Math(s) All Up In Yo' Grillz

Here is my formula for success.

Success = (12YIH) + X

Where:
Y = progressive year of YA series
IH = static representation of Icarus Helix or "1"
X = non-related works
Success = result in top 100

For example, 6 months into the IH series, assuming no other work:
Success = 12 (1/2 * 1) + 1 (Shackled)
Success = 12 (.5) + 1
Success = 6 + 1
Success = 7
Therefore: After 6 months, Success can be measured by 7 works in the top 100.

Example: 2 years IH and 5 other completed works:
Success = 12 (2 * 1) + (1 + 5)
Success = (12 * 2) + 6
Success = 24 + 6
Success = 30
Therefore: After 2 years and 5 other works, Success can be measured by 30 works in the top 100

Haha, yeah right :)

But I do have a dream one day that IH will be a popular series. I'd like to see the new one come out, then replace the one before it in the top 100 ranking. That would be truly fabulous.

If you're wondering where to begin with the IH series, begin with it's current offering, Season 1, Episode 1 "Cheat". It's only $.99 and worth a try. After all, I just did all that math(s) for you! (And for "Success" to become a reality, it has to start with some kind consumers!) :D

Smiles!~

It Begins Anew

So I went ahead and started in on "Liar" today. I've gotten about 2k words (about 10%, as per my word-o-meter) as well as the initial document formatting set up. My set date to publicate (heehee, that's just fun to say, even if publicate isn't a word) is April 15th. No harm in getting ahead! Best case scenario, I finish up Episode 2 ("Liar") and am at least halfway done with Episode 3 by 2's publication :) Ideally, I'd like to get a few episodes ahead! This would give me a buffer if I want to write something else for awhile or have a vacation where I don't have to do my own brand of work!

I was mildly productive, by uploading the "fixed" version of "Shackled". Seems there was a left-justification error, but I'm still having some issues with spacing, apparently. Smashwords left me a little note on why it couldn't go into the premium catalog over on their site, so I adjusted that ALSO. (#848 in the queue... is Sunday night the posting time?!?)

My puppy is at my feet being entirely obnoxious. And - I kid you not - every time I look at him to tell him to stop, he goes perfectly still and looks at me with absolutely innocent eyes. Little bugger!

In my last bit of writing news, my final submission for the Twelve Worlds Anthology is due by tomorrow. Ugh, deadlines. I have to find some time between tonight and tomorrow night (work tomorrow morning/afternoon) to get it done! Time just slips away...

"Cheat" is Live

As you can see by my Release Blog, "Cheat" is live on Amazon and B&N!

It has already been an exciting release for me. Even though my status on KDP is still "Publishing" I've already sold 2 copies! That blows my mind. I hope it's not a fluke and the momentum continues!! (I must be a good writer, look at all those exclamation marks!!!!!)

I mean, of course it's not a fluke because I'm amazing and talented. Yes? ;)

I should get to work on "Liar" so it's ready and polished long before it's April 15th release date. If I finish early enough maybe I can start on Episode 3... (is the suspense for the name killing you, yet? :P)

In unrelated news, my dog keeps laying on the power strip across the room and I'm afraid he's going to catch on fire.

The End!

"Cheat" Processing

I suppose the title says it all :)

That will increase my virtual shelf space to 2... let's see what happens!

I have until April 15th to finish "Liar".

Dare I name Episode 3?

I daren't.

Yet.

But it is named.

KABLOOM

So, I blasted through the end of Cheat today. I am a writing machine. It occurs to me that since November, I've put in over 80k in words. With a schedule of 1 of the IH novellas a month, that means 20k more words every month... at least...

Well, build a backlist and they will come.

I'll be editing today and tomorrow, and (aside from the very end, which I just finished) my beta readers have had good feedback about the story. I've heard it's easy to read and the dialogue is natural. So, I think those are both important (especially the first) for YA. I think the second will be super important for my adult readers.

I told my fiance today, that every time I finish a work, I want to take one day where he and I just watch a movie or do whatever and hang out. I spend a lot of time writing, and I know he misses me when I'm lost in my own little worlds ;) With Cheat finished, I'll have some breathing room. I haven't scheduled Liar to debut until April. I plan on spending two weeks writing, same as Cheat, with a week for editing/whatever. That will leave me two weeks before it's due, so I can start #3 and get more ahead... or just laze ;P

I think novella-length YA is a good fit for me. At $.99 I don't think people can complain (about length). The story is still exciting, and interesting. (I think, which is saying something, considering how I rage against my own work.) Plus, if I stay on schedule, people will have something to look forward to each month, and come back for more! I think building regularity in a series is important. They don't have to wait too long for the next installment, and it's not going to break the bank when it does come around.

Considering I plan on making it a long series (perhaps what I become known for?) building a rabid fan base is essential...

Just remember, if I -do- end up big, you guys were here first, while I took my beginning steps. YOU commented on the first covers and got the first sneak peeks. My 10 followers... in a fun (and totally appropriate) echo of Mr. Nicholas...

I APPRECIATE YOU.

Sneak Peek for Episode 2...

I know there is a lot of concern that the Icarus Helix series scream "Booooooooooy! Boy Boy Boy Boy!" So, here's a sneak peek at the cover for Episode 2... Any thoughts? :)

Alternate Cover for "Cheat"

What do you think? Does this say "football" less and "everyone should read me" more? :) Do you believe it will appeal to a wider audience? What do you like/dislike about it? Let's hear some feedback! :D

"Cheat" Updates

Hey everyone, thanks for the feedback so far!

We're closing in on the final cover (if this isn't the final). Yes, I am equally worried it will appeal mostly to boys... HOWEVER, each novella is supposed to stand alone, and the second cover is not sports-related. I'm hoping the "new" name might at least get people to click, then when they read the description, maybe they'll get pulled in after all.

A series of lucky shots, but there you have it. Gotta rely on luck sometimes ;)

Below is also an edited version of the PD. If you'd be so kind, tell me your thoughts...

How far would you go for money? For Marcus Tiller, gambling debt was an overwhelming shadow on his life. As a neonatal attendant at St. Mercy Four Cities Hospital in need of cash, he became CGT-Inc's ideal pawn. The contract: secretly inject newborns with an experimental compound - for $1,000 a head. But, three years after he began, he disappeared.

Now, 14 years later, the effects of the compound are starting to show. 17-year old Ian Reynolds, an aspiring varsity football player, suddenly finds he can control things with the power of his thoughts. Footballs miraculously end up in his hands, girls' skirts catch sudden drafts and life is good. But the gift comes with a price, both physical and mental.

As Ian tries to understand his power, the big rivalry against the Waredo Firehawks looms. But when a stranger who may know his secret begins leaving him cryptic notes, will Ian decide his power is best left... undiscovered?

This novella is the first season, first episode of the Icarus Helix series. Each novella in the series is intended to stand alone. They may be read in any order. The approximate length is 20,000 words.

Feedback for "Cheater's Pass"

Time to ante up your opinions for me, again, dear readers! Up for your scrutiny is my current WIP, "Cheater's Pass". It is the first in a YA novella-length episodic series named Icarus Helix. Today I give you: the draft of the cover and (complete) product description. Please, be honest! Also, please consider the cover before you read the product description. I'd also like to know how well you think they tie together.

How far would you go for money? For Marcus Tiller, gambling debt was an overwhelming shadow on his life. As a neonatal attendant at St. Mercy Four Cities Hospital in need of cash, he became CGT-Inc's ideal pawn. The contract: secretly inject newborns with an experimental compound - for $1,000 a head. But, three years after he began, he disappeared.

Now, 14 years later, the effects of the compound are starting to show. 17-year old Ian Reynolds, an aspiring varsity football player, suddenly finds he can control things with the power of his thoughts. Footballs miraculously end up in his hands, girls' skirts catch sudden drafts and life is good. But the power comes with a price, both physical and mental. When a stranger suddenly comes into his life, leaving cryptic notes and the big rivalry with the Waredo Firehawks looming, will Ian decide his power is best left... undiscovered?

This novella is the first season, first episode of the Icarus Helix series. Each novella in the series is intended to stand alone. They may be read in any order. The approximate length is 20,000 words.

A Bad Run Gone Positive (This is a Long One, I Hope You Like Reading)

A few weeks ago I got stuck in the driveway because of the snow. Last Friday, I got stuck in the street - again, snow. (Last Wednesday, going 10 miles an hour, I slid at a 65 degree angle off the road, downhill, and got three nice gentlemen to push my car back up onto the street.)

Last night, my fiance bribed me with Taco Bell (who can resist?!?) We had to switch our cars in the driveway because he was leaving first this morning. I tossed my keys in the cup holder of his car. (Can you see where this is going?) We took the dog. When we got home, I had the dog, and the food.

This morning, he drove away with my keys. Sigh.

He's the assistant manager. His lunch doesn't come until 3... about the time I'd get off work, anyway. When I called work, asking if I got keys if I should come in, they said no. Sigh again.

My work is going to think I fell off the planet, soon. However, my creditors will keep searching for me :P

I moped for a minute, then lifted my head high - I'm going to make the most of my unplanned free day! My goal is to finish 3k words on "Cheater's Pass". Writing it, I've already formulated a few ideas for later episodes. I'm really excited about the project, in general!

I'll share my idea with the lot of you, since you're here :)

I want to write each episode in 3 weeks (if a team of writers can write a half-hour show every week, I think I can manage 20k words in 3!). That's about 2 weeks per manuscript (@1,500k words/day) with a week for editing/revisions/cover finalization. I want to release each new episode a month apart. That gives me about an extra week between episodes to:

A: rest
B: work on a different project
OR
C: start the next episode to get ahead/form a buffer

I have a lot of confidence in my ability, and I know with 100% certainty - I work better on a schedule. If I say, write 1.5k words/day, finish by this date, publish on this date, ect... then I feel I can really buckle down, focus my ability and build up a backlist. Backlists seem to be a big part of "making it" in self-publishing... which of course makes sense! (You have to have product, for product to be bought.) Plus, I'm a firm believer in the more you write, the better you get! Story-crafting is a skill that gets better with constant use.

I know there will be nay-sayers (You can't produce something of quality in 3 weeks!) But I will disagree with them. Yes, some authors take 6 months to write a chapter. I do not. I can write a chapter and heavily edit it 3 times in 4 days. But, as I write, I edit. I read the previous chapter, edit, write the next chapter. The next day, I read what came before, edit, write the next and so forth. I'm a rolling editor. Plus, I take what my beta readers say into consideration as I move forward. By the time I finish the story, only the last part needs severe editing - the rest has been looked over by at least 4 pairs of eyes (my own, at least 10 times). Also, when I write, I don't generally "go with it"... the ideas usually ferment in my brain and when I sit down with it, I know where it's going. I learned a long time ago that "letting characters write the story for me..." was a bad idea. My stories took weird turns, and I felt I couldn't get them back on track. It's better if I follow the pattern in my head, then flesh it out after.

And if I may make a nod at people who have already made some success - I think many people would be surprised how quickly some stories were written. I believe I read on Hocking's blog that she wrote Hollowland in about a week... and that's considerably longer than what I'm writing. I don't know her editing schedule, but I believe if you have the story, it's there, and you'll write it. I don't find writing a struggle, I find it a release. I don't get writer's block because there's always SOMETHING in there to write about! (I may get something I call writer's pause, on occasion, as I sift about for that perfect phrase.)

I'm trying to turn around my situation, one chapter at a time ;) So, let's take this unplanned free day and turn it a better life down the road!

Some Updates

I've posted about my next WIP. Details are on my release blog.

I think it's interesting how many people must come by and not say hello. In December, I had 10 total page views. In January, 365. So far this month? 593. That number staggers my brain (in a good way.)

I wrote "Shackled" because I wanted to write an Adult Book. Not so much themes like sex, or violence, but a book with intellectual wording that I felt good about. I wrote "Shackled". I gave it my stamp of approval, and sent it out on fledgling wings into the wide, cruel world.

So, I did that. That's one thing off my bucket list. Whee!

Now that I've done the writing that was necessary for my happiness as a writer, I can move on. I'm trying my hand at YA. I sort of think I was meant to write YA. (But as I said, I wanted to write an Adult Book first.) The themes and wording feel very natural to me. Also, I devoured books faster when I was younger (easier reads, yeah?). I have a lot of YA reading under my belt, and I think I have a really interesting concept with the Icarus Helix series I'm starting. I will probably post the intro when I get closer to release.

Jeroen ten Berge is going to be my cover artist for the series, also. He's really a delight to work with. He's easy to talk with and I think he really delivers a quality product. He's also open to how I feel about the series, and what I'd like to see on the cover. Good guy to work with! I recommend him.

Please keep an eye on my writing widget to the left. You can watch my progress, as I plow forward into the horomonic (yes I made that word up, suck it spellchecker) lands of the YA...