trauma goes here.'
Toodles.
January 4, 2024
And We're Back
I love me some holidays, but god damn do they mess with my routines. Not that the short days do me any favors either. Regardless, I'm back with another post to remind the void that I exist.
Speaking of routines, I think this year's addition is going to be reading. Two years ago I started building healthy habits. Writing was the first and has been solidified as a core part of my day. Days I don't write feel... odd. In a good way. Last year was the addition of regular exercise. It's been a challenge to walk the line between weight loss and upsetting my more reluctant vertebrae, but I've got it down pretty well. 30 pounds down, in fact. Hopefully this year will shave 30 more.
It might sound odd to pick reading as my choice addition. You'd think a writer would read all the time, right? And avidly so. For me, it's always come in waves. I'll have a period where I tear through a handful of books, then I won't touch another for months. Possibly even years. I'd imagine it's safe to say my mood swings play into that.
The goal is to start small. Half an hour a day after all my writing and exercising is done. It comes after my productive hours, but not before my brain starts to fully log off for the day. Subject matter will naturally vary. I'm reading through Berserk right now. There's a handful of mythology collections on my shelf that need perusing. Somewhere in there will come more traditional novels as well. Variety is the spice of life and all that old hat.
Anyways, I should be back to normal posts now that the holiday blitz is through. Work on book six never stopped, so that's continues to go well. Efforts to find representation for Shikaree have stagnated. I need to do a new push on that front, but I've also been saying that for the last few posts, haven't I? Perhaps this will be the week where I finally kick that car back into gear.
Toodles.
Speaking of routines, I think this year's addition is going to be reading. Two years ago I started building healthy habits. Writing was the first and has been solidified as a core part of my day. Days I don't write feel... odd. In a good way. Last year was the addition of regular exercise. It's been a challenge to walk the line between weight loss and upsetting my more reluctant vertebrae, but I've got it down pretty well. 30 pounds down, in fact. Hopefully this year will shave 30 more.
It might sound odd to pick reading as my choice addition. You'd think a writer would read all the time, right? And avidly so. For me, it's always come in waves. I'll have a period where I tear through a handful of books, then I won't touch another for months. Possibly even years. I'd imagine it's safe to say my mood swings play into that.
The goal is to start small. Half an hour a day after all my writing and exercising is done. It comes after my productive hours, but not before my brain starts to fully log off for the day. Subject matter will naturally vary. I'm reading through Berserk right now. There's a handful of mythology collections on my shelf that need perusing. Somewhere in there will come more traditional novels as well. Variety is the spice of life and all that old hat.
Anyways, I should be back to normal posts now that the holiday blitz is through. Work on book six never stopped, so that's continues to go well. Efforts to find representation for Shikaree have stagnated. I need to do a new push on that front, but I've also been saying that for the last few posts, haven't I? Perhaps this will be the week where I finally kick that car back into gear.
Toodles.
December 14, 2023
Sunshine and Rainbows
I feel like I'm in a honeymoon period with the current book (number six). None of the other stories have started with such a lighthearted feeling to them. Not to say there is no excitement. The first two chapters explode, but not in the way the others have. A less aggressive start that gives me time for quips and banter.
Granted, that honeymoon is about to reach its end. Working on chapter four right now. It'll set the stage for one of the two conflicts at the core of the story. After that will sprout the second. One primary concern for each protagonist that will eventually converge into a nightmare scenario. That's where I feel more at home. Dire straights and good intentions gone terribly wrong. I love that dark little corner of mine, and I'm always excited to crawl back.
No wild changes in trajectory for this one yet. It feel quite solid, much like the third story did. Not expecting there to be much deviation from the plan I've set out. Then once this one is done, it's off to the seventh story. The final in this run. A story that's been living in the back of my mind for almost four years now. Wild to think that it's on the horizon. Something that I'll be actively working on as soon as next year. Excitement is the name of the game today.
Toodles.
Granted, that honeymoon is about to reach its end. Working on chapter four right now. It'll set the stage for one of the two conflicts at the core of the story. After that will sprout the second. One primary concern for each protagonist that will eventually converge into a nightmare scenario. That's where I feel more at home. Dire straights and good intentions gone terribly wrong. I love that dark little corner of mine, and I'm always excited to crawl back.
No wild changes in trajectory for this one yet. It feel quite solid, much like the third story did. Not expecting there to be much deviation from the plan I've set out. Then once this one is done, it's off to the seventh story. The final in this run. A story that's been living in the back of my mind for almost four years now. Wild to think that it's on the horizon. Something that I'll be actively working on as soon as next year. Excitement is the name of the game today.
Toodles.
December 6, 2023
Keepin' On
Not a whole lot to report this week (other than posting on time). Things continue to quietly on the front of representation for Shikaree. Still trying, just not getting any bite. Need to send a new wave of proposals out. That might be something to slot for this weekend.
Working on the new book (number six) continues to be a fun dance. I'm unaccustomed to jumping between multiple protagonists. The fact that they're decades apart in years make for an even more acute difference. It's been a fun challenge to back and forth so far. Things will even out in perspective a bit as the story goes on, but the disparity is currently a treat.
Really nothing else to say on the writing front. Nothing of note, at least. Random ideas for other stories pop into my thoughts on occasion. It's struggle enough to work on the one story, though, so I tend to just push those to the side. The particularly notable ones get a tab in OneNote but little more.
Toodles.
Working on the new book (number six) continues to be a fun dance. I'm unaccustomed to jumping between multiple protagonists. The fact that they're decades apart in years make for an even more acute difference. It's been a fun challenge to back and forth so far. Things will even out in perspective a bit as the story goes on, but the disparity is currently a treat.
Really nothing else to say on the writing front. Nothing of note, at least. Random ideas for other stories pop into my thoughts on occasion. It's struggle enough to work on the one story, though, so I tend to just push those to the side. The particularly notable ones get a tab in OneNote but little more.
Toodles.
