Competitions & Explanations

As you may (or may not) have noticed, my short stories have all been removed from the blog. I will slowly restore some of them over the next coming months. The reasons for doing so are two-fold.

The First: I'm entering a couple of the stories into competitions and as such, am not allowed to have them located anywhere online, so until the results of said competitions are final, the submitted works must remain unavailable.

The Second: I'm going to revamp the blog and create a Facebook page for my works and this will include tidying up and reformatting the stories and uploading them again over time, so stay tuned for that.

Work Goes On Behind The Scenes... Honest!

Chapters 1-10 have been drafted and sent to my proof-reader, with Chapters 1-5 having been proofed and Chapters 6-10 being currently proofed. Chapters 11-15 have been planned out and will be written over the next few weeks. Stay tuned for some previews over the next couple of weeks, as I make an effort to update this blog more often!

Progress & Promises!

So it took me a little longer than I intended to get on top of things, but I have good news: Chapters 6 & 7 have been officially drafted, with Chapters 8, 9 & 10 expected to be drafted by the end of Easter weekend, when they shall be compiled and sent to my proofreader to undergo the scrutiny the first five chapters have been through (and many thanks to Mel for doing so)!

That's it for the progress, time for some promises! Firstly, before the end of the month I will post a small draft dialogue excerpt for anyone still following this blog. Secondly, also before the end of the month, I will upload a short-story detailing the background of one of the characters of my novel.

So... stay tuned! I will fulfill both of these promises, on time. No exceptions.

I Apologize: Have Some Good News!

Firstly, let me apologize for not having given any previews or updates in the last few weeks. It's getting to be a bad habit, but one I'm intending to break for you.

My first step of this apology is to start with an exciting little announcement: I have officially completed the draft of the first 5 chapters of my novel! The total comes to nearly 5,000 words. I've officially emailed it to my number #1 fan/proofreader this afternoon to be looked over.

The next few days will be spent planning out the next few chapters, and I will hopefully begin writing chapter 6 before the end of the weekend! Stay tuned!

Writer's Festival: Part Deux!

Just a small update about the Christchurch Writer's Festival, which was unfortunately cancelled last year due to the September quake.

From May 6th-8th there will be a mini-fesitval held in the art centre with a few of the guests who were planning on coming in September. The full Writer's Festival will return next year, 2012.

Life Goes On: Catch Up Ahoy!

Unfortunately my writing goals have not even been close to met the past couple months, especially February's goals. Moving into a flat, administration at work and the earthquake have definitely dampened the fires of creativity, but life goes on and so shall my tale!

March is now the month for me to finish more planning (January's goal) and draft roughly the first 5,000 words or so (February's goal). This will roughly put me back on schedule, and I shall aim to increase the goals of the next few months to try and get things going at the pace I had roughly intended when I started this project.

I shall make a small preview updated from some of my files tomorrow, as a preview for February and will work hard to make sure March stays on track and that I can make a couple of more substantial updates throughout the month: so stay tuned.

Carpe Diem!

Novel Blurbs R Us

Just a small preview for this month, before I begin the draft next month. This month's preview is a draft of the back cover blurb.

Preview:
In a kingdom where peace has ruled for generations, trouble looms on the horizon.

Young Cailan Kavanagh, the crown prince is about to be drawn into a struggle, the likes of which he could never have imagined.

With his own blood conspiring against him: what hope is there? Can the prince restore peace to his people? Or will everything be lost with... the CROWN DIVIDED.

On the horizon...

Just a brief update tonight to keep any followers up to date: I've officially sorted and typed all my current notes up. I'll spend some time over the next week getting more ideas gathered and noted and then, hopefully before the end of the month, I'll have a small preview for all your patience!