Matthew S. Rotundo's Blog, page 8

Progress Report, in which I answer questions you haven’t asked

Still pondering novel projects.  No, I haven’t made a decision yet.  Yes, it’s a little annoying.  Yes, I know I need to pick something soon if I want to start drafting by the first of the year.  Now stop pestering me, wouldya?

No updates for Write Club.

I’m out.

Current Music: "Mind Games"--Triumph

Progress Report, in which I lack a d7

In trying to choose my next novel project, I find I have a few options.  I spent last week trying to jot down some pros and cons for each.

Novel Project A is one I attempted to write in 2012, an expansion of “Canaan,” which appeared in Jim Baen’s Universe.  I got about 3K into it before I realized that I just didn’t have the story yet.  Pros:  It’s the idea that’s been developed the most, and I even have some verbiage.  Cons:  I’m still struggling with the structure and setup.  I don’t know how to incorporate the original story—whether it should just be backstory, or whether it should be a chapter (or two) on its own.  And I wonder if, after so much time, it will be possible to rekindle the necessary fire.

Novel Project B would be an expansion of “Gone Black.”  Pros:  The short story was very well received, good enough to win an award and garner several positive reviews.  It might be the best known piece in my repertoire.  Cons:  I have an idea about how to expand this to novel length, but I’m not at all satisfied with it.  The protagonist just doesn’t have enough of a stake in the story.  And a lot of time has passed since this one’s seen print, too.  Does anyone still care?

Novel Project C would be an expansion of a novelette I completed earlier this year, “The Winter Palace.”  Pros:  It’s the freshest one of the bunch, and there seems to be plenty of room for a longer story.  Cons:  The short hasn’t sold yet, so I don’t know if this one’s as good as I think it is.  Also, based on the age of the protagonist, it would probably be considered a Middle Grade novel, and I know nothing about writing MG.

Novel Project D would be something based on a writing exercise I did earlier this year, at Constellation.  Pros:  It intrigues me.  It’s one of those settings that I’ve always wanted to explore.  Cons:  It’s just an idea at this point.  There’s no story.  At all.

Novel Project E would be an awesome time travel story.  Pros:  Awesome time travel.  Cons:  I’ve just told you everything I know about it.

Novel Project F would be a sequel—either to Wet Work or the next book in the Petra series.   Pros:  I already have my protagonists, antagonists, and some pretty good ideas about the plot for either sequel.  Cons:  I promised myself I wouldn’t write another sequel until and unless I got some serious interest from either agents or publishers.  So far, I have interest from no one.

And I suppose there’s always Novel Project G—none of the above.  Something entirely new.

Obviously, I’m still mired in the swamps of indecision.  Flipping a coin doesn’t seem like an effective way to choose from seven options.  And I’ve never seen a seven-sided die.

So . . . yeah.  That’s where I am at the moment.  Maybe I’ll know more next week.

No updates for Write Club.

Off to ponder . . .

Current Music: "Welcome to the Machine"--Motley Crue

Progress Report, in which I recount some highlights

Last week was all about MileHiCon, which was a swell time, as always.  Some highlights:

My reading went quite well.  I was sharing my slot with two other writers, so my time was limited.  I decided to go with “Fuel,” which I’ve read before, but which audiences tend to enjoy.  I didn’t have time during the panel to get through the whole thing, but I got requests afterward to read the rest.  Which I did, and which got a positive response.

A panel on managing exposition was surprisingly well attended.  In fact, the room was filled to capacity.  Who could have known that topic would be so popular?

I was pleasantly surprised by the “Ask the Authors” panel.  I was a little afraid that there would be nothing but crickets for this one, but people actually came, and we had some fun discussions.

And of course, I got to meet all kinds of groovy new people and chat up old friends.  There wasn’t enough time to see everyone, but then, there never is.  Also, I was a bit under the weather for the con, but was able to secure appropriate medication.  Sudafed, my friends.  Accept no substitutes.  (Thanks again, Lou.)

And that’s it for the 2014 Rotundo World Tour.  Now I just need to figure out my next novel.

Wish me luck with that, wouldya?

No updates for Write Club.

I’m out.

Current Music: "Icky Thump"--The White Stripes

Progress Report, in which I feel brave and reckless

When we last left our hero, he had pretty much written himself into a corner.  But wait!  What’s this?  Looks like an update from Magic Meter!

Ha!  Take that, stubborn story!

And that’s a first draft.  Since I didn’t put it in the Codex contest, I suppose there’s no need for anonymity:  it’s called “The Applause,” although that title might change.  I’m still not sure the piece works, but then, I never am.

And what the hell—since I’m feeling all brave and reckless, here’s a snippet:

As Crystal takes the stage, I huddle in the shadows in the corner of the bar, wondering if I am actually capable of killing her—or whoever it was that did this to me.  An hour ago, I wasn’t so sure.  But with every minute that passes, I become more certain that I can do it, that I will do it.  If I have to.

Cheerful, eh?  Hey, what did you expect?  It’s a Halloween story.

Now I have to get ready for MileHiCon, and figure out my next novel project.  I’m kinda interested to learn what it will be, because at the moment, I got nothin’.  So that’s exciting.

Kind of.

No updates for Write Club.

Laterz . . .

Current Music: "Rub Me Raw"--Warren Zevon

Where to Find Matt at MileHiCon 46

The last stop of the 2014 Rotundo World Tour is upon us:  MileHiCon 46, October 24-26, in Denver.  Here’s my schedule:

Friday, October 24

3:00 pm–WriterMatch.com: Choosing a Writers’ Group (Grand Mesa B-C)

7:00 pm–Short Story Sampler, Vol. 1: Discussion & Readings (Mesa Verde C)*

Saturday, October 25

2:00 pm–Keeping Expository Lumps Digestible (Mesa Verde A)

Sunday, October 26

1:00 pm–Ask the Authors (Mesa Verde C)

*Remember that I always bring bribes treats to my readings.  Come for a treat, stay for a tale—that’s my motto.  Or would be, if I had a motto.

I love MileHiCon.  Hope to see you there!

Current Music: "Thunder Road"--Bruce Springsteen

Progress Report, in which I demonstrate a special skill

So that hard stop I mentioned last week?  Proved to be a bit harder than I thought.  Which is to say, I managed some 1600 words on the new story, and . . . well, Magic Meter paints the rest of the picture:

Yeah.  See, not quite done.  And it’s already over 5K words, which was supposed to be my upper limit.

Now, I was traveling over the weekend, but even so, I could probably could have finished this thing . . . if I only knew how it ended.

That’s right, folks:  I’m at the climax of this piece, and I don’t know what happens next.  Most writers struggle with the famous “muddle in the middle,” and I’ve certainly tussled with it more than once.  But it takes a special kind of skill, I think, to write yourself into a corner at the very end of a story.

Odds are good, of course, that the problem is not with the conclusion, but with something that came before.  Which is of little comfort (or help) at the moment.

Whatever.  I’ll figure it out.  I think.  I hope.

No updates for Write Club.

Back to the grind . . .

Current Music: "Long Distance Blues"--Joe Bonamassa

Progress Report, in which I face a hard stop

About 2600 words on the new story brings Magic Meter here:

Remember how I was worried about whether this story would work?  Well . . . maybe it will.  Maybe.

It’s a strange one, that’s for sure.  But then again, it’s me.  What else would you expect?

Oh, and something else I should note:  unlike other word count goals, that 5K upper limit is not an educated guess.  It’s a hard stop.  This one is for a contest, remember, and 5K is the maximum allowable verbiage.  I’m not sure I can wrap up this first draft in another 900 words, but it will be close.  Enough, I hope, for me to make a few judicious trims before the deadline.  Which, by the way, is this Sunday.

So will our hero make the deadline?  Tune in next week to find out!

No updates for Write Club.

Laterz . . .

Current Music: "Especially in Michigan"--Red Hot Chili Peppers

Progress Report, in which there is a strange new development

And in a strange new development, I actually committed verbiage last week, beginning a new short story.  Look!  It’s Magic Meter!

Would you believe, folks, that these first draft words are my first of 2014?  You would?  Well, that’s because you’ve been following these progress reports, then.  And, you know, thanks for that.

But I digress.  All I meant to say is that I’ve been doing nothing but rewrites up to this point.  It’s good to be working on something new.

As this is a contest story, the title will have to remain classified.  I’ll probably change it at some point, anyway.  And no snippets, either, I’m afraid.  Sorry about that.

I don’t even have any updates for Write Club.  Gee, I guess I don’t have much for you at all.

But there’s Magic Meter, right?  So that’s something.

And I’m out.

Current Music: "Time For Me To Fly"--REO Speedwagon

Progress Report, in which I get what I deserve

So, last week.  Not a really good one, writing-wise.  Because reasons.  Let’s just leave it at that, shall we?

Oh, and lest you think I’m letting myself off the hook, be assured that the writing gods have seen fit to punish me appropriately, to wit:

Write Club updates:

A bounce from an agent on a requested partial.  Response time, 52 days.

And personalized rejection from Tor.com.  Response time, 373 days.

No more than I deserve, I guess.  The writing gods have spoken.  All praise the writing gods.

Yee.  Ha.

Onward.

Current Music: "Tomorrow"--Bob Seger

Progress Report, in which I make no promises

So that idea I’ve been nursing?  The one I’m not sure will work as a story?  I did a wee bit of research and started scribbling notes, getting into that phase of the process that I like to call dream time.  And now I actually have some characters and a plot.  A little more dream time, maybe, and I’ll actually be able to start drafting.

And I’m still not sure it will work.

Not that that will stop me, natch.  Sometimes you just write the damned thing because you have no other choice.

Right, then.  No promises, but there’s a chance Magic Meter may make an appearance next week.

No updates for Write Club.

And I’m out.

Current Music: "Intension"--Tool