The next book in the Barbarians of the Storm series gets closer to release every day. However, some days it’s like my brain just shifts into lightspeed. Not many days, but yesterday was one of them. Actually, I think that yesterday was the first time my brain went to full ludicrous speed since starting this installment in the expanding BotS saga.
I wasn’t moving at the pace I liked and I was worrying that things weren’t coming together in the way I had initially envisioned. However, this past Friday, I started what was the biggest proofreading and editing process for this next book. Some parts were clunky, and some weren’t all that great. But, as I always say, when you aren’t feeling your best, still put your ideas and your story to paper. It can all be fine tuned, fixed, and beefed up later. In the case of this book, just getting it out is exactly what I did for certain sections. But now, having nearly an entire body of work done sans finale, I was able to see the whole picture, fine tune the weak bits, and beef up the story with two additional chapters wedged into what was already there.
I don’t know if my writing process is typical, but I also don’t care if it is. All artists have their own way of doing things that work best for them. Stepping outside of the writing process and absorbing in everything I had done so far, made me connect new dots and work in new threads to strengthen the integrity and beauty of the whole tapestry.
That being said, I am really happy with this book. If I am being totally honest, it was something that I was kind of underwhelmed by until I stepped out of it and reflected on the story in its near entirety. Then, after thinking about that, I realized that it is a normal thing for me. I have a hard time seeing the whole creation for what it is, as I often times get too fixated on my struggles and hiccups along the way.
But again, and following my own advice, get the shit out and then fine tune the fuck out of it later. Otherwise, you might just stare at a blank page forever.
After yesterday, I made the book so much better: I added/expanded scenes, developed characters more, and added a whole new action sequence to beef up the third act before the big, final showdown.
Additionally, beyond the work on the main story, I finally outlined the short story - creating a great roadmap for it. I had already written the first chapter and I knew where it needed to end, but for a few months, I wasn’t sure how to get from point A to point Z. Now I know how I am going to get there and I’m really excited about it. Once the main story is done, I think I can pump out the short in a day or two.
I think the next book is in really good shape now. Because of that, I am thinking of revealing the book’s title, synopsis, and cover this week. Maybe I’ll do it in time for the big Wednesday promo thread on Twitter. Although, I’ll need to get the cover art done. It’s halfway there, though. So, we shall see.