Quinn Whittaker's Blog, page 2
October 7, 2013
Scrivener : The Tool That Will Save You
Hello all!
It has been quite a few months since I last posted...pretty much right after I published Thistledown for the Nook and Kindle. I've been up to some stuff since then, mainly revolving around the shiny new Man beast in my life who is absolutely spectacular. But I have done work! Lots of it actually.
Until this point, I've been using Google Drive to keep all of my writing data together and in an easily accessible format. That is all fine and dandy, but quite frankly, also too much work. Notes get lost and before I know it I've got more documents than you can shake a stick at for a single title. All of which are far too large for Google Drive to open easily...
I'd taken a few month break after publishing Thistledown in order to get my head back in a good place and prep myself for writing the sequel, Thistletorn. I began half-heartedly working on it, mainly because it was such a hassle switching between Google Drive and Word and Nook Press trying to get my submission into a decent format. That has since changed.
My good friend and fellow writer Alex Gonzalez turned me onto Scrivener and I thought I'd share the bounty. He initially showed me a YouTube video of how it works -
- and I got interested. Then I did the free trial - HERE - and went "HOLY SHIT." They actually make the free trial 30 NON CONSECUTIVE days...read that again. It will only count the number of days you open the program, not 30 calendar days from your initial install. You could seriously space the trial out for over a year and it wouldn't count against you. Amazing! Not only that but you can use Scrivener's compile tool to FORMAT YOUR BOOK TO EPUB! No switching between programs, no stressing in trying to figure it all out through online tutorials. It's all been simplified for you!
It wasn't before long that I was creating project files for all of my stories and importing my accumulated files directly into Scrivener [pics and all]. Organizing your thoughts is easy and customize-able. You can have a single view or double view to work with so you can read your notes while you write without switching between windows. There are visual organization tools like the pinboard. Pre-outlined character sheets for you to fill in if you don't want to create your own. Various formats you can write in such as screen writing, novel, short story etc and each is tailored to that style of writing.
I could literally go on for hours about this program. Suffice to say, it's making my life easier and I've blazed ahead in working on the sequel to Thistledown. My notes are finally organized the way I want to work on them in. I'm saving time and energy flipping between files and programs. And I'm seeing results. I can't wait to use this program when NaNoWriMo comes around again next month. I'm planning on using Scrivener to compile Thistletorn for submission to Nook and Kindle once it's completed.
Do you know the best part about it? IT'S ONLY $40. It's cheap! Completely worth how much I'm getting out of it already times 100.
I realize I sound like some damn infomercial and that your eyes must be glazing over as you read this, but if you write, please do yourself a solid and do the free trial. And then support Literature & Latte and buy the damn program because you're going to use it. And you will actually enjoy the writing and editing process compared to what you're fumbling with now.
For writers, Scrivener is literally the tool that will save you.
It has been quite a few months since I last posted...pretty much right after I published Thistledown for the Nook and Kindle. I've been up to some stuff since then, mainly revolving around the shiny new Man beast in my life who is absolutely spectacular. But I have done work! Lots of it actually.
Until this point, I've been using Google Drive to keep all of my writing data together and in an easily accessible format. That is all fine and dandy, but quite frankly, also too much work. Notes get lost and before I know it I've got more documents than you can shake a stick at for a single title. All of which are far too large for Google Drive to open easily...
I'd taken a few month break after publishing Thistledown in order to get my head back in a good place and prep myself for writing the sequel, Thistletorn. I began half-heartedly working on it, mainly because it was such a hassle switching between Google Drive and Word and Nook Press trying to get my submission into a decent format. That has since changed.
My good friend and fellow writer Alex Gonzalez turned me onto Scrivener and I thought I'd share the bounty. He initially showed me a YouTube video of how it works -
- and I got interested. Then I did the free trial - HERE - and went "HOLY SHIT." They actually make the free trial 30 NON CONSECUTIVE days...read that again. It will only count the number of days you open the program, not 30 calendar days from your initial install. You could seriously space the trial out for over a year and it wouldn't count against you. Amazing! Not only that but you can use Scrivener's compile tool to FORMAT YOUR BOOK TO EPUB! No switching between programs, no stressing in trying to figure it all out through online tutorials. It's all been simplified for you!
It wasn't before long that I was creating project files for all of my stories and importing my accumulated files directly into Scrivener [pics and all]. Organizing your thoughts is easy and customize-able. You can have a single view or double view to work with so you can read your notes while you write without switching between windows. There are visual organization tools like the pinboard. Pre-outlined character sheets for you to fill in if you don't want to create your own. Various formats you can write in such as screen writing, novel, short story etc and each is tailored to that style of writing.
I could literally go on for hours about this program. Suffice to say, it's making my life easier and I've blazed ahead in working on the sequel to Thistledown. My notes are finally organized the way I want to work on them in. I'm saving time and energy flipping between files and programs. And I'm seeing results. I can't wait to use this program when NaNoWriMo comes around again next month. I'm planning on using Scrivener to compile Thistletorn for submission to Nook and Kindle once it's completed.
Do you know the best part about it? IT'S ONLY $40. It's cheap! Completely worth how much I'm getting out of it already times 100.
I realize I sound like some damn infomercial and that your eyes must be glazing over as you read this, but if you write, please do yourself a solid and do the free trial. And then support Literature & Latte and buy the damn program because you're going to use it. And you will actually enjoy the writing and editing process compared to what you're fumbling with now.
For writers, Scrivener is literally the tool that will save you.
May 13, 2013
Thistledown : Available on the Nook and Kindle!
Hey there all!
After much cramming, editing, fretting and freaking...Thistledown is out now for the Nook and Kindle. They've both been out for a few weeks now and I'm really excited to see where the book goes and if people like it. I'm gonna go ahead and add the links in a little bit farther down. I just wanted to blab for a bit. ;) There are some great extras as part of the book, including illustrations from Katherine C. Smith and the entire first chapter for the second book, Thistletorn.
I'm excited to start working on that project, though honestly I have to sit down and really break down what's going to happen. I have a rough list, but I need to start expanding upon it and work out the kinks.
The second book will be a lot longer than the first. Especially since I'm not trying to cram 50k+ words into one month and can really delve further into the Golden Afternoon universe. There will be some explanation as to other aspects of Otherland, some harsh experiences for Thistle, and a smorgasbord of new characters!
Any way.... LINKS!! Please support and give out feedback! I've also started a GoodReads account
Nook
Kindle
After much cramming, editing, fretting and freaking...Thistledown is out now for the Nook and Kindle. They've both been out for a few weeks now and I'm really excited to see where the book goes and if people like it. I'm gonna go ahead and add the links in a little bit farther down. I just wanted to blab for a bit. ;) There are some great extras as part of the book, including illustrations from Katherine C. Smith and the entire first chapter for the second book, Thistletorn.
I'm excited to start working on that project, though honestly I have to sit down and really break down what's going to happen. I have a rough list, but I need to start expanding upon it and work out the kinks.
The second book will be a lot longer than the first. Especially since I'm not trying to cram 50k+ words into one month and can really delve further into the Golden Afternoon universe. There will be some explanation as to other aspects of Otherland, some harsh experiences for Thistle, and a smorgasbord of new characters!
Any way.... LINKS!! Please support and give out feedback! I've also started a GoodReads account
Nook
Kindle
April 18, 2013
Nook Press & Character Art - Getting things ready for publishing!
Hey everybody!
So I haven't died, obviously. I thought I'd post what I was in the middle of doing so that you might get an idea of what the situation is. I had to take personal time off from Thistledown so the late February deadline was a bust.
In a way it was a great thing because I was able to have some awesome artwork done and Nook Press came out! I was really trying to figure out how to properly get my project out and Nook Press just completely made the entire process easy. I'm thinking of doing a full review of what I think of it in another post, but for now I'll just admit that it's amazing.
I've changed my publication date to sometime at the end of this month. I have a lot to do in the interim as I still have some editing to do, though I'm a solid amount through. I'm also discovering the ins and outs of buying ISBNs, publishing via Amazon, and thinking of getting an actual website up and running so that I can put bonus content up for my readers to have fun with.
Speaking of which, I'm putting quite a bit of bonus content in the book. Artwork, Character Profiles, Playlist, Glossary etc. Basically a bunch of the things I use and need in order to write my stories, I'm including for the reader. I've also planned on making the price of the e-book 3.99; mainly because most ebooks are overpriced and I'd feel like a chump for jumping on board the 7.99 train when there are absolutely no printing costs.
Anyway, here be some art for you to oggle! All artwork by Katherine C. Smith! :) I can't wait to see what Mordecai is going to look like!
Thistle Finley
Alder Barclay
Alder Barclay in his partial Witch form.
So I haven't died, obviously. I thought I'd post what I was in the middle of doing so that you might get an idea of what the situation is. I had to take personal time off from Thistledown so the late February deadline was a bust.
In a way it was a great thing because I was able to have some awesome artwork done and Nook Press came out! I was really trying to figure out how to properly get my project out and Nook Press just completely made the entire process easy. I'm thinking of doing a full review of what I think of it in another post, but for now I'll just admit that it's amazing.
I've changed my publication date to sometime at the end of this month. I have a lot to do in the interim as I still have some editing to do, though I'm a solid amount through. I'm also discovering the ins and outs of buying ISBNs, publishing via Amazon, and thinking of getting an actual website up and running so that I can put bonus content up for my readers to have fun with.
Speaking of which, I'm putting quite a bit of bonus content in the book. Artwork, Character Profiles, Playlist, Glossary etc. Basically a bunch of the things I use and need in order to write my stories, I'm including for the reader. I've also planned on making the price of the e-book 3.99; mainly because most ebooks are overpriced and I'd feel like a chump for jumping on board the 7.99 train when there are absolutely no printing costs.
Anyway, here be some art for you to oggle! All artwork by Katherine C. Smith! :) I can't wait to see what Mordecai is going to look like!
Thistle Finley
Alder Barclay
Alder Barclay in his partial Witch form.February 3, 2013
Finalized Cover for Thistledown!!!
I finally got the last revision of the cover art and here it is! :D
December 24, 2012
Thistledown Update: Sick but Writing!
Hey all!!
It sucks to be sick. And I mean the hacking up a lung type of sick not just some sniffles. I won't be able to do much with anyone this Christmas because I don't want to give this to anyone, especially the man's mother who's fighting cancer. So I'll probably be alone Christmas morning, though I am going to my parents and my friend's house to swap gifts and eat some food today. I just can't touch anything.
I really wasn't feeling up to writing the past few days but I sat down last night and wrote all of chapter 15 in about two hours! Whoot!! Now I only have two more chapters to go and Thistledown will be ready for review and editing.
I got online to pubit! and started the sign up process to publish a book! So exciting! This is going to be so satisfying when I finally get something published. I've been waiting far too long for this as I have a lot of stories either half done or finished but in script format. I haven't decided yet if I'll just jump into Thistletorn, the second book for Thistle Finley, or if I'll wrap up another story and get it published. I may just write Thistletorn and then write the Welkinbane or another story on the side. Ehhh we'll see how it goes at any rate.
But yes! Counting down the chapters! :D
And a Happy Christmas to all!! May you get loads of gifts and have a blast with your loved ones!!
~The Sick yet Hopeful
It sucks to be sick. And I mean the hacking up a lung type of sick not just some sniffles. I won't be able to do much with anyone this Christmas because I don't want to give this to anyone, especially the man's mother who's fighting cancer. So I'll probably be alone Christmas morning, though I am going to my parents and my friend's house to swap gifts and eat some food today. I just can't touch anything.
I really wasn't feeling up to writing the past few days but I sat down last night and wrote all of chapter 15 in about two hours! Whoot!! Now I only have two more chapters to go and Thistledown will be ready for review and editing.
I got online to pubit! and started the sign up process to publish a book! So exciting! This is going to be so satisfying when I finally get something published. I've been waiting far too long for this as I have a lot of stories either half done or finished but in script format. I haven't decided yet if I'll just jump into Thistletorn, the second book for Thistle Finley, or if I'll wrap up another story and get it published. I may just write Thistletorn and then write the Welkinbane or another story on the side. Ehhh we'll see how it goes at any rate.
But yes! Counting down the chapters! :D
And a Happy Christmas to all!! May you get loads of gifts and have a blast with your loved ones!!
~The Sick yet Hopeful
December 20, 2012
Thistledown Update: Chapter 14 Complete! + Deadline!
WHOOT! So happy to be able to say I have chapter 14 wrapped up and ready! All I need now is some gumption worked up to plow through chapter 15.
14 & 15, also known as the twins of evil, are making my life difficult. Mainly because I've written some stuff in other chapters that were originally going to be in the twins of evil or got confused between the two vicious little blokes. At least I know what I'll do for 15 as I ended up making some personal compromises in order to keep the two chapters separate instead of merging them into one big fugly of a chapter.
All in all, I'm glad 14 is done, it was lip-curling agony to plow through.
On another note! I have given myself deadlines and I am determined to see them through. I'm going to list them here for you to see so that way if I don't make it, I'll know that the world knows and I will crawl to my corner of shame and cry bitter tears of fail.
Sat. Dec. 29th...............Last day of writing
Sun. Jan. 6th.................Last day for proofreading
Sun. Jan. 13th...............Last day for editing
Sun. Jan. 27th...............Last day to format
Thur. Jan. 31st..............Project MUST be finalized
12:00am Pacific Time Fri. Feb. 1st.......................... PUBLISH THISTLEDOWN via Smashwords
SO! Expect to see Thistledown available on every available format Smashwords supports on February 1st! It shall be there....it shall be there....
14 & 15, also known as the twins of evil, are making my life difficult. Mainly because I've written some stuff in other chapters that were originally going to be in the twins of evil or got confused between the two vicious little blokes. At least I know what I'll do for 15 as I ended up making some personal compromises in order to keep the two chapters separate instead of merging them into one big fugly of a chapter.
All in all, I'm glad 14 is done, it was lip-curling agony to plow through.
On another note! I have given myself deadlines and I am determined to see them through. I'm going to list them here for you to see so that way if I don't make it, I'll know that the world knows and I will crawl to my corner of shame and cry bitter tears of fail.
Sat. Dec. 29th...............Last day of writing
Sun. Jan. 6th.................Last day for proofreading
Sun. Jan. 13th...............Last day for editing
Sun. Jan. 27th...............Last day to format
Thur. Jan. 31st..............Project MUST be finalized
12:00am Pacific Time Fri. Feb. 1st.......................... PUBLISH THISTLEDOWN via Smashwords
SO! Expect to see Thistledown available on every available format Smashwords supports on February 1st! It shall be there....it shall be there....
December 18, 2012
Reading Blog!!!!
Just so you all know, I started a reading blog to keep up with all of the books I've been reading and writing reviews. This blog had originally been for that purpose but slowly got eaten by the NaNo beast and became a writing blog instead.....
SO! I've created a blog just for my little bookiewookies [Thinking of a wookie made of books]. I have a link to it on the right bar but you can also find it HERE. I've taken off my reading list here on my writing blog and have instead plopped it onto my reading blog, just to keep things copasetic. It will be updated regularly and have a corresponding review for each new book I finish. BLAGH. I feel weird. Damn you vertigo, damn you.
~The Dizzy
SO! I've created a blog just for my little bookiewookies [Thinking of a wookie made of books]. I have a link to it on the right bar but you can also find it HERE. I've taken off my reading list here on my writing blog and have instead plopped it onto my reading blog, just to keep things copasetic. It will be updated regularly and have a corresponding review for each new book I finish. BLAGH. I feel weird. Damn you vertigo, damn you.
~The Dizzy
Update: Bit by bit...
So, I've actually managed to get a little bit of writing done [though not much due to work] despite a very irritating writing block. I'm not entirely sure what I'm doing with chapter 14, although it's sort of turning into a lecture/let's explain the crazy chapter to catch both the reader and Thistle up on everything. I've been having an argument with myself about what should be left in and what should be kept for another book so it's been a relatively slow process getting chapter 14 done. I feel like after I get this one done, the rest of the chapters are going to just fly by since they are laid out right and are pretty straight forward.
I hate to whine, but I feel so far behind and all I can seem to manage is like 300-600 words per every other day instead of 1,500-3,000 words per day like I was last month. Ah well, guess it's just part of the process and all. At least I didn't just stop. I know if I do that I won't pick the story back up for about a year. I keep telling myself to keep going, that February 1st is my deadline to e-publish and that I only have 3.5 chapters left to crank out. UGH. I'm a lazy bastard. Yes, yes I am.
Well, until I actually have something productive to tell you, I bid you adieu.
~The Lazy
I hate to whine, but I feel so far behind and all I can seem to manage is like 300-600 words per every other day instead of 1,500-3,000 words per day like I was last month. Ah well, guess it's just part of the process and all. At least I didn't just stop. I know if I do that I won't pick the story back up for about a year. I keep telling myself to keep going, that February 1st is my deadline to e-publish and that I only have 3.5 chapters left to crank out. UGH. I'm a lazy bastard. Yes, yes I am.
Well, until I actually have something productive to tell you, I bid you adieu.
~The Lazy
December 11, 2012
Thistledown Sample Chapter Available on Wattpad!
Hey All!
So the past week has been pretty slow in terms of writing. I did print out a hard copy of what I had so far for Thistledown, but had it snatched from my claws by my voracious mother. I love her dearly, but eegads woman! I need to edit it first before it's worthy of consumption!
Despite all of my protestations, she still managed to read it and do a first rough edit of it for me. I've now started editing it myself, though honestly I feel weird about not being the first person to rip my story a new one. I did do a cursory once over of the first chapter and decided it was okay enough to publish as a sample chapter on Wattpad. I'd had the book up for about two minutes and I already had 14 reads! I'm so excited! I honestly have to give all of the credit to the cover art and Katherine C. Smith for doing such a good job.
I'm probably a little too excited by such news, but what can I say? I'm a noob at this sort of thing. And I am busting butt on editing and wrapping up the story [though not as hardcore as when it was NaNo time...] February is my deadline! FEBRUARY!! The word that makes me contort my face in order to say it!
Without further ado, here's the first chapter of Thistledown ! Please comment and vote! :D
~The Easily Excited!
So the past week has been pretty slow in terms of writing. I did print out a hard copy of what I had so far for Thistledown, but had it snatched from my claws by my voracious mother. I love her dearly, but eegads woman! I need to edit it first before it's worthy of consumption!
Despite all of my protestations, she still managed to read it and do a first rough edit of it for me. I've now started editing it myself, though honestly I feel weird about not being the first person to rip my story a new one. I did do a cursory once over of the first chapter and decided it was okay enough to publish as a sample chapter on Wattpad. I'd had the book up for about two minutes and I already had 14 reads! I'm so excited! I honestly have to give all of the credit to the cover art and Katherine C. Smith for doing such a good job.
I'm probably a little too excited by such news, but what can I say? I'm a noob at this sort of thing. And I am busting butt on editing and wrapping up the story [though not as hardcore as when it was NaNo time...] February is my deadline! FEBRUARY!! The word that makes me contort my face in order to say it!
Without further ado, here's the first chapter of Thistledown ! Please comment and vote! :D
~The Easily Excited!
December 3, 2012
Thistledown Update: Cover!
Hey all!
Sorry for not posting in a while, I sorta needed a break from all that writing. I got a new cover that's going to work out for the e-book version of Thistledown! Whoot!
I made it extra large so you can see all the pretty detail. And nope, I am not ashamed to make it large and in charge of this post! It's freakin' fabulous! And it looks like Emily Browning! All hail Katherine C. Smith for this lovely image! Bitch you fantastic!
Now I have to get off of my dead ass and work on the damn story, lol. I've given myself till February at the very latest to have everything completed and ready for Smashwords. I'm printing out a hard copy to work on right now so that way I can actually read over what I wrote during NaNo and try to do some damage control. I hope I pleasantly surprise myself with something that's halfway descent and doesn't need a major makeover, but I'm not holding out. Have I mentioned I hate not editing as I go? Let me sing you the song of my grammatically correct people....
~Dreading The Re-Read
Sorry for not posting in a while, I sorta needed a break from all that writing. I got a new cover that's going to work out for the e-book version of Thistledown! Whoot!
I made it extra large so you can see all the pretty detail. And nope, I am not ashamed to make it large and in charge of this post! It's freakin' fabulous! And it looks like Emily Browning! All hail Katherine C. Smith for this lovely image! Bitch you fantastic!
Now I have to get off of my dead ass and work on the damn story, lol. I've given myself till February at the very latest to have everything completed and ready for Smashwords. I'm printing out a hard copy to work on right now so that way I can actually read over what I wrote during NaNo and try to do some damage control. I hope I pleasantly surprise myself with something that's halfway descent and doesn't need a major makeover, but I'm not holding out. Have I mentioned I hate not editing as I go? Let me sing you the song of my grammatically correct people....
~Dreading The Re-Read
