My regular spoiler-free 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…
So, with the week complete, what was my Creativity vs Consumption percentage, after it was 30% last week?
35%.
An improvement, but I can do better. With my head cold pretty much behind me now, I’m hopeful next week will bring a further upswing.
Finally, a more “normal” week, albeit one that included a too many false starts.
It began on Sunday as I began a new canvas for the second edition cover of The Spike Volume 1. I spent an hour experimenting with a few different things but wasn’t happy with any of them, so that got deleted. False Start 1.
I played some more of The Evil Within, which I’d only just begun at the end of last week, and decided to abandon it after spending an hour failing to get past one boss due to dodgy controls. That’s not the sort of thing that’s going to improve, so if I was that frustrated just a couple of hours in, I decided to abort. False Start 2.
In the evening, I did some research for a new blogpost that I would start writing on Monday…
…And swiftly put aside again (False Start 3). In trying to see both sides of my argument, I lost the strength of the point I was trying to make. I may return to it if I find new inspiration.
Also on Monday, I revised chapter 0.2.1.10 of The Spike Volume 2 draft 3, then had the thought that the few paragraphs I’d added would work better as a complete new chapter. So I began that instead as a new chapter 0.2.1.10.
Many writers will tell you they get their ideas at the most inopportune moments, like in the shower. Mine often strike when I’m lying down to sleep, and it was Monday night, with my head on the pillow, that I realised the new chapter I’d begun didn’t make sense from a character perspective.
All Monday’s work went in the bin. False Start 4.
I knew I needed to put something else in the new chapter 0.2.1.10, so gave my subconscious some time to mull it over.
In my Tuesday lunch-hour, I begun another new blogpost, determined to put something out, but I was struggling to focus it properly. I was struggling in general. Writing fiction has always come more naturally to me, so I decided to forget about a blogpost for a little while (False Start 5), and concentrate on what I really wanted to do anyway.
The rest of the week, from Tuesday through to Saturday afternoon, all my writing time was spent on the new chapter 0.2.1.10.
It required some research, a new location, and a new minor character who may or may not reappear later (I haven’t decided yet, but he turned out quite interesting), so it took a while to pull together.
I made the mistake of not fully plotting it out before I began, which is something I normally do when drafting, and got myself stuck as to how to end the scene. I eventually came up with something that works well, but I’ll be sure to properly plan any other chapters I add…
…Like chapter 0.2.1.11, which will also be all-new, and in a setting I never thought I’d be writing in. It will need more research, and more new minor characters, and two more new locations, but I’m excited to put my own spin on it.
That brings us up to now and this WWW. Let’s look at the scores on the doors for my Creativity vs Consumption percentage, which was 35% last week.
This week: 46%!
I’m liking this new process. There have been a few occasions now where it’s made me stop and think about what I was about to do, and instead of consuming something, I’ve worked on my writing. It’s certainly worth continuing.
The initial vague target I set of a 50% split between Creativity and Consumption isn’t far away. I reckon I can do that next week.
Place your bets!
Reading this week: Kill Process (Kill Chain #1) by William Hertling
Watching this week: The Wire season 3 (rewatch) and Wolf Like Me season 1
Playing this week: NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139 and The Medium
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In addition to the three short stories available to read for free here, there are three more yet to be published that make up The Spike Volume 0. The new three are in the final stages, and will be available some time before Volume 2 is published.
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 3 is under way for The Spike Volume 2! I’d tentatively like to finish revisions by the end of 2025.
Volume 2 is my biggest, most complex project to date, containing three separate books from the perspectives of seven characters.
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.
Was There an Advanced Human Species Before Us? New Evidence Suggests…
Negative AI experiences are costing UK businesses billions
The hardest part of creating conscious AI might be convincing ourselves it’s real
weekly_inspiration
Every week I share something that’s inspired my creativity.
This week, as I’ve returned to actual writing, I’ve also returned to the background music I use to set the mood for The Spike.
“Mr Robot” is God-tier television and an inspiration for the style of my novels, and the soundtrack fits perfectly. The track below, “1.0_2-oneincontrol.aiff”, is a good representation of the general tone. All credit to Mac Quayle for creating such a fantastic score.
What’s inspired you this week? Please share in the comments.
See you next week.
Arrowmaker Books 