Welcome to the newly upgraded WWW, now with a renewed focus on my novel writing progress, and more insight into living and working as an indie author with a full-time job.
ch-ch-ch-ch-changes
After about six months of writing this blog every week, it was time for a review.
I’ve decided to split the main topical/”opinion” piece out to be its own thing, free to seek attention on its own merits. It may be more or less frequent, as the mood and events take me, but will have greater flexibility to cover a wider range of subjects in more depth.
The first of these new posts is my explanation why I’ve come to this decision and what to expect going forward, and you can read it here.
This WWW will continue, with more of this…
my_writing_week
My last blog was posted a little late, on the Sunday, due to my sister’s wedding on the Friday and Saturday (yes, she extended it over two days, and yes, she expects to celebrate two anniversaries). As such, I didn’t do the normal writing work I would normally have done that day, and I didn’t do much on the bank holiday Monday either because, honestly, I needed the rest; I just went through one chapter of The Spike Volume 1 for the series bible I’m creating.
On Tuesday, I began exploring options for improving this weekly blog, and that took the rest of my week. I went back and forth, side to side, and spent far too long messing around with banner image ideas.
It’s no wonder my books take so long.
Late on Tuesday night, as I was dropping off to sleep, I came to a realisation regarding The Spike Volume 2.
In my initial plan for the book, there was to be a big reveal in the epilogue. During drafting, I decided to shift the reveal back to Volume 3 (which is in early planning stages) as it fits in with its theme.
My realisation was that, if I moved the reveal to its original position at the end of Volume 2, it would be a better finale for Volume 2, and the result of the reveal could be more fully explored during Volume 3 as it fits in with the theme.
So, I’m going to rewrite the Volume 2 epilogue during revision.
Lesson learnt: past me knew what he was doing, don’t overrule him without damn good reason.
Delightfully, I have the next week off from my day job. I have plans for a couple of the days, and need to sort some stuff out around my home, but hope to make a bit more progress than I have recently. I’ll check in with you next weekend.
status_report
I’m part way through a new cover design for The Spike Volume 1, which will get a second edition when the two parts are published individually for the first time. Those two parts, Application Infiltration and Laying Down The Law, also need covers designed, and I have an idea for each that I need to work on.
Draft 2 of The Spike Volume 2 is complete! It contains three separate books from the perspective of seven characters.
Revision will begin soon.
The aim is to have Volume 2 finished by the end of 2025 for publication early 2026, although this is beginning to look ambitious.
Early brainstorming has been done for The Spike Volume 3. I know how it must begin; I have an ending that I think will be great; and I have a long list of ideas to get from one to the other that needs to be whittled down and put in an order. I’m not intending to do much more work on this until revision is complete on Volume 2.
There are a couple of other projects in the works that I’m not ready to share yet – they’ll be announced here first.
connecting_links
The Spike is set in our world, incorporating real events; the links below are relevant to the themes and overarching storyline, and may or may not provide clues to the direction of the series.
I do not necessarily agree with or endorse any of the views within.
Why scientists are making transparent wood
Valve CEO Gabe Newell’s Neuralink competitor is expecting its first brain chip this year
Fresh UK-EU collaboration on AI to unlock new avenues for innovation and research
This high-tech exoskeleton lets you hike longer and run faster
weekly_inspiration
Every week I share something that’s inspired my creativity.
This week, I’m sharing another track by Dave Matthews Band – “#41”. The album version is great, but every live performance seems to be different, which I love. There’s a recording on YouTube that’s 21 minutes long, but the below is a more restrained 9 minutes.
What’s inspired you this week? Please share in the comments.
See you next week.
Arrowmaker Books 