09 Tuesday Aug 2016
Tags
Author, Author Tips, NaNoWriMo, publishing, writing, writing tips
Hi everyone,
As many of you may know, this last year (time wise, not 2016 wise) I participated in both NaNoWriMo 2015 (November) and Camp NaNoWriMo2016 (July). I’ve compiled my thoughts on the experience so you can see if NaNoWriMo is right for you! This is the first post, detailing how the programs are similar and how they differ. The second one will focus on what I like and what I think could be improved
05 Thursday Mar 2015
Posted in Iron Tribune, Self-Publishing
Just a heads up for everyone – Iron Tribune is finished! Well, I’m finished with it. I’m making a few last tweaks, then sending it out to the beta readers over the weekend. Yippie! Then it’s right to work on Steel Praetorian. No stopping for novellas this time around!
31 Saturday Jan 2015
Posted in Iron Tribune
Greetings! Happy 2015 (Said exactly one month late!
No excuses this go around: Life got in the way. Now onto the point of this article!
The Hour a Day Project
My hands are not this neatly manicured. Nor should they be.
This is an idea I’ve heard before/thought of before. Everyone knows that, if you do something for long enough, it becomes a habit. One thing that I’ve taken the time to start this year is my “Hour a Day” Project. Each day (night really, since I have school during the day) I take a full hour to write. It doesn’t matter what, it doesn’t matter how, but I take a full hour to write. And lo and behold, it works. I’ve written nearly 6,000 words in the last week, reached 50,000 words in the novel, and established (finally) a date for book editing. All that, in one week. This is big for me.
In about an hour, I can reach about 1,200 words. That isn’t my absolute best pace, and it certainly isn’t always my best writing. But I am writing. And the more I write, the better I get, and the better the story flows.
But simply, I’m happier now that I have a focused time to get it done. No distractions. I even use my old laptop (that has incredibly slow internet) to help eliminate distractions. Whatever works, right?
But wait, there’s more! The hour a day project works well for ANYTHING. Another one of my hobbies, building models and painting them (and yes, some are Roman – hahah), works perfectly with this plan. Eventually, I plan on adding working out to my list. Then that’s three hours a night, plus dinner, watching some TV, and planning for school for the next day. A way to keep myself busy, but change things often enough to not get bored. So far, I can handle doing two pretty well. What about three? I’ll let you know!
22 Saturday Nov 2014
Posted in Questions, Steam Empire Chronicles
I’m looking for some input on Iron Tribune. Currently, I have the story written in two parts. The first one is almost done, and consists of events in the eastern part of the empire and focuses around Constantine, Julius, and Alexandros. The second part focuses on events in Rome and focuses on Octavia, Corbus, and Marciena, plus one more surprise character. The events happen concurrently in the story, but I wanted to split them up. But right now I’m unsure about continuing this. The events in Rome do impact the events in the east, but mostly at the end. I’d love to hear the community’s thoughts on this matter. Would you rather have the story lines written together, or finish one before starting the other in the same book?
If he had a watch, he’d be making sure to stay on schedule
07 Friday Nov 2014
Posted in Novellas, Self-Publishing, Steam Empire Chronicles
Tags
[This is a continuation of this article from earlier this year, where I examine the idea of creating novellas to supplement author income.]
In the last post, I discussed more the ‘self-publishing’ component of novellas. To summarize that post.
Pros: Can be done quickly, requires less editing, allows you to expand different parts of a story without having to create a fully fleshed out novel, builds out your world and provides other small, continuous income streams.
Cons: Takes you away from your primary goal of finishing novels, too many or the wrong idea can slow you down, still requires effort and money to self publish, can be a low return on investment.
13 Wednesday Aug 2014
Posted in How to, Self-Publishing
By Daniel Ottalini
If he had a watch, Julius would be making sure to stay on schedule.
If you’re anything like me, you’ve got a life. No really, a life! You know, a life outside of the world(s) you create on the electronic page? One filled with friends, family, another job/career, a hobby or interest, vacations, etc. And those parts of your life have requirements. I have to work a certain number of hours a day, between X and Y. I want (and need) to hang out with my family on this date all day long, etc etc. The boys and I will be going to the hockey game next Friday. All of these are great examples of life impacting you and your time.
