I've had a few thoughts lately. First, I need more money to pay the bills. Second, I've been working on the first book in the Psygen series for about five years now.
I keep learning more and more about the craft of writing, and I keep feeling that I can make the book better and better. Lately, I've felt that it's about time to let go of this one, or I'll never quit revising it. At first, I thought I wanted to finish the second book in the series, and release them at the same time. (The rough draft of the second book is done, but oh boy is it rough!)
Now, I'm thinking that it might be a good idea and push hard to get book one done and out before Christmas, and that will provide me with some pressure to get book two done faster than, say, four years... ;)
The problem with this, of course, is two-fold: 1. What with moving, too much work and not enough money, and mom having cancer, the last thing I need right now is more pressure. 2. I'm afraid the book still isn't good enough.
That second reason though, is another reason to get it out now.
The other idea I'm toying with is to release one of my works-in-progress (Wings of Truth) as a serial novel.
(If you don't know what a serial novel is, go check out my friend's. Don't forget to vote for each chapter if you like it.)
This would help a tensy bit with the money problem, help me gain an audience, and provide feedback to keep writing.
What do you think about these ideas?
That sounds like a good plan. James Scott Bell commented on Literary Agent Rachelle Gardner's post about platforms a week or so ago and he was in a similar mindset. study the craft, write and get it out there.
ReplyDeleteI hear ya about the money. I had hoped to be able to make some extra cash painting, kid sitting, but it has been gobbled up. It will be a lean, lean year for Christmas and such. Hope things come together soon for you.
Hey, we haven't seen anything of yours at the Sandbox yet. I owe you some crits :-)
Yeah, it's a balance of "Do I know enough to not look like a newbie who doesn't take this seriously" and "It must be PERFECT!"
ReplyDeleteWell, in my dream fantasy world, I'd be able to make enough money to live off from writing along with my current job, but I'd be happy if it even helps pay one bill...
Thanks! Well, Book One of the Psygen Chronicles will be posted on the Sandbox soon, and if I do decide to serialize, the first chapter or so of Wings of Truth will be up there soon too... I owe some other people crits as well...
Yeah, get it critted and rewritten before you toss it to the wolves/reading public. From what I've read, no author makes money off books until they have ten or so of them out there. So you ought to write books, revise them and move on to the next one.
ReplyDeleteI read an article that said, "Every book must go through 4 drafts. Draft 1: writing it. Draft 2: fixing plotholes and character motivations. Draft 3: Fix grammar errors. Draft 4: Read it aloud and fix things your ear doesn't like." Then publish it.
I can't give you advice about whether your book is ready to be released, but I would see no reason to hold it back until the sequel is also ready.
ReplyDeleteIn a perfect world, we would all be able to make enough money doing things that we love to do. Even though this is far from a perfect world, you still have the right to try to make money by doing what you really want to do!