Criticizing authors (and other creators) who are not producing a finished story "fast enough" has become popular in the last decade or so. Some fans in the SFF genre in particular, where long series tend to be common, have even adopted a practice of only starting series once they are finished. I get it! I … Continue reading In Defense of Unfinished Works
Fantasy Fiction
Plotting for Suspense
I've done soul-searching regarding suspense in my own novel, and here are some rules on plotting for suspense I've come up with for myself:
Short Story Piece From IRE
I wrote this piece recently for a writing group exercise, and because I've had this short story in my head for a few years. I intended for it to be part of Book 2, but since I'm still polishing Book 1, I think I might use it there as an "interlude", to steal Brandon Sanderson's … Continue reading Short Story Piece From IRE
The Second Book
I've heard people say that the "sophomore novel", particularly the second in a series, can be the most difficult book an author will ever write. Until I started writing mine, I thought that those claims were exaggerated. To some extent, I still do, but the second book does present some unique challenges. The writing itself isn't … Continue reading The Second Book
Finishing Books and Other Stuff I Like
I just finished my book... again. There will be plenty of tweaks to make still, but I'm starting to look forward to when my agent will submit the manuscript to publishers. It may still be quite a ways out depending on how we feel about the current state, and there's no way to know how it will … Continue reading Finishing Books and Other Stuff I Like
More Editing: Cutting the Flab, etc…
I can’t believe it’s been almost five months since I last posted on the blog. Not much of consequence has happened in that time, however, so I suppose the lack of activity here is justified. I’m not going to write a blog post just to write a blog post. But now I’ve re-submitted my book … Continue reading More Editing: Cutting the Flab, etc…
Agent Success – Matt Bialer
Mr. Matt Bialer from SJGA will be representing my first novel, IRE. I am elated to be working with him, as he's the agent I've targeted from the very beginning. An awkward 2 minute conversation back in 2013 was the turning point that led me here. The story begins way back in 2012 when I got … Continue reading Agent Success – Matt Bialer
Beta Readers
This has been a very big month. Early this month, I finally sent my manuscript to a small group of beta readers who had expressed interest in reading my book and giving me feedback. I've only received detailed feedback from one beta reader, but the opinions so far from those who have finished the book … Continue reading Beta Readers
Book Progress Update 12/9/14
I’m doing my last read-through edit before sending to beta readers. I’m on page 260/684. I’m willing to bet that at least some of you reading this are thinking something like, “Scott sucks at writing books. Why does it take him so long?” Writing a book is quite interesting. And by interesting, I mean hard. … Continue reading Book Progress Update 12/9/14
Book Progress…10 months Later. Revising/editing process, and so on.
Well. For the 20 or so of you who have read my previous posts and are reading this, I regret to inform you that didn't meet my goal of having a manuscript sent to agents by the end of 2013.I have a bunch of awesome excuses as to why, but the most relevant reason I use … Continue reading Book Progress…10 months Later. Revising/editing process, and so on.
Scott Drakeford 