A Not So Blank Canvas | June 2019 | Writing Update
I’ve been busy since the last time I checked in with a writing update. Despite a hectic work life, I’ve written thousands of new words. I’m really stoked to talk about what I’ve been working on.
My canvas isn’t so blank anymore.
#1 – We Fall Down | Series Update
In my last writing update, one of my big goals was to finish writing this sci-fi series. It’s been hanging over my head, plaguing me since 2016. And yes, it’s only been three years but I’m impatient for this to be over so I can make it sleek and shiny for an agent.
And move onto new novels. I have so many new things I want to try out.
I love this story and it’s been a joy to work with these characters as we’ve struggled through life together but I’m almost ready for new pastures.
The first two books are undergoing a massive overhaul. I wrote them two years apart and out of order. So, plot discrepancies? Many and massive. I’m a better writer than I was in 2016, so the obstacles that seemed like mountains when I first started this endeavor I’ve hopped over with seasoned ease. A couple hours with sticky notes and two Google docs later, I’m far underway in revising these two and the next two are peeking their heads around the corner.
I scribbled out the first couple paragraphs for the third book, on the way home from a promotional shoot for a video. I’m excited for what my characters are about to go through. They will run through their paces. It’s hard holding myself off. I really want to jump into the next novel with renewed excitement and curiosity, but I have some cleaning up to do. My house needs to be in order before I continue adding new things.
My goal with these suckers is to get the first two novels revised and to send out beta copies this summer. As I’m moving through drafts with the first two books, I want to type out the first draft of the third novel and prep the four novel for this year’s NaNoWriMo.
I’m ambitious this year and I believe it’s paying off.
#2 – Poetry Anyone?
I have a tall stack of poetry I wrote back in high school that my mom nudges me about every once in a while. This year I’m thinking about doing something about them.
I’m toying with self publishing the poetry in a little themed collection. Nothing much. Probably priced at about 99 cents, but the poems are sitting around doing nothing and I’d love to share them with the world again.
At some point this summer, I want to look into formatting and editing my poetry with the goal of pushing it out to market this fall.
#3 – I’m Almost Sick of Organizing
I’ve been organizing my physical drives and my Google drive a lot this year. Organization is a trade given skill as an editor, but I never gave it much more than vague thought with my writing. However, as I surpassed a decade of writing, and I’m now pushing eleven years this year; I think it’s time to get my writing organized and digital. Every single piece that has survived.
I asked Twitter a couple days ago for advice and thoughts on how writers organize themselves and I pass the question off again. If you have any options or tips you’d like to share: the comment section is open and I have willing ears.
At the moment, I have everything broken down by year >> category (series, novel, novella, etc.)>> project. Every project in color coded to let me know if it’s active, dumped, shelved, finished or published. And then within each project there’s a super-detailed system of labeling and folders. The system works. It works really well for standalone stories (which is most of what I write), but it’s not efficient for serial works.
Neither my boyfriend nor I are huge fans of the vaguest category being the year but when dealing with such a high volume of work, it’s become a must have. We’re putting our heads together to make it work the best it can for my writing workflow, so whatever advice or thoughts you can spare, please feel free to let us know.
The comment section, Twitter or Instagram, would be great places to let us know.
#4 – I have done a lot of writing this year
All the exciting updates aside, I have done a lot of writing this year. Five short stories sit in Google Docs and in my notebook in various stages of completion. I will publish every single one. Some here on my blog and a few I have plans to submit to various magazines.
Their genres are vast and different. Historical fiction, fantasy, science fiction, and contemporary. Short stories and flash fiction are my favorite ways to explore genres and try new things. Maybe in a few years my novels will branch out too. I love exploring these new things.
New Goals
I don’t have a lot of new goals since the last time we chatted. I want to publish a few short stories. I have a publishing game plan all typed up. I want to begin the process of querying my novels early next year.
It’s been a busy spring that’s turning into a busy summer.
See ya in a few days,
Ellie