Time Flies By

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At the beginning of the summer, I had a rosy view of what I could accomplish and how quickly I could do so. I thought I could get the first drafts of the first ten books in my series (plus five bonus book for my boy's series) done by the end of the summer.  That, I was able to do.  But I further had the hope that I'd have time to jump right into editing and get it done within a month.  Sadly, my regular work started toward the end of August.  I get to arrange my own schedule, but with the way work came in this time around, I ended up slowly booking up all day, every day, and sometimes the evening as well.  In addition, I teach courses online.  I've been so busy the last month that I have scarcely been able to look at editing, let alone restructuring or illustrating.  

I have a new plan, and I hope I'll be able to stick to my goals this time, now that reality has set in.  I plan to do at least a quick review of my books, including what feedback I've received so far.  I'll then look to outside help in the form of a paid editor and illustrator. I'd love to be able to do all of his myself as planned, but reality will not cooperate.  I have to block out my schedule as is and make myself focus on my work during the times I have blocked.  My new goal is to get my first publication released by Christmas.  Here's hoping all goes well.  

Latest Chat with my Publisher

[An amazing drawing by Gostelle, my illustrator.]

I had a chat with my publisher recently, after my boy and I finished drafting the 15 chapter books in our first collection (the first nine in Doomimals plus a bonus backstory from a major character, and as an added bonus, the first three books in my son's Just Us Chickens series, a backstory for one of the chickens, and the first in another series he'll write, Key Lime Python.).  She's enthusiastic about my boy's clever, quick-thinking prose and would love for him to host a Roku-type TV series and possibly even be her co-host in another show.  First, I want to get our books edited before I can even start taking on another monster project.  She's working with so many serious projects that his whimsy and humor are a refreshing change of pace.

[illustration from one of the Just Us Chickens books]

 My struggle right now is to polish the books as well as I can then to find beta readers willing to give me feedback on the seven of my books for which I haven't found readers yet.  I want to make sure they're all polished as well as they can be.  The goal here is to help kids of that age fall in love with reading.  I really think my boy's books can do that, even better than mine.  If anyone wants to be a reader for any of my books, let me know.