Tag Archives: editing

May 9 2014

Bit of a mixed week.

Hey everyone. It’s been a cracking week for me. I’ve been snowed under at work, which has been very hard but I’ve loved it. 🙂 And, I’m happy to say that, we’re down to the last 140 pages of our edits on TSK.

Speaking of which, because I had such a weird start to the week I treated myself and contacted, Jakob Burgos over on http://www.talentville.com

Here’s the new banner, designed to attract people to my story/script 🙂 Enjoy….Image

Logline for the TV series

For many years since their arrival on Earth, the Aonise have forged a tense peace treaty with humanity, living in the ghettos of their city as rival clans. Yet when a terrorist’s virus designed to eliminate them spreads to humans instead, Taliri, the son of the last Aonise king, is forced out of hiding to end the crisis. He must now unite his fractured people and try to prevent an all-out war.

Apr 28 2014

My writing process blog tour – me

This week it’s my turn to host the popular Writing Process Blog Tour that many of my scribe friends have been taking part in. I was nominated by a great writer whose blog I follow regularly. Cat Lumb over at http://catlumb.com Please go check out her blog it’s awesome.

What I am currently working on?

Well as some of you know my current writing project is The Secret King – Book 1 – Lethao.  For those that don’t know about it, here is the short blurb.

With their sun dying faster than they had expected and Kendro’s energy reserves faltering. The King has no other choice but to order their evacuation early.

As pandemonium ensues and thousands of Aonise flee their planet, Kendro is visited by the Royal Seer, Wez. He informs the king that the Zefron, their ancient enemy, will continue to hunt them down. Destroying three of their four ships and leaving them floating in space, never to reach a new home.

Determined to thwart this possible future, Kendro battles with every decision he makes. Leading his species broken but triumphant to the edge of Earth’s solar system.

How does my work differ from others of it’s genre?

I’ve been told that because of my screenwriting background that I handle multiple pov and characters very well. I’d like to think this is true, but its complicated and sometimes hard to keep track of everyone. Without the use of Scrivener, I doubt I would be as far along in the process as I am. Just getting out of a beta read was inspirational and I owe a huge thanks to those in the Ubergroup over on http://www.scribophile.com

Scribophile is a writing critique site where we all help each other to be the best writers we can. I was very lucky and while reading blogs on here last year. I came across a promotional posting where the author gifted the first two people to reply a membership to Scribophile. I never thought 12 mths on I would be almost polished to perfection and ready to start querying! It’s been the best 12 mths ever and I’ve made some life long friends there.

Why do I write what I do?

I write what I do, because I love the characters. TSK started out in my head as a dream, back in 2007. It began as a feature film, turned into a 13 episode TV series, which I co wrote some of the episodes with a fantastic guy, Stephen Kogan. It wasn’t till 2010 when I got my first ‘consider’ on it that I started to get it out there more and those characters weren’t happy just being in a TV series, they wanted to branch to stories too, so I wrote my first book (which happens to be book 4)

Yes, I know, I’ve probably spent too long on the one project, but life got in the way (eating disorders do that) so as a TV series, and now looking at a trilogy. I’m very happy with the work I’ve done on it, and other projects, paid projects count too. 🙂 I’ve had some fantastic opportunities in the last two years.

With Best Friends our web series, https://www.facebook.com/bestfriendstvseries?fref=ts And working with Dante D’Anthony on The Pandoran Chronicles Franchise. https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Pandoran-Age-Chronicles/331690376852755?fref=ts

How does my writing process work?

I can write quick, the first draft of Lethao started in Nov, for Nanowrimo, and completed in Dec 2012, just in time for my birthday.

The second drafts take me longer because essentially I’m a script writer, so I’ve got into the ‘bare’ minimum side to writing. Novels, need a lot more so I found EJ. Runyon over at http://www.bridgetostory.com/blog/?url=/blog and she’s been coaching me on a weekly basis to get the best out of TSK that I can. She’s a wonderful woman to work with, passionate about her job and her clients writing. I will be keeping hold of her tightly as good people to work with are hard to find.

Write quick, edit, edit, edit, workshop it. Edit and then beta it 🙂

There you go, me in a nutshell. I’d like to say I’ve had lots of time this week to approach the people I’d like to nominate, but I really haven’t. Work’s been very busy and so has life after it. It’s been our Wedding Anniversary (16 years married) and my husbands 54th birthday.

So here, are those I’d like to nominate, I hope you go check them out and that the 5th May, they’ll have some lovely answers to the questions posed above.

 

EJ Runyon over at Bridge to Story, she’s a talented writer as well as a coach – http://www.bridgetostory.com

Maegan Provan at – http://authormaeganprovan.com

Candace Johnson – Change it up editing at – http://changeitupediting.com

 

Thanks for stopping by, happy writing.

 

Apr 18 2014

been so quiet.

I can’t believe it’s been near a month since I posted. The time goes so, so fast. I’ve been so busy with the beta reads, which I do seriously want to post about. What I learned, what I’m moving forward with, but I’m too snowed under with everything else in life to pause. 

It is not a bad thing. 

I reached my first goal with my weight loss. 🙂 So I need to keep focussed on that, eat well and exercise. 

I’ve had some sick fish to look after, a pond with some water issues. And a head full of characters screaming at me to carry on with their story. 

Life of a writer huh! 

 

Brilliant. 🙂 

Feb 22 2014

Sat – 22/2/14

So, this week was a kick start back into positive thinking. 

I started off taking part in a beta read for a new group I’m in on Scribophile. http://www.scribophile.com/authors/dawn-chapman/ This was what helped me lots. I actually forced myself to concentrate this week on just the three projects. This for me is a ‘huge’ thing. As I am constantly over stretching myself. So yeah, I read the 100k book. I wrote over 10k in critique for it and we’re now discussing plot points and my thoughts in the group setting. 

My second project is that for The Pandoran Age Chronicles, http://pandoranage.com this takes up lots of little bits of time, because I’m learning all about Ibook publishing. I’ve never attempted anything like this before. And Scrivener, is a tool which I’m finding excellent in helping out. It’s just so organised. https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Pandoran-Age-Chronicles/331690376852755

The tiny issues within in the book itself are all spacing. Trying to keep everything in uniform and perfect against the look of the book. I can’t fault the artwork or the idea behind Dante’s world. And I’m honoured to be part of this project. I am essentially learning as I am going along here. It’s all good though, and hopefully will look good when I get to release it for the team. 

My own project, I worked on through the week with EJ Runyon, https://www.facebook.com/BridgetoStory?fref=ts and I’ve got some time later today to also edit. It’s been a really validating couple of weeks. I’m part of a group left over from nanowrimo which has managed to actually keep to a strict weekly meeting scenario and the guys there read a random chapter for crit last sat, to which I was humbled and happy for the comments to come back. (I annoy the heck out of copy editors though eeek) lesson learned, but the strong part is, the battle scene worked with minor things to add in. 

EJ’s session was also really good, every week working with her is great. I learn something all the time, and it’s really translating to my writing. This is wonderful to hear, because it isn’t just an investment of time and money, its for the future of the whole project/franchise. 

—-

 

Weigh in results this week, also validated everything I’ve been striving for, with the ‘blip week’ on my monthlies out the way, this weeks weight loss was double. Muscle and Bone up, age back down, fat loss really down. I’m much happier in myself. From the start of this year and getting fitter, I’m now back to the weight I was before I broke my elbow and a stone off. Awesome. I just need to keep believing in the plan and let the people at the wellness centre do what is best for me. 

I will admit though that Dave the personal trainer there, put me through my paces this morning. Huge thanks 🙂 

Got to get back to it… 

 

Dawn x x 

 

Feb 9 2014

A busy week.

This week has been a trying one. But aren’t they all?

It was great being with mum over the weekend, but something wasn’t quite right with my car.

Heading to the gym from work on Monday, I popped it next door so they could have a look. I went to do my workout. All was good. Had a phone call from our ACO about the two safe house parrots, they’re both going to be fostered and I am so happy about that. I will of course miss them like crazy, they’re amazing personalities. But I guess this is what I am here for. 😦 I kinda have to be happy that they’re going to a nice home. 

But then it wasn’t good. My car wasn’t safe to drive. And thus my workout extended with a walk home. 30 mins later and a blister 😦 

I spent the rest of the evening with headphones in, doing the last of my transcript for a director. Loved the film, listening to it, and rewinding it to catch all the dialogue, tough. But worth it. 

Tuesday – no uniform and a sore foot. I was off to a great start. Car cost £75 to fix someone else’s mistake. Sucks.  I had an editing session with EJ who was under the weather so it was kinda cut short. And we re-arranged thurs meeting for Sat, so she has some time to recoup. 

Wed – was my weigh in at the gym. I had really good results. 2 lb off. 1 lb on in muscle. Water is up, bone density is up. Visceral fat and BMI is down, Age is down 1 year, lol I am a happy bunny. 

Friday – up and in work early. Long day. Only left the yard at 4.50pm from 5.45 that day. Almost a 12 hour day without a break. Kinda starting to get to me already. Especially after I used to leave the yard on a friday at just after 3pm. 

Sat, again early start. At the gym for a workout. Bought some birdie food, went home, cleaned all cages and the house. Then settled in for some more editing by myself and EJ. I am really happy that it’s coming along as it is. EJ’s a wonderful teacher and she’s picking up on how much I am really trying. I like this, because it teaches me that I am doing well. That I can do prose writing, although it’s harder. I am enjoying the editing process. Getting into my characters heads more, and feeling and reacting as they do. TSK – is going to be worth it. 🙂 

Sunday – today we’re off to see some friends in Manchester. We’re still up early, but thats a good thing. I’ve got reading and time to make more notes for a chat with a possible collaboration partner.  I’m excited for this year. I feel much better in myself now. And things are going well even with the hiccups of life. 

 

Love to you all, and please feel free to comment, talk to me. I’m always around somewhere. 🙂 x 

 

Â