Current Progress Of My Fantasy Trilogy

So once again I’ve discovered being a perfectionist is more of a curse than a blessing. I did have book one completed but I wasn’t really happy with the last 9 chapters of the book even though other people said they were okay and I tried to ignore my doubts but I couldn’t. So I went back to the drawing board and have been working on trying to write a new ending to the book that I find more exciting and interesting. The trouble is I keep getting side tracked writing book two of the now planned trilogy which I’m really enjoying because I have spent so much time working on the imaginary world and characters that it feels like they’ve almost taken on a life of their own.

At the moment I’m pleased with how book two is progressing but it makes getting the ending right to book one even more crucial. Unfortunately this means it is also taking me a long time to get book one finished but I’d prefer to spend the extra time on it and try to make it as good as I can. I guess at the end of the day I’d like the finished book to be something that throws me into an imaginary world full of excitement and conjures up amazing images in my mind when I read it.

Dragons

I love dragons and even attempted to carve one and incorporate it into one of my artistic pieces titled Release - Dragon Sculpture. I’m not really sure why I have such a passion for them but I guess it’s because I envisage them as being large majestic creatures that can fly across the sky, a sight that would be amazing to witness or maybe not if you’re the one it’s chasing. Also the very mention of dragons brings to mind a fantasy world filled with adventure where anything is possible.

As soon as I mention that I’m writing a fantasy book many people automatically say ‘ooh dragons’ and I suppose they have become very synonymous with the fantasy genre. That’s the problem though, there are just so many stories featuring dragons that I decided not to include them in my first fantasy book. However I’m now seriously considering writing a dragon into my sequel if I can find a way to incorporate it in an interesting way.

I’m currently in the process of planning the storyline for the second book in more depth and ensuring everything ties up neatly with the events that occurred in the first. So it’s decision time now and I have to decide whether to include a dragon or not.

Editing My New Fantasy Book

I’ve been busy editing/rewriting the first draft of my new fantasy book. I asked someone to read through the whole story and give me feedback which was really helpful as it was great to have someone else’s perspective on the book. The only trouble with the editing is that I find I end up second guessing myself too much if I’m not careful. It’s tough finding a happy balance between making improvements and getting carried away and changing things for the worse.

The other problem is I keep thinking of new things and extra details I want to include in the story but I think it’s finally getting to the finished stage. So now I can start concentrating on writing the second book in the series and then I will make final alterations to this one later.

Although l also need to proofread, typeset and think of a name for book 1 of the series I’ve now got a really good idea of what to do for the cover so it’s starting to all come together into the finished article which is exciting. Thinking of a title is probably my biggest hurdle at the moment but I am hoping if I focus on writing the second book maybe ideas for titles of both books might just come to me. If not I will have to sit down and have a really big brainstorm.

The Magic Key - 2

Continuation of posts 10 Minute Madness Experiment and The Magic Key - 1

‘It’s obvious it’s old. You know no more than I do so just admit that instead of speculating the obvious.’

‘I was only trying to help,’ he answered, hurt by his older sisters comments.

‘Well I’d really appreciate help searching this place if you two don’t mind.’

‘Of course not,’ Sheila said, ‘I think we’d both like to know what it opens.’

‘Divide and conquer I say.’ Jeff jumped up. ‘I’ll take downstairs.

Slowly the three began searching every item and door in the house looking for anything with a keyhole and excluding each item in turn when the key refused to even insert into most let alone turn. After several hours of searching and with every nook and cranny checked to no avail Jeff threw himself down on the couch exhausted. ‘This is hopeless,’ he complained to the other two who had re-joined him in the living room after their own fruitless exploration. ‘We’re never going to find it. Mat are you sure dad didn’t give you some item, maybe years ago.’

‘No nothing.’ Mat thought back still unable to remember any item his uncle had given him with a lock.

‘Well that just leaves the gardens and outbuildings.’ Sheila stated less willing to give up so easily than her brother. ‘Come on.’

‘At least let a chap have some lunch first.’ Jeff protested.

‘You stay if you want but I want to find out.’

‘Oh all right.’ Jeff pulled himself off of the couch with effort. ‘This had better be worth missing lunch for.’

New Author Page

I decided it was a good idea to create an author page at Amazon, something I had been putting off doing because of a fear of the unknown combined with being unsure what information to provide about myself. I shouldn’t have worried though as the whole process couldn’t have been simpler or easier to do and I’m now wondering why I didn’t do it sooner.
You can view the page at http://www.amazon.co.uk/-/e/B00UL83P4O

What I’m Currently Working On

The first book I wrote was a science fiction although people have told me since it’s a mystery as well as it kept them in suspense as to what would happen next and how the story would end. I love the genres of science fiction and fantasy equally though and whilst I have more ideas for science fiction books I decided I would work on a fantasy next. In fact it will be book 1 of at least a 2 book fantasy series as I had too much storyline I wanted write to make it just a single book.

Although some may say the genres are fairly close I’m noticing the significant differences. With the fantasy it can be quite challenging to try and make a fantasy world and events that can’t possibly happen seem real. It’s nice though being able to let my imagination run wild and dream up whatever I like although I still have the boundaries I’ve set myself of trying to make it seem real.

I’ve finished the first draft of the first book and now I’ve just started the process of going through re-writing vast amounts and refining other parts so it will be a while yet before it’s finished. Also I’ve never attempted writing a series before and my inclination is to start writing book 2 before publishing this one. I know from experience I find, although I have a storyline planned, I will stumble across ways I feel I can improve it during writing which leaves me having to alter earlier events to match with the new events that unfold later. That would definitely cause me problems if I had already published the first book and therefore could no longer change it.

I’m also getting to the point where I need to start thinking about a cover and title for the book which I have to admit I’m a bit baffled about. I do have a vague idea of how I want the cover to look but I think choosing a title that hasn’t already been used by either a film or book is one of the most difficult aspects of writing. Also it is tough finding a name that suitably reflects the contents of the book and portrays the right image for it. I’m still not sure the title of my previous book is the most suitable but there were too many things already titled want I wanted to originally call it so I ended up with about my 20th choice.

Photography

I decided to try and improve my photography skills to help when I’m trying to put together covers for books or take pictures of my woodturning so I joined a local camera club. They have monthly competitions which I’ve only entered a couple of times and won a bronze and special award. I entered again last night in one where the subject was flowers and couldn’t believe it when I actually won gold.