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Agony Aunt
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Today I mostly wrote ... the word count thread.
message 3151:
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Alicia
(new)
May 04, 2020 01:36PM
Processed most of Chapter 27 through AutoCrit (my editing software), and it's almost finished to send to the beta reader who keeps me from looking like an idiot!
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Just tidied up the next space opera. Small tweak to the cover and it will be out next week.2 other projects moving along too
Stalled a bit as I've been setting up a shop to sell my books direct from my website.
I love it! Progress!You are leading the way.
I'm impressed by that, Mary.Meantime, Star Spy has gone to Kindle pre order, though the paperback cover is still presenting problems with the position of the text on the spine
Alicia wrote: "I love it! Progress!You are leading the way."
It's more a case of having time but not always feeling inspired so I'm doing this stuff instead.
Will wrote: "I'm impressed by that, Mary.
Meantime, Star Spy has gone to Kindle pre order, though the paperback cover is still presenting problems with the position of the text on the spine"
Nooo ... I'm agog to read this book. Loving this series.
Both of you, I used Payhip and setting it up is really easy. I also have a thing where they can download their books from Bookfunnel if it all goes horribly wrong. I wanted to get the infrastructure up and going. Haven't worked out how to do the Box Set yet but that's because I'm not sure how to construct a workable epub file. Jutoh is not playing ball on this one. I need to look into the possibility of merging projects. Gulp. Also have to tidy up the typos I discovered while proofing the audio.
It's a lovely day here though so I think this afternoon I'll write. After resting the fourth K'Barthan short I decided the end was a bit shit so I've given The Pan of Hamgee a lady to have a fling with. I'm not 100% it's going to work but I just wanted to see ... it's not serious for either of them - she's about to move to another city and he just wants a brief shot at normal for a while ... it might work out, if it doesn't I have the other ending written, it just seemed a bit abrupt though. Also want to start doing some short stuff for the new space series. Or some more K'Barthan Shorts so I have some books in hand and can get on with the big difficult stuff without worrying about a drop in production.
Ho hum, it's all go but I do feel like I've stalled a little bit. Hence the sudden interest in marketing. :-)
Cheers
MTM
Aha! made it to pre order for the Kindle, and paperback release (hopefully all OK).Deep breath, and....
Woot! That's grand. I'll look forward to reading that.On the words front I only did 280 something yesterday but we've been having some time off ... and I'm a bit brain dead so I didn't sweat it over the ten minutes.
I produce epub files using a freebie called Sigil, but I do handcrank a HTML file in between. I don't like using the rubbishy files Word produces (HTML ones) which have loads of c**p in them so I take out a lot of the junk with a HTML editor first. It took quite a while to learn how to do all this but I documented my learning process as I went along and produced a checklist so can now do the whole thing relatively smoothly.People also use Calibre to produce epub files BTW
Haven't managed to get much writing done lately I'm afraid but I did rewrite a scene that someone who read the first 7 chapters for one of my books had a big problem with and I could see her point. So I have sent that small bit to her for review.
Pam wrote: "I produce epub files using a freebie called Sigil, but I do handcrank a HTML file in between. I don't like using the rubbishy files Word produces (HTML ones) which have loads of c**p in them so I t..."I'm REALLY technophobic. I've an original CreateSpace book template that works in Word, and I simply copy/paste all the text into that and use it to generate both paperback and ebook. Seems to work, as I don't see any complaints about formatting.
I paid for a thing called Jutoh to do mine but I was a secretary in the era when everyone used WordPerfect and Reveal Codes, in that, is just HTML formatting so I have a kind of head start. So I do a word file for Smashwords. Then I do a perfect epub in Jutoh and then I download the .mobi of that from Draft2Digital for any instances I might need it. I also make a pdf of the word file if required ... and THEN ... I format it in Wordperfect for a 5 x 8.25 paperback. Then I get the lovely people at the design company I use to plop the cover into the Ingram template and I'm away! Yes, it takes for chuffing ever!
Have written quite a bit this week ... 2,720 I think ... hoping to expand on that today. My last K'Barthan short is now at 3,333 ... so it looks like I've given another series the wrong name. Knew I should have called it K'Barthan Extras ... still it's too late now.
Cheers all
Cheers
MTM
Pushed the short on to 36603, which is nice. Feeling rough today but hoping to sort out another 500 words or so before I’m done.
Finished gathering for the next scene. It involves every idea I've ever had that should be reflected in here some way - and answering a whole bunch of prompts.Doing it usually helps settle me into the narrow process of producing something which makes a point and advances the plot.
Tomorrow we may actually produce new fiction.
Yay! Go Alicia.Managed a fair bit this week. It’s flowing so I’m making the most of it. The 22k short I’d opened up to ‘check over’ is not at 37k. I think it’ll hit 40 before I’m done, which is nice as that will definitely be a novella.
Also managed to get my blog post done early in the week so did loads of other stuff today and yesterday.
Cheers
MTM
Got a positive response back re my rewritten scene.Revised the first 3 chapters of a YA novel and sent them to my crit group as this month's submission. Am now working on crits for them which is taking longer as two more members have joined.
Keep writing, MT.Keep writing, Pam.
I'm getting so much better at ignoring the news. I'm worried about the 'reopening' of the world when there's no real change in dealing with the pandemic. And worried about NOT reopening, because we're in a safe place, but many others need to work to eat.
Sure has pointed out how few grownups are in charge of the world.
The countries that are doing best have women in charge, generally. Just sayin'.
Rosemary (grooving with the Picts) wrote: "The countries that are doing best have women in charge, generally. Just sayin'."Apparently women make up 51 per cent of the UK population and an even greater proportion of eligible voters – and are just as likely to vote as men – the average voter is in fact a woman.
That is probably for a specific meaning of the term average
Yeh that New Zealand lady sounds cool but ... completely different sized population; smaller and easier to deal with ... in our defence. I think our leader’s a div but it could be a lot worse, he could be Donald Trump.I have a short that is now officially a novel: it’s 43k and rapidly gaining a life of it’s own. Now I have to do some bits from one of the other character’s POV because that’d make it more fun. There is romance in this one, and Big Merv saves the day, although it doesn’t feel like that to our hero who is still unaware of the Big Thing’s softer side. And still petrified of him.
It’s also given me an idea of a technique I might be able to use finish the mushrooming behemoth that is the prequel to these prequels ... so that’s grand.
Got the Sussex run tomorrow, which is a bit daunting and will wipe out tomorrow or Thursday for writing. Weather should be good though and it’ll be grand to see Mum.
Cheers
MTM
I'm in total shock. Finished the next scene in record time - 1343 words before final edit - and hit every one of the marks.I may actually get this finished in my lifetime.
M.T. wrote: "Yeh that New Zealand lady sounds cool but ... completely different sized population; smaller and easier to deal with ... in our defence. I think our leader’s a div but it could be a lot worse, he c..."looking forward to it :-)
Editing - rather a lot to do! Plodding on. I love it!I should be ready to read through draft #4 next week.
You're all so much more productive than I am.
Got up this morning with an idea. Used some personal physical stuff that was happening - conveniently.Wrote, edited, polished, ran through my online editing software, made a few changes - the entire next scene of 1061 words.
In three hours. It's completely finished and I'm working on the next one.
Whatever has gotten into me, I'm ecstatic.
I've been writing words again, which I suppose is a good thing. Managing to write in three different word processors as well (different things, I hasten to add!)
Alicia wrote: "Got up this morning with an idea. Used some personal physical stuff that was happening - conveniently.Wrote, edited, polished, ran through my online editing software, made a few changes - the ent..."
Well done, Alicia!
All I've managed is to hunt down superfluous/incorrect inverted commas. Well you see, it was sunny and warm and so I had a long lunch in the sun... The weather forecast is not so good for tomorrow :o(
Joseph wrote: "I've been writing words again, which I suppose is a good thing. Managing to write in three different word processors as well (different things, I hasten to add!)"
Blimey! Three! You’re a glutton for punishment. Congratulations on starting it all up again, and if you haven’t popped in here before, welcome to the thread.
Alicia wrote: "Got up this morning with an idea. Used some personal physical stuff that was happening - conveniently.
Wrote, edited, polished, ran through my online editing software, made a few changes - the ent..."
Yay Alicia, space to think maybe?
Anna Faversham wrote: "Alicia wrote: "Got up this morning with an idea. Used some personal physical stuff that was happening - conveniently.
Wrote, edited, polished, ran through my online editing software, made a few ch..."
Nice going Ann, I enjoy editing too because I enjoy reading the stories. For me, writing them up and constructing the plot is the hard bit, editing is primping and adding the fun frilly bits.
Done about 6.5k this week even with the Sussex run so I’m well chuffed! Even managed to write 1k and rescue a lost rabbit at the same time.
Wrote a blog post too, https://mtmcguire.co.uk/2020/05/23/bu...
Got well into the next scene - 233 word beginning plus ALL the support writing that I do with prompts and other ways of figuring out the how of a scene.The hard organizing part is always figuring out exactly what happens, and in which order - so the writing part just requires a brain, and mine clicked on this morning, so let's see if I can finish this one today.
Wish me luck!
M.T. wrote: "rescue a lost rabbit..."Very nice - and completely fascinating how you do these posts.
Figured out why I wasn't writing, when all the prep work was done.The answer:
I am uncertain how a man processes this kind of garbage.
Younger men blow up.
Older men with power hurt someone.
And Andrew has to restrain his impulses and play nice.
Then it practically wrote itself - 1696 words and another finished scene! As Mary says, Woo hoo!
Blimey Alicia you’re flying! Nothing much yesterday so I’m hoping to fix that today!
Alicia wrote Then it practically wrote itself - 1696 words and another finished scene! As Mary says, Woo hoo!I know that lovely feeling, Alicia, it's rare but great. Well done. Hope it happens again.
Edited it all before breakfast and heading out for a trike ride! Now a nap, and set up the next one. I don't know what's going on, and I'm going to ride this wave all the way up the shore.
Alicia wrote: "Edited it all before breakfast and heading out for a trike ride! Now a nap, and set up the next one. I don't know what's going on, and I'm going to ride this wave all the way up the shore."I reckon we forget how complicated organising Normal Life is and when you have something like CFS it can take all your spoons. Maybe this weird break from normal is doing you good. Whatever it is, I’m delighted it’s all going so well for you! Long may it continue!
Despite having a really shit day, I did write some stuff. So the novel is now up to 45k. Woot!Cheers
MTM
I'm a bit of a shirker today. I doubt I'll do much editing. It's really warm and sunny and, having moved to the seaside, I think it would be a shame not to take advantage of the sun. I shall get a good dose of vitamin D which should be helpful for the immune system.Happy Bank Holiday to all in the UK. I hope you all get some sunshine.
Just been doing loads of work on my email automations ... they really do take forever! But they're worth doing, definitely, people are gradually getting into my stuff.Hope to do some proper writing in the sun this afternoon.
Cheers
MTM
M.T. wrote: "Joseph wrote: "I've been writing words again, which I suppose is a good thing. Managing to write in three different word processors as well (different things, I hasten to add!)"
Blimey! Three! Yo..."
Thanks M.T. I've popped in before, but not really very active to be honest.
To busy procrastinating :)
Joseph wrote: "M.T. wrote: "Joseph wrote: "I've been writing words again, which I suppose is a good thing. Managing to write in three different word processors as well (different things, I hasten to add!)"
Blim..."
You’re a writer, that’s an important part of your job! 🤣🤣🤣
I'm struggling with the present scene - but because it has such potential that I don't want to miss any of it, and it's a new kind, but 1033 words are in almost final form that weren't there this morning.It is very hard work, getting things right - and so worth it.
Nice one Alicia. Whatever you're doing, keep doing it!I wrote nothing yesterday but 2,354 the previous day and the current w.i.p. stands at about 48.5k now - a snadge more. I'm so stoked.
Fourth edit going on. Still. :o) It seems it's needed.Well done with 2,000+ words. I rarely, if ever, achieve that. And I know that satisfying feeling of getting it right, Alicia. (Only to find in the 4th edit that they weren't so right after all.)
It's unusual for me too Ann. I think the plot's bit shit but I'm hoping I can fix that. On the up I did about 1400 words and hit 50k on the down side ... I think most of my regular readers are going to be ... err this plot doesn't work. I hope I can fix it.
I find that just mulling over the plot whilst I'm doing the sort of work that gives me time to think works for me.Pity you don't have a day's metal detecting or something :-)
Jim wrote: "I find that just mulling over the plot whilst I'm doing the sort of work that gives me time to think works for me.Pity you don't have a day's metal detecting or something :-)"
My main problem is that most of the dodgy bits work for me. I think I approach the shorts as snap shots so if there's a learning curve, brilliant, but sometimes there isn't. It's just a series of events with a beginning, middle and end but not much emotional journey. I dunno if I'm wrong or the editor is right but she's not the only one whose found bits that jar for them, even if they don't for me. I guess the shorts are getting a lot of, I loved this but ... In a way that the full books didn't. Not sure if they're just simpler or I am a bit shit at short.
Cheers
MTM
It's interesting how we writeLast night I had one minor character suggest something to another minor character
So I had to stop writing, wander off and try and work out why they would do that :-)
Must be the season for that: a minor character is holding up the story while I make sure her motivation is strong enough.I have the gut feeling the results will make up for the time spent, so I persist.
Interestingly, I got my book back from the editor on Thursday and she was asking what the main character learns ... what was the point? That is just not a question I ever ask myself when I sit down to write a story. 🤣🤣🤣 Today I realised, as I worked through the edits, that, possibly, big Merv learns something about himself, the MC learns very little except, perhaps, to trust his instincts and that he might, possibly be able to rely on the folk art the pub he goes to more than he thought. But reading back it doesn't feel as badly plotted and pointless as I thought it would. It doesn't have any point at all but hopefully that doesn't stop it being entertaining, so long as it has a beginning a middle and an end.
What are your thoughts about this sort of thing peps? Does writing have to say something or is it best just written so the whole issues thing is natural rather than forced.
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