Give me the short version!

It's damn fast!  "What is?" The book. I made a conscious decision to write my first book at the speed of sound with a story, albeit fully in mind, presented without fluff, dribble, descriptions of walls and nothing but the story. I do, however, prefer to write with descriptive depth but that will come later.

25,930 words, 43 hours of my life, I started on the 21st Feb and published on the 1st July 2014. Why that long? Checking. Proof reading is a pain in the rear. You've written the story, told the world, yet how do you check something that's firmly in your own mind for coherence as well as grammatical common sense? It's not easy, damn boring, but most certainly worth it in the end.

Writing is not full of roses, dreamy walks of revolving ideas, fantastic notions or anything like that. Sure, of course, it is fun, but what about the self-doubt, the confidence dips, the hours required and then sitting down to check through the first draft (Which never made sense) along with the next few iterations!

It's been an adventure. With each new ‘like’, with every new purchase, it makes it all worthwhile.  What's the biggest, single, lesson that I've learnt from the entire process?  DO NOT rely on (nearly) anyone else. Just don't. People live busy lives and that must be appreciated above all so if you DO want someone to proof read then send them a chapter at a time. Or, of course, if you want to check something then check it yourself or pay for it to be processed. We, as a species, need our own backsides kicking and that goes for me as well.

Thank you for reading.

P.s. Book 2?  I'll get to that after the new book (Threads)

Nearly Home

The final checks, the last read-through, the final few days before the foot firmly enters the water. No dangling toes, no pinky in the pool, just a full foot planted onto solid ground. I'm hoping that, of course, the water's warm, the pool is clean and the view... oh that view, will be one of wonder and accomplishment.

Daniel paused for a brief second, a small second, but just enough time to ponder the decision that he was about to make. Sure, of course, he knew that this had to be done, that he’d already basically presented the idea that was instantly accepted by Sarah, but this, this one decision, would change her life forever. The process, as he knew, was less than perfect for any individual even though he’d undertaken the task, himself, more than once. He blinked, closed his eyes for another second then, with the gentlest smile he could find, looked into her eyes, “This process is…,” he paused again finding the correct words, “…difficult for most minds to undertake so I’ll explain the process.” Sarah smiled, sitting on the floor, with crossed legs saying nothing in reply and, like a curious person waiting, simply looked at him with such energy in her eyes that he could barely look anywhere else but at her.

 You never know how the general public will view your work. Famous paintings, TV shows, even songs are easily pushed aside only to be found years later after being ridiculed by the general population but, on the other hand, I'd simply like a modest return on my production. Not a standing applause, not the throwing of flowers or a showering of gold but easily a 'that's not bad' type of ending.

Fingers crossed. Stay positive, stay aware, plus improve with each new day.

The Beginning Of The End

The moment has nearly arrived, the seconds have finally moved forward, the distractions have failed to distract and it's about that time to release the book. It's been an adventure, it's been mildly taxing, crazy, but completely worth every second of typing while away from home or sat in an airport.

Writing a book is all about character, or so my opinion screams each time I think about it all, plus that character has been tested. We all have that little voice within our mind that wants us to stay safe, to sit still, to not venture forward or take any chances that could be away from our normal lives but, as I'm not exactly a character that sits still, I say 'to hell' with that side of life. Get up, stand up, lift your head and walk tall and stay modest. Once the book hits I'll have to stay just that as people can be cruel, negative, savage and even nasty about the smallest things. Some judge, some look down upon others, some scold, some laugh at others while that type of person should be looking at their own conduct. Am I afraid of negative reviews? I've thought about it and, in all honesty, it matters not. A chair is a chair and not everyone will pick that chair. Life continues. Sit down and relax.

Back on subject. The cover... It's been fun. Yes, you bet, making the cover has actually been the most fun part of the whole writing experience as it's something I can show, feel, see and present to anyone and everyone. While discovering how to make a simple cover I've discovered that each genre of book must have its own style of font, the text must be located in only a few places (and not sideways as we're, apparently, far too lazy to tilt our heads to read) and, finally, if a person dislikes the cover they simply will not even stop to consider if the book might be of interest. Pretty much like real life and attraction for many people. Shame as, when the lights dim and the day ends, it’s the story within that holds and soothes a person.

https://www.facebook.com/RachelSianPhotography
Composition: Myself

A special mention must be present to the machine I used along the way: The Microsoft Surface Pro 2

Thank you for reading. More soon.