Plotting the Plot

The hardest thing about being a writer (or trying) is the plotting. I’ve got to make sure it all links up, ties together, and fully researched. 

I have so many things to help me with it. 

On my door I have a brief plot linear taped. There I can quickly check something, or add something. 

Then I have a characters, names, places and objects notebook. I describe and research and break down those things in there. 

Then I have another book where I do a detailed plot break down with the sub plots. 

On top of that I have various coloured highlights that each have its own importance. 

I also have sticky tabs and 3 notebooks to hand write the 1st draft. 

That’s all for one book. 

A Successful Author is Someone Who…

So I think that being an author (or in my case trying to be) it’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done … That besides when I do acting. 

Being an author is like being an actress. There is a larger guarantee to be out of work rather than in work, i.e. getting paid. 

I’m not a failed author, as I’ve not attempted to publish paid works yet. I will be soon.

This week I’ve got to do research. A lot of research. This chapter this week won’t survive without it. 

If I want to make the sale, I’ve got to get it perfect. 

A successful author is someone who doesn’t give up their books and dreams of being a published author. 

I’m On a Roll!

My horror book is well under way right now. 

The initial plan is completed with characters, names, each chapters plots, time, day, relationships, and sub plots. 

Chapters 1 and 2 have had their first draft completed, typed, and sent for peer-proofing. I am now waiting on its results, so I can go ahead with the second draft and rewrites. 

Chapters 3 and 4 have had their first draft completed and are waiting to be typed for peer-proofing. 

Chapter 5 has been planned and outlined in detail. The first draft will be written this week. 

I’m on a roll!

Gin or Jinn

It’s hard. The last couple of months have been the hardest. 

I have reason to research into the Jinn after everything that’s happened. Sometimes I wonder if it’s better that I have tot of gin rather than researching the Jinn 

 It’s such an obscure topic. 

  
I think that if I find something out I might put it into the horror story I’m writing. Maybe. 

The Jin Research … Am I Haunted by the Jin?

I have had the run of the mill with a streak of bad luck since July 2014. The only good thing I’ve had is the relationship with my significant other (I intend to keep it that way and fight it if I have too) and returning to the U.K. last year. 

The rest of my time has been atrocious. I have been ashamed of my life and what has happened in it. 

I’m not depressed. In fact far from it, but I feel that something is not right. What can be causing this continuous streak of bad luck?

I guested on the Campfire, hosted by Jim Harold, a podcast about the paranormal several months ago now. I told my story of an experience with a doppelgänger. They are not something that I believe in a great deal. However, it was since moving into that house where I thought I saw the doppelgänger that my bad luck started. When I guested on the podcast things had started to get better. Jim mentioned that it sounded like I had come into contact with something called the Jin. Shortly after that, it all started again. 

That intrigued me. I will be conducting research into the Jin. I will try to see if there is a possible link to the Jin. 

Anybody out there know anything about the Jin? It’ll be a great help. 

Listen to my story here. It’s the third story in and it’s about a house in Japan. 

Jim Harold’s Campfire

Introducing…

Food is definitely for thought. If you don’t eat, you can’t repair your body. If you don’t eat, you can’t think. If you don’t eat, you can starve. If you don’t eat, you can’t write. 

Today I’m preparing to introduce two new characters into my current project. One seems to be quite fun to write, but it is utterly complex. I’m hoping that today’s lunch of shrimp and tuna panini, salad, crab and tomato soup, with a cup of coffee will be enough fuel to write at least two pages.

I really need to introduce these characters. One plays a huge part in the story. 

My motto today is eat, stay healthy, and try to finish the chapter. That way you can really get into the super juicy parts.  

 

All in a Days Work

Toast, coffee, transcribing, and plotting. All in a days work.  

 

Sickness Sucks

Apologies for the lack of blog posts. I unfortunately have been quite under the weather. I have also been very busy seeing my significant other off on his business trip. That’s been a bit of an emotional upheaval. 

However, for the last few days I have been feeling a little better (despite a blood test today) and have managed to replot an entire book, and juggle a few chapters around a bit. 

I’ve also written some new first paragraphs for chapter one and I’m getting my testers to read and choose their favourite. 

I actually rewrote a chapter this week too! So a replot, chapter juggle, opening paragraphs, and a chapter rewrite in 5 days? Not bad I think. 

If I keep this pace up, I can type and getting it to proofing stage in less than a year. 

The Popular Choice, not the Latter.

Writing is hard knock. I’m always getting into writers block…well on one book anyway. 

I overcame the hurdle though. I scraped it and started again… 4 times. Now I have something that will work. 

Now there’s a battle in my mind.  I’m the popular choice, not the latter. I’ll leave you to figure that out. Leave me an answer. 

 

The State of My Table

Plotting, sketching, planning…the current state of my table. Does anyone else get like this?

Mine has been messier.