Blog #3

Friday, August 22, 2025

Indianapolis, IN

  Well, another week has gone by. The wife and I got to spend six days back home before we had to come back to Indy for her work. We got back here right around 9:30 PM Tuesday. So now I’m back at my portable office in our little bedroom. I posted a picture of my little office on my Facebook Author page.

  I was able to get a bunch of social media stuff done on Wednesday, and some outlining done for BOOK II on Thursday. Misty worked both of those days, so she’s off today. She’s been playing ‘7 Days to Die’ on her PS5 all day since she got up. I usually play Minecraft Bedrock on my laptop in my downtime. BUT…. I’m experiencing an error that prevents me from logging into my game. That’s fairly aggravating!! I have other games I can play on my laptop, but not being able to play the game I want to play kinda sucks!! Hehehehe

  So, what was I working on for BOOK II????

  I believe I’ve already got the main outline complete. That’s been done for a while. It’s more of a framework than a proper outline. Now I’m starting to work on the scene details! I am in no way a Pantser. If I don’t have an outline prepared, I’m the 2nd Mate on the USS Minnow!! I will be lost on an island in no time.

  The beginning of BOOK II is sort of time sensitive, in that there is a sequence of events that happen early on. I want all of that to happen in the correct order, timed exactly right. I prefer details, at least some minor details, be given to the reader. I want you to use your imagination, absolutely, but I still want to give you enough details to get your thoughts and mind in motion.

  One of my FAVORITE authors is a man named Stephen R. Donaldson. I started reading his books when I was in 8th grade. The first one I read was called ‘Lord Foul’s Bane.’ That book changed my life. I read the 2nd book as soon as and as quickly as I could. I had to wait for the next eight books to be written. The series was called ‘The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant.’

  The reason I bring up these books is that they were large, and complex, and magical! I didn’t realize it at the time, in the very early 80s, but the Covenant story was very psychological, and it used very odd words. I very quickly fell in love with the characters and setting in those novels. I remember being able to ‘see’ what was happening in all the books.

  As my writing career started, I tried to emulate Donaldson’s style. He doesn’t know me, I’ve never met him, and I’ve never sent him a letter or an email. But I’m a fan… I’ve read the entire series six (yes, 6) times over the years. I’ve listened to the whole thing on audio twice.

  For Dawning, the manuscript that I gave to my editor was nearly twice as large as the finished product. I had to bite the bullet and let her take the axe to it. It was huge compared to what was actually released. I went overboard with a lot of the details, or I added too much internal stuff, or tried to move the story along with too much weight. Yet, that was sort of what I wanted to achieve.

  I’m very blessed by having an incredible editor. She was really able to give my story what it needed!! I’ll be singing Kim’s praises for a long time to come! Since this is my first time jumping into the Indie Author playground, Kim has been super patient with me and my learning curve.

  Well, I think this is enough for right now!

  Have a great week!!

  Dave