Tag: Beyond The Law: Consequences

Reading, Writing, and Rhythm; Tick

On By TomIn Achievement, General, Insight, Novel, Promotion, Review, Short Stories, Uncategorized4 Comments

BTL 3 Cast and Plans

I’m making headway with my ten writing aims for this year.

Reading

I’ve read and reviewed six titles from IASD authors since 1st January. On the flip side, I’ve read and not reviewed three titles, but I’d prefer not to get into my reasons right now. I’ve also started and not attempted to continue reading three other titles.Tom's Kindle

On Beta reading, I’ve performed the task for three authors, and was gratified to be told some of my comments were useful.IASD - globe (2)

Yes, my reading experience has been a mixed bag thus far.

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Writing

A couple of days ago I completed my most recent edit of Beyond The Law: Consequences, which as you all know is the final story in the trilogy. My target date for publication is next weekend, 11th / 12th February.

Novel - BTL 3 ConsequencesThe book will be a month later than I first intended, but I believe it has been much improved for the extra time spent reworking scenes and generally changing the sequence of events. At 60,000 words it is the shortest book in the trilogy.

I’ve had the advantage of one beta reader, and if I get any more volunteers I’ll need them to do a rapid turnaround if I’m to meet my publishing deadline.

When BTL: C hits the world I’ll get straight back to my series A Life of Choice, and get working with the next stage of Part 4.

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Rhythm

To maintain my working rhythm and achieve my ten aims for the year, I am intending to produce one blog post every month. If I happen to reach a publication date with one of my intended titles and it’s out of sync with my post, I’ll make an exception and write a brief ‘release’ post.

My fuel tank ... and a message.
My fuel tank … and a message.

What’s my issue with blog posts?

I don’t have an issue with the idea of the blog, but if I’ve learned anything over the last couple of years, apart from letting off steam, or getting my voice heard by a handful of followers – blogging is a time-consuming activity.

Blogging is an interactive pastime, and for me, in the grand scheme of things it doesn’t bring me an increased level of success with my priority activity – writing.

The Red Pen is mightier ...

My homepage for example boast of 937 followers – yeah, whatever. I’ve dug down into the bowels of my blog and found the true figure is 195, which I’d be happy to believe.

I don’t crave fame or celebrity, but I do have a deep-seated need for achievement. I’m confident I’ll feel fulfilled if I can maintain a steady course with my reading, writing, IASD admin duties and helping my fellow scribes whenever possible.

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Am I happy? Of course I am, however the tone may come across in parts of this post. I’m a writer and I have a list of ambitions to be fulfilled this year, and as I achieve each target, I’ll feel rewarded when I see a sale or a review.

As always, thank you for your time, and any comments.

 

Happy New Writing Year – 2017

On By TomIn Achievement, General, Insight, Novel, novella, Promotion, Review, Short Stories, Uncategorized8 Comments

Turning a new page is how some of us judge the prospect of a new writing year. In December 2016 I assessed the centre of my writing world – my study. Okay, it’s a converted bedroom but it’s been my study for several years – the title has been earned.

During a domestic re-hash I cleared out my 20-year-old desk, complete with the hutch shelving. I re-organised my stationery, research material, notice boards and other accessories. The year ahead is important for me in several ways, but more of that later.

My head was buzzing with ideas for 2017, and refreshed surroundings was the way to go.

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My writing targets for the forthcoming year:

  1. Beyond The Law: Consequences. Conclusion of the trilogy.
  2. A Life of Choice – Part Four.
  3. A Life of Choice – Part Five. Conclusion of the series. I have two choices of graphic for the final part of the story. In both cases the graphic is a spoiler, so I’ll leave the question mark until closer to publication.
  4. Temptation: and other stories. My usual offering – twelve varied tales.
  5. Highland Games – 3: An Erotica Novella.
  6. Highland Games – 4: An Erotica Novella.
  7. Highland Games – 5: An Erotica Novella. Conclusion of the series.
  8. Prepare a standalone story / spinoff from the Beyond The Law trilogy.
  9. Instead of attempting to produce one of my novels as a paperback using CreateSpace, which would be ambitious and affect other projects – I’ll study the issues of the paperback option, ready for 2018.
  10. Maintenance of the IASD blog/website, and continued support of our members in whatever capacity I am able. This includes reading, reviewing, and beta-reading.
happy-new-writing-year-2017-2
Three of the aforementioned titles are beyond fourth draft, and another is at an advanced stage.

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I tend not to use my blog posts as a personal diary however, for the benefit of my peers and my readership I’d like to clarify my position as we set off into the new year.

In 2012, I reached the 20-year point in my second career; Retail Management. I was in the early stages of my writing career and gave careful consideration to my options. As I progressed from poetry, to short stories, and novels – I stepped down in stages in my retail work. I went from manager, to deputy manager, to part-time deputy manager – to sales assistant.

Many of my retail colleagues have been incredulous to see a person steadily letting go of the reins of power. What might not have been so obvious to them in the process was the shedding of responsibility and the accompanying stress. A lot of the stress was self-inflicted due to my prediliction for maintaining the highest possible standards – whatever issues might have been affecting the various tasks I had, or stores I managed.

Over the last couple of years I’ve been working locally and on a part-time, three-day week basis. My change of circumstances is largely responsible for the increased production in my creative writing.

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Summer – 2016

2017 will be a landmark year in two main ways. In March I’ll celebrate being married to Olive for 40 years, and early in November I will achieve retirement age (65). I intend to stop working for other people in October.

It will come as no surprise I will not be wondering how to fill my time. Apart from keeping up with the myriad duties of a husband, I’ll have more time to read, draw, paint, cycle and maintain my fitness … and of course I’ll be writing.

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As always, thank you for your time, and any comments.

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