http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YoDh_gHDvkk
First . . . the heck was I going to say here? Whatever. This is all about how I need to change the publishing/writing thing this year. Sort of. Not really sure how to describe this since it’s been a bad week in terms of confidence, mood, self-esteem, stress, and I think I’m obsessed with lists today.
Do I say second if I really didn’t have anything for first? Whatever again. I’m simply going to list the projects and their fate below. I’ll put something about life or a goal list at the end or something. Don’t you feel me being so into this post? The energy is just ebbing through the computer and making you . . . at least close the door behind you, people! Letting all the lukewarm air out of here. (Did not know lukewarm was one word before writing that sentence.)
Gozer from Ghostbusters
Ravens’ Game
Alas poor Dawn and Corvus. We barely knew ye and now you’re going to get shelved unless I find another story for you to join. The truth is that I don’t feel confident about the sequel. Third and fourth books seem clearer, but I don’t have the bridge needed to get to those. Another problem is that I really don’t have the time to write a long story that will be blog only. This was an experiment and I really like the characters, but not enough that I want to sacrifice part of my time to keep them going. So I apologize to the people who were looking forward to more.
Ichabod Brooks
Alas poor . . . Just kidding. Ichabod is going to be staying. In fact, I just finished writing Ichabod Brooks & the Starwind Egg. Even better news is that I won’t be publishing it! *wait for tension* Ichabod is going to be the blog only story and I might even put out more than one a year. The reason is because the stories are only 25-35 pages long. That’s a 99 center and cover art is expensive. I never made my investment back from the first book, so I felt it was smarter to make him an introduction to my style through my blog. Still deciding on if I want to take down Ichabod Brooks & the City of Beasts since money was put into that. These stories don’t really go in any order. If I do take it down then I’d put it first. To avoid long waits, these stories will be posted daily section by daily section over the course of how many days it takes.
By the way, I’m not sure when I should start releasing the short story. Part of me wants to do the summer to give me winter and spring to focus on the bigger projects. Possibly even write another that I can use in November when things are extremely slow.
Lord of the Rings/Monty Python
Crossing Bedlam
Will remain as another series. Still looking for volunteers to help promote. Not sure which story to take for the sequel too. Torn between them going to the Florida tourist attractions, escorting vaccine carriers, them having a bucket list (probably Lloyd focused), or them getting involved in the Theist War. Still on the fence about even doing that last one because I’m sure it will piss people off. Mostly because I don’t understand some of the groups involved and the whole thing is revolving around zealots anyway. There’s also a story that involves celebrities being collected, but I have to look into how far I can go in my descriptions. Doubt I can use names or anything there. Maybe I should do a poll or something later.
Legends of Windemere
Still planning to release 3 books this year and write the final 3. I’ll be diving into editing Tribe of the Snow Tiger, Charms of the Feykin, and The Spirit Well starting Tuesday. That should bring to my son’s February break or maybe even into it, which is also the potential release date for Crossing Bedlam. That means by the time he goes back to school, I can dive into Ritual of the Lost Lamb. Gives me a good run with only a few days of distraction. Not sure what I’ll be using as a cleanser after that. Maybe I’ll do characters and an outline for the next Bedlam book.
There you have it!
That’s what this week has led to. Stress is still pretty high and maybe the editing will help me get back into novelist mode. I’m going to be making a special post tomorrow to test out the Bedlam Blurbs. Beyond that:
- Watching Police Squad! In Color tonight. I’ll put the intro below for those curious.
- Watching Inside Out with the kid. Maybe.
- Finishing the last 6 February posts for this blog.
- Laundry
- Biking
- Eggs
- Milk
- Twizzlers
- Editing 3 books before February 12th.
- Stay warm.
Legends of Windemere 
I wish the best for all your plans, Charles! I like what you are going to do with Ichabod, and I don’t think you should take the old one down. I think it is a fantastic read for those who love what you write, but cannot commit to reading your main series perhaps, for whatever reason. I also think, since you went through so much effort, you should leave it up, and you never know when a crazed fan might find it!
Nothing wrong with shelving things, also. You never know when you are going to find inspiration, but don’t be too harsh on yourself about it.
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It might be able to lead people to the blog too. Honestly, paying $300 for the cover art and a few promotions really make me want to keep it up there too. Just to see if it ever gets its money back.
As far as the shelving go, I’m 95% sure that I’ll cannibalize it for another story before I continue. Only because I still wasn’t comfortable in the overall genre. I tried and it didn’t cost me anything. Maybe somebody will stumble onto it in the future and something will change. At least for now, I really need to play to my strengths.
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good luck, Charles. Busy, busy, busy as always, it seems! I never cease to be amazed by your productivity, pal.
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Thanks. I should probably sleep a bit this weekend. 🙂
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sleep? Fibber! Good luck with that too, hohowhat!
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You caught me. I think I merely pass out and regain consciousness instead of actually sleeping.
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Ah, the Raven’s Game. Totally understand. Going to be an action packed year. I look forward to all your writing.
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Thanks. Really hoping I can pull off even this smaller schedule.
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I have faith
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Thanks. Nice to hear these days. 🙂
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Wow. That’s huge about not publishing Ichabod. I’m glad we’ll at least get another Ichabod story. As usual your writing plans put me to shame. You will be busy!
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It was a tough decision, but I think it works out better this way. Less pressure on Ichabod too.
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Sounds like some big changes. As for shelving your one series, remember what Mark Twain said, it’s been a while since I read the quote, but it’s something about needing to wait until the tank fills back up.
Have you considered turning your Ichabod Brooks stories into an anthology? You might even be able to reuse your old cover if you just add something like “and other stories” to it.
Good luck with your new plans.
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Thanks for the quote. To be fair, the Raven stuff was always a fringe interest for me. Maybe it was only meant to be one story.
I thought about it. The thing is that the cover is specifically for that first story in look. Maybe after I write enough and get some good feedback, I can switch it over there. Right now, it might work as a blog only. If anything, it means I have more material for this thing. Been running out of blog ideas.
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I sympathise with the keep warm, it is freezing here too. 6.30am and not a jot of sleep.
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I’ve been having restless sleep all week. Not sure how I simply pass out and wake up feeling like I’d been walking around all night. No evidence of me ever getting out of bed, so I know that isn’t it.
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This is so ambitious! I’m sorry your stress levels are so high right now, and I hope things improve soon.
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Thanks. Sadly, it doesn’t look like things will improve for a while. Another reason I’m focusing more on the big series and trying to promote the published stuff. This way I don’t overextend. Hope you’re doing well.
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Go for it, Charles!
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Thanks. 🙂
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Just wanted you to know I was here and have read this week’s goals/update to 2016. Did you take down your like button for your posts are am I just not seeing it?
Ellespeth
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I had to alter stuff for yesterday. Going to be putting everything back up in a bit.
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Man, I can’t believe everything you have on your plate. I’ll have to take a page out of your notebook. Good job!
Police Squad: I grew up with that stuff. I still can’t believe how loud those gunshots were back then. Totally different with today’s gunshots–kinda boring. Favorite part is seeing Lorne Greene make a special appearance–as a body of course! And love the title change at the end. Hilarious!
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Take a page from the back of the book. The front is filled and taking from the middle can undo the spine. 😛
Good point on the the gunshots. Didn’t notice that until now. I loved the William Shatner special appearance personally. The play on words was beautiful. I need to watch Naked Gun at some point. Though I don’t know if I own it. Got Airplane! though.
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