R.W. Krpoun's Blog, page 12

A moment to remember the heroes of Pearl Harbor, a day that changed the world.

My current project is now at 46,000 words, but it was a rocky week of plot issues and inspiration shortages, but I am still pressing forward. I still lack sufficient confidence to name it, fearing a jinx.

Grog II is collection an impressive number of positive reviews, and sales of all books are doing well. I have the motivation to write, and I am determinedly seeking inspiration.

Stay well!

So I got a modified map posted for Grog. It will be an ongoing-process to master the system, but I am optimistic.

I had an incredible week, writing the current project to 39,000 words of rough draft, but while it is on the cusp of half a novel in length, I am writing on the ragged edge of plot inspiration, so it might still stall. But I am working hard on it.

People have been asking for a map to accompany various novels. This has been an issue as I have the visual art skills of a one-eyed chimp with with the DTs.

However, I purchased Wonderdraft software, and will post rather primitive maps here; at some point in the future I may develop enough skills to insert them in the book itself, but that is difficult to do in a readable size.

Anyway, here is a first attempt. I will upload better maps as (or if) my skills improve. It is not to scale, and very rough, as I am still learning how to use the software. Eventually I will make a map for Dark Tide of follow-on books, but for now I will focus on a map for Grog.

No sooner had I uploaded Grog II than I was jones-ing for the keyboard, and I started up on a twice-stalled project. I won’t bother to tell the name because its at 20k words and the upcoming plot is paper-thin, but its an excuse to write.

Meanwhile, I am pondering the need for maps, most especially for the Phantom Badger series, although further development of the Ebon Blades could benefit from maps as well.

The problem is that I have the artistic ability of a hung-over chimp, and my computer skills are not first-rate. I am looking at Wonderdraft, which is billed as simple, easy to use mapping software. I’ve checked out several free systems, and tried Campaign Cartographer 2 (too complex, requires too much artistic ability).

I also tried hiring an artist, but it is too expensive, and far too difficult to explain what I need. Working with artists is never fun.

In any case, happy Thanksgiving to all.

IT should be avalible twelve hours from now.

Thanks to a good price on a job lot of adjectives, I was able to keep the costs down.

Next is the final re-write, which is making all the changes and errors revealed in the edits. After that, the actual business of uploading the book.

I’ve got the cover image, so the only other thing is to choose the dedication.

I’m thoroughly sick of the edit process, and eager to start on a new or re-activated project.

And work continues. Meanwhile I saw an eight-point buck behind our house this morning; living in the country always rewards. I He was about twenty feet from me: I could have dropped him with a single round through the heart with a pistol.

Except I really don’t care for venison all that much. And let’s face it, dressing out a deer is a lot of work, at least when compared to shopping at Wal Mart.

No major plot flaws were found; about 300 words were added, but just in tidying up and a couple plot points that needed to be clarified.

The second edit will start this weekend. I’m not making any promises of a release date, but I think Dec 1st would be nice. We’ll see how the rest of the process goes.

Weighing in at 96,000 words of rough draft, it is done. Now begins the business of review and edit.

Grog II has reached 82,000 words of rough draft, and is now novel-length. I’m in the final plot arc (starting it, actually), but I don’t have the ending sorted out yert.

Endings are hard for me. I’m not completely satisfied with how I ended Grog, but when the muse runs dry, the muse runs dry. I said what I wanted to say, but I am left with the feeling that I could have said it better.

Anyway, terrific progress this week.