a little fantasy * a little sci fi * a little love
I previously spoke about the Snowflake Method in this blog. At the time I was working on a Space Opera but for my own reasons, that project has been put on hold. A contemporary novel has taken it's place. And I've now had the chance to use this plotting and characterisation method for longer than …
Continue reading "Plotting using the Snowflake Method – An Update"
I had this dilemma recently. I began a new book in a genre which had me intrigued - The Space Opera. I have character notes which include motivations, goals, conflicts and epiphanies. I have an interesting plot, and extended story lines from each character's point of view. Then we made a sudden trip north to …
I have a new book being released and a new manuscript I'm submitting. First off, with a new book being released by my publisher soon, the process of editing, second edits, proofing, then final edits make an author really fine tune their work. I re-read my work just after the proofing stage, and again when …
I haven't touched my WiP in six weeks. First it was simply a case of a sudden trip north to catch up with family when an invite to Warren's great niece's eighteenth birthday arrived. And even though I took my laptop, I was busy being social after being trapped in my own state due to …
Continue reading "When author business gets in the way of writing"
My last post was about a new plotting method I'm using. A few things got in the way of my usual writing days after I published that post, and somehow I didn't feel bad about missing them. It was because I didn't feel like I was working on a book. There were a few times …
I'm trying something new. Usually when I plot a new novel, I work chapter by chapter having a fair idea of the story and how it will end. I also add notes on the conflict for each scene and every chapter's cliff hanger. But I'm experimenting with a different approach called the Snowflake Method. Right …
There's a unique anxiety after the release of a novel. It doesn't happen straight away. We are on a buzz when our new book is in the public arena. We're busy marketing while finding new promotional possibilities. We're updating our website and searching for new reviews. Then searching for new reviews again. And again. But …
Continue reading "Waiting to see if your new book is selling."
I've learnt the value of working on a synopsis while you write your book. I've also learnt to work on a blurb long before I need to send it to my publisher, but that's not what this blog is about. I'm working on a novel that's not suited to my publisher, so for the first …
Continue reading "Help! I’m writing a synopsis for a book submission."
I submitted a manuscript to a publisher on Sunday. I got my rejection on Monday. It was polite and said it's not what their looking for at the moment. Fair enough. Their other novels are similar but mine didn't make the cut. For those who've never done this, it usually takes months before you hear …
A close friend just left after spending six days with us. He needed a boost and as many of us have rediscovered recently, keeping in touch means keeping sane. We always enjoy his company and the last several days consisted of good food, movies and indepth conversation over vodka or wine. In the past I'd …
kevin klehr - author 