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.
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Previously on WWW…
If I can maintain this level, in the next two or three weeks, I should be ready to begin revisions on The Spike Volume 2.
Spoiler: I didn’t maintain that level.
The next chapter from The Spike Volume 1 to add to the series bible was a monster, both in length and in its impact on the story. It took five different sessions over the first four days of the week to complete, partly because I had a rough couple of days with my Crohn’s. It was my own fault; I’ll know better for future.
On Monday evening, I had an idea for The Spike Volume 3 I really like. I have a roster of characters I want to introduce gradually over several volumes, and had picked one to add in Volume 3 – but I realised one of the others is a far better fit for the theme. It’ll mean a couple of small changes to Volume 2, to change the setups, but it should work much better overall.
On Wednesday, after finally adding the last of that mammoth chapter to the series bible, I felt like a change, so wrote more for a blog post I’d already began. And on Thursday, I started a new blog post as I was feeling particularly inspired on its subject. One of the two posts should go live next week, so keep an eye out for that.
Friday lunchtime, I began this WWW. I often give myself Friday evening off; I usually need it after a week at the day job.
On Saturday, I added one more chapter to the series bible, and completed this WWW.
So, again, not the most productive week. The fatigue I’ve had the last few weeks is partly down to needing an iron infusion (a side effect of my Crohn’s), and it’ll probably be another 4 weeks until I’ve had that and feel any benefit. It’s frustrating.
I’m not prepared to wait to feel better. Next week, I’m aiming to double the time spent on my writing compared to the past seven days. The last time I did that much was my week off from the day job in June.
Wish me luck.
Reading this week: Moby-Dick by Herman Melville
Watching this week: The Wire season 1 (rewatch) and Californication season 5 (rewatch)
Playing this week: NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139
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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.
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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.
Systematic attribution of heatwaves to the emissions of carbon majors
UK government trial of M365 Copilot finds no clear productivity boost
How thousands of ‘overworked, underpaid’ humans train Google’s AI to seem smart
Publishers fear AI summaries are hitting online traffic
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Every week I share something that’s inspired my creativity.
This week, I want to share some of the best storytelling in music. One of Eminem’s most famous songs, “Stan”, is probably his most famous tale, to the extent that “stan” has entered the dictionary as a verb and a noun.
Arguably even better, but less well known, is this duo of tracks, “Castle” and “Arose”. They’re very much of a piece, and the creativity and innovation is mind-blowing. True genius.
What’s inspired you this week? Please share in the comments.
See you next week.
Arrowmaker Books 