Martyn Stanley's Blog - Posts Tagged "fantasy-adventure"
Deathsworn Arc 2 : The Temple of the Mad God
Well, it's been a slog getting stuck into Deathsworn 2 I must admit - but a pleasurable. I'm really trying to take all the good elements of part one and expand on them in part 2. My editor is adamant the second part is a real step up from the first and I think he's right.
I'm currently about 35,000 words into the story - the survivors have spent some time stuck in the town of 'Strak' needless to say their visit to Strak did not go as intended.
I'm now at a really exciting part to write, I'm on the verge, the very cusp of getting into the nitty gritty of 'the truth' Having met a fellow gravian in the strangest of places, Brael is desperately trying to convince them to unspeak his curse. Of course given the devastation 'the truth' has wreaked, they are reluctant.
All I know is it's a long way to Cormaroth, and getting there is not going to be easy. When they do get there I have new characters ready to join the band, and an encounter with the Empress that will really explain the true, hidden nature of the quest given to Saul Karza in part 1.
I'm really enjoying writing it, I just hope a few folk enjoy reading it as much as I enjoy writing it!
I'm currently about 35,000 words into the story - the survivors have spent some time stuck in the town of 'Strak' needless to say their visit to Strak did not go as intended.
I'm now at a really exciting part to write, I'm on the verge, the very cusp of getting into the nitty gritty of 'the truth' Having met a fellow gravian in the strangest of places, Brael is desperately trying to convince them to unspeak his curse. Of course given the devastation 'the truth' has wreaked, they are reluctant.
All I know is it's a long way to Cormaroth, and getting there is not going to be easy. When they do get there I have new characters ready to join the band, and an encounter with the Empress that will really explain the true, hidden nature of the quest given to Saul Karza in part 1.
I'm really enjoying writing it, I just hope a few folk enjoy reading it as much as I enjoy writing it!
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 Temple of the Mad God'
Well, part 3 is progressing nicely! My volunteer editor is now going through the first half of part 3, and I'm now over 51,000 words. There's still a long way to go though! It is going to be bigger, in fact it's going to be huge. I can't see it being less than 100,000 at the moment, but after careful deliberation I've decided not to break up the books again. I did think book 3 could have become, 'Deathsworn Arc 3 : The Blood Trials' but it's starting to get ridiculous! So I'm going to press on and release a late, but double the expected size. 'Deathsworn Arc 3 : The Temple of the Mad God'
It's coming, I know it's late, but it will be worth the wait!
Martyn
It's coming, I know it's late, but it will be worth the wait!
Martyn
The Temple of the Mad God and the Blood Queen
I have to say, given the vastly increase in size of book 3 and the fact that I'm approaching a logical point to end a book. (Which is still miles away from the Temple of the Mad God) I am seriously looking at changing book 3 into 'The Blood Queen'
When will it be out? Early 2014 I think, and I think it will be longer than 1 and 2, but not double or triple the size as it would have been if I kept it as 'The Temple of the Mad God'
Mad God will follow, eventually... But for now, start looking forward to 'The Blood Queen'
When will it be out? Early 2014 I think, and I think it will be longer than 1 and 2, but not double or triple the size as it would have been if I kept it as 'The Temple of the Mad God'
Mad God will follow, eventually... But for now, start looking forward to 'The Blood Queen'
The Blood Queen hits 70,000 words!
I'm getting closer! I have worked out a rescue plan for a difficult scenario, where several of the companions are incapacitated. By January the 1st I will be on the editing, proofing, tweaking and polishing things!
I really hope this goes down well and people enjoy it as much as they enjoyed the first two books.
Martyn
I really hope this goes down well and people enjoy it as much as they enjoyed the first two books.
Martyn
Read any of 'The Deathsworn Arc'?
If you have, did you enjoy it? If you did, how about supporting it by voting it on one or two of these lists:-
https://www.goodreads.com/list/book/1...
Can you remember the story? Why not have a go at the trivia questions! Book 1 quiz can be found here:-
https://www.goodreads.com/trivia/work...
Book 2 quiz is here:-
https://www.goodreads.com/trivia/work...
Enjoy!
Martyn
https://www.goodreads.com/list/book/1...
Can you remember the story? Why not have a go at the trivia questions! Book 1 quiz can be found here:-
https://www.goodreads.com/trivia/work...
Book 2 quiz is here:-
https://www.goodreads.com/trivia/work...
Enjoy!
Martyn
The Blood Queen Draws Closer!
I'm over 78,000 words! I've titled what I think will be the penultimate chapter! The last chapter should be epic if I can get it write, I'm really excited about it, I've been looking forward to writing this bit for weeks! Really excited! I will be releasing all three parts along with an anthology of all three, all freshly edited and proofed, with brand new covers, by the excellent artist, and my very good friend Isis Sousa. I also have agent interest and am working on a book proposal for a print deal with a publisher! 2014 could be a very exciting year for The Deathsworn Arc !
Author Interview!
My author interview got posted on the 'cult of me' blog:-
http://thecultofme.blogspot.co.uk/201...
My revised version of book 2 is coming along nicely. The cover is looking great, it's going to be in the same style as the new cover for book 1 but will feature Brael and Votrex as they play bigger parts in the second installment.
I an toning down the dark tone of the second book ever so slightly. Mainly to make it appeal to a broader audience and to be more sure of falling within what constitutes 'good taste' I wanted 2 to be edgy and challenging, but in certain aspects I think I went too far. The new version which will feature the Brael and Votrex Cover should rectify this.
I'm also working hard on the editing and polishing of book 3! The cover for three I think will feature Vashni and Saul. When I have all the cover for one two and three, I am going to crop the images for new portraits to insert into book 1.
Is the series concluded in book 3? No, it really gets started I think towards the end of book 4, thats when things will start to make sense and the main villain of the series will be introduced.
Sorry about the long wait for book 3 and the revision of book 2 - I really want to get them out, but I want the next version of 2 to be definitive and I don't want to continue the bad habit of releasing things too early. So hopefully book 3 will be worth the wait!
I can't wait to see it up there and get some feedback on it. I'm really excited about book 3, and I can't wait to start book 4!
Plus I have some interest from literary agents and publishers! Only really 'interest' at the moment, but interest is good!
Please bear with me, the revised book 2 and book 3 are on the way!
http://thecultofme.blogspot.co.uk/201...
My revised version of book 2 is coming along nicely. The cover is looking great, it's going to be in the same style as the new cover for book 1 but will feature Brael and Votrex as they play bigger parts in the second installment.
I an toning down the dark tone of the second book ever so slightly. Mainly to make it appeal to a broader audience and to be more sure of falling within what constitutes 'good taste' I wanted 2 to be edgy and challenging, but in certain aspects I think I went too far. The new version which will feature the Brael and Votrex Cover should rectify this.
I'm also working hard on the editing and polishing of book 3! The cover for three I think will feature Vashni and Saul. When I have all the cover for one two and three, I am going to crop the images for new portraits to insert into book 1.
Is the series concluded in book 3? No, it really gets started I think towards the end of book 4, thats when things will start to make sense and the main villain of the series will be introduced.
Sorry about the long wait for book 3 and the revision of book 2 - I really want to get them out, but I want the next version of 2 to be definitive and I don't want to continue the bad habit of releasing things too early. So hopefully book 3 will be worth the wait!
I can't wait to see it up there and get some feedback on it. I'm really excited about book 3, and I can't wait to start book 4!
Plus I have some interest from literary agents and publishers! Only really 'interest' at the moment, but interest is good!
Please bear with me, the revised book 2 and book 3 are on the way!
More progress!
I've been through the second edit of the chapter with the big fight scenes of 'The Blood Queen'.
It's been tough - but I'm through it and happier with the text. I think it's tough to write an action scene without overdoing the long sentences. One thing I try to keep telling myself is 'short, sharp, punchy sentences' of course the best writing has an ebb and flow of long and short sentences and this keeps the text interesting. My sin is to use too many, too long sentences - but I think my editing is working well to correct it.
Isis Sousa has more or less finished the image for book 2! I have a new blurb, I'm just waiting for my proofer to go through book 2 with me. The new book 2 should be the definitive version.
I didn't want to make editorial changes, but some of the material in book 2 is very strong and has the potential to put sensitive people off the series. The new version will be a much more rounded story, with less outright sadistic treatment by the villains.
The main thing early readers need to know, that they missed if they read the first edition - is that the Verkreath has a human helping them. He's a main character, you haven't missed much though. All book 2 tells you is that he exists and that he was assisting the Verkreath. We learn little more about him in book 3 : The Blood Queen. Book 3 is more focused on Cormaroth, the Empress, the Heart Stones and the Isharian Church. Of course you can image 'The Truth' has a part to play in the story, a big part to play.
I really can't wait to get the definitive book 2 out and the definitive book 3 out, but I can't rush it. I will not repeat my early mistake of releasing books before they're ready. I know it seems I've slowed down a lot, but when I write book 4 I will be proofing and editing as I write, so the finished article won't be such a monster to edit. Book 3 is longer than I originally said too! It's now 90,000 words, 50% longer than the first two books. I hope that doesn't put you off though, it needs to be that long - because a lot happens in book 3.
Martyn
It's been tough - but I'm through it and happier with the text. I think it's tough to write an action scene without overdoing the long sentences. One thing I try to keep telling myself is 'short, sharp, punchy sentences' of course the best writing has an ebb and flow of long and short sentences and this keeps the text interesting. My sin is to use too many, too long sentences - but I think my editing is working well to correct it.
Isis Sousa has more or less finished the image for book 2! I have a new blurb, I'm just waiting for my proofer to go through book 2 with me. The new book 2 should be the definitive version.
I didn't want to make editorial changes, but some of the material in book 2 is very strong and has the potential to put sensitive people off the series. The new version will be a much more rounded story, with less outright sadistic treatment by the villains.
The main thing early readers need to know, that they missed if they read the first edition - is that the Verkreath has a human helping them. He's a main character, you haven't missed much though. All book 2 tells you is that he exists and that he was assisting the Verkreath. We learn little more about him in book 3 : The Blood Queen. Book 3 is more focused on Cormaroth, the Empress, the Heart Stones and the Isharian Church. Of course you can image 'The Truth' has a part to play in the story, a big part to play.
I really can't wait to get the definitive book 2 out and the definitive book 3 out, but I can't rush it. I will not repeat my early mistake of releasing books before they're ready. I know it seems I've slowed down a lot, but when I write book 4 I will be proofing and editing as I write, so the finished article won't be such a monster to edit. Book 3 is longer than I originally said too! It's now 90,000 words, 50% longer than the first two books. I hope that doesn't put you off though, it needs to be that long - because a lot happens in book 3.
Martyn
