Do y’all remember that I originally started this blog to document my progress as I wrote my first book? Or that I actually started writing my second shortly after finishing my first? Yeah…about that. You likely also know that I haven’t even glanced at my WIP in many months. But I think it’s time.
I’ve known for several months now that I’d revisit my story at the start of 2015. I don’t have a particular reason for waiting so long, but I had no reason to look back any sooner. See, I’m in no rush. I’m not over here thinking I’m writing the greatest novel that no one will ever know about. I’m just writing along and seeing where it takes me.
Let’s refresh just a bit. My current WIP is my second book around Andrew Banks. Someone who is mildly controversial. (I’m poking fun at some of my reviewers). He’s a Houston area PI and he has this girlfriend who goes by the name of Sydney. Ha. That’s all. But really, I’m something like 30k words in and I stopped just as Andrew goes on a trip out of the city following a lead.
But enough about that, what are you currently working on? Book one? Book two? Book 38?
Johnny Reads 
Book 1… Its a work in progress, started before I married, 13 years ago, then there was a 2 year hiatus… Then I started again… 13,000 words later, I had kids, and even though I go back, I don’t get the time to get my teeth back into it. I’ve managed to write quite a few poems since starting blogging, which has been fantastic, and some short stories. My Coffee Shop series has whet my appetite again and the current installment stands at 5,000 words so far, and still growing!!
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Ooooh! It sounds like quite the journey! Which means it must be great! 😊
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Thanks! I sure hope so!!
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Book 2 [currently about 33K words]. Paused for 4-months to execute rewrites of Book 1 [sitting at 105K words] which is back in beta-reading. Just started back into Book 2 again of the planned 4-book series. I have a decently extensive outline for the series.
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Well then I’ll ask what you think of your first book. Since you were splitting time between the two.
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The series is essentially one larger story with three main characters. The first book contains premonitions of scenes that occur in each of the subsequent books with further context added. So, I am good with the first in the series. The rewrites allowed me to tweak micro-scenes of characters that get broader exposure in the second book. I’m half-tempted to try to complete the entire series before I market it to ensure that it is cohesive. Through the series, the POV jumps between the main characters. That keeps things interesting as side-by-side characters experience things differently. Interesting questions, though. Why did you ask?
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Just wondering what everyone is working on and how far along they are in their writing journey. One commenter is writing their first book. Which is really cool to hear.
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What about Sam!?!?!?!? 😦
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I didn’t think you wanted to do that anymore. 😔 Cause a long time ago when we hadn’t talked about her in a long time I said something about still wanting to write it, and you just ignored me.
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Oh. I meant to reply but I guess I didn’t. I do… After I finish the ones I’m working on. I found the notebook with all the info for the story. Lol
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Nope. I remember perfectly. You replied to the other part of the message. 😔
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I know. Ugh. Fine. Don’t believe me.
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I believe…that you sometimes want to and sometimes don’t want to write with me. Maybe. Or you’re just mean.
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I change my mind a lot. You know this. Haha but I think Sam is a great character and deserves a story.
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Well then what are you waiting for!?
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Book one. I started in November and am roughly half way through but I had so many issues with the structure that it’s been pushed to one side for a few weeks. I will get back to it soon.
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Your first book? Woo! No rush. Get it done. And get it right.
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Thanks for the encouragement 🙂
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I’m nearing the end of my third edit on my fourth book (which is actually book 2 in a series). I’m also still working on my interactive novel, but I’m afraid that is going to be going on hiatus for a few weeks as I finish up the other book… a book I wanted to release last summer. But, as you must know, you can’t rush these things!
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Yes! No rush! That’s how mistakes and eh books happen! Good luck!
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Thanks, John. Same to you!
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Go you! I love hearing writers and artists share their creative processes. Looking forward to hearing more. 🙂
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Thanks! Hopefully I’ll have more to tell sooner rather than later!
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I stupidly started another WIP…. I am now up to 6 books. “Books” Ha! That’s a joke. It’s more of ideas in the brain than written out. But it’s up to six now. All plot-less. *bangs head on keyboard*
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Hahaha way too many for me. I’m horrible with one. Don’t hit your head too hatd. Would not be good.
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I forgot to add one more that is just nebulous at best. Oh, I can’t hit too hard, Wouldn’t want to damage the Toshiba. I mean, it is half my life anyhow…. Trust me, it’s too many ‘books’ for me as well. I just get these ideas and I have to write them out and look at them as a maybe book one day. If I don’t write it out, I’ll never remember it.
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Hahaha I think I have two ideas right now, along with my current WIP. Or it might be just one additional idea.
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Well, remember, I read lots of books at one time. It only makes sense I would be writing several characters all at once for different novels. 😛
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Haha true statement.
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It’s past time…but I’m just as guilty on my 4th book. I’ve written and edited 4 books for other authors. Guess that doesn’t count.
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Nope. Are you working on yours at the moment? Or just for others?
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Working on releasing first book in YA series. All done except last chapter and epilogue. Trying to promote a business and help wonderful clients leaves too little time to promote my passion…fiction. I love the nuts and bolts of creating books, business media, etc., but I want equal time to write. Really, though, you just have to make time to write because there’s so much exciting new stuff out there, everyday, that appeals to your creativity that we just get lost in it. Writing your own is still the best creative high. Go for it!
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I think you just have a passion for books and creativity that is unmatched. Don’t lose that!
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That is so kind of you to say.
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I’m working on Book 4. I’ve been working on it for far too long. I finished the first draft of it in January two years ago and intended for it to join the other three on Amazon before the end of that year – 2013 – because I wanted to put out at least one book a year. Ha, ha, ha – that ship sailed without me! So did 2014’s ship…
Between moving house twice in 2013 and having two trips overseas last year, I’ve done 8 drafts in total. Started the 9th draft last month and it will need another edit before it will be ready. Maybe 2015 will be the year I finally catch up with myself.
Good luck with your WIP, John.
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Nine drafts? Sheesh! I can’t even get to one! Good luck!
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Currently working on book three, the first in a planned trilogy. I’m so glad to see you’re picking it back up! It made me nervous to know you were ignoring it. I know everyone’s process is different, but if I ignore a work for that long, I’m probably not coming back to it. I hope it goes easier for you than it does me!
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I really have no idea how I’m going to handle it. I’m still a baby when it comes to this writing stuff. Good luck with your current book!
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Hey, some stories need to sit for awhile. I bet your eyes will be much keener now, going back to this draft after so long. The longer it stews, the more objective you can be.
I’ve been calling my WIP Book One, because I only count novels I’ve actually finished. If I counted all the WIPs or books I never finished writing, this is probably Book Twenty-Seven, lol. I’m a few scenes shy of finishing the fifth draft, and I’m about 15 months deep now. Hoping to finish Draft Five by March and get it into another beta round. After that, more rewrites. My lofty goal is to start querying by the end of the year. My realistic goal is just to have a finished manuscript.
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You’ve written or worked on THAT many books!? What the heck am I doing? My goal is the same…just finish the manuscript. I’m not too worried about time. Good luck!
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Sweet!! I can’t wait to read it when it comes out! Ha! I like your comment about Andrew being controversial. Hehehe!
I’m glad to hear you’re getting back into the writing groove. I’m excited to read Sydney’s snappy comebacks. She always has the best ones.
I’m still bumbling through the massive re-write of the first book in my fantasy series. However, it’s SO much better than it ever has been. I’m about 40,000 words/12 chapters/151 pages in. But since my first manuscript was pared down from 140,000 to 105,000 before I submitted it to agents, I have quite a ways to go.
I’ve also been working seriously on two other stories, one of which is 200 pages in, and the other is 75 pages in. I work on them when I hit a roadblock with my re-write.
I can’t wait to hear about your writing progress! Good luck!
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Holy crap! How much have you been writing!? That’s a lot of words and pages and jgdjfdj!
I’m excited to get back in touch with them. Especially Sydney. She’s my favorite. Thanks! You just gotta get back into your blogging groove so you don’t miss out!
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