Hey guys,
I have a quick update on what I’ve been up to. I’ve been hard at work, but I’ve finally slowed down this week enough to share some news with you.
How’s the comic coming? 💥💫🗨️
The comic is coming along nicely.
I’ve been waiting to write my newsletter since I wanted to share a little taste of the comic when I do. I’m thrilled with how it is coming along. The pace leaves something to be desired, but the results speak for themselves.
Here’s a sneak peek at the latest page.
How’s the editing going? ✒️🐲📝
It’s been rough but getting better. Let me explain.
I have two stories in the fire at the moment still: The Gathering of Misfits: The Muscle, and The Hollow Death of Belladonna Bates. (These titles are a work in progress.)
The Gathering of Misfits: The Muscle 🐯
The former is nearing the end of this draft, with only roughly ten chapters to go and fifteen more behind me since last we spoke. My focus with this draft is getting more peer feedback on the story structure and internal arcs, two things that, while okay in the first drafts, could use improvement.
The ending’s upcoming feedback will determine whether the next draft centers on solely about clarity and prose or whether the book turns back to the drawing board on plot.
Following a talk with others today, I might be closer than I realize. The ending might be simpler. However, this leaves the internal plot muddied in my opinion. There are ways that I could change it, but none sit well with me yet.
For now, my attitude is wait and see. I’ll be upfront with those reading this draft of where I am reconsidering ending the story and see what their thoughts are about what I had intended.
The Hollow Death of Belladonna Bates 🦇
My fantasy action story, The Hollow Death of Belladonna Bates, is in limbo, sadly. I have no progress to report.
My problems are the story’s midpoint, length, and its villain. All three will need improving and the path forward remains murky and discouraging. With only so much time in a day, I haven’t been able to schedule an appointment for an editor’s advice.
With health issues behind me and a new year ahead, I hope to resurrect this story soon.
How are things going?👋
I’m hanging in there. I had to take a step back from writing in mid-December through January.
Whether I wanted to, my computer went kaput and forced me to slow down, and during this time, I grew more discouraged about my output last year.
Granted, medical things consumed my finances and my writing time, but it is hard to shake the feeling that I could’ve done more.
I know I couldn’t have, but it doesn’t sit well with me. Between 8-hour weekends and vacations laboring to catch up on work, nothing was enough.
Looking back to January, perhaps I beat myself up about it harder than I maybe should have. I even questioned whether I am or was a good writer at all, comparing myself to others. It got worse, but I’d rather not dive into it.
Thankfully, I’m doing much better now, but from November into January I had been feeling rough. Afterwards, I picked up steam.
I’ve been told to take things easier on myself. While they might be right, sometimes I don’t feel I have the luxury. These books need done, and I want to do my best.
What’s next? 📰⏩
My plans for the coming months are:
- Continue the comic book.
- Finish my next draft. (Hopefully next month.)
- Seek help for my other WIP.
- Begin a sequel story. (Hint: I might already have😊)
In other news, I’m exploring again an audiobook for Lafonda and Leo. I have a very particular voice in my head for Maxy and think I finally found the guy when I wasn’t looking, lol.
I mean, like a complete accident. Literally, I was listening to one of my favorite shows on YouTube and remembered the writing process for Maxy. Then I was like, “I wonder who voices this character,” and found he was looking for work. So, it might be worth a shot.
However, I need to reach out to see if that’s still the case. I’m a little intimidated to do it, if I’m honest. I’m a bit introverted and new to these networking things.
Wish me luck!
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Until next time, Keep Writing!
-Antonio