Well, it’s been a long time coming, but finally I have a progress update for Tantalus Depths.

I’ve finally finished my first full reworking of the manuscript based on my editor’s feedback, and sent it in. I had intended to get this step of the process finished by the end of last year, but clearly these kinds of edits are a lot more challenging than I had assumed they’d be.

All told, though, I’m happy with these edits. I’ve extensively rewritten several chapters at the beginning and end of the book, but the book very much remains the same story I wanted to tell initially. These changes have helped me make Tantalus Depths a more effective piece of storytelling in the areas that really mattered to me.

At the end of my edits, my manuscript is now about 20,000 words longer than it used to be. Most of that added content was devoted to more fleshed-out worldbuilding, better character development, and better prose in my descriptive imagery. It’s longer now, but I believe the added content improves the pacing and flow of the story to such a degree that it will feel like it’s become shorter.

I originally wrote Tantalus Depths between 2012 and 2014. Since then, I’ve honed my writing skills, and I feel confident that this new draft showcases that improvement in my literary abilities. I’m prouder of this book than I’ve ever been, and I’m thrilled to carry it forward to the next steps.

So, what’s next for Tantalus Depths?

Well, now that I’ve turned it in to my editor, the ball’s in his court. It’ll be a few weeks before he gets the opportunity to read through my changes and send me back any new feedback he has for me. When that’s done, I’ll take a look at whatever other changes he feels I still need to make and then make use of that feedback in another draft. We’ll keep going back and forth like this until we’re both satisfied that the manuscript is as good as it can be. The biggest and most complicated round of edits is done, though, and each step in the development edit process should move faster than the one before it.

Think of the editing process like carving a sculpture out of a wooden log: first you go at it with a chainsaw and remove all the bulky bits you don’t want. Then you go at it with a chisel to get it to the precise shape you want it. Then, finally, you go over it with sandpaper to smooth out all the tiniest imperfections. I’ve just finished my “chainsaw edit.”

So what am I doing now that I’m free of Tantalus Depths for the next few weeks?

Well, until my editor finishes reading through it and sends me his notes, there’s nothing I can do for Tantalus Depths. I won’t be idle while I wait, though. I’m going to jump back into Proteus. My plan had always been to jump back into Proteus as soon as I was done with my Tantalus Depths edits, but I really didn’t think it would take me this long to get through with them, and my campaign for Proteus is almost over. So I intend to ask for one more 90-day extension for Proteus. I still need close to 500 orders to hit my full publication goal, so it’s going to be a lot of work, but during the time that I am waiting for feedback on Tantalus, I plan to devote myself fully to campaigning for Proteus. I’m determined to get both books the publication treatment they deserve, and to firmly establish myself as an up-and-comer in the writing industry.

So, stay tuned. As soon as I have more news for Tantalus Depths, I’ll be sure to let you all know. Meanwhile, I’ve prepared some exciting resources for my new Proteus campaign, and I think you’ll find them pretty interesting.

Greetings all.

Let’s have a little chat about things unseen.

Greetings All!

It’s time for another edition of "Update where I’ve not really updated!" Exciting stuff.

As I’ve probably mentioned numerous times, this has been a busy year, and also ill health has but a stick in the works on getting editing properly underway. As of this update, I’m making sure chapter 3 is up to scratch, even though the real changes are yet to come. (Thank goodness those have not seen the light of day yet.)

When that comes along I’ll be all:

As there’s a LOT of work to be done to it.

Of the preview that you can see on Inkshares, they have not yet been updated to reflect the changes, but I plan to as soon as I can, due to the fact the prologue never feels quite right. I wrote the prologue after I had completed the first draft, so it felt a bit weird writing it, then going through the second draft trying to make sure nothing contradicts it. Surprisingly exhausting trying to get the continuity up to scratch.

So, dear readers, please do continue to watch this space! While I suffer any writers block, I have a little plan in mind to get my brain jump started again. Let’s just say I like to draw.

Best Wishes,
Sammy

Meet Sarovek. Knight. Monitor. A hunter. A killer. A noble daughter of a powerful house of Corvidia, the kingdom of sky-dwellers. If you’ve read chapter one of “The Animal in Man” then you know Sarovek leads the attack against the hyena the story’s hero Maxan had been shadowing through the streets and alleyways of Crosswall. 

“A Corvidian knight in plates of polished armor plunged from the skies. Her legs and lower talons led her way, the tips of her hawk wings trailing high behind her, a long spear gripped tight, angled at the clustered hyenas. She fell like a meteor, inches from where the fox crouched on the walkway, then flapped her wings outward at the last possible instant to break her fall. The blast of air sent immense clouds of dirt rolling away. The knight’s spear sank through a hyena’s back and deep into the ground, an explosion of blood changed the dirt to mud.”

Sarovek is quite the badass. I believe she perfectly embodies the type of book I wanted to write. Her character, her choices, her choices all provide the type of experience I wanted to craft for my readers. I grew up reading action-packed stories of warriors gritting their teeth and swinging swords and narrowly escaping grave dangers with their lives. Sarovek may not be a barbarian, but she’s just as ferocious a fighter as Conan. She may not be a drow ranger, but she’s just as stoic as Drizzt.

If you haven’t heard of “The Animal in Man”... If you haven’t had the chance to really dive in and see what makes it so special, then go check it out. Spend a little time in my world.

I have some very, very exciting news to share with everyone coming up in the next update. Stay tuned, My Dear Animals! And as always, thank you for your support and patience!

(Immense thanks to artist Ellinsworth for his amazing sketch of Sarovek! Visit his portfolio for more awesome artwork!)

Greetings All!

Happy New Year everyone!

Hope you’ve all had a fabulous new year! 2018 is the year I’m looking ahead. Last year I came down with ill health, which continues for the moment, but I am beginning my journey to better health. This means that the future looks brighter for my beloved Space Cat, with ideas on what to improve already flowing.

The first thing I’ll be doing is working on the weakest scenes in the novel. None of these are up on Inkshares, and take place roughly half way through. I’ve always found the middle of a book in progress the hardest to get right. After that, a close look at all the character’s is in order. I want these to be real people, someone you can imagine meeting in the street. While some of the character’s may seem outlandish (again, you meet them later in the novel), I want to dig below their surface and bring forth the real character that hides below the facade. I find this in itself to be reflective of reality. Almost everyone has a facade or persona, be it on the internet or out and about etc. Even me writing this isn’t going to reflect who I really am! And so, by doing this, I feel like my character’s are real, three-dimensional, and not just the face they put on.

This all feels like quite a lot, and it will take some time. I need to make sure I put my health first before tackling too much.

So fingers crossed for a hopeful 2018 for all!

Best Wishes,
Sammy