So many stories... so little time.
As the title says, I have so many stories running around in my head and it's like the person with the remote control is flicking from one channel to the next and the next and the next.
Concentrating on one thing is difficult right now, but I have to give it a good shot.
I'm editing Ash's story with a professional, seasoned editor, I have signed up with a tutor who will help me to pitch my book(s) properly to an Agent when the time comes because I sincerely hope to get at least one book 'Trad Pubbed' - traditionally published.
At the moment, my books are all published under Gingernut Books Ltd - a small, Indie publishing house. I want to see if my writing can stand the test of being put under scrutiny from 'the professionals' in the Publishing World. If an Agent likes my work, then he or she will send it off to publishers. Then, if the acquisition editor takes a shine to the story, it stands a good chance of getting 'picked up'.
What I'm learning as I go, is that it's more difficult than ever to get 'picked up' - for example, the acquisition editor goes through the MS (manuscript) and searches for passive voice. For example. The Universal Search on a doc is used to search for be, am, is, are, was, were, been and being and if there are MORE THAN FIVE of those, the MS is rejected, no matter how good the story.
That is rigorous and strict! Not to mention scary!
As ever, I consider you guys my wonderful Beta Readers because your feedback is invaluable. I have never had anything like this. I appreciate the insight, input and critique my writing receives.
Going back to the mad-clicker with the remote for my channels of focus, what would you guys like to read?
If you want me to continue sharing Ash's development, I can do that, but I also have other stories running.
Children of Sol,
Daughters of Le Fey,
Celtica Diamond (I've not touched that for a while),
Finley Moran,
Bouncer,
Biker,
Re-jigging the Wolf series with the knowledge I've gained since I wrote them,
Dusty's 8th story,
I'll be doing more than one project, I'm going slowly nuts here...
Please help!
They are so strict. Thanks for keeping us in the loop.
btw in hashtags add the letter "i" to the word fiction in case someone needs to find this.
You are great to take us on this journey with you. 🏃
Thanks for picking that up, I'd missed it!
You're most welcome, I'm so pleased you're enjoying the journey.
Saludos Michelle, que buena explicación como dices ahora todo esta regido por el marketing los seres humanos somos programables en nuestra educación y esos detalles son los que hacen que un libro se venda, sea un Bet Sellers o uno más.
Pero veo que son rigurosos hasta en ese mínimo de uso de palabras, eso no sabía. Es un buen dato. Creo que en la temática vas a tener que contratar a otro especialista en esos temas quizás podas errar en lo que el mercado esta reclamando. A mi por ejemplo me paraece que las historias de lobo está en ascenso pero no se si eso obedeció ha algún estudio que hicieran hace un par de años y por eso es el contenido que ahora esta de moda ...
Un abrazo y feliz días como andan los abuelitos?
Everything has to be marketable these days. The author has to have a successful social media platform, including mailing addresses as well as a near-ready book. There's a lot of work to put in after writing the books.
Werewolves have been my thing for almost 2 decades. I like to write for me rather than the fashionable thing.
My top 3, in order:
Celtica Diamond – I’ve missed her!
Daughters of Le Fey – missed her too
Dusty's 8th story – keen to see where that goes
(Interesting that my top picks are all strong female characters, and have a supernatural bent one way or another)
If you can handle more than 3, my next 2:
Bouncer – interested to see where goes too
Children of Sol - not invested in this yet, but interested
Thank you! Yes, I like the strong female characters too.
I think I'll be able to manage two extra ones... ;)
I'm a bit partial to Daughters of Le Fey, but I was also getting pretty intrigued with Celtica Diamond, so those would be my votes, but then again, i really liked Ash and the Favour Man. Oh my a quandary that you have passed on to us, how to choose. Ghosty Witch, Dangerous Dragon, Spunky, yet really cool and likable Kid. I know not much help, I guess I'll pick those three, I do not think I could narrow it any further.
Now a probably stupid question why do they not like :
be, am, is, are, was, were, been and being those words, I understand a little bit about passive voice, but what is wrong with having a passive sentence or two? I am trying to learn to write a little bit.
When people I've not (yet) met express delight in my writing, it gives me such a buzz! Thank you for staying with me through all these un-finished stories.
I really don't know why they don't like these words - or passive voice - I guess it's a trend, but if I want to publish, I have to find a way to embrace it.
I have learned a lot from watching your writing, your editing process, and your mentoring others. I have started to try and dabble a little with writing because of the steemmonsters game, it is fun and frustrating all at the same time. You would think publishers would be opening their eyes a little bit more to some of the different styles of work out there and see that while the Indie published book may not go viral, when you look at the overall trend and the number of indie/self published books bought from Amazon and goodreads they would see people are looking for alternatives.
So true! Also, I made a living from my writing last year. I've been writing for almost 20 years and that's the first time it's happened.
Did you consider trying for a bit more intricate world building background to see if you could merge some of them into a huge crossover that makes sense ?
I think only two could cross-over - the more 'real-life' stories of 'Bouncer' and 'Biker' - the others are all too different to each other to mix. The Wolf series characters don't believe in vampires, so they can't cross with Children of Sol. Finley Moran is a kid, but wouldn't gel with Dusty (teen). Daughters of Le Fey is one on its own and there's no wiggle room to merge and Celtica... I suppose she could actually merge with vampires, werewolves, half-demon teens and possibly even Finley's world.
I still love the idea of Celtica and I also like Bouncer.
I do too. I have to wrap my head around Celtica again.
You have many interesting ideas. The main thing is that you gradually realize them and I'm glad to be your reader. With each story you cultivate. Your characters are essentially "living" people and they come to life thanks to your efforts. They come to life in the minds of the readers.
Dusty is the character who must have a lot of adventures!
Yes, they do seem to develop eventually. I always look upon my characters as living beings too :)
Dusty needs to let me know how she ends this next story. She's not been around for a while.
That process is Really scary. I understand having to many ideas is good but some times its risky is make us not adequately/effectively utilize one before jumping in to the next. I sometimes run from too many ideas. Good luck with ur work dear
I can't say it's risky, but it can get messy.
Yes i agree with u.
This looks like a really tough process! It seems like each year requires you to provide more perfection than the year before. Not good enough just to have a great story...
If you are asking what I would like to read...I will only mention three as I would love all but time constraints allow you to write so much at once.
I would love to see you finish Celtica Diamond, Daughters of Fey and Bouncer.
Oooh perfection! Thanks for the vote, it's just how I would have voted... I think :)
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