My self-imposed Hal Spacejock 5 deadline goes something like this:
• November 2008, write 50,000 words for NanoWrimo (done)
• December 2008, finalise the plot outline (more or less done)
• January-March 2009, write missing scenes, fine tune plot, repeat
• April 09, submit draft to editor, lots of rewriting & revision
• May-June 09, finish/polish the final final and hand it in
• November 09, Hal 5 release (and NanoWrimo 2009 for Hal 6.)
A week ago I came up with an idea for a new writing project, which is currently top secret. I mentioned it to my publisher and I've already started working on it.
My goal is 750 words per day, starting yesterday, which will continue until the first draft is complete. This won't delay Hal 5, because the new timeline looks like this:
• January-March 2009, write missing scenes, fine tune plot, repeat AND write new project.
• April 09, submit draft to editor, lots of rewriting & revision AND work on new project.
• May-June 09, finish/polish the final final and hand it in AND work on new project.
• November 09, Hal 5 release (and NanoWrimo 2009 for Hal 6.) AND work on new project.
See how easy it is? And people wonder how I manage to keep on top of everything.
Simon Haynes is the author of the Hal Spacejock and Hal Junior series (Amazon / Smashwords / other formats)
5 comments:
What sort of things will an editor say to you? Will they straight out say something like - mate, this book sucks compared to the your last few!
Yes, every time. She's pretty hard on me, but she knows that's the way to get my best work. ("I'll show her I can write" - that kind of thing.)
Some writers would chuck a hissy fit with that kind of feedback, but when we first started working together I told her not to spare my feelings. I only have one chance with each book, and I'd rather hear bad news from my editor rather than from readers and reviewers.
Yeah that's what I was thinking. Sometimes you gotta wonder though when a top author comes out with an obviously substandard book... =P
Once authors attain a large following just about anything with their name on will sell.
The publisher's concern shifts to keeping the author with their company. If the author insists on no editing, or dislikes editors, or the editor is in awe of a big name, you get a situation where a substandard novel or two can slip out because nobody can stand up to the writer for fear of losing them.
Not that this happens to all (or even many) writers, but you'd have to believe it happens.
Interesting yeah, i guess a dodgy but bestselling book published by you is better than nothing.
hey but how much truth is there in stories i've heard about some top authors merely writing an initial very rough draft which is then handed over to a team of ghostwriters who turn it a completed work?
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