So I just finished the second section of chapter 12, and even though it’s always grueling to make it through each page, there was a lot of fun stuff I put in. I got to fire the gun, so to speak, by confirming some things I alluded to earlier in the book, and I got to mention one of the underlying premises of the trilogy. Quite a bit of revelation going on in this chapter. The bad guys got to be particularly bad, which is always fun, and I alluded to more things yet to come.

One advantage to writing very slowly, as far as breaks between sessions, is that it gives me time for new ideas to pop in and take hold. I had a really cool idea come to me just before I started this chapter that completely changed how a race is viewed and will behave from now on. It almost feels like some enthusiasm is creeping in! Hopefully that means I can improve my progress to a chapter a week. It’d be nice to start editing two months from now. I still have that next novel idea creeping into my thoughts from time to time. Very distracting.

As an aside, who would have thought that the 13th step to giving up candy was orange Tic Tacs? Damn they’re good. I’m still staying away from games, with the exception of facebook stuff. I did log into CoH to check out Issue 14 for a bit. Nice idea, poorly implemented in my opinion. I would have spent some time putting together storylines if it weren’t for all the restrictions and inherent homogeny.

I’m currently reading Wrath of a Mad God, by Raymond E. Feist. I actually have him as a friend on facebook :D  Hi Ray!

No news on the game design front. Last meeting I had, there was talk of putting together a small presentation, but a lot of the material for that is dependent on someone else.

Until next time…

Things are moving along but still at a snail’s pace. I think I’m averaging a page an hour. I’d break that down further, 200 words per page, etc, but I think it would just depress me. Fortunately, new ideas do keep popping into my head as I tweak the outline for the next chapter. Not everything is set in stone once I outline, just major points of interest. It’s the little things that pop up that make writing more fun and less a chore. Those “what ifs” that play out in my mind, usually when I’m nowhere near a computer or something to write with.

Hi, my name is Joe, and I’ve gone four weeks without playing any games. Wait, does facebook count? Damn web applications. I guess I should clarify that I haven’t touched an MMO in quite a while. Heck, I gave up candy too. The two sort of go hand in hand for me. So while it’s good news for my writing, it doesn’t feel like I’m getting any more accomplished than did last time I was off games. I try to force myself to write every day, like sharpening a tool, but sometimes it’s just not in me. I take notes, edit, reread chapters. You know, all the things you shouldn’t do when you should be writing instead.

So I donated my book to the local library and was told they no longer accept donations. Their bookstore, however, does. And if they sell the book, the money goes to the library. Same thing, right?! *grumbles* Ah well, I donated it anyway. Maybe someone will pick it up and get a little enjoyment out of it.

Alright, back to chapter 12…

I hope everyone had a great Easter! We had fun coloring and decorating eggs with my daughter, then again when we made her go hunt for them. Lots and lots of candy abound. I’m glad to say I only had some jelly beans and my one weakness: giant Reese’s peanut butter eggs. I mean I bought a few bags of duck & bunny sweetarts, because they’re awesome and this is then only time of year you can get them. I’ll open em some other time.

I’ve been working on Chapter 11 and debating changing around a few events from what was printed in the first version of book two. For those who have read it, I’m leaving out almost all scenes that don’t center around Barr. That’s a few storylines being cut from the book, like Thoryn and Bejue and Jyotika. I really like those storylines, but there was just too much going on. So I allude and hint to those events now, while also adding quite a few more sections for the “bad” guys. Sometimes I wish I could just get this rewrite done as soon as possible, just so I can have the other version out of print. I’d hate for someone to order it after having read the first book. ><

It’s taking a while, but I’m still plugging away. I spent a good part of today going back through my notes, taking new notes from what I’d written and fixing a few mistakes. There’s a lot to keep track of when you create a story with multiple worlds and races. I also had some fun setting up future stories I can pursue once this trilogy is done. I’d give examples, but I consider those spoilers for the current story. Hmm, might also be a cool idea to do a book of short stories that showcase the storylines I removed from this version of the book. Or novellas. I’m not so good with keeping things short!

Anyway, I hope everyone had a good Egg Day. And Mel, I hope your dad wasn’t hurt and is back home soon.