We’re taking a break from the Blog Hop this week. Instead, I’m talking about an upcoming fixture in many authors calenders.
It’s nearly the end of August and my writing thoughts are turning to this annual event, where everyone who takes up the challenge tries to write a novel (or at least the first draft of one) in a month.
I’ve done it four times before and produced some very successful work, Ribbonworld, Andorra Pett and the Oort Cloud Café, Life and Other Dreams, The Sensaurum and the Lexis.
At teh moment, I’m trying to decide which of my ideas to work on this year.
Let me explain.
Every year so far, I’ve taken one of the novels that I have a rough outline of, I know the way it starts but little more than that. I then bash out as many words as I can in the month (without any editing) and see where I end up.
This year’s contenders have been selected from my current list of works in progress. I have seven or eight of these, all at varying stages.
The three possible projects that I’ve narrowed it down to are: –
1) Wake me Up
The sequel to Life and Other Dreams, more about Rick and Dan’s dual life on Earth and Ecias. What happens next, will we learn which life is the reality?
2)The Hitman and the Thief
A galactic gangster tale, the struggle for control of a planet. Kill or be killed. The hitman has a job to do, the thief is in his way.
3)The Safety of the Realm
Steampunk, with fiendish machines and devious villains, bent on world domination. More adventures for Mortimer Langdon’s Orphan Detectives.
As you can see, I have a rough idea of the covers for them, I find that putting my ideas into a picture helps me visualise the content, even if the image isn’t actually the final one that I use.
While it’s good to have a plan, it may not work like that. It’s a long time between now and November. Because of the way my mind works, it’s possible that I have other ideas before I actually start writing. Alternatively, I might find myself blocked when it actually comes down to trying to write what I’ve decided to do.
What I have to do now is think about each in turn and where they might go, before I make my mind up.
What do you think, which one would you like to see? Please leave me a comment below.
If this post has got you interested in any of my novels, you can get more details by clicking the Portfolio link. Or, to receive a free short story, The Orbital Livestock Company, just join my team of subscribers by clicking here.
I’ll be back on Thursday with another Showcase post, featuring an Indie Author with something to say.
Stevie Turner
Well done, Richard. I could never write a novel in such a short space of time.