NEWS
04.30.05
The Null Zone's first draft was finally completed in January, and it clocked in at around 140,000 words or so. A lot longer than I was expecting, but that gives me plenty of room to cut out the chaff when I get around to editing it. I'm very pleased with how it turned out, all things considered, especially the ending. Maybe it sets up ground for a sequel, (and maybe not) but we'll leave that decision in the hands of the fans.
Still shopping around the 3rd draft of The Halls of Valhalla. No takers as of yet.
Currently about 45,000 words into my next project, Retrograde a story set in Seattle about 50-60 years from now. Basically everything's wireless in the future, and that's cool. I'm rather excited about this one, as this is the Shadowrun-esque novel (think futuristic hackers and illegal activities, cyberpunk, if you will) I've been wanting to write for a long time, but with a bit of a Norse twist. However, there's a lot less cyberpunk to be found here, and this one's a bit more grounded in the reality that technology is heading.
As The Null Zone is completed, the Novels page has been updated to reflect this. Also new on the page are an entry and blurb for Retrograde and blurbs for the next three books of the Journeys of Change Series.
CURRENTLY READING: The Dark Tower VII: The Dark Tower - Stephen King
08.06.04
Currently struggling through the first draft of The Null Zone. I'd guessed it would be around 90,000 words, but I surpassed that a few weeks ago (98,000+ now), and still have 9.5 chapters left to write. At an average of 2,500 words per chapter thus far, that'd make this novel 120,000+ words. I was originally worried that, because the titular aspect of the novel (and the reason I started writing this story) is not revealed until around 70,000 words, the span between the revelation and the denouement was going to be too short. In other words, I'd expected 70,000 words of build up, and 20,000 words of climax and resolution. Now, at a 120,000+ words, that places the revelation at almost the center of the text.
Considering how short this novel is going to be (compared to previous, Trollopian efforts such as the 250,000-word The Keeper of Secrets or The Burning Blue), this first draft has been taking an inordinate length of time for me. Begun in February, this novel is going into its sixth month and doesn't plan to let up any time soon. By contrast, principal writing for The Windmaker, my 116,000-word opus, only took four months.
On a different note, my Significant Other's favorite manuscript of mine, The Halls of Valhalla, is undergoing an extensive third draft revision. As it clocked in at 167,000 words (which I think is too long for agencies at the moment), my goal is to cut at least 17,000 words to pare it into a more easily digestible 150K. I'm hoping this is easily done: one chapter I cut 13 pages from (3250 words). If I can continue at this pace, it may end up falling below 150K. If so, the lower the better.
The Windmaker is currently out for another test read. My S.O. calls it the reader's "book report." Fingers are crossed.
CURRENTLY READING: Starship Troopers, Robert A. Heinlein, and Fantasy & Science Fiction August 2004
06.08.04
Finished the first draft of a 7,500-word short entitled "The ADAM Experiment." This is a science fiction story unlike any I've previously done, one that focuses more on genetic determinism than space faring adventure or wars and armies. I had to delve into my 12th-grade Advanced Biology for this story and do a lot of research on a topic I'd never really given too much thought. The story works as is, but this'll still require a lot of work.
For those who are curious, I'm not a proponent of genetic determinism, but the concept provided a great backdrop to the story.
CURRENTLY READING: The Uplift War, David Brin (STILL... it's close to 700 pages), and Roma Eterna, Robert Silverberg
06.04.04
Tonight I went to a reading from the new issue of MudRock: Stories and Tales by Ed Davis (see 05.19 entry). Of the story he read, he said its moral is "persistence." He shared that the work had been rejected 37 times before being published (an event long overdue, in my opinion). The story was fun, and he also read an excerpt from his novel, of which I fondly remember him talking about in class long ago. Once I whittle down my reading list (which might be a while...), I plan to hunt down a copy.
I'd almost forgotten how much fun of a guy Ed is. Makes me almost want to re-enroll in college just to take a few more of his classes.
CURRENTLY READING: The Uplift War, David Brin (STILL), MudRock: Stories and Tales Spring/Summer 2004, and Roma Eterna, Robert Silverberg
05.20.04
Finished another horror short story first draft, entitled "The Underbelly." I've been working on it off and on for almost a whole month (an unusually long time for a short), and the first draft only ended up being 6,750 words. The last time I spent longer on a a short story was three weeks (for the original first draft of "A Breath of Life/The Winds of change"), and that first draft ended up being some 16,000 words (and is now 9,750 on its third revision).
Anyway, "The Underbelly" was based off a single image and accompanying idea from a dream I had a long while ago. All I can say is, after writing this story, the first house I buy has to have a basement. And this is not negotiable. Writing this story reminded me how cool having a basement is, considering I haven't lived in a basemented house since I was eight.
CURRENTLY READING: The Uplift War, David Brin and Asimov's Science Fiction July 2004
05.19.04
Whilst searching for a literary magazine that my short story "Undone" might fit with, I came across a tri-annual startup magazine that seemed like it was not genre specific and liked just about anything. Imagine my surprise when I glanced at the address (something I'm not normally wont to do in a publication hunt) and discovered that this magazine was not only based in Ohio but was published right out of this very city of Dayton! Without wasting a single moment, I typed in the URL for the publication so I could dig a little deeper... Lo and behold! The featured writer for the upcoming issue is none other than Ed Davis, the instructor I had for a short fiction class at Sinclair College (back in 2000, I figure)! I was so excited that I planned to run all the way down to Books & Co. to find a copy this weekend.
For those of you who don't know, Mr. Davis is partly responsible for my thrust towards seeking publication. He and I spent a lot of time talking outside of class, and he was the first to introduce me to Writer's Market. Also, I received my first, non-familial writing commendation from him, and he suggested I take his novel-writing class in the future (I would've taken him up on it, but I stopped attending Sinclair after the close of that quarter).
Any who are interested, the URL for this magazine is www.mudrockpress.com
CURRENTLY READING: The Uplift War, David Brin
05.17.04
For those few of you who remember my science fiction short "A Breath of Life" from a few years ago, well, it's getting the nip and tuck. Originally it was around 13,000 words (far too long for casual publication) and had an ending that not too many gelled with. Now titled "The Winds of Change," it will sport a new ending that will hopefully coincide better with my original theme. Although still in the process of cutting, the finished product will probably be around 8-10,000 words.
When finished, I plan to enter this story in L. Ron Hubbard's Writers of the Future contest for the June 30th deadline. I don't expect any prizes (ah, the pessimist shines through), but they say experience is the mother of all knowledge.
For those interested, the original inspiration for this story came from a lyric from the song "The Dream Within," the end credits song of the film Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within. Go give it a listen if you are able. That Lara Fabian has got some lungs on her, if you ask me.
CURRENTLY READING: A Wrinkle in Time, Madeline L'Engle
05.04.04
Finished editing manuscript of The Windmaker, a speculative fiction, Native American novel. The principal writing took only four months, but the edit took two and a half months. Sheesh.
Hope to start sending out a few queries once I get all the nitty gritty details and typos of the manuscript ironed out.
CURRENTLY READING: 1984, George Orwell
05.02.04
Shopping around a short story entitled "Exeunt." This tale about an odd, rundown theater is now making its rounds. One of the best comments it has received is: "Creepy. Really creepy."
Soon to follow is a piece called "When Comes the Angel," based on a philosophical idea I've been tossing around for a while. This story tells how even the best and most honorable of intentions (and obsessions?) can often have unforeseen side effects. Have received some good feedback from several people and will soon work on a second draft.
CURRENTLY READING: The Last Battle, C. S. Lewis
04.25.04
Currently writing the initial draft of The Null Zone, the first science fiction epic I've worked on since 1997. One part Star Trek, one part "Earth Star Voyager" (for you children of the 80's who remember it), and yet neither all at once. Started principal writing in mid-February. Hope to be done with the first draft within the next few months.
Also working on a large handful of short stories when I have time. Oddly enough, all of them seem to be centering around creepy, horrific themes. Since I don't often write strict horror, this has come as somewhat of a surprise to me. The most recent finished piece disturbed even me, a feat in and of itself...
CURRENTLY READING: The Magician's Nephew, C. S. Lewis