An indie author’s regular spoiler-free update on his writing, editing, cover design, marketing, publishing, website maintenance, and blogging. Issue 67.
This week in one word: blurgh.
my_writing_week
Previously on WWW…
I haven’t yet managed three consecutive weeks of 50% or more, so that’s something to aim for next week.
Writing of next week, I want to complete the revisions of part 1 of The Spike Volume 2. I’d like to finish writing my next blogpost but will settle for getting most of it done. I suspect I may have another book review to write before the next WWW because Vigil by George Saunders is only 192 pages.
And it would be bloody fantastic if I could get somewhere with any of my book covers.
My plans this week were hindered by feeling unwell for the first few days. Whilst I didn’t do as much as I wanted, I made some progress across the board.
I’d hoped to complete this stage of revisions to part 1 of The Spike Volume 2, but there’s still more work to do. There’s a lot of variety in how long the changes take: one took thirty minutes of research; another took a couple of minutes to find the right location to add one sentence.
Also, as I get deeper into it, I find more revisions to make. At this stage, they’re small fixes, usually knock-on effects of changes I’ve made – like whack-a-mole – but they all take time to resolve.
At the time of writing the last WWW, I was about 20% through writing my next hybrid short story/blogpost. It’s going to be longer than I’d anticipated, so despite spending nearly four hours on it this week, it’s still only 40-50% complete.
I finished reading Vigil by George Saunders and was disappointed. It (probably deliberately) provokes conversation, so I included a section on the discussion points in my review.
The next book I’ve begun reading (The Well of Ascension (Mistborn Saga #2) by Brandon Sanderson) is the biggest this year so far at 800 pages, so I should have a couple of weeks without writing a review. It’s already made a good impression (see my weekly_inspiration below).
I mocked up another new idea for a cover for The Spike Volume 1 second edition, and I like how it looks, but I’m not sure yet how I’m going to deal with the detail, whether to make it realistic or abstract. Abstract might be quicker to do, so I’ll probably try that on a section first.
After two consecutive weeks above the even 50/50 split for my creativity vs consumption percentage, I’d hoped to make it three in a row for the first time. The few days of ill health scuppered that, and I ended up on 45%. There’s no point dwelling on it, but my aim is to get that back above 50% for the next WWW.
I did at least continue writing every day, and my streak is up to 645.
Next week, I want to progress the cover for The Spike Volume 1 second edition, but the majority of my time will be split between revising The Spike Volume 2 and my next hybrid short story/blogpost. If that means neither is completed, that’s ok (but I’d like to finish at least one of them).
Reading this week: The Well of Ascension (Mistborn Saga #2) by Brandon Sanderson and Dating After the End of the World by Jeneva Rose
Watching this week: Succession season 2
Playing this week: Red Dead Redemption 2
status_report
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’ve resumed work 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.
Draft 3 is under way for The Spike Volume 2!
Volume 2 is my biggest and 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.
I have other project ideas that are on the backburner:
Project Lawless is a non-fiction book.
Project Fang is a fiction book that I’m still trying to work out a way to incorporate into The Spike.
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.
Evidence Grows That Google’s AI Overviews Have Eviscerated the Media Industry
Trump sees massive increase in wealth as new billionaire list released
Grammarly pulls AI author-impersonation tool after backlash
Britain spends £180M to work out what time it is
Residents Say Elon Musk’s AI Facility Is Like Living Next Door to Mordor
BuzzFeed Nearing Bankruptcy After Disastrous Turn Toward AI
weekly_inspiration
Every week I share something that’s inspired my creativity.
This week, I’ve begun reading The Well of Ascension (Mistborn Saga #2) by Brandon Sanderson, and it’s already inspiring me.
As it’s the second book in a series, and I’m writing the second book in my series, I was interested to read how it would begin, as there’s a delicate balance to be made between people who’ll know the first book well, and others who either won’t remember it or never read it.
The magic system in this series is integral because it relies on resources, some of which are rare, and the best way to explain it is to show it in action. A fight scene in chapter two was the perfect way to do that, and a good start to the book.
What’s inspired you this week? Please share in the comments.
See you next week.
Arrowmaker Books 