Robert Batten · Author · added about 9 years ago · 2 likes

It has been a couple of weeks since my last update on Human Resources, so I thought I should let you know how it is progressing.

The novel has received another two recommendations, which is exciting and flattering:

"Fast-paced and engaging, I can’t wait to see how Human Resources ends! Please check it out!"


"Add this to your reading list. Instantly you are drawn into this world, fighting for your life alongside the characters. Do it, check it out now!"


The re-write continues apace and is about to accelerate; I’ve made arrangements which should see 1-2 complete days dedicated to writing each week (rather than just the hours of 9-12 in the evening). I’ve now re-written over half of the manuscript, as well as continuing to return to earlier chapters and tweak them. 

A discussion on the forums led me to being introduced to Scribophile (author critiquing community) by P.H. James, and I’ve received some excellent critiques there already. You can find my profile on Scribophile here.

Most of my time has been focused on chapters not currently up on Inkshares, but I have made some small improvements to the two prologue excerpts (they provide a little extra information now, and a general cleanup), plus I’ve changed the ending to the fourth excerpt (Mission Report).

Call out to other Inkshares projects I think worth investigating:

  • Tantalus Depths (Evan Graham, funding): This was the first book I pre-ordered on Inkshares and I’m really excited it has easily cruised past Quill to start closing in on a full publishing deal. Epic space opera with a massive amount of depth - sci-fi fans need to look this up.
  • The Lamplighter’s Apprentice (Dash McCallum, funding): The Lamplighter’s Apprentice didn’t just draw me in, it swallowed me whole and without warning. Dash’s writing is fluid and beautifully descriptive as he unveils his premise for us. Even without the twist, providing a supernatural element that I can’t wait to explore, the story had me hooked. The characters are realised so well I feel I know them after only a few short paragraphs and the contemporary setting of a small indie developer thrust into a choice between accepting "the dream" offer, or staying true to their project, one that will resonate. This is a book that has me excited.
  • Drift (Danielle Mohr, draft): I fell in love with the world of Drift from the first couple of sentences. Brought to life in an understated manner from an interesting viewpoint, the first chapters wrap themselves around you with their unanswered questions and intriguing plot. I completely lost myself in the available excerpts and am now waiting impatiently for my opportunity to order the full book.


Nell Walton · Author · added about 9 years ago
woohoo!  Thanks for the recommendation!
Robert Batten · Author · added about 9 years ago · 4 likes

I hope you all are having a good weekend and my Australian followers all remembered to vote! 

My regular writing schedule was a little disrupted this week with the need to travel, but I still feel like I made reasonable progress on my re-write of Human Resources. Another two scenes have been updated and I’m now approximately 1/3 of the way through this re-write.

This week has seen two new recommendations added to the project and another positive review! Thank you!

I currently have 8 excerpts for Human Resources up on Inkshares — hopefully this is enough to give you a good feel for the world, some of the characters, and the flavour of the narrative. I probably won’t post many more excerpts to Inkshares, unless it is part of a funding campaign. However, I am still keen to get constructive feedback on the project and so may look at organising a ’beta reader’ group. Let me know if you would be interested in that (I’m also happy to ’trade’ feedback with other writers).

I’m going to continue pushing hard at the current re-write, and am working on arrangements that will free up more of my time for writing to I can accelerate the process. 

I’m also starting to plan for an Inkshares funding campaign! Obviously I’ll be keeping you informed about that (and hopefully convincing you to pre-order once the campaign kicks off).

In the meantime, I’ve continued to tinker at the cover for Human Resources - below is the current iteration.

Finally, I thought I would call out a couple of other Inkshares projects worth checking out:
Drafts:
  • Invictus (Emily Senft): The dystopian world imagined by Emily is amazing. I love the premise and its implications. The technology she has come up with is great, and the characters feel solid.
  • Dragon Siege (Nell Walton): Evil scientist, high-technology, time-travelling, dragons. Oh, and Greek epics (surely that alone is enough to convince you to check this out).
In Funding:
Robert Batten · Author · added over 9 years ago · 6 likes

A couple of updates for everyone this week. 

First of all: I’ve just uploaded a new chapter: Spring Cleaning! This chapter brings in some new characters, has plenty of action, and finally starts to introduce some of the tech you’ve all been waiting for. Check it out and let me know what you think!

Secondly: I’ve added a book cover! It is still only an interim cover which I put together from a stock image (graphic design is not my forte), but it is hopefully an improvement from the default book cover provided by Inkshares and should help make Human Resources more recognisable.

Thanks for following the draft, I hope you’re still enjoying the updates. If you are — let people know :)

Robbie

Robert Batten · Author · added over 9 years ago
That is a GREAT idea! Thanks Nell :)
Nell Walton · Author · added over 9 years ago
Stay out of the cities and heavily populated areas.

I think this should be the first line with the attribution following, and then work the paragraphs in afterwards.  
Robert Batten · Author · added over 9 years ago · 1 like

Another week, another excerpt!

I’ve just uploaded the seventh excerpt; Breakthrough. For those of you who have been wondering just what "this shit" Alexander has gotten Sabrina into, this excerpt has a special little reveal for you. Go and read it :)

As always, I welcome any feedback you might have that could help me improve this project. I also welcome any support and encouragement - so feel free to mark up this excerpt in Inkshares, add a recommendation or write a review.
Robert Batten · Author · added over 9 years ago

Hello all!

It’s been a week since my last update so I have some new goodies for you! Two new excerpts are up for Human Resources — admittedly one is very short and included below, but the other is a full scene (The Farm).

I hope you are all continuing to enjoy the draft excerpts I have been posting. I’m always keen to receive your feedback both positive and (constructively) negative, so highlight and comment away on Inkshares! (In fact, I encourage you to go wild and add a recommendation or review.)

Enjoy your weekend (especially those lucky enough to get a long weekend for The Queen’s Birthday) — I suggest with a good read :)

Robert

5. Audit

From: washton@sth.ambrosia.corps 
To: godric@sth.ambrosia.corps 
Sent: 2 hours ago

Subject:Short-notice guests

Godric, 

A Board Director will be visiting the company in one month’s time to conduct an audit. I am aware that this may be an imposition on some of our departments, being six months ahead of the regular schedule, but I expect all of our people to be prepared and treat the inspections appropriately. 

The Director will be accompanied by a contingent of thirty-five rather than the usual ten. Make sure you have appropriate arrangements in place for such a large contingent.

Sincerely,

W. Ashton 
CEO, Ambrosia Inc (Southern Division)

Robert Batten · Author · added over 9 years ago

Hello all!

Thank you for following along with this draft, and an added massive thanks for those who provided feedback, review, or recommendations during Draftshares. It was very rewarding to engage with those who participated.

What’s next?

Well, I will definitely be finishing the novel. It is in fact very close to being a complete draft — the primary story line is complete, but some side-stories have loose threads and some characters need further development. Oh, and editing. Lots and lots of editing.

I plan to stay engaged with the Inkshares community, and welcome any feedback you have for me — either regarding the plot, characters, pacing, etc. or technical feedback on the writing. I’m also happy to answer questions about the story and the world, but will try hard not to give away spoilers :)

There are more chapters ready to upload for you all to read - with Chapter 4 now up! I hope you enjoy it and feel inspired to highlight it, comment on it, recommend it and / or review it :)

Thanks,

Robert
Robert Batten · Author · added over 9 years ago
A huge thanks to everyone who  has read, followed, and critiqued the draft chapters I have put up so far. Your support and advice is invaluable.

I have about 60,000 words of this written so far, and will post more draft chapters soon.