I have officially put my five volume fantasy series "Sister vs Sister" to bed, as the final seven chapters {113-120} was properly transcribed, printed, three hole punched, stashed in a three ring binder, and had the requisite editorial notes written on their formerly pristine pages before it was lovingly tucked away in a plastic milk crate so that it could rest up for the next few months, because as you all know, editing is where the wannabes are brutally separated from those who are.
Of course, the issue now facing me is...what do I do next? I mean, I just spent 2 1/2 years working on a project that theoretically took over every waking moment of my life, and now I'm just supposed to find something else that would also take over every waking moment of my life?
The obvious answer to that question is supposed to be a resounding YES. But to be perfectly frank with everyone, the well has run temporarily dry when it comes to churning out fresh new product.
But, even though the well has run temporarily dry, I still got something up my proverbial sleeve that I can work on. Something that I actually finished work on around 2 1/2 years ago, when I had finished up a second round of edits, and just before starting my fantasy series: a re-re-re-re-worked novella that actually has the working title/blog tag of Average American Novella.
Funny thing about this novella, which is a fast-paced fantasy crime drama of the R rated variety, is that throughout the entire time I was writing it, it felt like I was possessed by it. No, seriously, I think I was possessed by the story itself. I mean, once I was finally able to find a good plot line to work with, {on the fourth try, hence the re-re-re-re-work} it just...took on a life of its own.
I mean, the time that I had spent on this novella just seemed to fly on by, especially when I did the switch to handwriting the final nine chapters. Now that I had some time to reflect on it, I made the switch from straight computer writing to pen and paper midway through because the hand fatigue that I was suffering for the past several years was getting progressively worse, so I figured it was time to try something new. And, as the tired cliche goes, the rest is history.
My goal with this novella is to have it published in 2025, so to that end, we're starting off the process by applying another round of edits and printing out a fresh copy to play with. Once that's been done, the next trio of issues that I will need to tackle, which are the usual bane of any writer's existence: a title; a medium length blurb; and a short length blurb.
There are few other issues that I will need to spend some time on, but those three are the main ones that will require my immediate attention once I get everything printed out again. While not completely taking over my life like my fantasy series did, it will demand just enough of my attention to keep my writer's brain from atrophying through non-use.
Tune in next week when I should have a better idea on what I need to blog about in regards to this novella, since the last time I had blogged about it was nearly 3 years ago. But hey, redundancy can be a good thing, right?
Sounds like you are really organized. Thanks for sharing with us. For me (I'm in the minority, I know.), I would love it if your novella was NOT R-rated. Because I won't read those. Re-consider the possibility while you are editing and reworking? Meanwhile, letting your fantasy series rest while your mind goes elsewhere is a very smart move. Best of success!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome. Unfortunately, I don't think that will be possible. I made a decision early on with my writing to concentrate on adult fiction. I have written a few short stories that, while they weren't R-rated, definitely had mature themes. Although I did get one short story published that was purely G-rated, as I sometimes I like to go out of my comfort zone and try something different at least once.
DeletePossessed? Switching copy methods is incredibly time comsuming and methodically boring at some point.
ReplyDeleteI hate writing blurbs. Although I recall reading some awesome ones others managed to hook me in with. Never feel good at piquing interest... Sales , not my strong point.
You have really worked out your skills!
Ev Johns/SnaggleTooth
It was early on, but I realized that if I wanted to keep writing and improve as a writer, I had to switch to a method that bored me to tears as a younger person, but works very well for me as an adult.
DeleteI agree with you wholeheartedly about blurbs, but I did managed to come up with a title, so there's that.