What are you working on right now?

[Karn's Return]

I really need to just decide what to work on. I figured there would be slow down after Tooninoot but, not like this... :|


And I really shouldn't start new projects.

 

[Steve Harrison]

I spent the last few weeks querying agents with my new thriller, but yesterday I started a quirky novel about a man's midlife crisis which incorporates a fantasy element. It's based on a movie script I wrote 10 years ago which generated quite a bit of interest. I even foolishly turned down an offer in the expectation of a better deal. Hopefully I can go one better with the novel version.

 

[sknox]

I'm working hard to finish my novel, Into the Second World, so I can give a decent manuscript to my editor come the first of the year. Right now it resembles a tumble of child's building blocks. It's just a matter of putting it together, filling in a few gaps ... lessee, I think this one goes here.

My plan is to have ARCs available by end of February. I know why they call them deadlines--they're killing me!

 

[HareBrain]

I've just "finished" my YA magical-environmentalist novel Earthwyrms (or whatever the book ends up being called, as that might be the series title). Though it's a lot shorter than my usual (about 68k), I've never written a whole book in around six months before, so that's been a lift. The last three chapters are rough as all heck, but I think structurally sound. Today is therefore officially designated Cake For Bryan Day.

 

[crystal haven]

Well done, HareBrain!

 

[Toby Frost]

Trying to figure out how to publish on Kindle, and generally worrying about the new book. And realising just how much publicising myself makes me cringe.

 

[thaddeus6th]

If only there were somewhere that you could ask people who've done that sort of thing, if you get stuck

 

[psychotick]

Hi,

And now my latest work with the wizard on the motorbike is 68K long - which is good. I'm really enjoying writing this one. It's really quite funny in parts. Mostly the parts with his crazy relatives!

But I have encountered a problem with the title. My wizard is named Baen and for his daytime job he runs a bookstore - Baen's Books. Trouble is I was thinking that might be the title of the book - "Baen's Books: Madness and Magic." It only occurred to me after that of course there's Baen's Publishing. I've checked the USPTO and the current trademark is for BAEN. And there was a trademark for Baen Book - but it was cancelled. So legally I think the title's safe enough. On a practical / moral level I'm a bit worried.

What do you guys think. Running too close to the wind?

Cheers, Greg.

 

[Toby Frost]

Seems to me to be a little too close. I can't comment on the legal aspect (Baen are an American company, IIRC), but I think a lot of people would assume that you were writing a satire and/or would link the two where you didn't intend them to be linked.

 

[sknox]

Especially since Baen publishes in exactly this genre, so the readership is even more likely to know the reference. I, too, recommend a name change. Painful, I know.

 

[sknox]

For the first time in a while, I feel I may have a completed manuscript for my editor next month.

"Would you care for tea and toast, sir?"
"No, thanks. I'm fine with just the panic and despair."

 

[HareBrain]

Now I've sent my YA book off to its first readers and I'M NOT ALLOWED TO TOUCH IT, I checked back in with Fire Stealers 3 for the first time in a couple of months. Like putting on an old pair of comfortable and interesting, but daunting, slippers. (Which is what I'd like for Christmas, incidentally.)

 

[sknox]

Daunting slippers - what the whole family is getting next year.

 

[BrightStar*]

In the last few days I'm thinking about an idea for a short story or maybe a novelette, I'm not sure how long it will turn out. I haven't thought of the plot yet, just the general idea of the story. The main issue will be about freedom of speech which is I think an important topic now, I guess it will be utopian/disotopian and I want to put bits about Byzantium in it too, like people clothing in byzantine way or something about religion. Yeah I know its a funny combination but its on my mind for a long time, I hope it will go well.

 

[Steve Harrison]

I checked if the production company mulling over my TimeStorm TV series proposal was still interested and they said no, but said they were 'all ears' if I had any other ideas. I just happen to have two other proposals, so I'm tidying them up to send. Also got a full manuscript request for my latest novel from a New York agent. It's all happening today!

No guarantees of success of course, but it's nice to dream...

 

[Cathbad]

Been working on my novel and a new piece, I suspect will be novella-sized. I've already completed about 2,000 words on each today!

Now, if i can keep this up!

I wrote a short story I intended to submit to a group I've published with before, but after I'd finished it, I decided not to submit. Oh, I think it's written well enough; but after re-reading it, I realized it wasn't "extraordinary". For the subject matter, it was quite common. I believe it's good enough to include in a collection of stories I'm working on (on and off), but not for the wonderful publications that group puts out! For my collection, I think it'll fit perfectly!

 

[Scookey]

Trying to figure out how to publish on Kindle, and generally worrying about the new book. And realising just how much publicising myself makes me cringe.

Can I ask why it makes you cringe to try promoting yourself?

 

[Scookey]

Been working on my novel and a new piece, I suspect will be novella-sized. I've already completed about 2,000 words on each today!

Now, if i can keep this up!

I wrote a short story I intended to submit to a group I've published with before, but after I'd finished it, I decided not to submit. Oh, I think it's written well enough; but after re-reading it, I realized it wasn't "extraordinary". For the subject matter, it was quite common. I believe it's good enough to include in a collection of stories I'm working on (on and off), but not for the wonderful publications that group puts out! For my collection, I think it'll fit perfectly!

2,000 words is good going on one work, let alone two. Well done you! Personally I find if I write more than 1,500 words a day I sort of burn out a bit for the next day or the quality goes down. :-(

 

[Cathbad]

Personally I find if I write more than 1,500 words a day I sort of burn out a bit for the next day or the quality goes down. :-(

I usually run in spurts: I'll do 1500 to 2000 (or more) a day for 3 to 7 days, then run at least that much time with 0 to 200. Ah well... no one ever ever accused me of being consistent!

 

[psychotick]

Hi,

Damn! I was flying through my current book about my steampunk motorbike riding wizard - but then Amazon came through and I got Third Rock on dvd. I've sort of stalled at 105K - but laughing myself silly!!!

Cheers, Greg.