Casey Calouette's Blog, page 8

Building a Novel

Writing a novel is like building a house. There are certain things you must do. You need to pick a site, decide on a style, draw up a blueprint, frame it, and finally finish it. Maybe you could build the bathroom first then tackle the foundation, but it sounds odd to me.

I’m at the point on the next book where I’m picking a site and style. I see a house design that looks neat, but before I start I need to decide if, most importantly, I want to build it. I’ll be writing these characters for the next nine months. I better like them. This is the dreaming stage, I picture the finished product, the look from the street, and let it settle in my mind.

One thing I don’t focus on is if anyone would buy it. That’s defeatist thinking. I find that my ideas get watered down. While I love you, the reader. I write for myself. My first book is doing well enough that I’m confident in my ability to pick a good story.

The reason I’m mentioning all this is I hit a question mark. I started drafting a novel blueprint and now I’m not sure if it’s the house I want to build.The characters will be unique, but I’m not sure if it’s unique like I want. I have other projects, but something pulls me to this one. It looked good from the street, but upon closer inspection it’s got some wonky lines. Not bad, but wonky.

It’s interesting that I don’t want to give details away. That must mean something. I’m not sure what, but if I hold the idea in high enough regard that I don’t want to ruin the surprise it must have some value. I want to share the idea, I really do, but I also want the anticipation for the unveiling.

Speaking of anticipation, Max should be nearly done with Edge of Solace! Holy shit, I cannot wait.

 

 

Edit and Outline

The editing continues! Both on Edge of Solace and book #3. At the same time when I need a break I’m adding details to the new story. Building a new world is so awesome.

The first things I lay out are the basic plot, the theme I want to show, and how I want it to end. The end might be some vague thought, or even a scene I want to show. Most of the time I start with an ending and work back from that.

This is also the point that I build the rules. How does space flight work? How is information transferred? How are critical plot technologies handled. Rules make for interesting interaction. Again, a lot of this is just vague ideas.

I have on giant sheet in Scrivener that I just put ideas in. I also use Evernote when I’m not able to hit Scrivener. Evernote is great for those little ideas that hit you at off times. I used to email myself, but Evernote works nicer.

Once my outline is done I start writing! If all goes well I’ll finish it up late Summer or so. I’d like to get two more novels finished yet this year, potentially three.

Pretty awesome eh?

Prepping Orbital Bombardment

It’s coming.

The capacitor banks are being filled with nanite propellant. The Engineers are swarming in EVA suits and overlaying the stratics. Cloak teams are infiltrating and laying out target painters. But most of all, the orbital charges are primed with antimatter derivatives.

It’s coming.

My Editor, Max, is estimating that he’ll be done around the 12th. It’ll take me a few days to compile the edits and then Edge of Solace will go live. If you haven’t subscribed to the newsletter please do so, I’ll release the info there. That sweet sweet Giclee print of the new cover will be coming soon too. I have an option to order it 36″ by 48″. But that might be a bit overkill for someones wall.

I’m about a third of the way done with my first revision on book #3. That will round out the trilogy and cement the events for future books. My next book will be something totally different. Still science fiction, but a different world. Currently in the outlining process for that.

One favor to ask of you, my readers. When the book comes out leave me an honest review. It is the most helpful thing to other readers, and for me too. I love feedback. Thank you everyone!

Edit Edit Edit

Now that the third book in the series is done I’m putting my time into adding polish and making sure everything is cohesive. I have a notebook of things to return back and add, maybe a mannerism, or a small detail, something that fleshes out the story or character. I didn’t have much I started with that I didn’t end, but in Edge of Solace I had an entire plot arc I edited out. At the very end of the story I realized it didn’t work.

I’m also outlining and deciding on the next thing to write. I had a pair of comedies I had worked on in the past, but I like writing scifi so I’ll probably stick with it. A few ideas…

Archaeologist Team in space – Finds and recovers relics from old wars, until they discover something quite unexpected.
Wright and Rong – In-laws, one’s a drunk the other is obsessive compulsive. Think the Odd Couple in space.
HardNova – A giant running brawl, an entire novel that is a frantic dash to survive amidst a fleet battle.
Dogs of War – A brutal recruiting planet where the genestock for warrior dogs are plucked and sent into space to fight mans wars.
Brothers in Ash – Nanofibers clog every internal combustion engine in the world. Society Falls. (Dytopic/Apocalyptic)
Farshore – The story of William Grace’s Father and the events that led to the creation of the United Colonies.

Lots of content coming down the pipe. I don’t want to jinx myself by mentioning these, but some I’m really excited about.

On top of that I’ve been playing a bit more EVE. I’ve discovered that my EVE time is mutually exclusive to writing, I can do one or the other. Some new board games too, Seven Wonders, X-Wing, and I bit the bullet and bought the 40K Dark Vengeance boxed set.

 

Book #3 Finished!

When I first set myself to writing I set some rules. First, I would write 1,000 words every single day. Second, I would write three books. Until I committed myself I didn’t see any way I could honestly say I’d given it my all.

Eight months later I can say I’ve given it my all. At first it was tough, really tough. Everyday I would set my timer and struggle to eke out my 1,000. Then it got easier, then it got better, then it got hard again. I learned, I could see that my first words were rough. I learned some tough lessons about the process, about editors, about professionalism.

I don’t think I’m going to take a break. I’ve got great ideas for more stories. Richer stories, stories that are alive with wonder. Not that William’s story wasn’t interesting, but I’ve learned so much. Stay tuned for some really exciting stories, I can’t wait to share them with all of you.

Most of all though, thank you for reading my stories. Even when the edges were rough.

Free Stuff! Audiobook Version

Like audiobooks? Like free audiobooks? Then have I got something for you!

I have 20 copies of Trial by Ice to give away. Want one? No strings attached. If you enjoy it, a review on Amazon would be appreciated.

My audiobook dude, Will, did an amazing job with the story. Professionally narrated, great for time on the treadmill, that commute, or even at work. (Hi Cousin, yup, that one’s for you)

Hit me up at casey@caseycalouette.com if you’d like a copy.

I’m waiting for the print to be finished for the custom artwork for Edge of Solace. It’s going to be a monster, 36″ by 48″. Giclee print, so ultra high density and totally beautiful. Whoever gets it will have to frame it, it’s just too big to ship with a frame. Well, not unless I want to ship it like a leg lamp. I’ll post some pics of the pic once I get it.

Close… And a new toy

It’s close. Very close. I can almost taste the sour beery goodness tickling my lips.

But not yet.

By the end of this week I will have finished the first draft. I’m still working on a title, something epic, and witty, and cool. Or least something that sounds like a Viking Metal Band.

Last night I had a pretty great writing session. The boy went to sleep, we hid Easter eggs, and made a trail of bunny footprints to his newest toy. We don’t believe in Easter being a second Christmas so he received a smaller gift. Skylander Giants.

I wasn’t aware that this was a thing, no more than I was aware of Thomas the Train two years ago. The premise is cool, you get a toy with an RFID tag that is unique to the toy. You place it on a Portal of Power and voila, it’s on your Playstation! Now you can play with it in your hands, and on the PS3. It really makes me wonder what other sort of applications you could have for a toy with enhanced features.

Picture a wargame, or a space battle game, or even something like Warhammer with another level of detail. Awesome effects, special criteria, critical hits, and unforeseen events. All through maybe an iPad or even an iPhone. I’ll definitely be watching this one close, especially once all devices carry a near field chip.

95,750 Words on Book #3

95%

Quick Update and Lunch

Busy!

Well, traveling, which is a special sort of busy. The actual meeting time was relatively short but the downtime and travel time between was loooong. My first stop was Central Mexico and after that into Oklahoma City. This wasn’t my first time to either location but I did have one amazing meal.

It was enchiladas… something. I’m not going to butcher the spelling, as I only know it phonetically. But man oh man, it was a wicked sort of delicious.

I had some good stretches for writing, but I didn’t get as much in as I hoped. On the plus side though I came up with a few really great twists to toss in at the end. As well as fleshing out some more details. I’m looking at the final stretch on book #3, everything is outlined and I can’t wait.

It’s gonna be awesome!

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Cover Giveaway – Free Art Print of Edge of Solace!

The cover for Edge of Solace is done! Adam Burn did some absolutely amazing work. So amazing that I want to give away a full size professional print. Pretty sweet yes?

I’m not sure exactly how to go about giving it away yet. I may select a Newsletter Subscriber at random. I’ve seen other contests before where you post an honest review and then send a link to me. This gets me reviews (which is awesome) but I feel rather spammy about it. I’d rather have you as a subscriber and raffle it than to bribe for reviews. I’d love honest reviews, but not as a requirement.

So keep an eye out! I’ll be sure to keep everyone posted here, and on the newsletter once the book is coming out.

When is it scheduled? Mid May. Max Booth III is editing it as we speak. If comes to me early you folks will surely know.

What do you guys think?

Progress! Like a tank through a brick wall.

Nothing can stop me now! Well, mostly nothing, I’m sure a big enough tank or a thick enough wall.

I’m squarely in the final action on book #3. The BIG events are all rolling into place. Time to setup some failure, disappointment, and most of all redemption.

The cover artwork for Edge of Solace is due to be finished today. I’ve seen the earlier works and it looks amazing. One of my readers will win a art quality print of the cover. Not sure how I’m going to do this exactly, but I’ll tie it in somehow. The art is epic, I mean like worldshaking awesome, starship crashing, BOOM!

I’m a little excited yes?

The above photo is a tank I built for my son. He loves it and I enjoyed making the model. He wants me to hang it from the ceiling next to the P-51 model I made earlier. I offered to make a shelf but he is insistent on a string.

75,430 Words