Digital Rewards, Beta Progress, and Other Fun Stuff!
about 2 years ago
– Thu, Mar 14, 2024 at 02:32:25 PM
Hello everyone!
My new day job has been extremely demanding, so I'll get straight to the point.
Digital Rewards are coming!
I've worked with all the incredibly generous authors who agreed to donate books to our backers. I've now got those download links!
As part of the rewards, all backers are also rewarded with some digital art. Over the next couple days I will be working to put that digital art pack together. Once that's done, I'll work with BackerKit to figure out how to deliver them.
I'm not entirely sure what that part of the process looks like yet, but I'll figure it out. If everything goes well, I should be able to email them before the weekend is over.
Beta Update
The beta is off and running. I've even had one voracious reader blaze through the mammoth book already! While a handful of others are already over 50% done. The feedback has been amazing.
First, because they love the book. I'll admit I've been nervous. I've never written a book quite this large before, and with it being the conclusion to the series, I was worried about doing the series justice. Thankfully, all the feedback on the story, characters, writing, etc. have been excellent (phew)!
Secondly, despite my best efforts to clean up the Alpha/Beta versions, they've still managed to find lots and lots of pesky little typos. As they compile them and send them to me, I am able to make the corrections. This is all putting us in really good shape for my May target to send the book to my editor.
Other Fun Stuff #1
If you are a member of my Demon Hunters group (and you should be, and it's free) then you already know I've finished writing the exclusive, backer-only short story about Theros. It is a story that takes place when Theros was much younger, several decades before the events of Dragon's Fire.
When I first started writing the story, I honestly had no idea what it would be. As inspiration struck, the story told itself. That story introduces you to Theros at a different time, before his whole world was threatened. It's a different type of read than what you've tasted throughout the rest of the series, it's more of a slice of life, cozy fantasy. That may seem strange, but when you read it, I think you'll understand and appreciate it that much more.
This is another digital reward that backers will receive, but this one will require revisions, editing, etc., and will come at a later date.
Alright, that's enough for today!
The Beta Version has Shipped!
about 2 years ago
– Wed, Feb 28, 2024 at 10:49:22 AM
I've got some exciting news today...
Today, I was finally able to get the revisions and edits done on The Darklight's War, and it has now officially been sent to my beta reading team! An absolute ton of work has gone into make this the best possible story and series conclusion possible, and I'll get to that in a minute, but first I want to share something really personal.
Finishing the edits/revisions on this book was hard, and none were harder than the last six or so chapters, and it wasn't because of the sheer amount of hours I spent (which was a lot).
Some of the events that took place in those final chapters were very emotional for me. I feel silly for even saying that—because it's fiction—but it's true.
Most people would consider me a very passionate person, but I don't tend to get overly emotional. I'm not being macho when I say this, but I don't really cry. Ask my wife.
However, the emotions that those pages stirred within me could knock a dragon from flight and I had to fight back tears a handful of times. And to be honest, it was really weird for me. This is my 10th book, and none of them have ever hit me like this.
I don't know if the words on those pages will have that sort of effect on you, or anyone for that matter, but they sure hit me.
Okay, enough blubbering...
What work went into this beta version?
All characters are finally fleshed out
All story arcs (major & minor) are now complete
Omitted/overlooked scenes have been added
A handful of unfinished chapters have been completed
Quite a few chapters now have proper names
Many typos have been corrected
Instances of passive voice have been reduced dramatically
And if all that wasn't enough, the book has lost a bit of weight!
When I first started the second revision, the book clocked in at 232,069 words or 935 pages (MS Word, unformatted).
After extensive changes and edits, the beta version of the manuscript word count is now actually a bit longer at 233,341, but the book is actually slimmer at a svelte 887 pages (MS Word, unformatted).
I won't bore you with all the details, unless you want them, but the story is much tighter. It flows from scene to scene, and chapter to chapter much better now.
As I mentioned, I also put in a lot of work to iron out the writing, including removing passive voice when appropriate.
The following is just a small example of those efforts:
"Suddenly" is used 7 less times
"Watched" is used 12 less times
"Seemed" is used 14 less times
"Then" is used 75 less times
What does this mean to you?
Probably nothing, but it makes for a much more compelling read.
According to Perdue.edu:
"Active voice is used for most non-scientific writing. Using active voice for the majority of your sentences makes your meaning clear for readers, and keeps the sentences from becoming too complicated or wordy. Even in scientific writing, too much use of passive voice can cloud the meaning of your sentences."
Not only does it make the reading easier, but it brings the reader into the moment. It's about what's happening now, and not what's "about" to happen. It also helped cut down on a lot of bloat in the writing, meaning it's cleaner now. Of course there are times to break those rules, but you get the gist of it.
Anyway, we will see what further changes happen to this story as it passes through the hands of my beta readers and then my editor, but this book has shaped up to be something I'm incredibly proud of. I hope when it's all said and done, you will be too.
Chapters 61-80 sent!
about 2 years ago
– Wed, Feb 14, 2024 at 01:17:24 PM
Hi all, I've been very busy, so let's get right to the update!
Solid progress is being made still. Today I was able to send off another 20 chapters to my team of alpha readers. That is a total of 80 chapters (nearly 700 pages) delivered to them, which leaves roughly 20 more chapters to go!
I'm in the process of identifying beta readers for this project. I've got a few trusted readers that have volunteered, but could use a few more. If you've read all the other 5 books in the series and would like to be considered as a beta reader, please let me know! I'm trying to target starting the beta read by the start of March and having it finished by the end of April. I don't know if we will hit those dates or not, but we should be close.
I've also officially secured the editor for the project. Michael Evan who edited Keepers of the Flame will be returning to edit this project as well!
Story wise, the feedback continues to be strong. Readers are really enjoying the various characters and action-packed storylines. They are also just getting to the point of the story where many of the different story arcs (and characters) all start to come together, so we will see what kind of feedback we get from here to the finish line.
Some people might be curious as to the nature of what changes are being made during this rewrite/revision process.
As I go through, I'm of course trying to correct grammatical issues as well as those pesky typos. I'm also combing through looking for consistency issues, like does the character have blue eyes on one page and brown eyes later. There are other storyline changes that are taking place, but they are more about the specifics, rather than a change to the major plot "bones". For example a battle will still take place, but the characters involved in that battle or the specific events/sequence of that battle may be tweaked to better serve the story. This is a great time to improve dialogue and create stronger characters, setting, tension, tone, etc.
It's been an absolute ton of work, but the book is already a much stronger story for it. The beta reader process and the professional edit that follows will only make it stronger!
Okay, back to work!
The third batch has been sent off!
about 2 years ago
– Thu, Jan 25, 2024 at 01:01:09 PM
I continue to get very encouraging feedback from my team of Alpha readers. They keep telling me that they have to forcibly slow down to catch typos, because the story is sucking them in. I've asked them to be deeply critical, but the feedback (typos aside) has been better than I could have hoped. The tension and rising action through the story continues to carry the readers along like a river.
There have been a lot of typos and small grammatical issues of course, as the book hasn't seen a proper editor yet. However, between them and the PWA software, we've already cleaned up a lot!
As of writing this, the first 60 chapters are done and this 3rd batch of chapters was sent off to my team. That's nearly 500 pages of material!
As an added bonus update, here's another updated cover (still awaiting new typography).
January Update + Art
about 2 years ago
– Wed, Jan 10, 2024 at 09:36:17 AM
Hello Everyone!
This morning I shipped off chapters 21-40 to the alpha readers. The early portion of the manuscript had a number of gaps that had to be corrected and filled in, and that progress has been steady. With a lot of that behind me now, the editing is picking up steam and I'm able to make progress a little more quickly.
I don't have a ton of feedback just yet, but the feedback I have received has been really positive regarding the story. It's also uncovered a few typos which is always helpful. The more you can catch prior to the official edit, the better!
I've also got some art to share. First is the dinkus that Bad Moon created for the books. The Dinkus is the little art piece that we use for section breaks within the book. Here it is!
I love the level of detail from the swords to the brilliant light coming out of the Keeper's symbol. I think its great!
I also have some early attempts at text placement for the new/updated covers. This is not the final typography, but the layout looks great!
Okay, back to editing/revising!
