Posted in writing, tagged boxed sets, e-publishing, fantasy, Multiple Projects, sequels, series, writing on August 31, 2016| Leave a Comment »
Woo!
The final file of WAR OF MAGIC has been uploaded. The print version is under review. It’s done. Well, except for some promotion, but that should be sort of ongoing. (I just forget to do it while I’m working on a new story. I need to get better about that.)
The boxed set of the first three books, DUAL MAGICS Books 1 – 3, is available for sale now.
So, now it’s finally time for me to get back to work on BECOME.
Posted in writing, tagged boxed sets, e-publishing, edits, fantasy, first drafts, marketing, sequels, series, short stories, writing on August 28, 2016| Leave a Comment »
I am now about half-way through the polishing edit for WAR OF MAGIC. Expect to have it done in the next couple of days. Meanwhile, this fourth and final book in the DUAL MAGICS series is now available for pre-order at a special, limited time price.
And, after a few formatting headaches (mostly surrounding images), the boxed set of the first three books, plus the short story “Modgud Gold” is now available, too. DUAL MAGICS Books 1 – 3
Now I just need to finish the polishing edit and format the print book. Oh, and schedule a few promotions. Then I can get back to work on BECOME.
Busy, busy.
Posted in writing, tagged boxed sets, e-publishing, fantasy, launch, marketing, sequels, series, writing on August 24, 2016| Leave a Comment »
And WAR OF MAGIC is now available for preorder.
The special preorder price of $0.99 won’t last past the release date of September 27.
Now, it’s on to completing the polishing edit. (I have until 9/16 for that.) And getting the boxed set of the first three books together.
And planning promotions around the launch. Oh, and formatting the print version, probably my least favorite task.
And then I can get back to work on BECOME.
Posted in writing, tagged critiques, e-publishing, fantasy, revisions, sequels, series, writing on August 21, 2016| Leave a Comment »
I am now nine chapters from the end of this round of revisions on WAR OF MAGIC.
Unfortunately, this is a new chapter. Maybe. I’m not real happy with it so far. I might change my mind.
The idea is twofold.
Some of my critique partners had some questions about the lead up to the final battle. And this chapter would give me a chance to answer them. Also, one critique partner didn’t like me taking a few paragraphs to set the scene for the battle before it began and this chapter would let me do that, too, ahead of the battle.
Like I said, I’m not happy with it yet.
Once I get over this hump, though, I’ll be on the downhill slide for this revision. The only things left will be to review the beginning and then the polishing edit. So, that’s progress even if it sometimes doesn’t feel like it.
Posted in writing, tagged boxed sets, critiques, fantasy, revisions, sequels, series, writing on August 17, 2016| Leave a Comment »
So, in starting to format the boxed set of the first three books in the series,
I ran across another decision point. See, in the original–pre-critique–revisions, I’d changed the order of the early chapters. So, I need to update the excerpt of WAR OF MAGIC
at the back of the boxed set (which is currently the one found at the end of BEYOND THE PROPHECY.)
And now I’m not sure which order is really better. I’ll have to look at that after I finish this round of clean-up revisions. Shouldn’t be a major change even if I do decide to change it back.
It’s always something.
Posted in writing, tagged boxed sets, Cover Art, critiques, e-publishing, fantasy, revisions, sequels, series, short stories, writing, Young Adult on August 14, 2016| 2 Comments »
And about half way through the clean-up round of revisions on WAR OF MAGIC.
So things are moving forward. Looks like probably September after all, though probably mid- to late September.
And I’ve started formating a boxed set of the first three books in the series.
So, progress is being made.
Also, a brilliant new cover for “Heart of Oak” by Victorine Lieske.
Isn’t it beautiful?
Posted in Uncategorized on August 10, 2016| Leave a Comment »
I’m still mired in surgery on WAR OF MAGIC.
So here’s a deleted snippet (that was set up for a scene that’s been moved.) Enjoy:
Vatar ambled across the main market square of Caere, not really looking at any of the wares being offered for sale. In his mind, he was already bending the gold and silver wire he’d just purchased at his guildhall into a gift for Thekila. He’d spent days perfecting the complicated woven knot—meant to symbolize their bond—in cheaper copper.
Maybe he’d give that first version to his young daughter, Savara. It was the kind of thing the little girl would like and it could as easily represent the twin bond that was developing between her and her brother, Zavar. Of course, he’d have to have something for Zavar, too. He knew what kind of gift Zavar would ask for, but he was much too young for edged weapons. And Zavar wouldn’t take to jewelry of any kind. And yet the gifts had to balance. Hmm. He’d have to talk to Thekila about that. Perhaps something promissory, like a hilt for the—unsharpened—short knife Zavar could have in a few years, worked with the same pattern. Vatar could fit a wooden blade in the hilt for now.
The image of the half-planned work shattered at the sound of a panicked scream nearby.
Posted in writing, tagged characters, critiques, e-publishing, fantasy, Point of View, revisions, sequels, series, writing on August 7, 2016| Leave a Comment »
Last time I blogged about a problem I’d found in my first pass on the post-critique revisions for WAR OF MAGIC.
Very simply, too much of the last half of the book moves away from the main characters way too much. Not away from the main problem–or not completely. But it’s still a problem. Now I understand why one of my critique partners–the only one who hadn’t read any of the previous books–wondered who the main character was supposed to be. Yikes! Now I understand that comment.
Now, some of that can be fixed by possibly deleting some of the other points of view, or recasting them into the main characters’ pov. I will probably need to add at least a little to that part of the book–from the main characters’ pov.
But I had another idea, too. You see, right now part of that problem is in winding up a subplot established in the earlier books–especially BEYOND THE PROPHECY.
Now, I need to wrap that up, but it doesn’t have to be a distraction. In fact, it shouldn’t be. By moving a few events around and adding a little, I can turn that into an obstacle, which will be much better.
It’s going to require a little more surgery than I was planning to do at this point. And, of course, another read-through to make sure that things fit seamlessly into their new places. But I think it will be well worth it in the end.
Wish me luck.
Posted in writing, tagged characters, critiques, e-publishing, fantasy, Point of View, sequels, series, writing on August 3, 2016| Leave a Comment »
That’s how far I’ve gotten on the first round of post-critique revisions on WAR OF MAGIC.
I’ve been noticing something. A lot of this section–from about the midpoint–is taken up with chapters from other pov characters, not the main characters. And I’m going to have to figure out how to deal with that.
Part of that is because that’s where a significant subplot plays out, and part of it is actually building toward the part those other characters will be playing in the climax. But I don’t like having so much of the focus off the main characters during this part of the story.
I’m going to have to think about how to handle that though. Most of those chapters can’t be moved–or, at least, can’t be moved very far–without messing up the timeline. Some might be cut, or at least reduced. I might need to add a new chapter or two, taking the story back to the main characters.
It’s this kind of thing that slows down the revision process. But that’s why revisions are necessary–to make the story stronger.
Meredith Mansfield, Author 