My regular update on my novel writing progress, including insight into living and working as an indie author with a full-time job and Crohn’s disease.
my_writing_week
It’s been a long week.
Having realised how many more chapters from The Spike Volume 1 still need to be added to the series bible, I decided to spend more time on that this week. I began as I meant to go on, on Sunday, by adding a lengthy chapter to the bible; I also continued work on my review of Dracula, and did a little more for the cover of The Spike 1.2.
On Monday, I added another two chapters to the series bible, and spent some more time on the 1.2 cover.
Tuesday began the run of three days I had to go into the office for my day job. This week was the last of our financial year and there was much to do; my stress levels surged again, which caused another slight flare of my Crohn’s disease. It didn’t impact me much on Tuesday — I still added two more chapters to the series bible and did some more on the 1.2 cover — but I didn’t feel great on Wednesday, so didn’t do as much as I would have liked. I did however get the Dracula review close to completion.
I was awake early on Thursday so had enough time before I left for work to create a banner image for the Dracula review, then at lunch time, I began this blog. After work, I stayed late as usual but only made a small change to the Dracula review before heading home. The week, and my Crohn’s, was beginning to catch up with me.
Feeling drained the next morning, I allowed myself a bit of rest for a couple of days.
On Friday evening, I added a further chapter to the series bible, for a total of six this week. Going through the first book and picking out what might be relevant in future has generated a few ideas for Volume 2 and beyond. One idea in particular won’t pay off for a long time, but I can start dropping clues and hints in the next book… nothing too obvious yet though!
After a tough week, a bit of retail therapy was in order and I treated myself with a few new games in the Steam summer sale. Not too many — my to be played list is already monstrous — but I want to play a fantasy RPG next and my library was sorely lacking.
And that brings us up to now. Fifteen writing sessions this week, that’s pretty good considering how tough everything else has been.
For next week, after Monday, the day job should be a little less hectic, and I’m looking forward to making serious inroads into the series bible. Also, the Dracula review should be posted in the next few days so keep an eye out for that.
Reading this week: “Leviathan Wakes” (The Expanse #1) by James S A Corey
Watching this week: Bosch: Legacy season 3
Playing this week: Mafia: Definitive Edition
status_report
I’ve almost completed a new cover design for a second edition of The Spike Volume 1, but I waver back and forth over how much I like it.
I’m working on covers for the two individual parts, 1.1_Application Infiltration and 1.2_Laying Down The Law, which are going to be published separately for the first time. I want both to have a similar style and layout, and I have an idea I like for each. They’re progressing, slowly, but slow progress is still progress.
Draft 2 of The Spike Volume 2 is complete! It contains three separate books from the perspectives 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.
Cloud quantum computing: A trillion-dollar opportunity with dangerous hidden risks
Iran’s internet blackout left people in the dark. How does a country shut down the internet?
US safety regulators contact Tesla over erratic robotaxis
Modified bacteria convert plastic waste into pain reliever
Work begins to create artificial human DNA from scratch
weekly_inspiration
Every week I share something that’s inspired my creativity.
This week, I’ve been inspired by AuthorTuber Meredith E Phillips. I’ve followed her journey for a while, and her entertaining vlogs have regularly motivated me to write.
This week, she posted an epic: the finale of her Querying Chronicles, where she signed with a literary agent. Whilst we’re on very different paths (she’s pursuing traditional publishing for her regency romance), it’s still lovely to see another author doing well.
What’s inspired you this week? Please share in the comments.
See you next week.
Arrowmaker Books 