Good day thinking machines, biological or artificial!

In this update I want to talk about editing, but first; a message to fellow Nerdtacular attendees.

NERDTACULAR 

If you’re attending Nerdtacular in Utah later this week, seek me out. Come shake my hand. Be one of the first to see the first finished model of Koalemos, one of the main characters from The Life Engineered. More importantly, if you pre-ordered your copy before May 31st, drop by the TadShop to get your free, signed robot art print and bask in my awkward show of gratitude.

On Editing

I’m currently in the middle of developmental editing. This is usually the most ego-punching step in getting a book to print. It’s at this stage that I have to listen to the suggestions and directions of a seasoned professional and accept his recommendations with detached professionalism. No matter what he tells me, I have to keep in mind that we’re both working to make this into a better book.

So far, my editor, Cleete is knocking this sucker right out of the park. I agree with almost every recommendations he’s made so far and everything reads better after I’ve applied his changes. What makes this a process both difficult yet rewarding though is that I’m learning a lot that will make me a better writer for the next book.

In case you’re thinking that the edits are just a long list of ‘change this’ and ‘this isn’t right’, let me show you a sample of what the first page looked like.

As you can see, it’s not all bad. Not only do I learn what not to do but just as importantly, I’m learning what to do more of.

I already love The Life Engineered but once I’m done with this process, I think we might have an excellent book for you guys and gals to enjoy.

Thanks again for your support.

Oh… before I go; just received the first sketches for the new cover of The Life Engineered. Already it looks better than the current cover. Very exciting stuff. 

 JF 

AHHHHH!!!!

Today's the day and I've still got chapters to go! EVERYONE remain calm, don't panic - who's panicking? I AM PANICKING. 

In all seriousness - everything is fine. I'm going to finish the first draft this weekend, then spend a couple of weeks doing a 'first pass' edit before I submit to Inkshares and the editing process begins in earnest. Writing is re-writing - the book is going to change and grow in so many ways after I send it over - BUT THAT GOLDEN BAR IN MY GOOGLE CALENDAR IS FREAKING ME OUT.

It's fine. It's fine. Everything's fine. I just worship at the Altar of Deadlines, so I get a little twitchy when I blow my self-imposed ones. I am not one of those writers who 'writes all the time - giggle!' or 'just can't stop writing! - ha ha!' I am a dilettante and lothario, left to my own devices it would just be occasional twitter posts in-between marathon video game sessions on my couch and drunken poetry-brawls with wandering bards. My first two books I lived in constant fear that I would just STOP...and never start again if I missed a deadline.

I'll update you guys again as soon as the draft is done - and FASCINATE you with the process I go through for my first-pass edit.

Here's a quick snippet from the current page of the draft, open now in another tab:

Jonas had just enough time to realize he understood the creature’s words before he saw the rainbow vapor ignite and a torrent of energy come screaming out of the dragon’s jaws. He surged forward, hoping to pull Xenon back from the assault, but Linus and his white sword were already there. The hunter stepped in front of her and the patchwork energies of the dragon’s breath were absorbed into the blank metal.

“Scholar Xenon, fall back.” Linus commanded. “Squire, you guard my back. I didn’t spot a tail on this creature, but it seems agile enough. We will keep its attention firmly fixed on us, understood?”

“Yes!” Jonas stepped into place, keeping one eye on Xenon’s retreat as she hurried back towards the lighted pathway behind them.

The dragon howled with rage -- or was it delight and breathed more of the ramshackle energy upon them. The white sword again devoured it. “The creature is mad. It’s been feeding on the life-force of its brethren for who knows how long. It’s breath is some bizarre mixture of different elemental types.”

“I’m just glad it breathes something the sword eats,” Jonas grunted.

“Yes, well - “ Linus shifted his grip on the white sword. “It appears he has grown bored with that tactic. Here he comes!”

“Does your magic sword happen to kill dragons with a single touch?” the squire spun to cover Linus’ right flank.

“I don’t know. Does yours?” the old man shifted his stance, keeping his elbow high.