Martyn Stanley's Blog, page 9
April 28, 2014
Offer to Celebrate Completion of 1 & 2!
I currently have book 1 The Last Dragon Slayer on Kindle Countdown in both amazon.co.uk and amazon.com!
Pick it up for a fraction of it's normal price!
http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Last-Drag...
http://www.amazon.com/The-Last-Dragon...
Pick it up for a fraction of it's normal price!
http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Last-Drag...
http://www.amazon.com/The-Last-Dragon...
April 22, 2014
Finally some progress!
I've finally uploaded the new 'improved' version of The Verkreath Horror
The new cover looks great, don't you think?
I'm really pleased with it. The annoying thing is, despite three people going over it with a fine toothcomb there are still tiny issues. I know there are three instances in the 'improved' version where I experienced some sort of Freudian slip and capitalized 'north' and 'south' when I didn't need to, which is irritating.
I think the rule is take more time when editing. Perfecting a grammatically flawed chapter must be far easier than perfecting a grammatically flawed book, and a paragraph - easier still!
I'm going to take more time over book 4, I'm going to pour over every paragraph and get it spot on before moving on. It'll take longer to write, but far less longer to polish.
My book 3 is now getting closer too. The trouble is I'm having disagreement with my beta-readers. They are concerned I may be issued with a Fatwa, ala 'Salman Rushdie' because one of my characters criticizes the absurdity of a Torean religion which resembles 'Islam'. They don't like the fact that the holy book of the Savti, currently called 'The Ko'Tar' sounsd too much like the 'The Quran
'.
I reluctantly will probably have to make some changes. I want to explore criticism of religion, but I don't want to be offensive. I think I need to subtly strengthen the counter-argument as well, perhaps by pointing out the comfort people get by following rituals, religious or not.
I hate it, but getting book 3 sorted is going to be a long journey. I wanted it out early summer, but I think late summer is more realistic now.
The new cover looks great, don't you think?
I'm really pleased with it. The annoying thing is, despite three people going over it with a fine toothcomb there are still tiny issues. I know there are three instances in the 'improved' version where I experienced some sort of Freudian slip and capitalized 'north' and 'south' when I didn't need to, which is irritating.
I think the rule is take more time when editing. Perfecting a grammatically flawed chapter must be far easier than perfecting a grammatically flawed book, and a paragraph - easier still!
I'm going to take more time over book 4, I'm going to pour over every paragraph and get it spot on before moving on. It'll take longer to write, but far less longer to polish.
My book 3 is now getting closer too. The trouble is I'm having disagreement with my beta-readers. They are concerned I may be issued with a Fatwa, ala 'Salman Rushdie' because one of my characters criticizes the absurdity of a Torean religion which resembles 'Islam'. They don't like the fact that the holy book of the Savti, currently called 'The Ko'Tar' sounsd too much like the 'The Quran
'.I reluctantly will probably have to make some changes. I want to explore criticism of religion, but I don't want to be offensive. I think I need to subtly strengthen the counter-argument as well, perhaps by pointing out the comfort people get by following rituals, religious or not.
I hate it, but getting book 3 sorted is going to be a long journey. I wanted it out early summer, but I think late summer is more realistic now.
April 17, 2014
Where to now?
Now that the end is in sight for Verkreath 'The Definitive Edition' and 'The Blood Queen' I'm thinking about where I should go next?
Part of me really wants to sit down and start 'The Temple of the Mad God', provided it doesn't get another mid-work 'title change'. At the same time, the plot gets very complicated in 'The Blood Queen' and I wonder if I should step back, re-read what I've put so far, write something else, then comeback to Deathsworn with a fresh head?
I have two other series or novels in mind at least. One, an urban fantasy about angels and demons and a war in heaven, and one an NA science fiction story with a slight nod to the Scwarzeneger film 'Total Recall'
I still have a lot of work to do on 'The Blood Queen' but 'The Verkreath Horror' is very, very close now - I might be uploading at the weekend!
Back to it! It's hard as at the moment, I'm finding The Pillars of the Earth very hard to put down. It's a very gripping point right now.
Part of me really wants to sit down and start 'The Temple of the Mad God', provided it doesn't get another mid-work 'title change'. At the same time, the plot gets very complicated in 'The Blood Queen' and I wonder if I should step back, re-read what I've put so far, write something else, then comeback to Deathsworn with a fresh head?
I have two other series or novels in mind at least. One, an urban fantasy about angels and demons and a war in heaven, and one an NA science fiction story with a slight nod to the Scwarzeneger film 'Total Recall'
I still have a lot of work to do on 'The Blood Queen' but 'The Verkreath Horror' is very, very close now - I might be uploading at the weekend!
Back to it! It's hard as at the moment, I'm finding The Pillars of the Earth very hard to put down. It's a very gripping point right now.
April 14, 2014
The definitive 'Verkreath Horror' draws near!
I'm now on the third to last chapter with my proofer! The definitive version of TVH should be uploaded within a week! Look for the new cover with Brael and Votrex.
The Blood Queen is coming along nicely too! I have a lot of work to do on it. It needs a polish and a tweak here and there - but it's a big book, 50% bigger than the previous two it's 90,000 words long.
There are new characters and concepts and a significant portion of the story takes place in a city.
I think it's perhaps a risky book, it's more different to Verkreath Horror than Verkreath Horror is to Last Dragon Slayer, but I like the story. I can't wait to get it finished!
The Blood Queen is coming along nicely too! I have a lot of work to do on it. It needs a polish and a tweak here and there - but it's a big book, 50% bigger than the previous two it's 90,000 words long.
There are new characters and concepts and a significant portion of the story takes place in a city.
I think it's perhaps a risky book, it's more different to Verkreath Horror than Verkreath Horror is to Last Dragon Slayer, but I like the story. I can't wait to get it finished!
April 11, 2014
April 11th Progress Report!
I am now 50% through the work-through with my proofreader of 'The Verkreath Horror' The definitive version (Hopefully.) Will be uploaded in a matter of days. The cover is ready, and the polish and edit is progressing lightning fast.
My first, rough edit of 'The Blood Queen' is nearly, nearly there. I'm on the second to last chapter and having removed overused words I'm trimming some sentence lengths down. I expect to have the rough edit done in days.
The cover has started too! I think it's going to be really special. It will feature Vashni and Saul this time, but Vashni as you haven't seen her before...
I've had some great, really encouraging reviews lately too! I was starting to feel a little disheartened. Everything seemed to stop moving as I waited for my proofer and editor to catch up. Now I'm feeling good and ready to press forwards.
If anyone likes 'The Deathsworn Arc' please consider dropping me a vote or two on some listopia lists. Nothing encourages me to write like seeing the visibility of 'Deathsworn Arc' increase!
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...
Thanks!
All the best,
Martyn
My first, rough edit of 'The Blood Queen' is nearly, nearly there. I'm on the second to last chapter and having removed overused words I'm trimming some sentence lengths down. I expect to have the rough edit done in days.
The cover has started too! I think it's going to be really special. It will feature Vashni and Saul this time, but Vashni as you haven't seen her before...
I've had some great, really encouraging reviews lately too! I was starting to feel a little disheartened. Everything seemed to stop moving as I waited for my proofer and editor to catch up. Now I'm feeling good and ready to press forwards.
If anyone likes 'The Deathsworn Arc' please consider dropping me a vote or two on some listopia lists. Nothing encourages me to write like seeing the visibility of 'Deathsworn Arc' increase!
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...
Thanks!
All the best,
Martyn
April 4, 2014
The Return of the Blood Queen
I am hoping, hoping to get the chapter, 'The Return of the Blood Queen' edited today!
That leaves only one more chapter and it will time for a second edit and proof!
Getting 'The Blood Queen' right is proving to be a slog - but as I read the chapter, I am reminded of how much I like it! I really like this chapter.
Isis is already working on the cover for book 3, my proofer has promised to take on book 2 ( The Verkreath Horror ) next week! Things are moving!
I've even uploaded the latest file for ' Deathsworn ARC 1: The Last Dragon Slayer ' with the cropped portraits from the book 2 cover and a sneak preview of the book 2 cover at the end!
Can't wait to finally get book 2 exactly as it should be! Please, please, don't buy 'The Verkreath Horror' until you see it with the cover featuring Brael and Votrex, the next upload will be definitive!
Martyn
That leaves only one more chapter and it will time for a second edit and proof!
Getting 'The Blood Queen' right is proving to be a slog - but as I read the chapter, I am reminded of how much I like it! I really like this chapter.
Isis is already working on the cover for book 3, my proofer has promised to take on book 2 ( The Verkreath Horror ) next week! Things are moving!
I've even uploaded the latest file for ' Deathsworn ARC 1: The Last Dragon Slayer ' with the cropped portraits from the book 2 cover and a sneak preview of the book 2 cover at the end!
Can't wait to finally get book 2 exactly as it should be! Please, please, don't buy 'The Verkreath Horror' until you see it with the cover featuring Brael and Votrex, the next upload will be definitive!
Martyn
April 3, 2014
Latest Edition of 'The Last Dragon Slayer'
I've uploaded a new version of book 1. No changes to the text this time - but I have inserted the cropped portraits from the cover of book 2 for Brael and Votrex and I've put a preview of the new cover for book 2 at the end.
I think the new version looks even better!
April 1, 2014
Deathsworn Arc : The Verkreath Horror and The Blood Queen
I'm aching to get the definitive Verkreath Horror up! The cover is amazing, I'm going to crop the faces and put them in the first book for the portraits. I actually already did this for a handful of review copies. I think it'll look amazing.
I'm still ploughing through an initial edit of 'The Blood Queen' I think it's a great story, its got a really different feel to the first two books, now that the 'Truth' is revealed. You really do start to get a picture, if a hazy one of who Vashni is by the end of the book.
I sincerely apologise for the long wait for the final Verkreath and 'The Blood Queen' but I really think it will be worth it!
I have decided to release an anthology of books 1, 2 and 3 too - the anthology will have the old image I used for book 1 for the cover I think, but I will include the new covers in the file as well - as I think they look amazing!
I'm still ploughing through an initial edit of 'The Blood Queen' I think it's a great story, its got a really different feel to the first two books, now that the 'Truth' is revealed. You really do start to get a picture, if a hazy one of who Vashni is by the end of the book.
I sincerely apologise for the long wait for the final Verkreath and 'The Blood Queen' but I really think it will be worth it!
I have decided to release an anthology of books 1, 2 and 3 too - the anthology will have the old image I used for book 1 for the cover I think, but I will include the new covers in the file as well - as I think they look amazing!
March 28, 2014
Deathsworn Arc : The Verkreath Horror
The sequel definitive version is now very close. I'm just waiting for my proof-reader!
Isis Sousa has finished the cover, I just want to run it past another set of eyes or two before I okay it. (Personally I think it looks awesome!)
I don't know when it will go live - if you've read The Last Dragon Slayer and want to start The Verkreath Horror please, please wait! Wait for the version with a cover featuring Votrex and Brael!
I'm still working on book 3, 'The Blood Queen' a 90,000 words it's 50% bigger than the others and it's proving a monster to edit! I will get there, I'm working on it every day, but it's still probably a few weeks off. Book 4 I'm going to edit as I write I think, so I don't get stuck in this situation where I have a mountain of editing, proofing and amending to do.
I am really pleased with 'The Blood Queen' and can't wait to get it done, but I'm not going to release until I'm sure it's 'just right'.
Isis Sousa has finished the cover, I just want to run it past another set of eyes or two before I okay it. (Personally I think it looks awesome!)
I don't know when it will go live - if you've read The Last Dragon Slayer and want to start The Verkreath Horror please, please wait! Wait for the version with a cover featuring Votrex and Brael!
I'm still working on book 3, 'The Blood Queen' a 90,000 words it's 50% bigger than the others and it's proving a monster to edit! I will get there, I'm working on it every day, but it's still probably a few weeks off. Book 4 I'm going to edit as I write I think, so I don't get stuck in this situation where I have a mountain of editing, proofing and amending to do.
I am really pleased with 'The Blood Queen' and can't wait to get it done, but I'm not going to release until I'm sure it's 'just right'.
March 20, 2014
More progress!
I've been through the second edit of the chapter with the big fight scenes of 'The Blood Queen'.
It's been tough - but I'm through it and happier with the text. I think it's tough to write an action scene without overdoing the long sentences. One thing I try to keep telling myself is 'short, sharp, punchy sentences' of course the best writing has an ebb and flow of long and short sentences and this keeps the text interesting. My sin is to use too many, too long sentences - but I think my editing is working well to correct it.
Isis Sousa has more or less finished the image for book 2! I have a new blurb, I'm just waiting for my proofer to go through book 2 with me. The new book 2 should be the definitive version.
I didn't want to make editorial changes, but some of the material in book 2 is very strong and has the potential to put sensitive people off the series. The new version will be a much more rounded story, with less outright sadistic treatment by the villains.
The main thing early readers need to know, that they missed if they read the first edition - is that the Verkreath has a human helping them. He's a main character, you haven't missed much though. All book 2 tells you is that he exists and that he was assisting the Verkreath. We learn little more about him in book 3 : The Blood Queen. Book 3 is more focused on Cormaroth, the Empress, the Heart Stones and the Isharian Church. Of course you can image 'The Truth' has a part to play in the story, a big part to play.
I really can't wait to get the definitive book 2 out and the definitive book 3 out, but I can't rush it. I will not repeat my early mistake of releasing books before they're ready. I know it seems I've slowed down a lot, but when I write book 4 I will be proofing and editing as I write, so the finished article won't be such a monster to edit. Book 3 is longer than I originally said too! It's now 90,000 words, 50% longer than the first two books. I hope that doesn't put you off though, it needs to be that long - because a lot happens in book 3.
Martyn
It's been tough - but I'm through it and happier with the text. I think it's tough to write an action scene without overdoing the long sentences. One thing I try to keep telling myself is 'short, sharp, punchy sentences' of course the best writing has an ebb and flow of long and short sentences and this keeps the text interesting. My sin is to use too many, too long sentences - but I think my editing is working well to correct it.
Isis Sousa has more or less finished the image for book 2! I have a new blurb, I'm just waiting for my proofer to go through book 2 with me. The new book 2 should be the definitive version.
I didn't want to make editorial changes, but some of the material in book 2 is very strong and has the potential to put sensitive people off the series. The new version will be a much more rounded story, with less outright sadistic treatment by the villains.
The main thing early readers need to know, that they missed if they read the first edition - is that the Verkreath has a human helping them. He's a main character, you haven't missed much though. All book 2 tells you is that he exists and that he was assisting the Verkreath. We learn little more about him in book 3 : The Blood Queen. Book 3 is more focused on Cormaroth, the Empress, the Heart Stones and the Isharian Church. Of course you can image 'The Truth' has a part to play in the story, a big part to play.
I really can't wait to get the definitive book 2 out and the definitive book 3 out, but I can't rush it. I will not repeat my early mistake of releasing books before they're ready. I know it seems I've slowed down a lot, but when I write book 4 I will be proofing and editing as I write, so the finished article won't be such a monster to edit. Book 3 is longer than I originally said too! It's now 90,000 words, 50% longer than the first two books. I hope that doesn't put you off though, it needs to be that long - because a lot happens in book 3.
Martyn
