Sep 9, 2015

'Ello, G'day etcetera.

Some of you may be wondering what I'm doing. I'm writing a science fiction novel, and have been entered into the Nerdist competition and...silence. Sure, I've followed a few authors that look interesting, read a number of interesting first chapters that I like...even pre-ordered a book! Rise by Brian Guthrie.

I've seen others that I'm following release thank-you's and video's and some really cool stuff, but from my end, not a helluva lot. 

Confession Part I. To be honest, I didn't even know the Nerdist competition was on when I joined Inkshares and uploaded the prologue and first chapter of the novel. Because Suffrage fits into the Science Fiction category, I was automatically entered. I just thought - wow this is a great way of getting people interested while I finish the novel. I can also use the motivation of the legions of adoring fans to spur me to greater heights of creativity, get some free editing if I find a friendly grammar nazi and maybe, just maybe, eventually see my story become an actual - made of dead tree - book.  That's why I'm not asking people to put the word out during Nerdist competition. It's why I haven't pressed the sell pre-orders button, (although I am savoring the anticipation like a fine cheese) or written thank-you messages full of wit and slight desperation.

My focus has been on writing the story, and this year, I'm going to be participating in Nanowrimo. Click the link to see my sworn blood oath! 

Confession Part II. I don't consider myself a natural novelist. Unlike some on here whose writing I have enjoyed, their day job appears to be writing (I'm looking at you Scott Barsoti  and Gary Whitta ) I'm just a regular bloke who enjoys weaving tales. I've come to the realization, that I need a bit of help with a few things, not because I couldn't write the story myself, but because I want to story to be as good as it can be. Being the visually orientated person that I am, I sometimes struggle to find just the right phrase or words to capture what I'm trying to convey. 

 - I feel like like I'm in the middle of an AA meeting here. Hi! I'm Julian and I'm a frustrated author who can't write proper.

To this end I have decided to bring someone into the project. Someone whose writing I enjoy and admire. This mysterious international man of mystery will be joining me while we take a wild ride together and finish the draft. BUT - he has a lot of catch up to do. A heck of a lot of reading and getting his head round things, and has to put up with me as I pester him. 

What this means on the road ahead... 

I had planned on releasing parts of the story as we move forward. Like, maybe a chapter a month. I'm having great fun with the characters, so why shouldn't you? While my mysterious friend get's hip deep in sticky story goodness though, you can expect this to be delayed.  On the plus side, once there is two of us - the writing will go much faster. Now I just need to figure out how to make my friend swear his first-born over to Titivullus the Patron demon of writing errors.

Where did I put that knife?