Current WIPS

I have the first part of The Connelly Chronicles 3: Because of You off at my beta reader→ James (Yoda) A, to go over and see how badly I have messed up with punctuation. Let’s face it I probably messed up heaps.

I’m halfway through Lancaster’s Way 3: Pre-loved, I’m having a bit of writer’s block on that one so I might swap over to another one for a while.

I’m about a third of the way through Experimentals 3: Messages from the Dead. I could work on this one while I work through the writer’s block on the other.

Still waiting for 1st edits on The Lines of Marsden 4: The Trail of Red Roses, & Wardens of the Guild 3: Heartstrings.

Beta Readers

I think they are a good thing to have when you write, because they catch all the small mistakes I make, and trust me I make a few of them. Mine is named James A→I, on the other hand, call him Yoda.  The poor bugger is going to be run off his feet this year with me.

The truth is I have had really bad luck when it comes to beta readers. I can never find ones that seem to stick around. I don’t know whether it’s because their lives get busy, or my writing is just shite and they don’t want to tell me. I’m the first to admit I’m not the greatest with punctuation.

And coming back after a two-year break I have to relearn how to do everything all over again. I’m not gonna lie, it’s hard. It’s going to take me a bit to get back into the swing of things, and then to be easy swapping from one publisher to the other, as they both like things done differently.

I’m lucky with Yoda, as he isn’t afraid to call bullshit on something if I’ve stuffed it up big time, though usually, he explains to me the right way to do it. Sometimes an editor will leave me a one-word comment (like plot) how the hell am I supposed to know what that even means. To me, it’s just part of the story. I think all editors should have to explain their comments so I can understand what they’re talking about.

So my advice is if you are a writer than find yourself a decent beta reader or two and let them point out all the little holes in the story, and pick up on the spelling errors you may have. It will be well worth it in the end.

Update time…

Wardens of the Guild 3: Heartstrings→ will be receiving a contract in the near future> I just filled in the BIF (Book Information Form) and sent to my editor. I just need to clean up some punctuation.

The Connelly Chronicles 3: Because of You… Experimentals 3: Messages from the Dead… & Lancaster’s Way 3: Pre-loved are all coming along nicely.

I have been in contact with my beta reader and he’s already working on some of my stuff→ have I mentioned lately how much Yoda (James A) rocks.

Beta Readers

YES! I have one who I can’t live without… So I’ve told him he’s not allowed to die—ever.

The best part about my James A is that when I’m supposed to be writing American (which, believe me is sometimes very hard for this Aussie to do.) He tells me the words I should be using. Then if I still don’t get them he’ll explain what they mean.

I sometimes wished the whole world spoke and wrote the exact same way, and then it would make my life so much easier. But alas, I’ve often been told that the world doesn’t revolve around me.

Some authors don’t share everything with the one beta reader, but I do mainly because I have a very hard time finding a beta reader. I’ve had a few over the years. some have just gotten too busy, others just disappear, and are never to be heard from again. But James A has been with me from the very beginning. I even met him on my first trip to the states and we went driving all over the place. It was awesome.

I can’t tell you about other people’s experiences, but I can tell you about my own. Not only does a good beta reader pick up the mistakes. they also help point out any holes in the story line, which gives me a chance to go and tweak things. and they also point out the need for contractions, and if I’ve over used a word.

I’m not a writer that is constantly re reading what’s previously written each day. I usually read through the last two paragraphs to see where I was heading and just let my mind flow. I only re read the whole story during the editing stage, or more so the final read through where I have one last chance to change things.

What The Hell Was I Thinking?

Okay, I had a game plan. I psyched myself up for what I needed to do. I sat down in from of my computer, and then… something completely bloody different ended up on the page. So now my perfectly thought out story has taken a turn so obscure that even I’m shocked. My 4K  for the day turned into 2K while I try and wrap my head around where the story is now headed, and how the rest of the characters are going to react—let me tell you, it’s not looking good.

I’m at 27K in the story and the shit is about to hit the fan. I’m not sure whether to duck and find cover, or put on a raincoat and plow my way through.

In Other News: My beta reader James A is working on:

• The Freedomers 1: Zephania’s Chance.
• The Connelly Chronicles 2: Beautiful Goodbyes. [chapters 1-4]

JUST SUBBED: The Day Walkers Guild 1: The Real You to Pride Publishing… so keep your fingers crossed for me.

DONE!!!

You make Me Die In Pieces

Done & at the beta readers,

then onto Christie N at MLR.

came in at 94 K.

Can’t wait to see the cover for this one.

What I’m Working On This Week.

I’ve been busy as all heck this week. here is a little peek into my world… Firstly, I’ve seen the final of my Fireborn Publishing cover for The Diamond Rose 1: Gateway To Kalethia. I’m waiting for permission to be able to share it with you all. While we are still talking I should also add that I’m doing Galley Proof for this story as well. I should have it back to Kathy K at some stage today.

I’m also working on 1st edits on Storming Love ~ Floods: Adrian & Lockie. I will be finishing them today and getting them back to Kris J at MLRPress today. I can’t wait to get my cover on this one and share it with you all.

Yesterday I also received another round of beta edits on The Lines Of Marsden 3: You Make Me Die In Pieces… James A is now patiently waiting for the next four chapters. This one is also destined for MLRPress.

On another note I’ve plotted out Sons of Evenmore 3: Fear The Scarlet Moon. In between writing I’m trying to write the rough plots for all the books I plan on writing in 2015.

Beta Reader & Cover Art

I just sent my beta reader (James A) the last 4 chaps I typed up on The Lines Of Marsden 3: You Make Me Die In Pieces… & I think I’m pretty close to showing off new cover art by Lex Valentine on Experimentals 2: Running Into Zero Tolerance… so stay tuned… I’m so fricken excited I can’t stop smiling.