Jennifer M. Zeiger's Blog, page 9

How We Learn

There’s the age-old question in school, “When will I ever have to use this in real life?” (Like school isn’t part of real life too. But that’s a thought for another post.)

I think that question comes back to haunt us at times once we’re adults. Over the last couple of years, my husband and I have been learning to sail. You can see some of the fascinating things I’ve learned. (The Learning Curve, Tides, Tidal Rivers – Who Knew?!).

Most recently, we’ve started learning coastal navigation. The math I dreaded in school is coming back to haunt me. But I’m now fascinated by it as well. How in the world did previous generations figure out navigation without electronic aids?!

We’re talking dead reckoning, waypoints, currents, winds, speed, direction, weather… sooo many things can affect a vessel on the water that it’s amazing our ancestors weren’t constantly lost. And I haven’t even started on celestial navigation, but be sure I’m looking forward to it with nervous trepidation.

And it occurs to me that this is the writer’s life. We have to research lots of things. And to understand much of what we’re researching, we need the foundation from our school years. Sorry to my teachers. I wish I’d hung onto more of what you had taught me. Navigation now would be easier if I had!

Blessings,

Jennifer

P.S. I have now ticked past the 17% mark of editing out words of HMII and the themes are starting to shine. It’s an exciting moment for me! I’d hoped to already have it to beta readers but should have known GalaxyCon would delay me. I now hope to send it to readers within the next couple of weeks.

Keeping Wonder

The screen blurs before tired eyes but there’s a goal – a phantom number – to be reached, and so I rub my eyes, drink more coffee, and continue on. Day after day after day. It’s no longer a story, or characters with distinct voices, or a setting alive with color, it’s letters and words on a page, one right after another.

It’s far too easy to reach this stage in writing, where the story loses ground because the details have become a puzzle and the picture’s been shoved aside for the sake of getting cadence right or description clear. It’s scattered pieces that need to be put back together into a cohesive whole.

This last weekend, I attended GalaxyCon with my husband and one of my illustrators, Esther. This was Esther’s first convention and it was a bit overwhelming for her, but at the end of each day, as we were heading back to the hotel, she’d take a look at the sunset and admire God’s paintbrush. She’d thank him for a beautiful end of the day. Perspective. It socked me in the gut. Esther was doing something hard, something scary, but she kept her joy throughout the experience.

She captured toads with her hands and giggled in delight. She thanked God for each sunset. She admired others’ artwork and exclaimed over the surprises in the book she was reading. Wonder and delight in the everyday.

It was refreshing for my soul and inspiring for my writing. Keeping wonder in each day.

Blessings,

Jennifer

P.S. Zap Dragon did great at GalaxyCon! As for HMII, the editing continues. Hopefully, it’ll be ready to pass along to beta readers in the next few weeks.

Hidden Mythics II Update #3

As most of you know, I’ve been super focused on getting Zap Dragon published, which means I’ve been a bit silent on the Hidden Mythics II progress.

In the background, I have been editing the novel. My Alpha reader’s feedback has been amazing. Many times readers highlight different things. This is the beauty of having very different readers. One will pick up on a plot hole here while another will point out the areas where a certain type of tension would work better than what I’ve currently written. When all of the readers say the same thing, I really know I need to fix something.

I knew going into the Alpha reading that the manuscript was bulky, but there comes a point where I’ve looked at the story so much that I can’t see the forest for the trees. My readers confirmed what I already knew. The manuscript needed pairing down – a lot! – and my readers were able to help me figure out where.

My regular editing tally.

So this current edit has focused mostly on trimming the fat, as it were. My goal was to cut 15% or just over 25K words. I’ve accomplished that! Crossed that finish line last weekend.

Now I’m onto the themes that my Alphas highlighted. There are a couple of places in the manuscript that need what I’ll call connection scenes. They’re those scenes where the characters process all the crazy that’s happened and draw closer as a group, making them ready for whatever comes next. It’s a breather moment for the reader. Because these scenes may add back in more words, I’m also looking at cutting another 5% to keep it from getting too long again.

So that’s where I’m at, cutting another 5% and weaving in breather or connection scenes.

As a side note, unlike the Adventures, I don’t have a set format for how my novels progress, I’m still figuring out the process that works for me. The Adventures are outline based, which makes predicting timelines a lot easier. The novels are freely written – or fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants written – which makes any timeline an educated guess. I would love to make the novels timeline based and stick to a clear schedule. So far, this only stunts my ability to write. All that being said, HMII has defied both outlining and my educated guesses on timelines.

I loathe saying this because I really dislike not following through on what I’ve said I’m going to do, but after the stress of getting Zap Dragon out on a faster timeline, I’m not going to kid myself into thinking I can still get HMII out by Christmas. I really, really wanted to keep that deadline. It’s incredibly hard for me to push it out farther and not feel like I’ve failed. But realistically, the professional edit will probably take three months, maybe longer, and I haven’t even run HMII by the Beta readers yet.

This is part of the learning curve for me still. If you’ve been with me for a while, you know I’m constantly learning more about this writing and publishing process. There’s never going to be a point where there’s not more to learn. And I love that, through this whole process, I’ve gotten to share it with friends and family and readers I’ve never even met. (That’s crazy to me, that I have readers who I get to share with but have never met in person!). Along the way, I’ve been incredibly blessed by the support and encouragement from everyone. Writing has been my dream since I could read and I can’t say how amazing it is to make that dream a reality.

Thank you for your understanding and encouragement. I promise HMII will be published, barring an act of God or something, I just don’t know 100% when.

Blessings,

Jennifer

P.S. Zap Dragon is available here on the website or on Amazon! Or, if you like supporting your local bookstore, they can order the book for you. You just have to ask them =) If you want to order off my site, just be aware I’m currently at GalaxyCon and won’t process the order until I return home next week.

Escape – Excerpt from the Upcoming Adventure Book Zap Dragon

Zap Dragon publishes next week! Over the last few weeks, I’ve shared a couple of other excerpts, so if you’re interested in them, you can find them here and here.

As for this week, I picked an excerpt that’s a little farther along in the Adventure than the other two.

Publication Date: July 25, 2023

Genre: Fantasy Adventure (Multi-ending)

Lead In: You’re a metal, automaton dragon with the persnickety defect that zaps things when you’re touched. Just recently, you zapped the Captain of the City Watch, which led, unfortunately, to him being thrown into one of his own jail cells by some bandits. Now you’re in a cage and the Captain with his men are locked into a cell.

Escape – Excerpt from Zap Dragon

“Least it tried, Parkins,” the Captain says. Your chest clenches. With his blond hair singed and eyebrows wild, he looks like he tangled with a power transformer, but instead of the anger you expect, there’s gratitude in his eyes.

Determination builds within you. You slide your tail out the top of your cage and curl it around to insert the tip into the lock.

“What’s it doing?” Parkins asks.

“Unlocking itself,” the Captain says.

There’s resistance in the lock. With a gentle sideways pressure, the resistance disappears.

“It can do that?”

The lock clicks and the top of the cage swings open with a push.

“Guess so.”

***

That’s all for today. As you probably know by now, pre-orders are open here on the website. Once it publishes next Tuesday, Zap Dragon can be found on Amazon and from your local bookstores as well. (You just have to ask the bookstore to order it, it’s unlikely they’ll carry it on their shelves.)

Blessings,

Jennifer

P.S. I mentioned in my recent posts that I wasn’t completely sure if the Zap Dragon stock would arrive in time for publication. I can now say that worry was for naught! Zap Dragon arrived this week and we’re good to go!

The Zap – Excerpt from the Upcoming Adventure Book Zap Dragon

We’re just under a week and a half away from publication! I shared an excerpt last week, so if you missed it, you can find it here.

Zap Dragon has so many fun twists and turns! I again struggled to pick which one to share so I settled for the simplest thing and grabbed one of the first you come across in the book. Hope you enjoy!

Publication Date: July 25, 2023

Genre: Steampunk/Fantasy Adventure (Multi-ending)

Lead In: You’re a metal automaton dragon who was thrown out by the man who made you because of a defect in your design. And the world’s a dangerous place for a dragon who’s never been beyond the four walls of the Maker’s shop. This excerpt picks up as you’re standing off against three street boys who want to capture you so they can sell your parts.

The Zap – Excerpt from Zap Dragon

“It’s still a dumb machine,” the tall boy says. “Climb up that ladder and drop a sack over it.” He gestures to a wooden ladder farther down the wall.

Your heart sinks. If you’d ever flown before, you’d give it a try now, but living in the Maker’s discard heap never gave you the chance.

The boy’s feet are two rungs up when he drops back to the cobblestones.

“Got a report,” says a new voice from above, “of some boys disturbing the peace.” Uniformed men appear at either end of the alley and when you crane your neck upward, you spot a sandy haired man leaning on the top of the ladder. “Round ‘em up,” the Captain of the City Watch orders.

Your wings snick together as you deflate. The spine drops from your paw with a soft thunk. You’re about to move off, maybe slide back behind the dumpster where you can consider your next move, when a Watchman reaches for you.

“No. Wait—”

His hand closes over your shoulder. Your chest buzzes.

Zap!

You’re shoved onto your hindquarters. The Watchman flies backward and slams into the far wall.

Of all the times for your defect to go full bore!

***

Oh dear, you’ve run across the city Watch.

That’s all for today. Pre-orders are available here.

Blessings,

Jennifer

P.S. The editing on HMII continues after I took a break last weekend for Knoxville Fanboy Expo. I’m at just over 10% of my 15% goal in cutting words!

The Sewers – Excerpt from the Upcoming Adventure Book Zap Dragon

It’s difficult to pick excerpts! I used to think it was because these are multi-ending books but honestly, I just find it hard to pick short sections that still give you enough context for the story. Either way, though, Zap Dragon has 14 different endings, so no matter what excerpt I pick, it won’t totally give you a glimpse into the whole book. Oh well, I tried to pick a fun peek =) Hope you enjoy it.

Publication Date: July 25, 2023

Genre: Fantasy Adventure (Multi-ending)

Lead In: You’re a metal automaton dragon who was thrown out by the man who made you because of a defect in your design. And the world’s a dangerous place for a dragon who’s never been beyond the four walls of the Maker’s shop. This excerpt picks up just after you evade capture by the street boys who wanted to sell you for your parts.

The Sewers – Excerpt from Zap Dragon

You’re falling into cool darkness. You open your eyes but only a glimmer of light warns you before you splash into a pool of shallow water below.

Rounded shadows, the heads and shoulders of the boys, appear above. The grate rattles and then you hear, “Stop that! Do you want to draw the Beast’s attention?”

There’s a grumbled response but the shadows disappear.

Darkness, quiet, and a heavy, musty smell surround you. Your sooty marble eyes adjust to the dimness until you make out the dripping walls, a trickle of water along the uneven floor, and the moss growing over everything in a thick mat.

You lay there, listening to the drip, drip, drip of water and the occasional rattle of wheels from above. A search with your claws reveals scratches in your metal chest plate but nothing serious.

You roll over to check your wings, testing for damage. Rust flakes away as they open but the long, thin plates expand with a slicing sound like when the Maker sharpens a knife on his whetstone.

Partially extended, you pause, listening. Drip, drip, drip. You go back to checking your wings only to pause again.

Drip, drip, skitter, drip.

Out of the darkness, a small creature races toward you. He ducks under your wings and out the far side, never making contact. You glimpse bronze spotted with the mossy texture of oxidization. You’re fairly certain it’s a rat like those you’ve seen outside the Maker’s shop, except this one’s made of metal just like you.

“Run!” the rat shouts.

***

That’s it for today. Thanks for sharing in this writing adventure! Pre-orders are now open here

Blessings,

Jennifer

Yay, More Artwork!

When I receive the first proof copy of a book, it’s like Christmas morning! I feel like a little girl every time. Christmas morning is coming slowly this go around.

The Zap Dragon proof hasn’t arrived yet. Sometimes this happens with the printer, so I try to schedule more time for this phase of the process. It still stresses me out some, but it shouldn’t. Once the proof arrives, I’ll do one last copy edit. There’s just something about seeing things in the printed format that helps me catch the persnickety little errors. Honestly, though, I don’t expect Zap to have that many things to clean up.

So, unless I don’t see the proof by next week, pre-orders will open here on the website next week.

And to whet your appetites, I thought I’d share some more of Esther’s artwork. I love how well Esther’s style fits the Discarded Dragons/Zap Dragon world and am super excited to see the proof when it arrives!

As a side note, Esther is also joining me for GalaxyCon Raleigh in July. If you’d like a print of her work, this is your opportunity!

Blessings,

Jennifer

P.S. Zap Dragon publishes on July 25th, so I will also have copies of the book at GalaxyCon if you’re looking for a signed copy. Or take a look at the pre-order when it opens next week. I do sign the pre-ordered copies =)

The Editor – Darren Thornberry

It’s hard to post about my editor. Not because there’s nothing to say, but because editors are such an integral part of publishing and are spoken of so little in the finished product. Yet it’s hard to capture the value, the sense of comfort in a finished product because I know my editor’s looked at it and cares about the project, the sense of peace that comes from having a good editor.

I’ve heard horror stories of writers who are assigned an editor who cares nothing for their work. I’ve thankfully never had that experience. The editors I’ve worked with have all been amazing individuals. The closest I’ve come is an editor who wasn’t a reader of Fantasy. We both agreed at the end of the project that we weren’t a good fit and parted ways amicably.

All of that to say, I can’t thank Darren enough for his enthusiasm for each of the books he’s edited and his careful care in cleaning them up. We can ask questions back and forth. We can discuss options for getting just the right feel for a character’s speech or the right word for a particular scene. There’s so much to be said for having such a working relationship with one’s editor. In a way, it becomes more of a partnership than an editor/client relationship.

As you can probably guess, I could go on for a while. When I get going, I’m not good at keeping my writing concise! So I’ll stop there and simply say Thank You to Darren Thornberry for your wonderful work on Zap Dragon. 

Blessings,

Jennifer

Darren Thornberry

P.S. I should receive the proof for Zap Dragon any day now! As for Hidden Mythics II, I am making steady progress on editing =)

Zap Dragon Cover Reveal!

I’m at that point in the publishing process on Zap Dragon.

The writing is done. The editing is done. The illustrations and formatting are finished. The cover’s ready. I’ve uploaded the book and ordered a proof copy…and now I wait.

So it’s a perfect time to reveal the cover for the book!

Most of you are familiar by now with the cover designer for my books. If you’re not, take a look at all my covers except for The Adventure. Justin Allen’s the genius behind them.

Anyway, usually, I wait until all of the editing is done before I send a cover template to Justin. I’ve mentioned before that a change in page count can change the cover dimensions. But, as I said in last week’s post, I knew my timeline on this book would be tighter than what I’ve done before, so I contacted Justin to see if he could start on the artwork before having a solid template. If I haven’t said it before, Justin’s awesome. He agreed, and got to work back in March. I finally sent him a finalized template at the beginning of June. (He’s so patient with me!)

Here’s the fantastic cover he designed for Zap Dragon. Once again, I’m blown away by the work Justin does.

Blessings,

Jennifer

Yay, the Artwork!

Zap Dragon is almost ready for the printer! I love when this moment comes in a book’s production. All the details start coming together and a finished product is within sight. All I’m waiting on right now is a finished cover. Once that’s done, I’ll order a proof and do one last copy edit after seeing a physical book.

All of this means it’s time to share some illustrations from ZapDragon!  I know I’ve said it before, but seeing what an artist comes up with from my oft-vague descriptions is one of the coolest parts of the publishing process! I’m often blown away by the illustrator’s talent.

As I’ve said before, Zap Dragon is set in the same world as Discarded Dragons. So, I asked Esther Rohman if she would again illustrate for me. Her work has the perfect feel for these books. Despite lots of life business on her end and a shortened timeline on my end, she agreed. And I couldn’t be happier with her work. Esther really pulled through on this book! (The shorter timeline was due to my wanting this book out before GalaxyCon at the end of July. I can say with a fair amount of certainty now, as long as the printer’s not astronomically slow, that Zap Dragon will publish on July 25th!)

Here are some of my favorites from Esther’s recent work on Zap Dragon  

Thank you, Esther, for your amazing work!

And to readers, thank you for stopping by the blog and participating in my writing/publishing journey

Blessings,

Jennifer

P.S. I now have all the comments from my Alpha readers on HMII. Editing is happening. Everything about this book has taken longer than I expected, so I’m going to keep my timeline a bit vague, but my goal is to cut between 15-20% off the word count. Goal timeline…Maybe by GalaxyCon but I really hope for sooner.