First Book Is Getting Closer

It’s Been A While

It’s been a while now since I last finished writing a book. After leaving one genre following a few years and a dozen books, I experimented with several others, partially writing books and seeing what fits, knowing all along I’d eventually arrive in Science Fiction. Finally, I accepted the inevitable, dropped what I was writing, and moved onto the Space Opera which had been on my mind for the last half a year.

My reasoning for trying another genre first was the belief that once I wrote Sci-Fi, I wouldn’t turn back. I figured, I could write a Noir first, then move onto Sci-Fi, and maybe go back to Noir later as a one off. But, the more I thought about it, the more I realised that probably wasn’t the best idea.

The business side of me always knew that. Switching genres constantly when starting out isn’t wise. If Sci-Fi is to be my main genre––which it is––then that’s where I needed to restart. If the Noir was ever to happen, it needed to come in the distant future when I was established once again. I need to be known as a Sci-Fi author if that’s the genre i’m going to write 95% of my work in.

So, at the back end of last year, I dropped everything else, and began writing the first book in what will be a long series of Space Opera books.

Finished The New Book

That book is now finished, edited, and almost ready to go… although I won’t be putting it out for another month or so yet. The main reason for holding onto the book a little longer is i’m writing the follow up and there’s a few details I need to make sure work. Creating a whole solar system––while a lot of fun––isn’t easy on the continuity.

I want to make sure the details are correct and position myself in a place where I can move the story forward the way I want it to go, rather than painting myself in a corner through some bad wording, or solar geography––if that’s a thing.

I know we live in a world of updates, patches, and new editions, but i’m not a fan of that within books. Correcting the odd spelling mistake which sneaked through is one thing, erasing planets and changing character is something else entirely. I’d rather take the extra month to get it right.

But, I am excited to have a book ready. There were times when it felt like it wouldn’t happen. I know this is only the start of the journey, and its going to be damn difficult to make all of this my living, but I feel like I have an energy about me again these last few weeks.

Got My Motivation Back

Since completing the first book i’ve been writing everyday: Building a story bible for the Ellis System where my books are going to take place. Mapping out the third and forth book while writing the second. Talking to editors and cover design artists. Putting this website together. Watching plenty, and writing reviews. Rebranding my business. And, working out how impossibly long it’s going to be before I can make all this work, while being both terrified and excited at what’s ahead to turn that into a reality.

My brain is flowing with ideas, and that’s always been my tell-tale sign as to when i’m truly motivated. When every walk I take is about trying to figure a chapter or character out. When i’m constantly waking up through-out the night making little notes as I figure shit out in my sleep. When a two hour writing session turns into a day and ten cups of coffee. It’s been over a year since I last felt like that, and while exhausting, I welcome it. I feel like me again. That’s how I’ve always worked and got stuff done in the past.

So...

There will be plenty more information to come via this blog as I move closer to releasing the book, but for the moment, i’m just happy to share that it’s written and that i’m finally moving forward again.