I seem to be continuing the trend of blog updates at random
times! As usual life has been very busy
but I’m glad to report, in all the right ways.
Deborah and I enjoyed a wonderful time away in the great
city of Boston
for a week in April. Having returned, we
now hope to be moving into our new house in May and are making preparations for
this.
Before leaving for Boston ,
I printed out all 250 pages of ‘Haldred Chronicles: Shade’. Those 250 pages are the official, 96%
completed 1st draft. The first 6
chapters have been proofed by many of my proof readers, and then passed to my
family for a final check over and story suggestions. Once armed with these completed and checked
over 6 chapters, I will then modify and update the rest of the book to 2nd
draft standard, taking on board any comments on structure, flow etc.
After that, it will just be a case of finalizing and the
book will be finished!
At the same time, my fantastic illustrator Mat has once
again really delivered the goods on the book’s cover art. I hope to post up some of the fantastic
prep-work he’s been doing for this latest project and I’m really looking
forward to premiering the book cover art once the time comes.
As regards a final publication date, that I don’t know. Whilst a huge amount of work has been done
over the last few months, the book it still not finished and with a house move
coming out, I don’t want to set a definite date. Instead, I’m going to grab whatever free time
I can to complete things and only publish once it’s done. Rest assured, once I’m in the ‘definitely
finalized’ stage I will be shouting such news from the rooftops!
Some definite details about the latest book I can confirm
now. It will be my biggest work to date. The 1st draft is already 62,000
words and set to grow as I update and edit chapters and scenes. In turn, it is also my most complex and
detailed plot. I hope this serves as an
encouragement as apposed to a discouragement to my readers; I have thoroughly
enjoyed writing so many twists and turns; I hope this comes through in the
story.
So I’ll keep writing and all being well, the next update to
this blog will be to confirm the book is ready!
Until next time
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