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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!
Craobh: A New Druids Series, Volume Two – Beta Readers Wanted!
Beta Readers Make Everything Pretty!
I have posted a request for Beta Readers on Goodreads for my second novel in the New Druids series, Craobh. This will be a first for me but something I feel needs to be done to take my writing to the next step. My first novel, Duilleog, was written solo, without anything more than a proofreader (who did a terrible job as it turned out). For Craobh, I want better feedback before I go to print, but I can’t pay for a freelance editor. And I can’t pay for beta readers. I can only hope that someone out there simply wants to be the first to read my next novel and is happy to jump on board and help. I am offering a free copy of my first novel Duilleog to any takers. If you are interested then please send me an email at donalddallan@gmail.com and I will get back to you soonest. First come first served but I reserve the right to be selective!
By selective I mean I need to get the right vibe from the person and sense a genuine interest in being one of the first to read my material. It’s asking a lot – but my options are limited. So send me emails and make a request! This is work but I can promise this: I will acknowledge you by name in the acknowledgements section of the novel! <— that’s a genuine carrot right there!
Craobh is still on track for a Spring 2016 release. I want the revised draft done by end-March. Then fine tuning and to print by end-May. Word count is now at 75K but I have done some minor editing on Part Three. I’ve written a couple of sections that perhaps I shouldn’t keep. It’s hard to give up the text. One I should move to the next novel – the other I should perhaps delete. Decision, decision.
Craobh: A New Druids Series, Volume Two
I just completed Part Three of my New Druid Series. Which means I am halfway through Craobh, Volume Two. Word count at this point is just over 67,000 words which is a great place to be for a first draft.
I am really pleased with Craobh. I love the story. I love how it moves along. I love the new characters. Part Four awaits. This part is going to be hard to write. Bad things are never easy to write. No spoilers, though!
In other news, I have put Duilleog back up on Smashwords and Kobo. This is the second edition version. Enjoy.
Happy New Year, folks. Please read more fantasy and sci-fi! Doing so makes the world a better place – I know it does.
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