Category: The New Druids Series Page 13 of 19
The New Druids Series
Craobh: A New Druids Series, Volume Two
It’s been awhile since I provided an update on Craobh, The New Druids series Volume 2. With typical procrastination, I am behind. I set a goal for having the second volume completed by now and I have missed it by three weeks now. The good news is that I have reached 100K words now in Craobh and I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. I have many beta readers signed up to help me get the product finessed and out the door and with this being the first time using betas I have to admit to a certain level of excitement.
Writing is not hard. I know that is a bold statement. What is hard is writing well and there are many levels. Some people can only achieve a certain threshold in quality and quantity. I suffer not from quantity issues. I could write a few thousand words a day easily. It is achieving the quality of writing that is difficult. That is writers block in my world. The inability to write quality. Any artist looking at a blank canvass can dip a brush in paint and swirl it around and make something. But the artist wants to create something great. To reach a new threshold and expand their abilities.
So, yeah. I’m writing. Just trying to find the perfect mix of quality and quantity. I can tell you I have written some stuff these past few weeks that I am proud of. I love it when the story just clicks. When I put the words together and they sing a story – not just narrate it.
So end-May is still possible. Depends on my ability to focus on the task. It is a lot of work. Hours and hours. But still very possible actually unless real life interferes. Which it will because April and May are very busy for me. Wish me luck!
Piglet is my hero. Seriously.
Of all the fictional characters I could choose, I choose Piglet. He’s an amazing little guy. He is almost always right, morally correct, and ethically sound. Growing up, he was the embodiment of the knights I read about and wanted to be. Sir Piglet. That has a nice ring to it.
Oh, and Spider-Man. My hero number two…
Duilleog cover with Global Ebook Award Nominee badge.
Duilleog Second Edition
Dear readers, some good news about the Second Edition. Amazon has approved the Duilleog Second Edition. However, because the changes were considered minor in nature they will not be sending an email out to people. Instead, you will need to manually do this by logging into your Kindle account on Amazon, hover over “Shop by Department“, move down to “Kindle E-Readers & Books” and slide your mouse over to click on “Manage Your Content and Devices“. Under the Contents tab, look for Duilleog and click on the update selection. Note, if you had previously turned on “Automatic updates” under the Settings tab, the new version will be sent to you, automatically. I have confirmed this with my own copy.
Why have this convoluted process? The answer: Amazon will not automatically push new content to subscribers unless they have already selected that option. The reason being that readers can highlight and make notes on their Kindles and any new update will wipe anything they entered into the book. “What?” you ask. “People make notes? Whatever for?” I can only tell you to ask a student who reads her/his textbooks on a Kindle. That should answer your questions.
Why should you care about this second edition of Duilleog? Well, I moved the extract to my second novel into the first one as an Epilogue and in so doing I also added a bit of content to it. This Second Edition is arguably a much cleaner version and has a few missed typos corrected. If you purchased Duilleog through the Amazon Print on Demand service, CreateSpace, then I’m sorry you have missed the content. The good news is that I am including it in Craobh before the novel begins. So when you purchase the next book you will see the newer content.
Octopus Books
In other news, Octopus Books on Third Avenue in the Glebe area of Ottawa, Canada has graciously agreed to display Duilleog (Second Edition) in their store. If you are in Ottawa and want a trade paperback version of Duilleog then please stop by, buy the book, and then tell the owners how much you adore the writing of Donald D. Allan. Heh. It’s a gorgeous store that focuses on Independent Writers. So I really like them, too. It is such a perfect store for the Glebe area. Stop by even is you don’t want to buy my book and have a nice browse. You’ll love it. You can’t imagine all the wonderful titles they carry.
Beta Readers
Well, I have seven beta readers all lined up for Craobh. I have given them access to Craobh: Part Three (first half of the novel) and can’t wait for them to tell me what they think. I should have done this with Duilleog. I am so very thankful to these folks. I’ll name them when/if they allow me to. They are friends, family and strangers. Perfect mix. I still will welcome more beta readers, so if you are interested please drop me a line at donalddallan@gmail.com.
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