Tag Archives: writing

Mar 28 2015

I’m so excited :)

Hey all – it has been a busy week.

One thing I have found in plotting over the last week is no matter how well you know your story. That sometimes the characters can surprise you.

Book 3 has really had me stumped for some time. The end goal and Kendro’s Death being one of the damned hardest things to get through ever, because I’ve known it and it’s been written in the TV series for many years and something which was hard then.

Leading through Book 1 and 2 Kendro totally stole my heart. I don’t and never want to kill anyone, but when you go through and live and learn with your characters through a few hundred thousand words, getting to that point is bad.

The fact that he tries so hard to avoid all conflict leading to his demise is noble, but the outcome still the same. Just in a very different way. I lose him.

Today, I built up the chapters leading to this. The ultimate battle between worlds. The situation is dire, there is nothing anyone else can do. And it’s been an awesome day!

Nano isn’t for everyone. I totally understand that. The fact that you’ve to hit targets some people can’t deal with, but I find it liberating. The support from other writers around the world is amazing, and with camp you can set your own goals… even better.

So, roll on April the 1st! I’m all set to go! and totally excited for it… how is your WIP treating you? are you taking part in camp nano?

Mar 22 2015

Hotting up!

And I don’t mean the weather. Well we’re almost ready for the final stages of TSK’s book 1 release. I’m really excited that everything is coming together, and then I’m really scared as well. I flit from one to the other almost every minute. our website can be found here –

http://www.thesecretking.com/

Here’s a scary image for you, the day I received the Royal Pendant from Trent in the US. I love it so much, I can’t wait to see if we can get a few of these manufactured. (this one is hand crafted out of wood, with such love it is unreal!

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The cover is looking SUPER awesome. And I’ll do a big cover reveal over the easter bank holiday I think.

Sci fi Max’s latest edition is set for release on Friday! which has a great page spread for us. Please check it out, and of course, I’ll remind you all on the day… https://www.facebook.com/scifimax?fref=ts

I’ve been spending the weekend planning. Camp Nano starts in April, I have two weeks of 4 working week days, and then a whole two weeks off. I plan to hammer out the third book to the series. Looking to get around the 100k mark, but we’ll see. Its early yet, and I’m not 100% where the story and characters will take me. The planning is and always does take a different path when I’m in the midst of it all.

So there you are! I’m super excited. I totally can’t wait for April….

Dawn

Mar 17 2015

Progress

It’s been a little while since I’ve posted so I’m here, I think 3 weeks in with meds though, so I’ve been trying to get used to all that and in getting myself feeling better.

The AD’s kicked my butt at first, not only when I take them do they make me sleepy, (which was kinda the point) but I also couldn’t stop eating. It’s really like I’ve no control over it, and that was very hard to deal with at first.

I kept up with the training though and even though I ate loads I tried not to freak out. The second week was easier, I took cereal snacks into work, and munched on those instead, and this week I seem to be much more able to control what I’m doing. And the training is increasing. 140 heart rate tonight and 11 mins 🙂 so increasing 1 min a day. I can do this!

Everything for TSK is going well. The cover design is looking amazing…. and we kinda decided on the end of April as a tentative release date. 🙂 So we’re storming to that as a goal. Fingers crossed everyone.

Will try and post as soon as I get anymore news.

Dawn

Jan 31 2015

Are you looking for serious beta readers?

Yes? so I’ll try and be brief.

I’ve been working with a friend and crit partner, on a website for serious writers. We all know there are a good few out there (used em all) but what they don’t have is a serious beta program in place.

The site is itself is in beta stages, so as it’s a trial we’re offering a free upgrade for participation. (as we are data gathering)

I am looking for 8-10 people whose novels are beta ready. This means has been though the mill by yourself, maybe even a couple of friends. SPAG does not need to be perfect, because we all know that’s the last stage of editing, and line editing isn’t what a beta is about.

The beta is tough going. You need to read the other novels and discuss in a set order. That is a big trust thing. But it’s a trust thing in hoping sending off to that person you know on the internet… so your choice. Depending on book length it could mean 1-2 weeks per book. For 4 members on a team, it would mean 6 weeks of reading and discussion. (with a break when your own is on) But to receive those solid sets of feedback on your work is very important. And especially from those who write in the same area.

Anyone interested or for in the future? Pop along to the site at www.wewritersworkshop.com and peek at it, or PM me for more details.

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On a personal note guys I’m so sorry I’ve been away, I’ve been very poorly for the last few weeks. I will catch you up soon, I have so much good news!

Especially regarding TSK 🙂

Dec 20 2014

So exciting! TSK catch up.

Hey everyone.

We’re getting so close to Xmas, and after my birthday weekend last week. It’s been a totally hectic one as per usual.

I’ll try and catch everyone up….

All things TSK – https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Secret-King/836723299691777

We got off to a great start, and peaked with me posting my short pitch with 16k views. But this week is slower, I personally haven’t had time to post much, yet the page is still gathering fans, so that is just awesome. And they’re people I don’t know which is even better. The reach is getting there.

Trent, (our conlanger) has also been working on the Royal Pendant which currently belongs to Kendro. Here are some of the images. 🙂

pic pendant Pendent design

The idea is that the three subordinate houses sections split off, and can be used to gain access to their territory in dire circumstances, to show that House Niakrex needs them. It doesn’t come into play really till book 2, but it’s there to show power for Kendro when needed through the first book.

Our idea is to get a few mock up designs physically made for a give away. Any thoughts? Would you be interested in owning one?

In watching the language develop I’ve really now got this deeper understanding to how language is created. It’s opened my eyes in many ways. And is giving TSK A real depth to it’s structure, from it’s vast history to how society now works in general. I’m loving it, seriously.

A young gentlemen, Patrick Bowen, who I got to talking too from the conlang advertisement, has also inspired me to start some world building in a different universe. One built around a language he has already been working on. I’ve listened to some of it, he’s a wonderful speaking voice, and it has a nice sound to it.

This is really strange for me, as I’ve working on TSK for quite some time. But it’s also been refreshing to start the process of creating a world worth being in. The ideas are coming thick and fast, and I’m excited to put some of it together to let him have a first peek.

Another thing I’ve been watching develop is our website, and this is looking good. Might take a little while longer just yet, but we’re gathering content and working really hard on it all. I’m so proud of these guys.

Keep watching this space, and I’ll post more at later dates. 🙂

D