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
Finally, my stress levels are reducing, my Crohn’s is settling down, and I can give more attention to my writing. You’ll be expecting great progress this week then, right? Er… some?
I was out for a lot of Sunday as it was my nephew’s birthday, but I added a chapter to The Spike series bible before I left, and another after I got home.
On Monday, I worked some more on a bio page for my website, and continued writing a blog post on my author origin story. Both are nearly ready to be published. Yes, I’m aware it shouldn’t take three weeks to write 400 words about myself. No, I can’t go any faster.
In the evening I finished reading Yellowface by R.F. Kuang, which I haven’t yet decided how to rate. Its commentary on racism and social media was heavy-handed; I didn’t feel the need to be hit. repeatedly. over. the. head. with messages that weren’t particularly original or profound. It’s not bad, but I can’t say I enjoyed it much.
Tuesday (day 1 of 3 I needed to work in the office for my day job) I wrote more for a blog post on an artwork that’s inspired my writing. This is turning out longer than I expected, but there’s a lot to say about the subject I’ve chosen to analyse first. Also, I added another chapter to the series bible.
On Wednesday, I began to compile into one spreadsheet my ideas for edits to draft 2 of Volume 2. I have a couple of notebooks strategically placed around my home, and an app on my PC, so I needed to bring everything together before I can decide what I’ll use and what I won’t. Some are ideas for small alterations; some are for whole new scenes to be added.
A further chapter was added to the series bible too.
Thursday, I started making a checklist of everything I’ll need to include in Volume 2 from a technical standpoint. As it’s three books that can be read individually, I need to make sure the important plot points are mentioned in all three, that all relevant characters are properly introduced, and as Volume 2 is a sequel, that actions from Volume 1 have consequences. There’s more work to be done on that yet, but it should come in handy later in the editing process.
Additionally on Thursday I began this WWW.
I took Friday off work to visit friends out of town, with two birthdays to celebrate. I was out all day, so didn’t have much time to write, but I did add more to my Edits spreadsheet after I got home. I’ve got one more notebook to go through, plus a readthrough of all three parts, but I’m already up to 61 edits to evaluate. Ouchie.
Today, I added one more chapter to the series bible — still 26 left to go. And, obviously, I finished and published this WWW.
For the coming weeks, now my health is returning to a more normal level, I’m hopeful my productivity will increase.
I’ve accepted my target of finishing Volume 2 by the end of this year for publication early 2026 is unrealistic, so I’m now aiming for publication at some point next year. I might try setting deadlines for each step of the process, instead of one overall deadline, to see if that helps. And I might, might, share them with you for some accountability. Maybe.
Reading this week: Dissolution by Nicholas Binge
Watching this week: The Wire season 1
Playing this week: NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139
status_report
I’m still wavering on a new cover design for a second edition of The Spike Volume 1, and have begun work on a different idea. I think I’ve proven the concept — more work required.
I’m also 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. The drafts I’ve created feel a little too minimalist, so I’m investigating what I can add that will make it more visually interesting without distracting from the main image.
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 publish Volume 2 in 2026.
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.
We Just Discovered a Trojan Horse in AI, And It’s a Big F*cking Deal
Top UN court says countries can sue each other over climate change
A new dotcom bubble? AI hype has yet to translate into profits
Weaponized AI is making hackers faster, more aggressive, and more successful
Developer survey shows trust in AI coding tools is falling as usage rises
weekly_inspiration
Every week I share something that’s inspired my creativity.
This week, I’ve picked something different-ish. It’s still linked to my ongoing obsession with “Clair Obscur: Expedition 33”.
When a work of art impacts me the way this game has, I break it down and analyse it to understand how and why it worked, and seek out the opinions of others who have specific insights. For example, this video which breaks down the prologue from a filmmaking perspective. Interesting stuff from Philip Hartshorn Gaming.
What’s inspired you this week? Please share in the comments.
See you next week.
Arrowmaker Books 