The Broken Cage

As of today the word count on Book Two of Series is 70,866.

I expect it will top out again at just over 100,000 words. That is still a couple weeks at present pace.

A lot of this story takes place on a moon with low gravity. Lots of the main characters hate low gravity. I know I would if you had to suffer it day in and day out knowing your body was getting weaker and weaker...

It's challenging to write scenes that take place in weightlessness. Done well those scenes can be awesome. Enders Game comes to mind.

--I am also starting to think about the cover for book two.

Characters

I am writing book two in this Scifi series currently.

One thing I like to do is to base characters on actual people. I have photos of some of the people that make it easier for me to visualize the characters, plot and actions.

I was lucky enough to find a model that actually fit the description of one of my characters!

This character appears briefly in book one and has a much larger role in book two.

It was fun to take casual pics. Out of the 600 or so that I took, I might have 20 that are decent.

--Writing is easier than photography!

Finding an Agent

When my editor has the final polish done on my novel I have decided that will will send out a few queries to agents is see if I get any interest.

Writer's Digest is a good resource for finding agents that are accepting queries from new authors.

What the hell. Why not. I can always self publish like I had been planning.

The thing is, I am getting really good feedback about the story. I have been cursed at for, enticing friends stay up late on work nights, reading my story.

Demands for the next in the series are already coming in.

I will probably finish book two in a few weeks at present pace!

--I am already at 62,000 words and counting!

Stairway to Heaven

Last night I was writing a chapter in:

     The Broken Cage

While I was listening to music on my iPhone. I happened on Led Zeppelins, Stairway to Heaven as I was looking for a motivation for two sets of characters to meet.

Suddenly I was inspired. I put Stairway to Heaven on repeat and cranked out a great chapter.

Music is an excellent motivator!

Now the song is part of this novel.

-- There's a feeling I get when I look to the west, And my spirit is crying for leaving.

Traveling

One of the things I like about traveling for work is that I have A LOT of time to write without distractions.

I will have my evenings all free. I might go see a movie but other than that, I will have a ton of time.

The odd thing about this trip is I am going to Utah, way west of here. I will probably be waking up at 2am every day and might get my writing in during the morning hours in stead of fighting jet lag.

I have books packed, laptop, iPad, iPhone, some movies and even snacks!

--I am ready for adventure!

Writers Groups

I am a member of two writers groups currently. One of them is a general writers group and one is specifically focused on Science Fiction.

Both of them are really useful for different reasons. But they have one very important thing in common. They make it easy for me to learn lessons from other peoples mistakes!

The spectrum of people that attend is very interesting. There always seems to be a someone here that is insane. Seriously. Nuts. Crazy.

--I love it when I am in a room with someone that makes me look sane.

Editors

I love writing. I enjoy doing it. It entertains me more than TV or Facebook or even reading.

I don't like to edit. It's work.

Thank the makers I have some excellent friends that are spelling and grammar Nazi's that also make excellent content remarks and recommendations. With their help I will be able to polish this thing up.

I have also lined up a professional editor:

Katherine M. Gotthardt
All Things Writing, LLC
www.allthingswriting.net

I met with her for the first time tonight over coffee. Anything that starts with coffee has got to be so good!

--This is still fun!