Well, I’m not three months behind this time – so that’s a start! I honestly didn’t expect to get to this recap any time soon, so I’m going to take a second and celebrate that little win here. Done. Moving on… October has certainly been jam-packed full of new ventures, challenges and of course, editing and writing. You know the drill by now, details below.
My Books
Red Hands
I have such a love-hate relationship with this book at the moment. We’ve been through a lot together, and it’s really tested me on more than one occasion lately.
However! I’ve just sent the most recent version back to my publisher. I can’t say I’m sorry to see the back of it for a while now, here’s hoping the next round of edits is far less painful!
Finding Oremere
As I mentioned in my last recap, I wanted to start reworking the problem areas of this book that my beta readers pointed out. And I’ve started! I’m 76 pages into the manuscript, and am feeling pretty good about developing the world and the characters in more depth.
In truth though, it feels like all I’ve done lately is editing and reworking, I miss writing. I’ve decided to try and finish the reworks for this book by the end of November, so then I can get back to the writing part of my job in December. I just love putting myself under pressure it seems.
However, I’m lucky I have Kyra and Claire cheering me on. We’ve got our own little private Facebook support group where we talk about issues with our work, and celebrate those all-important little wins. Kyra’s already kicking goals for NaNoWriMo and Claire’s doing some amazing research for her upcoming fantasy book – it’s so inspiring to be surrounded by such talented and driven women.
Fantasy Book II
It’d been a long time since I looked at the manuscript for this book, and I’d actually forgotten how much I’d already written – 190 pages (roughly 45,000 words).
Originally, my plan was to write the rest of this book for NaNoWriMo this year, but I’m just not there yet. There’s a lot that will change in book one that will need to be finalised before I can start this book up again.
As I said, I’m hoping to get cracking again on this in December. Sunshine, beer and fantasy writing… Sounds good doesn’t it?
Editor’s Life
Writer’s Edit
Last month, I mentioned that Dave and I were going to set Writer’s Edit up as an actual trading business (not just under my own ABN).
And we did! Writer’s Edit is now a fully registered business with its own ABN, and TFN (that’s Australian Business Number and Tax File Number to any readers from abroad).
We’ve also reviewed our first financial report ever, which was incredibly encouraging. I’m learning so much not only as an editor and a publisher, but also as a young businessperson.
There have been a few challenges with platforms like PayPal, and setting up our subdomain site, which has about a billion features that we’re trying to work our way through, but the past few months have seen the site and our business grow amazingly.
Dave and I also have a lot of fun trying to get into the mindset of our customers, and how to streamline the courses and whole membership experience for them.
In other news, I’ve just recently been offered a desk at my old office space, so from next week, I’ll be working in a real office, with real people. I’m really stoked about this, as I’ve found it increasingly challenging to work and live in the same space 7 days a week.
I’m hoping that this move will have a really big, positive impact on me and my work.
Kindling Volume III
Wow, I can’t believe it’s this time of year again. The third and final Kindling launch party is only two weeks away!
The venue, the food and the drinks are all locked in. The stock is ready. The thank you cards, the carry bags and the stickers are nearly done…
There’s still a bunch of things on my to-do list, including writing my speech, but it’s slowly all coming together…
What I’ve Read
- Elantris by Brandon Sanderson
- Fight Like A Girl by Clementine Ford
- Buzzing by Kyra Thomsen
The last few months have been particularly gruelling for me, with Red Hands structural editing, Kindling III being finalised, and reworking Finding Oremere. As I’ve mentioned in previous months, I’ve found it difficult to start reading new books, and instead opt to re-read old favourites.
However, this month, I discovered Brandon Sanderson, who’s a wonderful, clever fantasy writer without being too difficult to read. Elantris was super enjoyable and intriguing, so I’ve just purchased The Final Empire: Mistborn Book One. I’m hoping this proves to be an addictive series I can power through this month.
You’ll also note that there’s a familar name on this month’s reading list… KYRA THOMSEN! That’s right, the lovely (and talented) Kyra Thomsen was published by Spineless Wonders. Her amazing e-short ‘Buzzing’ is a fantastic read, and I strongly recommend it to everyone.
Anyway, November is set to be one of the biggest months of the year, so I’ve gotta get back to work.
Until next time,
Helen