Test
posted by Dean at 7:04 PM
0 comments
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Sunday, September 09, 2007
Updates Coming Soon
I am in the midst of vast changes right now, both in my life and with the novel. Provided I can adjust certain existing conditions to a satisfactory arrangement, I'll restart the editing process shortly.
In the meanwhile, check out the all-new, all revamped, and totally action-packed Action Adventure Homepage. I've added a few cool links on the side, so check those out at well.
In the meanwhile, check out the all-new, all revamped, and totally action-packed Action Adventure Homepage. I've added a few cool links on the side, so check those out at well.
posted by Dean at 11:30 PM
0 comments
Saturday, February 17, 2007
The Blood Intelligentsia - Edit Update #3
Early this morning I finally, finally finished the second draft of my novel. Here is what I have done so far:
1.) Read through the entire manuscript, highlighting the bad parts, and noting what parts need work or modification.
2.) Separated the work into chapters. As of now,I have close to 60, but that number may dwindle or rise depending on the next phase of editing.
3.) Noted the many grammatical and spelling errors. Because I wrote it like I was possessed, I found the book rife with various kinds of mistakes even elementary school teachers would cringe upon seeing.
At this stage, I am not happy with what I have. I know it can be much better, and over the next several weeks I am going to make it better. A lot.
It's odd, just in the time I finished the first draft of the novel on September 2nd last year and today, my writing has improved. So reading what I wrote months ago sometimes feels as though I am reading something someone else wrote. I still haven't quite found my voice in the traditional sense--my goal is to have a style so distinct you won't even have to read my name to know it is me writing it--but I am getting closer that level.
For now, the novel I have is quite workable. It may be my first, but I believe it is far better than many other first novels by other writers sitting on hundreds or thousands of hard drives out there. Of course, it won't matter until my book is out on bookshelves. I still have a good journey to endure before I reach that point. So here is what th plan is for the next round of editing:
1.) Separate the book into parts and chapters. I kinda did that while I went along, but in this next step I am going to really examine how it should be divided.
2.) Murder my darlings. I read something awhile ago that said no matter how much you love a certain passage or sentence, if it's coherent, and adds nothing to the story, ax it. "Murder your darlings," I believe is what I read. That is what I have to do.
But it's actually a good thing, because as it stands now my book is probably a bit too long. I don't remember the exact word count, but I know it is north of 125,000 words (519 double-spaced pages). That's impressive for any first time writer, but I've learned that most publishers don't accept many manuscripts from first-time authors over 100,000 words. There is actually a ton of common sense about that unwritten rule in publishing because new writers are a phenomenal financial risk to editors.
Especially nowadays, when it's become harder for publishers to remain unique and stay notices amid a flood of new works pouring out almost daily. The internet only increases the competition.
So, while there may be some passages I know I'll hate to clip, I'm actually looking forward to doing it. Besides, the more I take away, the less I have to proofread later on anyway.
3.) Format the book. This may seem like something I should do at the very end, but I think it's best to put the pages in the proper submission format so that I have an idea as I go along how long the book is and how it looks and such. Besides, I don't want to have to edit a complete mess. That's discouraging.
Every publisher has there own little guidelines, but the vast majority of them prefer (obviously) double-spaced pages with the authors last name and page number in the upper left, etc., etc. That's not hard to do these days with MS Office, so once I finish Step 2 from above, this will be the thing I'll do next.
4.) Proofread, proofread, proofread. What else is there to say? Have you ever been reading through a good novel and then suddenly you come upon a typo? Makes you think "This author is a total fracking moron," as you chuck the book in the fireplace, right? Well, maybe you don't react that way, but you get the idea. Typos scuk. So do grammar mistakes, no one be wanting them things either.
5.) Revise. Again, self-explanatory. I believe once I've removed some of the fluff this will make things easier.
6.) Get a first reading. I don't know who exactly I'm going to send my novel to for a first reading. For obvious reasons, my family and friends are out. I have given thought to sending it to one of those professional reader places that judge your work and tell you exactly what's wrong with it, what you need to improve--generally act as novel mechanics. I'm not sure on that, I just know that my book needs a good reading by a pair(s) of eyes that are not my own.
7.) Submission. This is still a gray zone for me. I have no experience and little understanding of how this whole process works. Yes, yes, I know you have to send in your work to a publisher and give them 6 weeks or see to hear back, but that's about it. Do I need an agent, should I submit simulaneously, who exactly should I submit my work to? Etc., etc. I have no fucking clue about any of this, so I'll need to investigate this on my own.
As I've said many times before, I do not intend for my novel to sit on a shelf somewhere not getting read, and forgotten by everyone except those I tell about it in assuredly wild-eyed fashion. For fuck's sake, if Freddy Got Fingered got the green light in Hollywood, surely I can make something off my book which is way better than that abomination Tom Green unleashed on the world.
That's about it for the next steps I'll be taking. I wrote this mainly for myself, so I can check back and remind myself what to do next. However, I like to think that this will help other writers who are traveling down the same road I am, or considering doing so in the future. Maybe this will give them some guidance, or at least make them feel not quite so alone in this wide world of publishing.
This is my first update here since November 5. Expect more updates to follow on a regular basis (probably every week). One day this blog will be a testament to my first book. For now, it's a place that provides somewhat of a refuge.
-Dean
Also, don't forget to check out my website:
www.actionadventurehomepage.com
actionadventurehomepage@gmail.com
1.) Read through the entire manuscript, highlighting the bad parts, and noting what parts need work or modification.
2.) Separated the work into chapters. As of now,I have close to 60, but that number may dwindle or rise depending on the next phase of editing.
3.) Noted the many grammatical and spelling errors. Because I wrote it like I was possessed, I found the book rife with various kinds of mistakes even elementary school teachers would cringe upon seeing.
At this stage, I am not happy with what I have. I know it can be much better, and over the next several weeks I am going to make it better. A lot.
It's odd, just in the time I finished the first draft of the novel on September 2nd last year and today, my writing has improved. So reading what I wrote months ago sometimes feels as though I am reading something someone else wrote. I still haven't quite found my voice in the traditional sense--my goal is to have a style so distinct you won't even have to read my name to know it is me writing it--but I am getting closer that level.
For now, the novel I have is quite workable. It may be my first, but I believe it is far better than many other first novels by other writers sitting on hundreds or thousands of hard drives out there. Of course, it won't matter until my book is out on bookshelves. I still have a good journey to endure before I reach that point. So here is what th plan is for the next round of editing:
1.) Separate the book into parts and chapters. I kinda did that while I went along, but in this next step I am going to really examine how it should be divided.
2.) Murder my darlings. I read something awhile ago that said no matter how much you love a certain passage or sentence, if it's coherent, and adds nothing to the story, ax it. "Murder your darlings," I believe is what I read. That is what I have to do.
But it's actually a good thing, because as it stands now my book is probably a bit too long. I don't remember the exact word count, but I know it is north of 125,000 words (519 double-spaced pages). That's impressive for any first time writer, but I've learned that most publishers don't accept many manuscripts from first-time authors over 100,000 words. There is actually a ton of common sense about that unwritten rule in publishing because new writers are a phenomenal financial risk to editors.
Especially nowadays, when it's become harder for publishers to remain unique and stay notices amid a flood of new works pouring out almost daily. The internet only increases the competition.
So, while there may be some passages I know I'll hate to clip, I'm actually looking forward to doing it. Besides, the more I take away, the less I have to proofread later on anyway.
3.) Format the book. This may seem like something I should do at the very end, but I think it's best to put the pages in the proper submission format so that I have an idea as I go along how long the book is and how it looks and such. Besides, I don't want to have to edit a complete mess. That's discouraging.
Every publisher has there own little guidelines, but the vast majority of them prefer (obviously) double-spaced pages with the authors last name and page number in the upper left, etc., etc. That's not hard to do these days with MS Office, so once I finish Step 2 from above, this will be the thing I'll do next.
4.) Proofread, proofread, proofread. What else is there to say? Have you ever been reading through a good novel and then suddenly you come upon a typo? Makes you think "This author is a total fracking moron," as you chuck the book in the fireplace, right? Well, maybe you don't react that way, but you get the idea. Typos scuk. So do grammar mistakes, no one be wanting them things either.
5.) Revise. Again, self-explanatory. I believe once I've removed some of the fluff this will make things easier.
6.) Get a first reading. I don't know who exactly I'm going to send my novel to for a first reading. For obvious reasons, my family and friends are out. I have given thought to sending it to one of those professional reader places that judge your work and tell you exactly what's wrong with it, what you need to improve--generally act as novel mechanics. I'm not sure on that, I just know that my book needs a good reading by a pair(s) of eyes that are not my own.
7.) Submission. This is still a gray zone for me. I have no experience and little understanding of how this whole process works. Yes, yes, I know you have to send in your work to a publisher and give them 6 weeks or see to hear back, but that's about it. Do I need an agent, should I submit simulaneously, who exactly should I submit my work to? Etc., etc. I have no fucking clue about any of this, so I'll need to investigate this on my own.
As I've said many times before, I do not intend for my novel to sit on a shelf somewhere not getting read, and forgotten by everyone except those I tell about it in assuredly wild-eyed fashion. For fuck's sake, if Freddy Got Fingered got the green light in Hollywood, surely I can make something off my book which is way better than that abomination Tom Green unleashed on the world.
That's about it for the next steps I'll be taking. I wrote this mainly for myself, so I can check back and remind myself what to do next. However, I like to think that this will help other writers who are traveling down the same road I am, or considering doing so in the future. Maybe this will give them some guidance, or at least make them feel not quite so alone in this wide world of publishing.
This is my first update here since November 5. Expect more updates to follow on a regular basis (probably every week). One day this blog will be a testament to my first book. For now, it's a place that provides somewhat of a refuge.
-Dean
Also, don't forget to check out my website:
www.actionadventurehomepage.com
actionadventurehomepage@gmail.com
posted by Dean at 11:12 AM
0 comments
Sunday, November 05, 2006
The Blood Intelligentsia - Edit Update #2
Have you ever accepted a dare?
Like a dare to eat an entire plate full of spaghetti in less than one minute?
Like a dare to down a bowl full of steaming tomato soup in one gulp?
Do you recall how the soup tasted pouring down your throat? Burning, itching, the feel of someone’s hand straining the muscles in your esophagus.
So far, that’s what I’ve felt in editing my novel The Blood Intelligentsia. Like someone gripping my throat, taunting me, making me doubt my ability to finish the novel.
It’s a strange, demon thing.
But I will finish this novel before the end of the year. I will take in this chore no matter how large a bite it seems.
Because I’ve realized something in going over the first draft I’ve prepared.
It’s a good story.
I like the characters. I like their interactions, their little hatreds towards one another. I like my main character Jack Kramer. I like how he is desperate, but determined, squeezing his fingers into his palm as though he is crushing a piece of coal into a diamond—how he is determined to become what he wants. How he sees a vision for himself and vows to obtain it no matter what the cost.
Jack Kramer is a mathematician. Numbers, and their pure and simple lock-step logic are his religion. His salvation.
He has only to piece together fragments of his mind, his will, and elements of his surroundings to discover his purpose. I long to see him complete himself, assemble his purpose like a grand, nearly unsolvable jigsaw puzzle.
I don’t mean to wax melodramatic. Perhaps I am too engrossed in my story to think straight. But then, perhaps my character is in turn now writing me.
Yes. I made him, and so now he is working to remake me.
I hope I am up to the task. I hope I can complete it as he would like.
I realize now that more than a simple story with pages and letters is at stake here. But the very souls of my characters.
I’m nearing page 150 out of 519. No, not nearly good enough. Not at all. So much more is required. So many more demands of my characters require meeting.
I’ll meet them. Soon enough, I’ll meet them.
www.actionadventurehomepage.com
actionadventurehomepage@gmail.com
posted by Dean at 2:34 AM
0 comments
Thursday, October 19, 2006
The Editing Process Begins - Edit Update #1
Starting this Saturday (10/21/06) I am beginning the editing process for The Blood Intelligentsia. My goal is to have the whole novel finished by the end of the year. Afterwards, I'll begin the task of finding an agent/publisher.
The novel stands at 519 double-spaced pages and is north of 150,000 words. Over the next two months that number may increase or decrease in the interest of clarity. I'll update along the way as things progress.
Just in glancing through the first draft I believe that I have a very good story with compelling characters. Nonetheless, it needs lots of work, and careful attention. Even though this is my first novel, there are no excuses; so, I intend to try my best to produce a quality story that is worthy of readership.
-Dean Brooks
www.actionadventurehomepage.com
actionadventurehomepage@gmail.com
The novel stands at 519 double-spaced pages and is north of 150,000 words. Over the next two months that number may increase or decrease in the interest of clarity. I'll update along the way as things progress.
Just in glancing through the first draft I believe that I have a very good story with compelling characters. Nonetheless, it needs lots of work, and careful attention. Even though this is my first novel, there are no excuses; so, I intend to try my best to produce a quality story that is worthy of readership.
-Dean Brooks
www.actionadventurehomepage.com
actionadventurehomepage@gmail.com
posted by Dean at 2:38 PM
0 comments
Monday, September 11, 2006
The Blood Intelligentsia - Brief Synopsis
In 604 B.C. the prophet Daniel informed King Nebuchadnezzar that the future of earth foretold of seven world empires. He was wrong.There is an eighth empire hidden in the shadows. Its citizens are spread throughout the globe.
They teach in our universities.
They run our governments, our corporations.
They are doctors, lawyers, CEOs, professors, scientists, and engineers.
They are the most esteemed members of society.
They are united behind one creed, as summarized by their unofficial leader:
'We exist to remind the man on the street that he lives only at our mercy. He breathes only because we allow him breath. We are the strong, and we make it known that it is not our duty to protect the weak, except that they provide us entertainment. We are the gods of this world.'
They are everywhere. They are unstoppable.
They are The Blood Intelligentsia.
posted by Dean at 10:37 PM
0 comments
Sunday, August 27, 2006
The Blood Intelligentsia
My name is Dean Brooks.
This is my first post regarding my upcoming novel, The Blood Intelligentsia. Further updates regarding the book and its publishing prospects will be posted as they come.
Jack Kramer is the name of my main character. More details on him will follow, but his profile is available. He will also be making updates on this blog as well.
In the meanwhile, please visit my homepage: www.actionadventurehomepage.com
You can reach me at: actionadventurehomepage@gmail.com, or visit my contact page here.
This is my first post regarding my upcoming novel, The Blood Intelligentsia. Further updates regarding the book and its publishing prospects will be posted as they come.
Jack Kramer is the name of my main character. More details on him will follow, but his profile is available. He will also be making updates on this blog as well.
In the meanwhile, please visit my homepage: www.actionadventurehomepage.com
You can reach me at: actionadventurehomepage@gmail.com, or visit my contact page here.
posted by Dean at 4:11 PM
0 comments
