Spirit Rider - Archive NEws

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DECEMBER 2023

It's with betas - what do you want from me? Go check on Not Technically Ghosts progress!

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NOVEMBER 2023

19/11

Sent off to a new round of beta readers.

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18/11

Proofed all of Ch 21, 22 - aaaaaaaaaand it's done! …Again!

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17/11

Proofed all of Ch 18, 19, 20

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10/11

Proofed all of Ch 17

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04/11

Finished tweaking scenes around in CH15/16

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03/11

Danced around some words in the pre-trials convo. Scene still not sitting quite right.

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OCTOBER 2023

28/10/23

Finished proofing Ch14. Proofed about 1/2 Ch15 now dithering over the pre-trials convo. Cretchis Cretis deleted need to think of new way to name the minotaur.

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25/10/23

Start proofing Ch14

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23/10/23

Finished proofing Ch13

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22/10/23

Finished proofing Ch12 and 1/2 Ch13 

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21/10/23

Finished fixing and proofing Ch11. Proofed half Ch12

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19/10/23

Made headway fixing Ch11

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13/10/23

Proofing Ch9 + 10. Realised ahead that I'm still not happy with edits done in Ch11, will need to pull out many chunks.

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12/10/23

Finished proofing Ch8

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07/10/23

Proofing Ch6 + 7 + 1/2 8

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04/10/23

Proofing Ch3 + 4 + 5

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02/10/23

Proofing Ch2

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01/10/23

Proofing Ch1

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SEPTEMBER 2023

30/09/23

FINSIHED THE FINAL TWO CHAPTERS IN ONE SITTING!

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24/09/23

Added new scene final pep-talk. Reworked final revelations and rounded out the chapter. Moved on to next, added new Acheron motivations - that being the final planned tweak!

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23/09/23

Split time between fixing the pendant conversation, tracking back to set it all up, and reworking the rest of the Throne Room scene. 

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20/09/23

Finished chapter. Realised not happy with how the beacon/pendant works. Need to track back and fix. Began some edits on start of next chapter.

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18/09/23

Finished the rewritten scenes. Very happy with how the action came out. There was a chance it was going to get over-complicated with too many moving parts, but brought it back around. Nearly hit a dead-end - but then invented a dead-end to fix it. *laughs in architecture* Now just a stone's throw from the end of the chapter.

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17/09/23

Started the rewritten scenes. Got about half done. Think this is better than what was there. Less fussing about and a more fun intro.

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16/09/23

Completed minor edits during the rest of this chapter. Approaching the 3/4 mark and know this is where there's going to be a few rewritten scenes back-to-back. Plotted them out.

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14/09/23

Typed up the handwritten connective scene and finished it off.

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08/09/23

Handwritten the opening part of the new connective scene. Reports that I did this during IRL work are entirely fictitious.

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05/09/23

Tumbling some thoughts this session, thinking around one of the connective scenes wasn't happy with. Was going to be just a thinking session, but right at the death got a flash of how to rewrite the connective scene. Less talk more action! AND it gives more points to the Grim in this round (that being one of the main points this round!) Rough-planned the scene got notes on paper.

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04/09/23

Another session of tracking back. More extensive this time. Took out a few pieces which both untangles some of the plot AND helps raise the tension in key points.

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03/09/23

Chapter 19 giving some issues. Planned to tweak some of the action. Had to track back a few chapters to add a few logical seeds for one of the reveals, so that said reveal makes more sense.

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02/09/23

Completed Chapter 18 in one sitting too! Fewer issues in this one makes it a lot easier to work with. This reminds me I'll obviously reread in full to catch anything else. At this point just working through beta comments.

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01/09/23

Breezed through Chapter 17 finished in one sitting. Simplified one section. Had stuffed in too much late-game worldbuilding.

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AUGUST 2023

29/08/23

Finished the rewritten end scene and managed to neatly fit it into the existing chapter ending (good, I really like that bit!) That's Chapter 16 all done! Some tweaks planned in the remaining chapters, but this was the last intended-from-the-get-go rewrite.

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28/08/23

Completed the NEW rewritten scene. I think this came out much better than before. Again, lots of good character stuff. ALSO AGAIN means the next bit leading to the end of the chapter needs to be rewritten. Well no, it didn't NEED to be rewritten fully but I much prefer this idea in terms of how it plays out. Partially completed this new rewritten lead in to the end.

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27/08/23

Finished the rewritten scene. Very happy with how it came out. Only problem is, it's now led to the very next scene ALSO needed to be rewritten. Sake.

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25/08/23

Continuing the rewrites. Finally decided to cut the previous action scene entirely. It was being kept because one element vaguely tied into the wider series story. But I'm also now trying to save such part for Spirit Rider 2. I've kept the partially written scene aside for a rainy day because I really am quite happy with how the action came out. Kept one idea from it as part of the rewrites here.

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24/08/23

Settled on the plan for the rewrites in chapter 16. Have started it, really happy with the new character-work here.

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22/08/23

Planning the rewritten opening for chapter 16.

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20/08/23

Back on with chapter 15 work. Pressing into the minor edits again.

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19/08/23

Finalised new edits on  chapter 1-3

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18/08/23

Obtaining a new beta-reader, so re-read the new edits in chapter 1-3

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14/08/23

Dumped the rewritten scene at the start of the next chapter (ready to properly transplant later). Have amened and finished up the unintended rewritten scene so it marries with the existing text. Now ought to just be minor edits for the rest of THIS chapter.

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13/08/23

Written up approx. 1/3 of the rewritten scene. Looking longer than anticipated - but still punchy. Thinking it may possibly fit better at the start of the next chapter?

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12/08/23

Tip-toed into the intended rewriten scene.

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11/08/23

Didn't get to the INTENDED rewrite, instead realised that the scene leading into it did itself need to be rewritten to better mesh. Better yet, this other other rewritten bit naturally led into a fresh bit of character drama/conflict that I hadn't planned, yet fits really well!

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10/08/23

Fully plotted the intended rewrite. Very happy with the general structure of it. Makes for a much more even action scene.

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08/08/23

Spruced up the elements of Tersiarism seen throughout the story. Partially planned a few talking points between Sam and Grim on Porturgy and references to Grim's memory of Before History, but when working through the chapter, neither yet has a natural place. Planned a few beats of the very imminent rewritten part.

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07/08/23

Pushed forwards with edits, nearly reached the rewrite part.

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06/08/23

Made a solid start on chapter 15 edits. Run slightly afoul of my love of worldbuilding. Dithering over a section - which means I should probably tear it out. Gearing up to what I'm expecting will be one of the (hopefully!) last large rewritten parts, out of the remaining chapters.

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05/08/23

Finished chapter 14 edits. Reread the current opening chapters for Spirit Rider 2 (I do still have a complete draft for this). Thinking with a bit of tighter editing, could include this as a teaser for the future.

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04/08/23

Continuing with chapter 14 edits. Near end of the chapter.

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03/08/23

Made a strong start on chapter 14 edits. Got approx. half way through.

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01/08/23

Finished chapter 13 edits!

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JULY 2023

30/07/23

Breezing on with chapter 13 edits.

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26/07/23

Started on chapter 13 edits. It's so much more relaxing when there's not massive chunks to rewrite. Each query just a fun little brain-teaser to resolve.

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22/07/23

Finally finished working over the new dialogue and pushed on to complete the rest of the edits for the chapter. Surprising how much I can get done when I'm not 'bogged down' with having to simultaneously think up new stuff and work it in. Chapter 12 DONE.

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15/07/23

And yet! When it came time to rip out the old in favour of the new, I realised how very easily the new dialogue could slot into the old scene. I was narratively getting to the same point anyway. Now just to, well finish the scene. There are SOME new additions.

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14/07/23

Finally been able to start in earnest on the replacement scene for the opening of chapter 12. Got some fun back-and-forth between Grim and Mr. Cinnamon.

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09/07/23

Had a hilarious realisation that chapter 12 overly strays into a series-spanning subplot - something which I'm expressly trying to avoid (until book 2!). To that end at least the opening few pages need to be rewritten. But this is for the better. HOPEFULLY lead to clawing back a few words. Already have an idea what to replace the scenes with.

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08/07/23

Had to track be into chapter 11, realised there was a plot-point in chapter 12 I completely forgot to add back in. Started on edits for chapter 12. Expanding on some information for clarity and snipping extraneous points.

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07/07/23

Finished chapter 11, moved things around and tacked on the same ending. May need some further work during re-read to make sure all the parts gel together, but for now I'm happy.

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06/07/23

Made good progress to the end of the chapter. Can't foresee any hold-ups now besides actual time. Part of the reason this chapter has plagued me was due to it being 75% rewritten from scratch whilst also desperately trying to salvage what parts I can. I can think of only maybe one or two further chapters that need at least a scene or two completely rewritten.

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05/07/23

This book will be the death of me. 

Trying to make the middle of Spirit Rider make sense has been one of the most maddening things I've had to do for some time. After a break, I've finally been able make some progress on chapter 11 (that's where I am). I've got a solid plan to make it to the end of the chapter and everything SHOULD fit together.</P>

I'm trying to rearrange my days so I can make a dedicated hour or so of writing / editing time every day (work in progress). It's something I've been lacking for a long time and I feel it would help me stay on track immeasurably.

I've uncovered approx. 30 minutes daily in my IRL work lunch hour that I can write (inconvenient to edit). So in the absence of doing nothing, I've officially started the first draft of 'NOT TECHNICALLY GHOSTS'. Very exciting to write something different. I had written 3/4 of the plan for the plot last year and now just need to work out the ending. But I have more than enough to start. Mayhap will split my updates (please goodness may I keep up with them again!!!) between Spirit Rider & Not Technically Ghosts, depending on which I've worked on that day?

Chapter 21 - Final Boarding

INITIAL CHAPTER WORD-COUNT: 4352

EDITED CHAPTER WORD-COUNT: 3924

14/01/23

Completed readthrough, was a lot sharper than normal due to all the changes in edits, nearly two hours tweaking opening pages. Made a few more alterations to the end.

13/01/23

Finished edits to end of the chapter. Finally happy with sequence up to the end now, whereas before it was admittedly rushed. BIGGER news - despite all the change-arounds this still somehow came in under the original chapter word-count!

12/01/23

Finished 90% of resolution 2. Confident just need to tweak remaining text to line it up. May still adjust ending of the chapter. Oh or actually might end it early? Know the next chapter in a short-ish one.... 

10/01/23

Part implimented resolution 2, or st least up to the point where it happens.

09/01/23

Finished implimenting changes/reworking of resolution 1. Think I'm pretty happy with how it came out. Not worked all the way to the end yet, but there's a chance this could end up being HIGHER than the pre-edited word-count. I don't mind, this one was shorter than average for chapters at this point and really needed straightening up. Plus I've already secured sub-100k words.

08/01/23

Started on the edits, took a little while to get going as I knew I wanted to alter both the steps leading to the resolution part 1 (went back to previous chapter and added a few lines) plus was never happy with resolution part 2. Didn't gel with the through-line been building across the story. Think I've hit on the solution now.

Chapter 20 - The Temporal Trinity

INITIAL CHAPTER WORD-COUNT: 5926

EDITED CHAPTER WORD-COUNT:  5101

07/01/23

Completed read-through. Played around with adding in some elements so new resolution in the next chapter has a smidge more build-up.

05/01/23

Didn't add the pep talk as it was, tried to rewrite it instead to better fit. Didn't like that either. Ended up with most of the dialogue being as it was. Cut some overwaffling internal monologue. Breezed through to the end of the chapter, few more cuts and tightenings along the way.

04/01/23

Still at the start of the chapter. Considering how to fold in a pep talk cut from an earlier chapter that I quite liked.

03/01/23

Started the chapter. The emotional scene is very tricky because writing it in the moment feels more authentic than analytically editing it. Still, fact that I've edited in order (same as how I wrote in order) gives at least a similar sense of being with the characters on the journey.

Chapter 19 - Two Birds....

INITIAL CHAPTER WORD-COUNT: 4544 -> 5708

(part merged with previous chapter)

EDITED CHAPTER WORD-COUNT:  4929

02/01/23

Finished re-read, tidied up several lines, got almost sub 5000 for the chapter, but don't want to force it further. Think it's as done as it can be.

01/01/23

Did proper-proper work on the chapter today, completed one full pass. Was worried going in that scenes were a bit all over the place, but really it fitted together better than I remembered. Two 'reveals' to get through and both explanations don't bog down the flow so far. Would still like to lose another few hundred words. Realised I've cut total over 25k words now. It COULD go below 90k but I fear at that point we really are going to be cutting important stuff.

31/12/22

Pushed on just a tiny bit so I could get to the "Happy new year everyone!" line :)

Chapter 18 - The Royal Ball

INITIAL CHAPTER WORD-COUNT: 6460

EDITED CHAPTER WORD-COUNT:  4765

31/12/22

Finished the chapter, tweaked the ending cutting the chapter slightly earlier than it originally was for better flow. Completed the obligtory re-read later in the day.

28/12/22

Smidge of progress. Decided to keep the ledge bit and lead in, briefly considered a different approach that WOULD simplify matters, but would have opened up a fresh plot hole if I did it. Folded in a bt cut from previously.

27/12/22

Started edits, got approx 2/3 through the chapter, trimmed a few conversations. Weighing up if there's a more concise route to get to the end of this chapter and so could make a decent cut.

Chapter 17 - The Plot Above the Brewery

INITIAL CHAPTER WORD-COUNT: 7061

EDITED CHAPTER WORD-COUNT: 4987

26/12/22

Filled in the 'do-later' notes I added the other day. Completed second read-through of the chapter.

24/12/22

Tweaked a few lines.

23/12/22

Done the first pass, took out a few scenes that really added nothing. Actually did that thing where I add editing notes such as 'GRIM RETURN' and 'VOICE' in the hopes I'll know what that means when I come to do that part another day.

Chapter 16 - The Sword and the Spy

INITIAL CHAPTER WORD-COUNT: 4413

EDITED CHAPTER WORD-COUNT: 3561

22/12/22

Glad I let this settle for a few days and gave a second pass. That really does need to be the minimum. Cut another few hundred works and stops a conversation from repeating within the same chapter!

17/12/22

Completed first pass. Still not used to a little chapter that doesn't give me complete hell. Sort of feels like I rushed through, but really it IS a smaller one in the lead-up to the finale. Will give another pass.

Chapter 15 - Trial of the Sword

INITIAL CHAPTER WORD-COUNT: 7364

EDITED CHAPTER WORD-COUNT: 5415

15/12/22

Fix the plot-hole, was only a baby one, easily corrected. Deleted a scene that existed purely because I like patterns of three. Went on to the end of the chapter. In an ideal world I'd like to take another pass at this one after the end and see if I could lose another few hundred words.

12/12/22

Smoothed over scene transition. Was considering cutting a large part of this chapter, but would have been some fair harangling to fill the gaps and part more or less NEEDS to happen in the next chapter. Found a fresh plot-hole to fill.

10/12/22

Went over the opening again, found what I didn't like, tweaking the opening conversation and made some other cuts once the characters are underway.

06/12/22

Started on the chapter, struggled around the opening, wasn't happy with the opening lines. Found the right combination in the end.

[MERGED] Chapter 14 - The Final Proof 

-> Chapter 14 - A Man of Dust and Glass

INITIAL CHAPTER WORD-COUNT: 7805 -> 9038 

(part merged with following chapter)

EDITED CHAPTER WORD-COUNT: 4934

04/12/22

Finally finished this menace of a chapter. Took over a month but I knew going in this one needed basically a full rewrite.

03/12/22

Outstanding work (if I say so myself) pushing the chapter forwards. Upon rereading the original ending of this chapter it's still very functional. Just need to brindge the gap to it, then edit it some. This nightmare chapter will end tomorrow.

29/11/22

Put some more of the scene in, seperated Sam and Grim to make their plan work.

27/11/22

Inched the chapter forwards again. Realised an upcoming scene was one of those 'repeating actions / scene outcomes' again. Altered it to bring events forwards.

25/11/22

Changed the order of who does what and why once again, feel like finally got the right fit. Finished the meeting scene and subsequence explanation that follows. Glad the explanation wasn't overlong.

24/11/22

Still working (slowly) through the scene.

23/11/22

Slowly working through the chapter, now I've got my plan. Actually making progress through the scene.

22/11/22

Spent over a week stuck when I realised the sequence of events didn't make sense. Finally sorted it (NORMALLY Facade Enchantments, but fresh out due to issues so had to use quasi-toxin that day).

12/11/22

Added a new scene setting for Sam and Grim's first debrief. Laid plans for rest of the chapter.

09/11/22

Made a start on last usable parts of the opening. Put far too much thought into possibly cutting the Alec-Cassem chapters, before late in the night deciding I was looking at the 'issues' completly wrong.  The chapters will stay.

08/11/22

Straight in with humongous cuts here. This was always far too long. A whole detour to Alec-Cassem for very little reason. There is MUCH work to do here....

[MERGED] Chapter 13 - The Rabbitifcation Enchantment

-> Chapter 13 - Passing Notes

INITIAL CHAPTER WORD-COUNT: 3633 -> 6614 

(part merged with following chapter)

EDITED CHAPTER WORD-COUNT: 4835

06/11/22

[Editing whilst on a train ooh] Tweaked Sam's 'missing second' and shifted the chapter to a more satisfying ending. Another shift, to end THIS chapter early and harrangle what was the end into the start of the next chapter. Lots of cuts and rebalancing with these chapters.

03/11/22

Finished merging the chapters. Made some cuts to Sam's illness from overuse of magic. Changed layout so Mr.Cinnamon's room and office are in the same location, save an unnecessary scene change.

29/10/22

Implimented the plans, reworked the opening to go straight to Sam and Grim's plotting. Less faffing. Might cut down the dinner scene later. Decided to merge with following chapter following the cuts.

28/10/22

Had some pre-editing planning. Knew going in these next 3 chapters were some of the messiest. Lost 20 mins debating whether to move Sam and Grim's lessons to the Magicians' Tower (no.) Intending to cut off the opening of this chapter and streamline the time Sam and Grim spend planning their next move. All being well between work done here and in the next chapter, I'm hoping to merge these two.

Chapter 12 - The Impossible Enemy

[19/10/22 - I tacked the beginning of Ch.12 onto what I had edited in Ch.11, it just fits better there, OK?]

INITIAL CHAPTER WORD-COUNT: 7609 -> 5487

EDITED CHAPTER WORD-COUNT: 4651

26/10/22

Done second pass of the chapter, tweaked a couple more places to cut a few more words.

25/10/22

Finished first pass of the chapter. Happy with how it came out, the latter part didn't take too many changes, just a couple of snipped conversations for pace.

24/10/22

Rewrote transaition into the next part of the chapter. More slug & raven :D

20/10/22

First edits on first part of the chapter, tightened the pace and tweaked explanation of possession.

19/10/22

I split it! Decided to move the start of this chapter to the ending of previous, losing words here and added there. Ho-hum.

18/10/22

Began edits on the opening. This chapter is going to be stupidly painful. Longest one so far. A lot goes on and this is the first one where I'm genuinely considering splitting it.

Chapter 11 - Sleeping on the Job

INITIAL CHAPTER WORD-COUNT: 5602  

EDITED CHAPTER WORD-COUNT: 4048 -> 5902

[19/10/22 - I tacked the beginning of Ch.12 onto what I had edited in Ch.11, it just fits better here, OK?]

16/10/22

Finished another pass. More harsh edits, probably stiffer than needed considering this is already a short chapter going in.

14/10/22

Made headwaythrough first half of the chapter. I'm still in two minds whether or not I like the bitty semi-scenes comprising it.

12/10/22

Started on the chapter. Added in a few new ines to sum up the fallout of events following the end of previous chapter. On reflection might try to shave more words off previous chapter. Being over 5000 irks me.

Chapter 10 - The Terrace of Secrets

INITIAL CHAPTER WORD-COUNT:  7054

EDITED CHAPTER WORD-COUNT: 5104

08/10/22

Got the ending settled, it's a little too similar to the current end of chapter 15 - planned heeeeeavy cuts to that one! - literally down to the location, time of day, characters present etc. It's a better fit here than there.

03/10/22

Finished second pass. Comitted to deleting the old chapter ending, it was too long and peters off. Now need to think of a new one. I'm thinking wrapping up during Sam and the Queen's convo. Also still want to lose a few hundred words if I can BEFORE I get to the new ending. Might make some cuts during the Queen barging onto the Terrace....

02/10/22

Done half a second pass.  few more cuts and tweaks.

01/10/22

Completed first pass of the chapter. Tidied up circular conversations, overuse of internal monologue, and cut conversation of the Queen's youth. Minor tweak to the ending of the chapter. Still not and never have been 100% happy with the ending may throw it out entirely and do something else.

Chapter 9 - By Royal Appointment

INITIAL CHAPTER WORD-COUNT: 7026 

EDITED CHAPTER WORD-COUNT: 4693

27/09/22

Second pass done. Happy with further cuts and tweaks. In the end this is all coming out much tighter and cleaner than before.

25/09/22

Finished first pass of the chapter. Trimmed a lot of Throne Room meeting with the Queen. Tweaked the ending dialogue. Many parts still need smoothing.

24/09/22

Finished everything from Alec-Cassem to entering the Throne Room. New speech for Grim keeping hood down and new introduction for Mr. Cinnamon.

21/09/22

Competant start on the opening, altered the journey from the bridge to the portal, cut unnecessary explanations of portals and rhinos.

Chapter 8 - Grim vs. Reaper

INITIAL CHAPTER WORD-COUNT: 6809 

EDITED CHAPTER WORD-COUNT: 4471

17/09/22

Finished next pass, really happy with how that chapter has come together, much tighter than before.

15/09/22

Smoothed out the chapter. Cautiously finished first pass. Effectively rewrote entire final exchange. On reflection the old one was over-harsh and too hard to walk back from. Think I've got a much better middle-ground. Cut out too much overexplaining inner monlogue.

13/09/22

Finished putting the chapter back together. It's a conherent whole again, but rough. Much smoothing and sanding needed. Plus I'd still like to lose another 1000 words somewhere.

12/09/22

Pulled the rest of the chapter apart, so that everything can fit and make sense with the new beginning. Shifted / altered some conversations.

11/09/22

Reworked more of the opening portions so Sam and Grim are where they need to be basically from the start and so avoid an uneccessary set-piece and journey to location B.

10/09/22

Finished new opening and successfully stitched it into the existing pieces of the chapter.

07/09/22

Made an actual start, got approx 1/3 through first pass. Made several small cuts.

04/09/22

Mixed bag day. Much planning for the edits, started a new opening for the chapter, which accellerates events and cuts out an overlong worldbuilding bit. 

Chapter 7 - City of the Magicians

INITIAL CHAPTER WORD-COUNT: 5643

EDITED CHAPTER WORD-COUNT: 4304

01/09/22

Second pass done. Found a few more parts to trip and tidy to get the words down, without hurtful losses. Got a new editing method pinned down late last night. First pass, as detailed take out obvious parts. Before second pass, divide chapter by pages to better see what to cut next. Then third pass read-aloud software for final tidying. Also not bothering with the proof-reading this stage now. Will pick it up after main edits done on all chapters.

31/08/22

Finished first pass of the chapter. Tidied up an overlong part near the end and then later discovered that chapter's first few scenes were too circular - Sam and Grim surrounded by magicians, bluff their way past, then Matt turns up and they try to bluff him too, then have to do something else. Save effectively repeating the scene, just brought Matt in from the start.

30/08/22

Made a start on the chapter, got maybe halfish way through. Just minor shuffles so far, stopped at one bit could cut significantly, just need to think on how to get around it.

Chapter 6 - A Very Bad Man in a Very Nice Suit

INITIAL CHAPTER WORD-COUNT: 6415

EDITED CHAPTER WORD-COUNT: 4268

27/08/22

Completed another two passes, happy with the chapter again now. No longer hate it, just respect it. I like the end result. As previous, just getting TOWARDS 4000 words per chapter is good enough for me, considering they're all approx 5000/6000 words from here on out.

23/08/22

Finally finished first pass of this chapter. Made all the largest changes but it feels rough, either because it is or because I've chipped away at this over days. Without stupid cuts don't think this can get less than 4000. If adjust my targets and aim for approx. 4000 words per chapter moving forwards, then sub 90k is still possible.

22/08/22

Progress, piece by burning piece. Nearly up to the final section of the chapter. Rewrote Grim and Acheron's duel from scratch, wanted it to be more chaotic. May even end up cutting that in half. I'd much rather a shorter action piece and more spare words to keep the plot going. Still, not done yet and almost cut the chapter by a third without any significant loss.

21/08/22

Completely furious. Part of what I deleted yesterday means that part of this chapter and the setting no longer makes sense. The part yesterday WAS too long and needed to go. Now need to get part of that information back in without being stupid with the words.

20/08/22

Got through another section on this, up the first appearance of Acheron. Found another part prior which just didn't need to be there. Reworked a few lines between Sam and Grim. Fighting very hard not to split this into two chapters. Will see how strong that urge is after finish the next section.

18/08/22

Trying to tackle this chapter in sections as it's a large, delicate operation. Found a whole 1000ish words part I could cut that initially seemed really important. In reality just Sam and Grim unnecessarily saying things out loud which I think are made plenty clear in subtext.

Chapter 5 - Jaserta

INITIAL CHAPTER WORD-COUNT: 3510

EDITED CHAPTER WORD-COUNT: 2910

15/08/22

Finished second pass of the chapter. Very happy with final words off, made the action snappier and clipped dialogue to better fits the scene, whilst still managing to keep every piece of what makes this a great chapter.

13/08/22

Completed first pass of this chapter. Felt intense spiritual pain deleting an unnecessary bit about (some of) the boons the jaserta has. With a second pass I might just convince the chapter to squint under 3000 words.

Chapter 4 - The Bell Tower

INITIAL CHAPTER WORD-COUNT: 2897

EDITED CHAPTER WORD-COUNT: 2710

09/08/22

Second pass of chapter done. Still very few total words off, but as this was under target anyway and I'd judge everything here to be pretty vital, I'm not overfussed about final words off. A couple more tweaks in this pass.

07/08/22

Finished first pass of the chapter. As anticipated this is already quite low before editing so not upset at not finding much to cut. Neatened at lot of the dialogue for flow.

Chapter 3 - The Trap-House

INITIAL CHAPTER WORD-COUNT: 3356

EDITED CHAPTER WORD-COUNT: 2472

06/08/22

[WEBSITE UPDATE - Added first 3 chapters for free reading]

05/08/22

Finished second pass over this chapter and a bonus pass over chapter 1 and 2 (tweaked a meager few more words there too, all for the better). Per below, I cut Sam trying to 'trick' Grim, it's not even a proper idea and took up over a page of words. Plus smoothed the conversation and fixed some magical inconsistancies.

03/08/22

Finished first pass over the chapter. Still feel like good cuts made. Potential for another part of this chapter - and by extension some line in the previous one - can cut. I'm resisting it not because I don't want to 'kill my darlings' but because it's Sam having an idea, which I like to show as often as possible. Saying that, he does still figure out a way to help himself later in the chapter. I'll put a pin in this cut, maybe come back to it.

01/08/22

Had what FEELS like a good opening round. I try not to check how many words I've cut until I'm done with the chapter. But gut, going in, is that there may not be too much movement here as it's another dialogue-heavy chapter. Saying that, there is an extended period with Sam alone. Could envision some cuts there....

Chapter 2 - Grim Tidings

INITIAL CHAPTER WORD-COUNT: 3074

EDITED CHAPTER WORD-COUNT: 2664

31/07/22

THINK I'm done with this chapter. Disappointed I couldn't get more words off, but this one's been fighting me tooth and nail. Perhaps because this one's more dialogue-heavy and I'm conscious of losing (what passes for!) natural conversational flow? If I could still do around 500-ish per chapter, that'd get me sub 100k... BUT yesterday I realised there are multiple brand new Palace scenes I'll need to add. BUT ALSO had an idea for some big cuts / reshuffles around chapters 14 & 15. Be very surprised if said change compensated for the new scenes I'm planning, but it may at least mitigate the damage? ANYWAY - this chapter's done and of an approximate word-count as chapter 1 after editing, so... progress?

30/07/22

Finished first pass of the chapter. Added a tree and bedsheets, plus tweaked a scene-transition I was never happy with. All said and done only 300-ish words cut so far. Not GREAT on initial goal amount of 1000-ish per chapter. May need to revise my expectations....

29/07/22

The answer may be bedsheets. Needs more thought.

28/07/22

Working out how to hide in a tree, without adding more words....

26/07/22

Happy start on this chapter's edits. Not a grave amount of overwriting for me to cut so far. Stopped at the first of two parts was never quite happy with. Need to fix it, but must try VERY hard not to add words!

Chapter 1 - Silly Idea No. 395

INITIAL CHAPTER WORD-COUNT: 3631

EDITED CHAPTER WORD-COUNT: 2808

23/07/22

Finished second pass over the chapter. Found more bits to snip and sharpen. Think two passes should work for each: first pass = broad stuff, overwriting cuts - second pass = more methodical, minutia editing. Either way, happy to say DONE with that chapter!

[WEBSITE UPDATE - Added more entries to Future Projects]

21/07/22

Taking another pass at this chapter. After the big do previously cut it by approx. 1/3 I think. Maybe not much more can reasonably cut?

18/07/22

Great start on editing! Big session, cut almost 1000 words. Lots of overwriting in places.

16/07/22

Proofread Spells, Boons, Curses, Enchantments, Augmers, and Rituals. By heck - it's done. 

WEBSITE OFFICIALLY-WISHALLY LAUNCHED!!

13/07/22

Proofread Magic Into.

10/07/22

Proofread Eight Great Races and Unclassified Beings.

09/07/22

Proofread Creatures 2.

06/07/22

Proofread Places Intro, Dalloran, Reot, Lungia, Places Beyond, Creatures Intro, Creatures 1.

04/07/22

Proofread Abandoned Works.

02/07/22

Proofread Home, About Me, Future Projects, Spirit Rider Blurb + Writing Timeline. Started proofing Abandoned Works.

01/07/22

Oh my goodness... I think it's done! Proof-reading time!!!

30/06/22

More work on Rituals.

28/06/22

Working on Rituals, need to pin down ingredients and directions for Diacot.

27/06/22

Finished Augmers. Just Rituals now - the FINAL page!!!!!

26/06/22

Finished Enchantments.

23/06/22

Continued work on Enchantments.

22/06/22

Done Anonymity and Beacon Enchantments. Realised missed off Condensing Enchantment.

21/06/22

Finished Curses. Started Enchantments.

19/06/22

Added Creatures entries for giraffes and rhinoceros. Done MOST of Curses page.

18/06/22

Finished all Boons page!

17/06/22

That's jasertas done, which means the Eight Great Races is done, which means Creatures is done, which means onto MAGIC, the LAST (and per entry numbers, biggest!) section of the website! Done all Spells page.

16/06/22

Finished dragons. Just jasertas to do then that's ALL of Creatures done!

15/06/22

Finished atlantiens.

14/07/22

Finished brachionites and remembered to go back to Creatures 1 and do the telekinetic ducks!

07/06/22

Finished vampires. Done complete entry on spectres. Four of the Eight Great Races to go! Tidied up Future Projects page.

03/06/22

Started entry on vampires for Eight Great Races.

02/06/22

Remembered how the alphabet works and put minotaur entry on Creatures 1. Finished Spirit Rider section on Unclassified Beings (OK slightly turned into a lengthy entry on the villains faced by the past Riders - not a bad thing?).

01/06/22

Finished minotaur entry on Creatures 2. Can get back on with Eight Great Races now!

29/05/22

Needed to add back minotaur to Creatures 2 and delete Guardian Beasts from Unclassified Beings - seeing as latter is never mentioned by name in the book whilst the former IS. Added some detail to Spirit Rider entry on Unclassified Beings, still to be finished once Eight Great Races are done.

28/05/22

Finished witches - that's all the 'side creatures' done. Making a start on the Eight Great Races, and then that'll be all Creatures section boxed off! Removed Misc. page from World of Paralex - it will be an ongoing project once the rest of the website is finished.

24/05/22

Finished werren. Started on witches - final entry of A-Z Creatures!

21/05/22

Finished tengu, onto werren. Added Abandoned Works tile to Home page.

19/05/22

Finished seedugs, next onto tengu.

18/05/22

Finished skinnsters, moving onto seedugs. Added note about dietary classification - answer question of omnivores - to Creatures front page.

17/05/22

Finished rettamilnes, made a start on skinnsters - only 4.5 more entries, then onto the Eight Great Races. Deleted Mythological Creatures page, too little there to make it worthwhile. May re-add or move to Miscellaneous.

15/05/22

Added more to rettamilnes, few tweaks on other pages. 

14/05/22

Finished phantoms. Started on rettamilnes.

01/05/22

Added contents to Creatures 2, started on phantoms.

29/04/22

Finished entries on Creatures 1 - now onto Creatures 2.

24/04/22

Completed harcasers on Creatures 1.

17/04/22

Added details on enkirans and ghouls to Creatures 1.

12/04/22

Added info on eidetta to Creatures 1. Also revamped Home Page. Oooh tiles!

06/04/22

Completed section on blood apes in Creatures 1.

29/03/22

Made start on part 1 Creatures. Big info on the basilisks, may not have as much to say on remaining non-Eight creatures. Will have to see.

23/03/22

Finished all the 'Places' pages! Removed worldbuilding 'History' section, not enough to warrant its own bit, too broad to go in Miscellaneous. Might get re-added eventually. 

12/03/22

Removed the Forbidden Lands info - being alluded to in Royal Problem isn't enough to warrant a section, I say.

05/03/22

Adding more quotes to the various world-building pages. Nearly finished all Royal Problem locations.

23/02/22

Finished Writing Timeline page!

22/02/22

Adding further to Writing Timeline page. Added final entries to Miscellaneous page.

16/02/22

Started adding Contents to pages.

12/02/22

Noting opening chapters of Draft 2.0 on Writing Timeline page.

11/02/22

Added a chunk of information about Magus Staves and more quotes.

10/02/22

Started adding text quotes for all the worldbuilding sections.

31/01/22

Started on Draft 2.0 notes on Writing Timeline page.

30/01/22

Added a Miscellaneous info page. Yay(!) now even more worldbuilding to do. Draft 1.5 finished on Writing Timeline page.

26/01/22

Finished noting Draft 1.0 and started on noting Draft 1.5 on Writing Timeline.

22/01/22

Nearly finished noting Draft 1.0 on Writing Timeline page. Dancing around how much of the ending to comment on.

19/01/22

More detail on Writing Timeline page. Must be 2/3 done now noting Draft 1.0.

18/01/22

Further detail on Writing Timeline page.

16/01/22

Ever more Forbidden Lands gibberish. At least it's nearly half done, maybe a third? Added details to Writing Timeline page.

11/01/22

Yet more Forbidden Lands gibberish.

10/01/22

Added website updates! Working on Forbidden Lands gibberish.

Chapter 23 - The Secret Door

Chapter Progress - 100%

Status - DONE!

04/10/21

Officially, officially done! I have a complete manuscript again! I repeat - IT IS DONE!!!!!

27/09/21

It MIGHT actually be done. Need to let it rest for a week then read back, make sure everything sounds right.

19/09/21

Off to a good start, five or six main scenes, including the ending. Need to get them all straight, give all a tidy resolution.

Chapter 22 - Final Boarding

Chapter Progress - 100%

Status - DONE!

18/09/21

Finished!

13/09/21

Hit the climax of the action, happy with how it came out. Just need to make sure final scene of the chapter flows.

11/09/21

Happily stitched together what was already there and pressed on to more.

05/09/21

Had gotten a few pages into this one before the redo of previous chapters. Coming back, I like some of what's here. Struggled for a few days to get a decent resolution to this chapter and which characters to keep in the scene. Think I've got there....

REDO - Chapter 21 - The Temporal Trinity

Chapter Progress - 100%

Status - DONE! (Again)

04/09/21

Finished. Checked and double-checked last three chapters. Now I'm happy with how all comes together. The emotional beats all feel right and the reveals are just as sharp.

23/08/21

Initially unhappy with opening pages of this one. But on reflection the emotions feel genuine. Folding what was events from the next chapter, into the middle of this one. Need to make sure it all adds together right.

REDO - Chapter 20 - Two Birds

Chapter Progress - 100%

Status - DONE! (Again)

23/08/21

Finished the ending of this chapter. Almost certainly happy with the reveal now.

19/08/21

More tweaks.

15/08/21

Minor tweaks. Added a line to an earlier chapter for better flow here. Building to the end, need to get it right, that was one of the issues with this chapter.

11/08/21

On with more revisions. Lost an action scene I liked with other POVs gone. But with a nudge of the events, got to keep it.

08/08/21

Sorted many of nagging issues. Stopped events looping needlessly, reordered clues and such. Less rushed, more natural. REMOVED ALL ALT. POVs.

24/07/21

Nightmare. Upon rereading, dislike much of Chp. 20 & 21. Redoing these.

Chapter 21 - The Temporal Trinity

Chapter Progress - 100%

Status - DONE!

10/07/21

FINSIHED!

02/07/21Started chapter with a blazing pace - always this way close to the end. Reworked previous chapters again. Deleted two done and one to come.

Chapter 20 - Two Birds

Chapter Progress - 100%

Status - DONE!

02/07/21

DONE!

05/06/21

Coming up to the first 'big reveal', thinking through whether exact sequence of events in previous draft is a big enough punch or needs more thought....

30/05/21

BIG PUSH! Mowed through a lot here. Found a couple of paragraphs from previous draft that still fit this round.

28/05/21 

Started chapter. Split an earlier chapter, renamed others.

Chapter 19 - The Royal Ball

Chapter Progress - 100%

Status - DONE!

28/05/21

DONE!

16/05/21

Trying to make important complication not seem too contrived.

18/04/21

Started chapter.