December Update on "Into the North"

With a book tour scheduled for late spring, I've temporarily put all other projects on hold as I work furiously to get the sequel to The Beast Hunter ready for publication. The first draft was completed a while ago, and I'm working on the second draft revisions now. Things were going well at first, and I even managed to get a whole week ahead of schedule. And then I hit a snag.

I had planned to try a different revision strategy for this book. While I never outline my stories before writing them, I decided to try outlining the plot as it appeared in the first draft. The idea was that I could then use my outline to see the plot all at once and make large-scale edits quickly and efficiently. Once the outline had been fully revised, I would be able to use it as a road map for the rest of the second draft. That was the plan.

What happened was that I struggled just to create the outline in the first place. I had to read the entire first draft manuscript to create a beat-by-beat description of the plot, forcing myself to ignore all of the mistakes and problems that my editor's eye kept noticing. To placate myself, I kept a notebook nearby that was soon half-filled with notes of places that would need fixing later. Things got even harder after finishing the outline.

I quickly found a significant flaw in my plan as soon as I started making revisions to the outline. Whenever I made a correction early on in the manuscript, I found that I wasn't able to make any corrections later in the draft because I didn't know how the earlier change might affect the story. If I added a new character in chapter five, what would they be doing to affect the story in chapter fourteen? Since I'm not a natural outliner, I found the process of trying to anticipate my creative mind to be frustrating, time-consuming, and ultimately hopeless.

After reaching out to several friends for advice, I decided to chuck the outline and start revising the actual manuscript, using my notebook of suggested edits to jump-start the process. While I'm disappointed to have lost so much time to the outline, I'm glad to say that the second draft is finally coming along, and I'm very happy with the changes I'm making.

I'll be sure to give another update as we get closer to the release date. Big thanks to all of my fans and friends for their support and enthusiasm!

Warning Signs that Christmas is Invading Your Story

Whenever I write, I always have a carefully crafted playlist of music for my writing sessions. However, my writing playlist has recently taken a backseat to all my favorite Christmas tunes, and it got me thinking. What if all these carols and festive favorites started to have a subliminal effect on my writing? So just for fun, here are some signs that Christmas might be creeping into your narrative.

For Fantasy Writers – Your elves shoot longbows decorated with candy cane stripes and make toys in their treetop cities.

For Western Writers – Mistletoe keeps popping up in odd places like hardware stores, horse stables, outhouses…

For Sci-fi Writers – You put the rest of your story on hold as you dedicate yourself to figuring out a believable way to make it snow in space.

For Horror Writers – Your poltergeist forces the protagonist to start overcoming deeply ingrained character flaws and to give large gifts to big-eyed children.

For Memoir Writers – You keep interrupting the story of how you found faith in the face of grief to tell anecdotes about wanting a BB gun for Christmas.

For Historical Writers – Despite all your research, nothing interesting ever seemed to happen between January and mid-November.

For Thriller Writers – Your terrorists seem less interested in genocide and more interested in stealing presents.

For Mystery Writers – Your hardened PI delves into the dark underworld of San Francisco to find out how Santa gets all his presents into his sack.

For Steampunk Writers – Clockwork reindeer.

Game Story Review – Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic

I’ve said before that Star Wars can never be ruined for me (click here for more on that). That being said, I’ve only played two games set in the Star Wars universe that stirred some of that powerful nostalgia in me. The first is the original X-wing game for CD-Rom back in 1994. The second is Knights of the Old Republic (or KOTOR to fans) developed by BioWare and released in 2003.

Premise

This game takes place about 4,000 years before the storyline in the original trilogy of movies. The Jedi are established throughout the galaxy as peace-keepers and the ultimate authority figures, but a splinter-group calling themselves the Sith have begun a war for control of known-space. It’s up to a colorful cast of characters including Jedi, soldiers, a Wookie, and a homicidal droid to choose a side and fight for the freedom of the galaxy or the lure of power in a new regime.

Review

Like many other RPGs, there’s a morality system in KOTOR that keeps track of all of your “good” and “bad” choices. What sets KOTOR apart is that the morality of the protagonist is the central focus of the storyline. Almost every sub-quest and mission can be done in a good or evil way, and the final act will be drastically different depending on whether you played on the light-side or the dark side. I especially like the way these choices tie-in with the identity of the protagonist. I won’t spoil it, but suffice it to say that there’s a reveal two-thirds of the way through the game that has been called one of the best twists in video gaming history.

However, there are some significant problems with the morality system in KOTOR. In my two-part review of the Mass Effect storyline (which was also produced by BioWare) I praised the way that the developers had provided role-playing flexibility for the player. If you wanted to play a good guy who wasn’t a pushover, you could do that. If you wanted to play a bully who had a soft spot, you could do that too. But in KOTOR, the moral choices have very little subtlety. “Do you choose to let the child call you names or do you cut his head off?” are the sort of extreme options the player is given.

This is compounded by the game being heavily influenced by the Jedi Order as presented in the three underwhelming prequel movies. The Jedi are presented as dogmatic and narrow-minded pacifists, which is probably the most boring character archetype you could have in a sci-fi RPG. Perhaps this was intended to make the Sith more sympathetic, but this breaks down when the Sith’s portrayal is little more than a one-dimensional desire to rule everything. It’s this lack of compelling arguments from either ideology that ultimately makes the plot one of the weaker elements of this game.

But I don’t play this game for the plot. I play this game to feel like I’m in the Star Wars universe, swinging lightsabers, buying droids, gambling in bars surrounded by weird aliens… that’s where the appeal of this game lies. The music, sound effects, and artwork all work in harmony to create an atmosphere that is both Star Wars and its own unique setting. Granted, there are some logical problems with the setting. For example, why is the technology level, political situation, and cultural norms all basically the same as they are in the movies which take place 4,000 in the future? Still, I’ve always considered the drastic time difference primarily an excuse for the developers to have some flexibility in their portrayal of the galaxy, and I think the game is better for it.

If you’re considering playing this game for the first time, I’d encourage you to give it a try. While the role-playing aspects leave much to be desired, the chance to play a well-balanced RPG in the Star Wars universe is too good to pass up. Enjoy the atmosphere, the action, and the experience. Also, don’t feel guilty about skipping all the dialogue about light/dark philosophy. You won’t be missing anything.

Planning Stops for My Book Tour

.As you may have already heard, I'm planning on my first multi-state book tour next spring, with several stops already planned in Washington (where I am) and Wyoming (where the tour ends). Does anyone know of any good book stores/libraries that might be interested in either a workshop on the craft of writing or an author event/reading in or around the following cities:

Washington

-          Bellingham

-          Olympia

-          Seattle

-          Tacoma

-          Port Townsend

-          Vancouver

Oregon

-          Portland

-          The Dalles

-          Pendleton

Idaho

-          Boise

-          Twin Falls

Utah

-          Logan

-          Ogden

-          Salt Lake City

Please leave a comment below or send me a private message via Facebook if you have any suggestions for bookstores or libraries in your area that I could approach. 

Top Ten Things an Author Can be Grateful For

The business of writing books can be discouraging, and there are times when you may feel like there’s little to be thankful for. However, there are blessings and silver linings in every situation, and the more we express gratitude for them, the happier we will be. With that in mind, here are ten things that any author can be grateful for regardless of sales numbers.

10. Friends that ask how your writing is doing, and then listen with interest.

9. That zen-like moment when the story is unfolding in front of you and your only job is recording what you see.

8. Getting that surge of inspiration after a long bout of writer’s block.

7. The sense of accomplishment that comes from seeing a formerly blank page now filled with your words.

6. Family members that believe in you, even when you don’t believe in yourself.

5. Getting a letter telling you how your story inspired someone.

4. The heft of a printed book that holds a story that was born in your imagination.

3. Catching a stranger reading your book.

2. Reading a book you published years ago and realizing that you’re a pretty darn good writer.

1. Every day, hour, and moment that you get to spend practicing your craft.

Top Ten Reasons to Write Today

10. If things are going badly, you can spend a little time in a world that’s just the way you want it.

9. Any amount of exercise is good for your creative muscles.

8. Inspiration strikes more frequently when you’re writing.

7. Any words you get down will bring you closer to a finished story that is all your own.

6. By pouring yourself into your craft, you can gain perspective and insight into the various victories and tragedies in your own life.

5. Your fans (both current and future) are counting on you.

4. Being published, winning an award, or being on a bestseller list doesn’t make you a writer. Writing makes you a writer.

3. Nobody else will write your story.

2. Your story can make a lasting impact in someone’s life.

1. Because you want to!

Finding Your Writing Process

At a recent writers conference, I had a writer approach me and ask what my writing process is. I obligingly described my nightly writing routine as well as giving few details on my writing goals and how I manage different projects. After listening for a minute or so, she shook her head and said “Nope. That won’t work.” It turns out that she had been going up to a variety of published authors and quizzing them to find a writing process that would work for her.

While I appreciate this writer’s enthusiasm and dedication, I don’t think she had the right idea about finding her process. While you can certainly gain great insight by looking at the way other writers go about their craft, the truth is that writing is an art form, and the way that you create your art needs to be as personal to you as the work that you’re creating. With that in mind, here are some questions to ask yourself to help find your own writing process.

What inspires you?

Whether it’s the crash of waves at the beach or a cup of hazelnut hot chocolate, what are the things that put you in a creative mood? How can you make those things a part of your regular writing routine? (hint: if you can’t go to the ocean, you can play the sound of waves while surrounding yourself with pictures of the sea)

How much could you easily write each day?

This isn’t the time for stretching. Ask yourself how much you could comfortably get done every time you write. No amount is too small (though less than one word might be selling yourself short). Once you have this number, set it as your minimum word count each day to build your confidence and get some momentum.

Do you know enough to get started?

Whether it’s world-building or learning the craft, many author procrastinate starting their first draft because they’re still “getting ready”. While planning and proper execution is important, remember that no amount of preparation is a substitute for words on the page.

Do you like to write?

This may seem like an obvious question, but I’ve seen too many writers become stressed and anxious about their writing. Remember that you’re a writer because you want to be one. If you find yourself dreading your writing time, ask yourself why, and then resolve the issue. Writing should be your escape, rather than something to hide from.


What’s your writing process? What suggestions would you give to other writers that are looking to find their own process?