Martyn Stanley's Blog - Posts Tagged "epic-fantasy-series"
Deathsworn Arc 2 : The Verkreath Horror
Well, part 2 WAS going to be 'The Temple of the Mad God' but I got to a point in the story and realised. 'I've just written a complete story!'.
It's about 60,000 words, the same length as the first one, but the trouble was the companions are nowhere near 'The Temple of the Mad God' so I've had to come up with a new title - as to use that wouldn't have made sense. I didn't want to keep everyone waiting until autumn to find out what happens after 'The Last Dragon Slayer' so I've re-structured the series, though not really the central plot.
1. The Last Dragon Slayer
2. The Verkreath Horror
3. The Temple of the Mad God
4. Emergence
I have a solid plot line for all of these books, my main fear is it will take too long to move the characters from the places they are to the places they need to be. I've found writing a journey, without skipping huge chunks takes a defined amount of writing you can't spend 60,000 words writing them halfway up the map, then get them the whole way back down in 60,000 words, it simply doesn't work!
I am really pleased with 'The Verkreath Horror' though, I've given the companions a horrible, horrible time together in this book, they really have been through the wringer. But they are a stronger group for it I think.
It's about 60,000 words, the same length as the first one, but the trouble was the companions are nowhere near 'The Temple of the Mad God' so I've had to come up with a new title - as to use that wouldn't have made sense. I didn't want to keep everyone waiting until autumn to find out what happens after 'The Last Dragon Slayer' so I've re-structured the series, though not really the central plot.
1. The Last Dragon Slayer
2. The Verkreath Horror
3. The Temple of the Mad God
4. Emergence
I have a solid plot line for all of these books, my main fear is it will take too long to move the characters from the places they are to the places they need to be. I've found writing a journey, without skipping huge chunks takes a defined amount of writing you can't spend 60,000 words writing them halfway up the map, then get them the whole way back down in 60,000 words, it simply doesn't work!
I am really pleased with 'The Verkreath Horror' though, I've given the companions a horrible, horrible time together in this book, they really have been through the wringer. But they are a stronger group for it I think.
Plan of Action for the Release of book 3 'The Temple of the Mad God'
I was thinking about this last night, my content editor has finished going through 'The Verkreath Horror' I need a meeting to go through some minor edits. Then while he's working on book 1 I'm going to put Book 2 to a proof-reader to fine-tune the grammar and punctuation. Once books 1 and 2 are fully sorted, they are off to my literary agent and my intended illustrator (Daniel Johnson is the current likely candidate.) to have new covers designed.
Then when the new covers are done and the texts are really polished, I will release a full 2nd Edition of books 1 and 2. Finish up book 3, and this time put it through my content editor and proof-reader before passing it onto my illustrator for a cover and waiting for the new cover before I publish! Target date for book three 'The Temple of the Mad God' is being pushed back to about 15th December I think. The reason for this are down to personal reasons, why I haven't been able to spend as much time on it, the increased length over the first two books and the fact that I want to do things differently. I rushed books 1 and 2 out to gain some momentum, get some feedback and build awareness. I have those things, I get mixed criticism, but mostly very positive feedback. So I now really want 'Deathsworn Arc 3 : The Temple of the Mad God' to be great on it's first release and not need to publish as many revisions as the first two books. I expect to raise the price once all the three books are what I consider 'finished' but that's to be decided yet. If I can move to the traditional publishing model it might be that I don't have control over pricing any more.
I am sorry about the wait, but it will be worth it. 'Deathsworn Arc 3 : The Temple of the Mad God' is going to be best yet!
Martyn
Then when the new covers are done and the texts are really polished, I will release a full 2nd Edition of books 1 and 2. Finish up book 3, and this time put it through my content editor and proof-reader before passing it onto my illustrator for a cover and waiting for the new cover before I publish! Target date for book three 'The Temple of the Mad God' is being pushed back to about 15th December I think. The reason for this are down to personal reasons, why I haven't been able to spend as much time on it, the increased length over the first two books and the fact that I want to do things differently. I rushed books 1 and 2 out to gain some momentum, get some feedback and build awareness. I have those things, I get mixed criticism, but mostly very positive feedback. So I now really want 'Deathsworn Arc 3 : The Temple of the Mad God' to be great on it's first release and not need to publish as many revisions as the first two books. I expect to raise the price once all the three books are what I consider 'finished' but that's to be decided yet. If I can move to the traditional publishing model it might be that I don't have control over pricing any more.
I am sorry about the wait, but it will be worth it. 'Deathsworn Arc 3 : The Temple of the Mad God' is going to be best yet!
Martyn
The Return of the Blood Queen
I am hoping, hoping to get the chapter, 'The Return of the Blood Queen' edited today!
That leaves only one more chapter and it will time for a second edit and proof!
Getting 'The Blood Queen' right is proving to be a slog - but as I read the chapter, I am reminded of how much I like it! I really like this chapter.
Isis is already working on the cover for book 3, my proofer has promised to take on book 2 ( The Verkreath Horror ) next week! Things are moving!
I've even uploaded the latest file for ' Deathsworn ARC 1: The Last Dragon Slayer ' with the cropped portraits from the book 2 cover and a sneak preview of the book 2 cover at the end!
Can't wait to finally get book 2 exactly as it should be! Please, please, don't buy 'The Verkreath Horror' until you see it with the cover featuring Brael and Votrex, the next upload will be definitive!
Martyn
That leaves only one more chapter and it will time for a second edit and proof!
Getting 'The Blood Queen' right is proving to be a slog - but as I read the chapter, I am reminded of how much I like it! I really like this chapter.
Isis is already working on the cover for book 3, my proofer has promised to take on book 2 ( The Verkreath Horror ) next week! Things are moving!
I've even uploaded the latest file for ' Deathsworn ARC 1: The Last Dragon Slayer ' with the cropped portraits from the book 2 cover and a sneak preview of the book 2 cover at the end!
Can't wait to finally get book 2 exactly as it should be! Please, please, don't buy 'The Verkreath Horror' until you see it with the cover featuring Brael and Votrex, the next upload will be definitive!
Martyn
Finally some progress!
I've finally uploaded the new 'improved' version of The Verkreath Horror
The new cover looks great, don't you think?
I'm really pleased with it. The annoying thing is, despite three people going over it with a fine toothcomb there are still tiny issues. I know there are three instances in the 'improved' version where I experienced some sort of Freudian slip and capitalized 'north' and 'south' when I didn't need to, which is irritating.
I think the rule is take more time when editing. Perfecting a grammatically flawed chapter must be far easier than perfecting a grammatically flawed book, and a paragraph - easier still!
I'm going to take more time over book 4, I'm going to pour over every paragraph and get it spot on before moving on. It'll take longer to write, but far less longer to polish.
My book 3 is now getting closer too. The trouble is I'm having disagreement with my beta-readers. They are concerned I may be issued with a Fatwa, ala 'Salman Rushdie' because one of my characters criticizes the absurdity of a Torean religion which resembles 'Islam'. They don't like the fact that the holy book of the Savti, currently called 'The Ko'Tar' sounsd too much like the 'The Quran
'.
I reluctantly will probably have to make some changes. I want to explore criticism of religion, but I don't want to be offensive. I think I need to subtly strengthen the counter-argument as well, perhaps by pointing out the comfort people get by following rituals, religious or not.
I hate it, but getting book 3 sorted is going to be a long journey. I wanted it out early summer, but I think late summer is more realistic now.
The new cover looks great, don't you think?
I'm really pleased with it. The annoying thing is, despite three people going over it with a fine toothcomb there are still tiny issues. I know there are three instances in the 'improved' version where I experienced some sort of Freudian slip and capitalized 'north' and 'south' when I didn't need to, which is irritating.
I think the rule is take more time when editing. Perfecting a grammatically flawed chapter must be far easier than perfecting a grammatically flawed book, and a paragraph - easier still!
I'm going to take more time over book 4, I'm going to pour over every paragraph and get it spot on before moving on. It'll take longer to write, but far less longer to polish.
My book 3 is now getting closer too. The trouble is I'm having disagreement with my beta-readers. They are concerned I may be issued with a Fatwa, ala 'Salman Rushdie' because one of my characters criticizes the absurdity of a Torean religion which resembles 'Islam'. They don't like the fact that the holy book of the Savti, currently called 'The Ko'Tar' sounsd too much like the 'The Quran
'.I reluctantly will probably have to make some changes. I want to explore criticism of religion, but I don't want to be offensive. I think I need to subtly strengthen the counter-argument as well, perhaps by pointing out the comfort people get by following rituals, religious or not.
I hate it, but getting book 3 sorted is going to be a long journey. I wanted it out early summer, but I think late summer is more realistic now.
The Killer Mile and the Blood Queen
Well, I didn't get around to reading any more of Clarkson's rants last night.
Instead I was at an event - the Mow Cop Killer Mile assisting with the timing.
It's an interesting event. It's a very, very brutal road running race. It's only 1 mile, so not very long. However every single step is uphill. One section is 1 in 4 that's a 25% incline.
You can read a bit about the event and it's history here:-
http://www.mowcop.info/killermile/kil...
I was timing for 1st, 2nd and 3rd - all went well until they decided to run the last two races at the same time. Meaning taking 12 times and segrating place, race and male and female. No disrespect but sometimes it's tricky to establish whether a runner is male or female!
I have run the grueling event myself. You can see me, number 879 in the red T-shirt here:-
https://scontent-a-lhr.xx.fbcdn.net/h...
It was 2009 and I came in 116th/192 with a time of 12 minutes, 22 seconds.
The fastest in my race was 8 minutes 22 seconds, and the slowest was 21 minutes and 1 second. So I thought my time and place was pretty respectable for an unfit guy who 'doesn't do sport', that started training for his first running event the night before the event!
The fastest man on the night was club runner Steve Vernon at 6 minutes 22 seconds. You can see the event for that year here:-
http://www.mowcop.info/killermile/kil...
You can see a video of the steep part her: - I can't spot me though, that was my year!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDrNN...
I ought to run it again some time. If I do I should prepare a bit more and get fit first!
When I got home last night I managed to actually go through ten pages of edits on the Blood Queen so finally some progress!
If you like running and you can get to Staffordshire in May one year, you should do the Killer Mile, it's a real experience!
Instead I was at an event - the Mow Cop Killer Mile assisting with the timing.
It's an interesting event. It's a very, very brutal road running race. It's only 1 mile, so not very long. However every single step is uphill. One section is 1 in 4 that's a 25% incline.
You can read a bit about the event and it's history here:-
http://www.mowcop.info/killermile/kil...
I was timing for 1st, 2nd and 3rd - all went well until they decided to run the last two races at the same time. Meaning taking 12 times and segrating place, race and male and female. No disrespect but sometimes it's tricky to establish whether a runner is male or female!
I have run the grueling event myself. You can see me, number 879 in the red T-shirt here:-
https://scontent-a-lhr.xx.fbcdn.net/h...
It was 2009 and I came in 116th/192 with a time of 12 minutes, 22 seconds.
The fastest in my race was 8 minutes 22 seconds, and the slowest was 21 minutes and 1 second. So I thought my time and place was pretty respectable for an unfit guy who 'doesn't do sport', that started training for his first running event the night before the event!
The fastest man on the night was club runner Steve Vernon at 6 minutes 22 seconds. You can see the event for that year here:-
http://www.mowcop.info/killermile/kil...
You can see a video of the steep part her: - I can't spot me though, that was my year!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDrNN...
I ought to run it again some time. If I do I should prepare a bit more and get fit first!
When I got home last night I managed to actually go through ten pages of edits on the Blood Queen so finally some progress!
If you like running and you can get to Staffordshire in May one year, you should do the Killer Mile, it's a real experience!
Publishing & Getting Published.
Despite my best attempts, I've never managed to get my books really 'moving'. I did about fifty copies in April, which was okay - but I'd like to be doing 50 a day, every day. Is that realistic? I have no idea.
I'm working on books 3 and four simultaneously now - editing 3 and writing 4. I have a second series in mind.
If I'm going to be able to pour as much time as I'd like into my writing, I need it to pay it's way a little more. To be frank I'd prefer to just be a writer, but I couldn't live on royalties alone at the moment.
To that end I'm still pursuing a publishing deal with someone who can get books in print and get them into wider distribution.
This morning I sent off a lengthy Book Proposal with synopsis, chapter synopsis, competing books, author profile, two manuscripts and a brief summary synopsis of the series. It was hard work putting it together. I just hope I get somewhere this time. I do have a 'plan B' to get wider distribution, but I want to rule out the traditional publishing route for this series first. If I can't secure a print deal - then I'll try again with my second series (still in my head at the moment!)
Writing is easy, getting into a position where writing is your primary source of income is NOT easy. Still, I will keep trying - I haven't failed until I've stopped trying. Even if I don't sell a single copy of Deathsworn Arc: The Blood Queen I am going to finish the series. Even if my series isn't a commercial success, I'm writing a second series. Writing has been a great source of direction.
I've also paid for my Creative Writing Module as part of my Open Degree with the Open University. It starts in October. Hopefully anything I put out after the course will be even higher quality, stronger writing than my earlier efforts.
I've written no more 'Mad God' yet, I'm going to perfect that first 1000 words first and make my first chapter as good as I can get it before I write on.
I'm working on books 3 and four simultaneously now - editing 3 and writing 4. I have a second series in mind.
If I'm going to be able to pour as much time as I'd like into my writing, I need it to pay it's way a little more. To be frank I'd prefer to just be a writer, but I couldn't live on royalties alone at the moment.
To that end I'm still pursuing a publishing deal with someone who can get books in print and get them into wider distribution.
This morning I sent off a lengthy Book Proposal with synopsis, chapter synopsis, competing books, author profile, two manuscripts and a brief summary synopsis of the series. It was hard work putting it together. I just hope I get somewhere this time. I do have a 'plan B' to get wider distribution, but I want to rule out the traditional publishing route for this series first. If I can't secure a print deal - then I'll try again with my second series (still in my head at the moment!)
Writing is easy, getting into a position where writing is your primary source of income is NOT easy. Still, I will keep trying - I haven't failed until I've stopped trying. Even if I don't sell a single copy of Deathsworn Arc: The Blood Queen I am going to finish the series. Even if my series isn't a commercial success, I'm writing a second series. Writing has been a great source of direction.
I've also paid for my Creative Writing Module as part of my Open Degree with the Open University. It starts in October. Hopefully anything I put out after the course will be even higher quality, stronger writing than my earlier efforts.
I've written no more 'Mad God' yet, I'm going to perfect that first 1000 words first and make my first chapter as good as I can get it before I write on.
