Today I finished up the 4th short story in the second anthology. Ostensibly it was Julienna's tale, but more importantly it dealt with a detail I had wanted to reveal for some time. I'm not sure if finally finishing this story produces the fulfillment of an author's contract from the series, as I'm not entirely sure I ever made a promise on this conclusion, but I think it certainly captures a moment I wanted revealed.
Hopefully when people read this story they'll see it slides in a piece of the story that they hadn't even realized was missing until they read it. 114 pages in and I'm still feeling pretty good about how these stories are shaping up. I wonder which I'll tackle next?
The work and life of D W Hawthorne and The Ever War series.
The Ever War
Friday, October 28, 2011
Friday, October 7, 2011
>33% Done
The 5th book (another short story anothology) has reached a critcal point, it's more than one third completed. Oddly enough the story I finished was the first short story I started from the series. It was originally going to be handled as a flashback in the third book but I felt like the storyline didn't further the overall story and was simply a unique adventure. It helps explain some of the details that appear in the third book without having to actually slow down that book with a tangent.
From the standpoint that you question when these anthologies end up in your grasping, clawing hands the answer is... I'm not yet sure. At first I was expecting I'd put out both books individually, but the more I work on them the more I see them as a complimentary pair so there is a strong chance they'll simplly end up getting released at the same time.
We'll see where my whimsy carries me as I continue to work on these stories and filling in some of the background that was previously removed to keep the pace up and keep the focus strong.
From the standpoint that you question when these anthologies end up in your grasping, clawing hands the answer is... I'm not yet sure. At first I was expecting I'd put out both books individually, but the more I work on them the more I see them as a complimentary pair so there is a strong chance they'll simplly end up getting released at the same time.
We'll see where my whimsy carries me as I continue to work on these stories and filling in some of the background that was previously removed to keep the pace up and keep the focus strong.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
After the long Hiatus
It has been quite a while since I've posted, but with good reason. I've been doing a considerable amount of writing for Itsgeektime and I've also been doing some behind the scenes work with these books. Not the least of which is working on getting the second anthology volume completed. My goal at this point is to have both the anthologies out by next year and have the first draft of the second anthology done by this year, but we'll see how well all of that goes. At this point I'm through two out of the ten stories and roughly one third of my expected page count.
Even with the end of the series written this anthology works as a sort of swan song for some of these characters and moments. I get one more chance for characters to surprise me and reveal secrets about the world. I also get to detail some of the minor events that are barely referenced in the series in a more complete fashion. Last night I completed Medic's section and while it was sad to say goodbye to another character I felt it was a good way to leave things off, because for me it's saying goodbye on a high note.
Well, back to work, but be aware that things are moving behind the scenes and hopefully I'll have some more news to post soon.
-D
Even with the end of the series written this anthology works as a sort of swan song for some of these characters and moments. I get one more chance for characters to surprise me and reveal secrets about the world. I also get to detail some of the minor events that are barely referenced in the series in a more complete fashion. Last night I completed Medic's section and while it was sad to say goodbye to another character I felt it was a good way to leave things off, because for me it's saying goodbye on a high note.
Well, back to work, but be aware that things are moving behind the scenes and hopefully I'll have some more news to post soon.
-D
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Book Four is Completed
Last night I was up until the wee hours of the morning completing the first short story anthology for the Ever War series. Because of the duration of the editing process I expect the book will be released in Q1 of 2011. This book details some of the events that are alluded to in the series that take place between The Bad Lands and Knights of The Realm. It will be released under the header "Echoes of the Ever War" as the stories contained within are additional information to the primary story line designed to improve the entirity of the reading experience.
In about a year I expect to complete the second anthology, in what I've called the "Chronicles" line as their working title during the writing process, and then return to long form fiction earlier in the Ever War timeline. Today I am basking in the glow of being one step closer to completing what I see as an entire cycle.
Keep watching this space for more updates.
Sincerely,
DWH
In about a year I expect to complete the second anthology, in what I've called the "Chronicles" line as their working title during the writing process, and then return to long form fiction earlier in the Ever War timeline. Today I am basking in the glow of being one step closer to completing what I see as an entire cycle.
Keep watching this space for more updates.
Sincerely,
DWH
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Is my anthology now possessed?
It's 9/10 completed, and as we all know possession is 9/10 of the law.
Hideous puns aside I am incredibly happy to have gotten to this point. To have the book so close to completion and to have gotten to spend so much extra time expanding the scope of the story has been fulfilling to say the least.
The most difficult part, other than the little tidbits of research I've had to do for detail purposes, has been making sure I don't disrupt the continuity of the story as I go along. Sometimes this means I'm hunting through my own work to make sure I don't contradict myself (sometimes, Walt Whitman, I can't just shrug off contradicting myself).
Due to the editing process and the commission of covers for this book and the next anthology (the covers will be created at the same time) I'll probably be looking at an Early January release as opposed to a late release this year. Nonetheless, it is that much closer to completion and that much closer to release!
Hideous puns aside I am incredibly happy to have gotten to this point. To have the book so close to completion and to have gotten to spend so much extra time expanding the scope of the story has been fulfilling to say the least.
The most difficult part, other than the little tidbits of research I've had to do for detail purposes, has been making sure I don't disrupt the continuity of the story as I go along. Sometimes this means I'm hunting through my own work to make sure I don't contradict myself (sometimes, Walt Whitman, I can't just shrug off contradicting myself).
Due to the editing process and the commission of covers for this book and the next anthology (the covers will be created at the same time) I'll probably be looking at an Early January release as opposed to a late release this year. Nonetheless, it is that much closer to completion and that much closer to release!
Monday, August 23, 2010
Another One Bites The Dust
One more story has reached its conclusion and that brings me to the 80% completion rate for the anthology.
One thing I'm trying to do is expand on stories or situations alluded to in the primary books and really expand upon those. I think it will help refine the world for readers as they get access to situations that simply don't come up in the books. The way various cultures relate to one another at peace time, in the lead-up to war, and during war time are all different and were all things that deserved their time as part of the narrative.
I've tried, as much as possible, to make the stories a fresh and new experience for people who have read the full story and want additional time with characters they already know. At the same time I think any of the stories stands alone as a unique piece and could be read by a novice without needing to read the other stories.
The pace has slowed down with all the extra work I've been producing for It's Geek Time, but I'm not behind schedule and that 's what matters.
One thing I'm trying to do is expand on stories or situations alluded to in the primary books and really expand upon those. I think it will help refine the world for readers as they get access to situations that simply don't come up in the books. The way various cultures relate to one another at peace time, in the lead-up to war, and during war time are all different and were all things that deserved their time as part of the narrative.
I've tried, as much as possible, to make the stories a fresh and new experience for people who have read the full story and want additional time with characters they already know. At the same time I think any of the stories stands alone as a unique piece and could be read by a novice without needing to read the other stories.
The pace has slowed down with all the extra work I've been producing for It's Geek Time, but I'm not behind schedule and that 's what matters.
Friday, July 30, 2010
Things Are Progressing Nicely
The next story is well on its way and I think I've been able to capture some of the tension breaking levity that doesn't often find its way into my work. One of the greatest priveldges of working on this project is to revisit characters who I feel I haven't spent enough time with or characters that had so much to offer beyond their limited interaction in the primary books (due to my habit of excising anything that I think doesn't forward the story). Sometimes there is a depth that seems lacking mainly for the sake of story progression.
One thing I have found is that in a quest to strengthen the reality of their world many Fantasy or Sci Fi authors will waste valuable story time for the sake of developing otherwise minor characters. I dislike the loss of momentum of these little dalliances cause. On the other hand I truly enjoy the additional, albeit unnecessary, indulgences of these stories forming a more complete perspective.
Essentially these two dissonant feelings are what spurred me to write these two short story collection books that, once separated from the main volumes, do not slow down the primary story arc, but they still provide additional information for people who want it adding depth to the world. An offer of compromise between the two versions of myself as a reader. As Whitman wrote, "if I contradict myself then I contradict myself."
One thing I have found is that in a quest to strengthen the reality of their world many Fantasy or Sci Fi authors will waste valuable story time for the sake of developing otherwise minor characters. I dislike the loss of momentum of these little dalliances cause. On the other hand I truly enjoy the additional, albeit unnecessary, indulgences of these stories forming a more complete perspective.
Essentially these two dissonant feelings are what spurred me to write these two short story collection books that, once separated from the main volumes, do not slow down the primary story arc, but they still provide additional information for people who want it adding depth to the world. An offer of compromise between the two versions of myself as a reader. As Whitman wrote, "if I contradict myself then I contradict myself."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)