Wish I'd Always Known: I'm a Plotter

 What, oh what, do I wish I'd known back when I'd started writing?

Plot. First.
Every. Time.
Damnitall.

I wish I'd known myself well enough to know that I *have* to craft the skeletal plot before jumping into writing. So, so, so many drafts of stories that could've been great if I'd known where the story was headed before settling in and writing now languish in the "never to be shown to the public" folder. Hell, even my first two published books would've been leaps and bounds better if I'd plotted them out first. Going back and fixing the broken tales is soul-crushing and...infuriating. By the time edits come due, I'm wedded to scenes that really ought to be cut and end up doing a full rewrite just to salvage the kernel of the concept and the shells of the characters. 

At this point, I know better. Alas, that doesn't mean I didn't just waste four months pantsing a story then trunking it because it fell apart. That lil' winter tragedy is confirmation that I gotta do the logical work upfront so the whimsy and wtfery can blossom while writing the actual story. True way back when I was a baby writer, true to this day.

If Onoy I'd known when i started...

 The subject for this week is what I wish Id known when I started writing. 

The list is too long. There were and are so many different phases to writing, and  literally mountains f books have been written on the subject, So i'll just go with this one thing: I wish I'd better understood the concept of an information dump. 

When I look back at a lot of my earlier works I first lament my lack of fully understanding grammar (I had some great teachers along those lines and ii a forever in their debt) and I regret how often I went down the path of giving too much inforation in large ies. Details and details, mixed with history and background, It's like peanut butter: put it all to the front of the sandwich and you get a sloppy mess. Better to spread it out a bit more evenly. 

The devil is in the details, they are necessary, but they can be spread far and wide if you handle it the right way. 

I'm off for a four-hour drive into Boston to see a doctor about a cancer that is, hopefully, still not hanging around anymore. Wish me luck and have a wonderful day!

James A. Moore

What the Future May Bring

 I usually have massive superstition around speaking my plans out into the open air. It seems like whenever I do, the universe laughs in maniacal glee and I land on my ass at the end of the year wondering what happened. But I'll tell you. After the past two years, who the hell hasn't? So here we go. 

Plans for 2022:

FINISH THE DAMNED BOOK. Yes. This would be book 4 of the SFR series. Shortly after I hand that book off to my editor (if she hasn't died of boredom or old age whilst waiting for it), I want to fast draft the final book in the series. Fast draft. FAST. I'm yelling at my brain. Not you. The goal is to have both books done in at least first draft form by the end of the year. Then, you see, I could move on to other projects that are knocking around in my brain. 

There are some assassins who want their stories finished. There's a story that isn't science fiction, fantasy, or paranormal. I'm not sure where it came from or who I am that the story even crept up on me. But I'll give it a shot. It feels important for some reason. There are myriad other stories that want to see light of day.

I have low daily word count goals at the moment. I'm doing the distance runner thing - logging a bunch of slow miles in order to get faster over time. (This will take you to a Tik Tok video about this very subject.) This is all a part of having to learn how to be alone while being constantly in other people's company. While pandemic and lock downs have been fine for many introverts, those of us living in houses full of people are not all right. Finding alone is harder than it sounds like it ought to be. And yes. It matters because I'm one of those people whose thoughts show on their face -- and there are just some scenes in books that get dark and terrible. Everyone in the household is happier if no one sees those thoughts as I think them. It turns out my family doesn't like it when I frighten them. 

Now. If you'll pardon me, I'm going to go make some word count on a book that needs finishing.

Out of Focus Crystal Ball

Let me peek into my crystal ball and tell you what my writing future for the coming year looks like...Hmm. Kinda outta focus. I guess my crystal ball is broken! 

This year my writing goals are to finish my next sci-fi thriller WIP and complete book 2—which actually takes place before book 1, soooo perhaps I should technically call it book 1? Anyway, complete book 2 in my epic fantasy series. 

I’d love to go on a writing retreat. To truly disconnect and not have the day-to-day responsibilities would be fantastic. It would also be awesome to attend SFWA’s Nebula conference, but I’m not sure if that’ll work out. 

In absolute certainty I can tell you that I will celebrate every high. And I will try to reach out in the lows. 

Since my crystal ball didn’t have much to say, what’s your future look like?

A Year Ahead with Jeffe

This week at the SFF Seven we're taking a look at the future! We're asking: "What does your writing life look like for the upcoming year?" That includes book releases, WIP’s, retreats, cons, signings, etc. 

I just had my annual planning call with my agent, Sarah Younger at NYLA, yesterday and my year ahead is looking pretty damn busy!

Book Releases

First release of 2022 is the audiobook of DARK WIZARD, Book #1 in Bonds of Magic. This is Baby's First Self-Published Audiobook (TM) and I couldn't be more delighted about it! Book #2, BRIGHT FAMILIAR, and Book #3, GREY MAGIC, will also be releasing in audiobook this year, probably in March for both. Whee! 

Next up is GREY MAGIC, the current WIP, slated to be out February 28. After that, the long awaited finale, THE STORM PRINCESS AND THE RAVEN KING, Book #4 in Heirs of Magic, will be out in April (I hope!)

Those are my only slated releases at this point, but there's lots more coming!

WIP's

GREY MAGIC, then THE STORM PRINCESS AND THE RAVEN KING, as mentioned above. 

Does it count as a WIP if it's out on submission? I have one of those out.

I'm going to finish a science fantasy I started two years ago. Super excited to get that out!

I may be doing a ghostwriting project :D

I'd like to begin a new trilogy in the Bonds of Magic world.

I have a new shiny idea that I'd love to write, that Sarah is excited about too!

If this sounds like more than one person can humanly write, it probably is. Ever in motion is the future!

Retreats

I don't do retreats because I do my best writing at home.

Cons

I'll be attending SFWA's Nebula Conference in May!

Also the Jack Williamson Lectureship in April, Apollycon in July, maybe ChiCon in September and possibly World Fantasy Con in November. 

Signings, etc.

Dependent on in-person events - cross our fingers!!

KAK"s Plans for 2022

What are my authorial plans for 2022?

Write MOAR books. 

I'm working on a new trilogy. Long-time readers of this blog know I'm a slow writer, so if I can write two of those books this year and finish the third in the spring next year, I'll be a happy camper.

Long-time readers of this blog also know that I'm a hermit, so no cons, no signings, and no waltzing with the plague, if at all possible. 

The Year Ahead

Our subject for this week: 

 Tell us your future: What does your writing life look like for the upcoming year? (Book releases, WIP’s, retreats, cons, signings, etc.)

  Well,  as always, the future looks busy and bright. I have many, many plans, or as I have always liked to say, i'm spinning a lot of plates. The catch is to keep them all going. 

On the novel fro t I have to finish THE warbORN, which is the last scheduled SEVEN FORGES novel. I'm already at work on a collaborative novel with my co-writing companion, Charles Rutledge, and I have three novellas scheduled to finish this year, plus at least five short stories. You can add into that plans for at least  two anthologies that I am editing or co-editing, 

I like to stay busy.

Did I mention I have a day job with a one-hour commute each way?

I'm not sure if I'll be going to any actual conventions in these times of plague, but there are plans for at least a couple of virtual cons to keep me busy, I'll be attending Boskone via the internet in February and others are at various stages of finalization.

Times are weird and that's all I can do for now, but, as always, I  have a hard time saying "No" to anything, so there are endless possibilities.

The Year Ahead

 

This week's topic is Tell Us Your Future: What does your writing life look like for the upcoming year? (Events, signings, releases, etc.)

Book Releases: I have a new novel coming in August: book two in the Witch Walker trilogy, City of Ruin. I'm really excited for readers to continue Raina and Alexus's story. I also feel like I know more of what to expect this time with release frenzy, and to not schedule ANYTHING but promotional duties in August ;)

I'm also hoping to publish Silver Heart, my historical paranormal romance novella soon (2/15). It has a gorgeous new cover, and I'm expanding the story a little. This novella will act as a free lead magnet for The Witch Collector.

WIP's: I would LOVE to find time to work on a couple passion projects in 2022, though I still have A Gods' War (book three in the Witch Walker trilogy) to write. Still, I have three stories I'm itching to delve into. Two already have many chapters written, while the other is still stewing in my head, but I'm excited about all three.

Events/Signings/Cons/Writing Retreats: Honestly, I haven't gotten into the swing of things with public events yet. I have one book signing slated in Nashville for 2022, in June. That's UTOPiA Con. I'm still a little wary thanks to Covid. But, I might end up booking a few more signings, so we'll see. I think I'd like to focus more on 2023 events/signings/cons since I'll have the first two books of the trilogy out and the third will be on the way.

As for retreats, I sometimes head to the Smoky Mountains with a writing friend in the fall, and that might happen again this year. I also found a local retreat location, The Rockvale Writer's Colony here in Middle TN. They take applications for residencies, and it's a very affordable week or two away. I went there last year to finish The Witch Collector, and it was absolutely amazing. Having nothing else to think about except for writing was a game changer. It's a huge farm, with hiking trails and a big old house, along with separate cabins like The Granary. I hope to return this year. 

Author Endeavors:  I didn't expect, as an author, to need an Etsy store, but here we are ;) I get so many requests for signed books and swag, so I'm currently creating my store and hoping to have it stocked soon. It will be a work-in-progress as more items come in to the shop like art prints, magnetic bookmarks, candles, etc. And I'm excited. I love book swag so much, and knowing that readers want The Witch Collector swag is pretty epic.

Editor Projects: I've slowed down on editing tasks. I'm currently finishing the edit for On These Wicked Shores by Katherine Quinn, which releases in May. I have a couple other clients scheduled to turn in drafts for edits this year too, so we'll see how that goes!

I think that's it! It isn't much, but it will undoubtedly keep me extremely busy.

Are you attending any fun reader/bookish events this year? If you know of any in the Tennessee/mid-south area that I need to attend, let me know :)

For now, happy reading!

~ Charissa