An indie author’s regular spoiler-free update on his writing, editing, cover design, marketing, publishing, website maintenance, and blogging. Issue 69.
This week in one word: again?!
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Previously on WWW…
For the coming week, I’ll begin the story revisions on part 2 of The Spike Volume 2; I’ll continue work on the cover for The Spike Volume 1 2nd ed; I should publish my latest short story/blogpost; and I’ve nearly finished reading Dating After the End of the World by Jeneva Rose so there may be a review live for that too.
It was going so well…
On Monday, I posted my latest hybrid short story/blogpost – 10 Tired Tropes to Turn the Page on. It took a while to write but I’m quite pleased with it. For my next hybrid post, I’d like the short story to be a little more serious in tone; I just need to find the right subject matter.
I got off to a flying start on revisions to part 2 of The Spike Volume 2. The opening chapters have already had two passes and there wasn’t much to add to them.
I got up to chapter 0.2.2.12 before I hit a block – one of the characters is obtaining materials he needs for a certain project, and I’ve realised that part of the plan he enacts isn’t necessary. The same tool is used later too, so I’ll need to rewrite both sections.
In addition, the character’s intention was to get everything from one location, but due to a tweak, there isn’t one place that does everything he needs, so I need to rethink that too – I have three ideas for how I can resolve it, but I haven’t decided which to use yet.
On Wednesday, I posted my review of Dating After the End of the World by Jeneva Rose, a romantic comedy with zombies. I liked the concept, but it could have been executed far better.
I didn’t make any progress on the cover for The Spike Volume 1 second edition this week, which is disappointing, but there’s good reason…
On Thursday, I came down with a rotten head cold, and it’s no better now. I’ve given myself some grace on my creativity vs consumption percentage for the week, and stopped counting towards it from Thursday evening. Annoyingly, I was at 49%, just 10 minutes shy of my 50/50 target.
I have continued doing at least a bit of writing every day though to continue my streak of 659 days.
For the week ahead, I want to carry on revising part 2 of The Spike Volume 2, and get back to work on the cover for The Spike Volume 1 second edition. I’ll also put some thought into what my next blogpost will be about.
But first, I need to get rid of this cold.
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 and 3
Playing this week: Red Dead Redemption 2
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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’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.
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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.
Campaigners welcome Meta and YouTube’s defeat in landmark social media addiction trial
Oil traders bet millions minutes before Trump’s Iran talks post
Iran war drives urgent need to counter underwater attack drones
OpenAI closes Sora video-making app and cancels $1bn Disney deal
Iran war lacks strategy, goals, legitimacy and support – in the US and around the world
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Every week I share something that’s inspired my creativity.
This week, I’ve been listening repeatedly to the below 2006 performance of Viðrar Vel Til Loftárása by Sigur Rós.
Few bands combine beauty and power like this Icelandic group. There are two things in particular I like about this track:
One, it ignores the pop song rule of introducing vocals ASAP, instead building very slowly for five minutes before Jonsi starts singing. Rules are there to be broken.
And two, when the bowed guitar attacks with force for the finale at about 8:53, it’s my favourite sound.
What’s inspired you this week? Please share in the comments.
See you next week.
Arrowmaker Books 