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…
…on Wednesday night, I’d had an idea I was excited about for my new blogpost, and I wanted to begin work on it, so chapter 0.2.1.11 took a backseat for Thursday evening and Friday while I outlined it and began writing. The format is a little different, which makes it a bit longer than some of my previous posts, so I needed an outline. If I can pull off what I’m aiming for, I think it’ll be good. Keep an eye out for it in the next week or two.
I understand how this will sound, considering how much I’d been looking forward to working on it, but I haven’t done anything for The Spike Volume 2 this week.
To anyone waiting for the sequel to my first book, I can only apologise.
I followed where my inspiration took me.
On Sunday, that was a new design for the banner for this WWW; I wanted to make the date more prominent, so new posts are more obvious. Please let me know what you think of it.
I finished my playthrough of The Medium, which I enjoyed. It was well written and wasn’t too long – I like games that don’t overstay their welcome. I wouldn’t classify it as scary, but it was a bit creepy, and dealt with unpleasant topics; if you don’t mind that, I recommend it.
I haven’t decided what to play next. I may completely abandon NieR Replicant, as it became repetitive and a little frustrating. I haven’t played it for a few weeks now though, so I may give it one more go.
The rest of Sunday through to Friday evening, my writing time was split between two projects.
The first is a cover for The Spike Volume 1 second edition.
I’m trying yet another new idea, or rather putting a different spin on a previously-discarded idea. I decided against it before because I wasn’t sure it would work, but now I’ve seen a big-selling book has a similar concept. My idea won’t look anything like the big-selling book, and no, I’m not going to tell you what that book is.
If I can pull it off, I think it will look really cool and distinctive.
The second thing I’ve been working on is the new blogpost I outlined last week.
As I wrote before, it’s in a new format, something I haven’t seen done much before. It’s more work than my old-style posts, but more interesting and more challenging to write, and (I hope) more enjoyable to read.
On Thursday evening, I finished writing it. Because it’s so different, I’m leaving it for a few days so I can come back to it with a fresh and more critical eye; hopefully, no major changes will be needed, just some editing. Then, I’ll create a banner, and it should be posted in the middle of next week.
With that blogpost mostly done, I was ready to return to revising The Spike Volume 2.
But then…
For weeks, there’s been a particular topic I’ve wanted to blog about, but I couldn’t find a way to tackle it that didn’t seem old, preachy, or boring.
Friday evening, as I was preparing to go to bed, it suddenly struck me how I could write it in the same format as the other blogpost I’ve been working on, and two ideas that hadn’t worked individually will work well if I bring them together.
Instead of going to bed, I spent an hour and forty minutes on it, outlining then drafting.
Flashes of inspiration like this are why I’ve described myself as an idea junkie. They’re such a thrill.
I continued writing the blogpost today, Saturday; spent some more time on the Volume 1 second edition cover; and wrote this WWW.
So, I’ve spent a lot of time working on my writing the past seven days, just not on my main goal. Typical me.
My Creativity vs Consumption percentage for the week stayed fairly steady at 53% (it was 54% last week). I’m pleased with that. After some pondering, I’m not going to set a firm target, but will keep an eye on it so I don’t fall too far from this level, which feels like a decent balance for now.
What next for the week ahead?
My new blogpost should go live midweek, so keep an eye out for that.
I’ll continue the first draft of my other blogpost, with the intention of it going live the following week.
I’ll carry on with the cover for The Spike Volume 1 second edition.
And I definitely want to resume revisions on The Spike Volume 2.
Lots to do!
Reading this week: Alchemised by SenLinYu
Watching this week: The Wire season 3 (rewatch) and Wolf Like Me season 2
Playing this week: NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139
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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.
Work continues on a new cover design for a second edition of The Spike Volume 1.
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.
ClickFix may be the biggest security threat your family has never heard of
Scientists Believe They’ve Found a Groundbreaking New Energy Source–And It’s Virtually Unlimited
OpenAI used song lyrics in violation of copyright laws, German court says
Researchers question Anthropic claim that AI-assisted attack was 90% autonomous
PC gaming giant Valve unveils new console to rival Xbox and PlayStation
BBC bias? The Prescott memo falls well short of the standards of impartiality it demands
weekly_inspiration
Every week I share something that’s inspired my creativity.
This week, I was fascinated by the crowd-shot videos appearing on YouTube from Radiohead’s first live shows for seven years. (I tried to get tickets for the London shows but demand was too high).
I really like the stage design concept they’ve gone for, with see-through screens that move up and down, and display different images and effects, throughout the show. It’s a very cool idea from a band that are still endlessly creative.
Fingers crossed this short tour leads to more shows and a new album.
What’s inspired you this week? Please share in the comments.
See you next week.
Arrowmaker Books 