Sorry for not posting in over a month. Several reasons for that. For starters the editing of the novel has been slow, less than an edited page a day which is really, really bad. More to come one that. I also had some computer problems in Typepad where accessing some features led to log-offs. I get updates whether I like them or not, and a setting got changed. For a while I didn't know if someone was messing with my computer or not. Somethings are hard to know. I was also not feeling very good with my eyesight, and ringing in my ears.
Did go to a doctor a couple weeks ago. She seemed to think my heath issues were allergy related. So I started to do Flonaise... and slowly my eyes slopped hurting so much, and the rings dropped off, though as I write you know I still have some.
As far as the computer goes with Typepad, I found that by a different browser and allowing site redirects allowed functions to start working again, and I wasn't prematurely--and abruptly logged off so I can produce posts again, and delete unwanted content: comments and posts.
Content-wise I wanted to touch base on how you handle the less-than-exciting sections when editing a novel. I started this month at page 100, and with one day left to edit, am only on page 126 of editing the 2nd book. Editing less than a page a day is really bad progress, and it begs the question, why?
Each new section of writing is like driving up to a city. Will it be an easy ride through it, or will there be slowdown?
To be honest with you in the second novel in the Legend of Thars series, there is a lot of action to start things out. But around page 100 there is a transition period where the main character takes in the wood, Elves, and Thars. I found a lot of this writing flat and uninspired.
I'm a pretty hash critic of my own material. If it's not up to snuff I'm not shy about saying so. The 2nd book in the series needs a lot of work.
Thankfully, after about page 124 the action heats up a little bit. So I'm hoping my pages per day bumps up! In the middle of May I'm slated to start working with a guy in England for a book cover. That should be a lot of fun, though it will also set me back $1,700. Whoever said novel writing was cheap is a liar!
Never a bad idea to stop and joy the journey--if you have something nice to reflect upon and share with others.
I'm a pretty good screenwriter. After 20+ years, and 31 screenplays to my credit, I know how to get in and out of scenes. I think you can implore the same discipline in novel writing. I know because I've read novels before, and they use a lot of the same tricks: start late, end early. End on a cliffhanger.
I wouldn't say I stuck. But I'm definitely not in most productive mode these day. Also factoring in on all this, is that my mom wants me to take her on a south Florida vacation in a couple weeks, while I'm facing the definite prospect that my day job may end abruptly. Thankfully I'm a "saver" so I have some cash reserves. Still, I'm far from Taylor Swift riches, so I have to watch how I spend my money.
The journey of novel writing is long, arduous trek. I still remain committed to doing the best I can. Recently I found a deeper dive into my main character and his spirituality. I think it's going to translate well in the novel. I'm hoping to start work on the 2nd adapted screenplay soo too, as the opening scene is "coming to me."
I wish the creative life was more consistent. Lotta lows experienced by me over the years, not to many highs. Most of the highs come in the form of competed projects. Break-through moments are good, as are inception moments when new stories or fresh scenes come to mind.
By the middle of June I should have some really cool cover art to show you. Maybe to spice things up, I'll get into drawing again. I was never a very good drawer, though.
Ah the downs and slight ups of life. If I come across as more down than up, you're reading me right. In the end honesty maters. I could really use your prayers right now both in my creative and personal life.
In closing, God is good; and prayer works! Till all is accomplished--