An indie author’s regular spoiler-free update on his writing, editing, cover design, marketing, publishing, website maintenance, and blogging. Issue 91.
This week in one word: beginning.
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Previously on WWW…
But I don’t want to shove aside The Spike Volume 2 to start this new project. Once I’ve finished this round of revisions, I was going to put Vol2 in a metaphorical drawer for about a month, so when I return to it, it will be with fresh eyes. That gap was originally earmarked for other publication prep, and/or Volume 3 outlining, but would be an opportunity to work on the combined projects.
…
I’ll post my review and analysis of Contrapposto by Dave Eggers on Monday or Tuesday, but priority number one for next week is revising The Spike Volume 2.
For anyone with experience of story structure, the inclusion in the “Previously on WWW…” section of my intention not to begin my shiny new project is a sure sign I began my shiny new project.
But I did not “shove aside” The Spike Volume 2.
I revised 15 chapters this week, although admittedly almost all the changes were minor.
There are 18 chapters plus the epilogue left to revise, and there are some big changes upcoming. They will need a chunk of time dedicated to them – I wouldn’t want to start then have to park it part way through – so that rules out doing them during a lunch hour, for example. It will need to be an evening when I’m feeling sharp (probably at the beginning of the week before my day job has taken its toll) or on a weekend.
Once I’ve completed this sweep of revisions, there will still be some changes that I didn’t find a convenient place for, or I only realised the best place for them in hindsight. I may need to get the crowbar out and make some aggressive adjustments.
Every story-related revision needs to be done before I can call this draft finished. Then it will go in a metaphorical drawer for about a month, and when it comes out, I’ll do a complete readthrough to check whether any story changes need to be made.
I expect at least some minor alterations, but hopefully nothing major.
My shiny new project, combining two previously separate ideas, is now codenamed Project Lawless Fang, and it was just too exciting to ignore. I began drafting a prologue (of sorts) because I had a burst of inspiration, although parts of it will undoubtedly change; and I’ve begun brainstorming a list of all the possible story beats I could use, which will get longer and longer as I get more into the worldbuilding and character creation.
I can’t disclose much about it because, as far as I’m aware, this hasn’t been done before and I don’t want anyone else to beat me to it. But I’ll tell you what I can.
My review and analysis of Contrapposto by Dave Eggers was published on Monday. My initial reaction on finishing the book was that the finale was unsatisfying, and whilst I haven’t changed my mind on that, I don’t know how else it could have been wrapped up. It was good, I was just left a little disappointed at the end.
There’s not likely to be a book review out next week as I’ve still got about a third left to read of Buffalo Hunter Hunter by Stephen Graham Jones, and I’ve only just started Neuromancer by William Gibson.
I have again passed 50% for my creativity vs consumption weekly percentage, up from 51% last week to 52% this. That takes my streak of being at minimum 50/50 to six weeks, and I don’t intend for it to end any time soon.
For the next week, my number one priority will again be The Spike Volume 2. If I feel like doing something different, I want to continue with a blogpost I’ve begun writing, but suspect I’m more likely to carry on with Project Lawless Fang.
Reading this week: Buffalo Hunter Hunter by Stephen Graham Jones and Neuromancer by William Gibson
Watching this week: Peaky Blinders season 2 + 3 (rewatch) and Schitt’s Creek season 1
Playing this week: Indiana Jones and the Great Circle and Knotwords
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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 working on a new cover design for a second edition of The Spike Volume 1, with two different versions being developed in tandem whilst I decide which colour layout I prefer.
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.
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 finish 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 (that keeps growing) 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 begun brainstorming for Project Lawless Fang, which is unrelated to The Spike series (at least for now).
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Every week I share something that’s inspired my creativity.
This week, I shared the disappointment of millions of people at the sad passing of Dolly Parton.
I can’t claim to be a big fan of her music, having only heard the big few (Jolene is fantastic), but I was always a fan of the way she treated people and her generous spirit.
Among her many acts of giving, for 31 years, inspired by her father’s inability to read and write, her Imagination Library has given free books every month to children under five years old, in five different countries. To date, it has gifted more than 332 million books, which is astonishing. If you want to donate in Dolly’s honour, there’s a page here.
What’s inspired you this week? Please share in the comments.
See you next week.
Arrowmaker Books 