I was inspired by my good friend Adam's post yesterday, to take stock of my writing, so that I can feel good about what I have accomplished, and stop worrying about what I haven't (yet). Go read his post, first, because Adam is awesome, and you should never miss out on his blog.
Now, here are where things stand for me:
WARRIOR-MONKS: A YA Rural Fantasy, the query for which you've probably read. The first manuscript I ever finished, the one that taught me how to actually write (novels) and took up nearly four years of my life with joy, pain, elation, and enlightenment. This book is essentially shelved. It does still have a full out with one agent, and there are a few queries un-replied to, but I'm ready to move on.
RUNNING FROM RUBY RIDGE: A YA Contemporary Thriller. The draft is 95% done, and then it will be on to revision. I don't want to give too much away, so I'll just say that writing your second manuscript is so much easier than your first. Sure, it will be like 8-9 months by the time I'm done with this one, but that sure beats years. After a round or two of revisions, it will be off to critique partners.
SECRET PROJECT: A MG project of undisclosed genre. I can't talk about this one yet, but I've been brainstorming it for a while now, and I have over 10,000 words of outlines, character sheets, plot notes, and other sundry details. Hopefully when this is done and sold, it will finally justify my membership at the group blog: Project Middle Grade Mayhem.
SUPERBAD KICKASS (not the actual working title): A YA Non-Super-Hero Comedy. This is just an idea, really. I have some character sketches, but they're still quite thin and loose. I don't even know what's supposed to happen in the story yet. This is something I plan on collaborating on with one of my favorite people in the world. She knows who she is.
In addition to all these novel-length manuscripts (or dreams of manuscripts), I have a bunch of short fiction that is published in various venues. Most of you have probably already read it (and one story needs to be re-published, because it got taken down), but I'll give you a brief summary here, in case any of today's visitors are new readers:
The Deafening Silence: a bit of adult Memoir, published in the anthology: Literary Foray, from Static Movement Press. You can read it for free, at The World in Miniature.
Babysat by the Man in the Moon: a bit of MG Memoir/Fiction crossover, unpublished. You can read it for free, at The World in Miniature.
Dragon on my Back: a bit of adult Horror, published in the anthology: Literary Foray, from Static Movement Press. This one is temporarily unavailable online.
Lake Argo: a bit of adult Fantasy published in Vine Leaves Literary Journal Issue One. You can read it online for free, at that link.
Cubic: a bit of adult Humor/Horror, published at Underneath the Juniper Tree.
Other than all that stuff, if you simply can't get enough of me (yeah right) there are several links to interviews, guest posts, and other non-fiction stuff on my Creative Writing Page.
Now, this post has certainly gone on long enough, don't you think? In the spirit of disclosure, why don't you share about a project of yours in the comments? If you're not ready, you can certainly ask me about any of mine.
Finally, big day today. If you haven't: VOTE!
24 comments:
You have a lot of projects!
Working on final edits of CassaStorm.
And in between, I have read the first few chapters of Warrior Monks. Sorry, slow reader!
Wow! you've got lots on the go! Good to hear :-)
Holy cow, you've been busy, Matt! Keep going.
Looking forward to hearing more about these projects! As for me, too many things at too many stages to even explain.
Looking good! I love having several projects going on even though I focus most of my energy on one. I spend 3 years on my first manuscript! Learned so much. :)
Sounds promising! I'm particularly intrigued by the secret MG project, because I felt the same way about my last work. I confessed on my blog that I was trying a new genre and even disclosed the location of the climax (since it involved a trip outside the country). But I didn't reveal the premise because something told me it was BIG.
So, I'm hoping this is the BIG one for you, too!
Anytime you need a beta, holler.
Currently, I am working on outlining a series while making revisions to book 1.
Awesome that you've moved on to all these projects. I've got to get querying and move on from my first project too.
A lot on your plate, but it is always well worth it. There's nothing like the satisfaction of writing!
oooh! this is a great idea! i'll have to go read mr. adam's to hear how he's been doing. :)
These sound superbad kickass indeed.
It'a always good to have several projects on the go. Keep the readers interested, too.
Good Luck! I'd like to look up the Deafening Silence, so thanks for the links and the Vine Leaves story.
oh i voted. I voted SO HARD.
I really need to do one of these posts soon, too.
And all your ideas sound AWESOME btws
Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!! Currently I've been working for pay but on the backburner lies a couple YA contemps that need some TLC.
Also *hearts*
Looks like things are moving right along for you! If you ever want a reader, let me know. Oddly enough, even though I knew your were on a MG blog, it never occurred to me you might be writing MG. LOL
I think you should publish Warrior Monks with a small press or do it yourself. It's a good story, and I think it will have an audience. Also give you some publishing cred to put on your query resume for the next time.
You're definitely a busy boy! My first MS took 3-4 years, the 2nd only 5 months.
Great to see you've been published in Underneath the Juniper Tree - so have I! Lol!
Voted!
It's such a relief to know that other writers take years to write their first novel. I'm on year two on this attempt and using NaNoWriMo to "force" it out of my brain.
You have awesome titles, btw. Running From Ruby Ridge sounds intriguing. If you need an extra someone to read through, I'd be happy to.
Also, can I just say, Superbad Kickass would make an outstanding title for a novel!
Do you ever just get a feeling about another writer and know for sure that whatever the project is that gets them there, they will certainly get "there" and one day you'll be reading their book in hardback? I look forward to reading your book in hardback - whichever one of these projects that is.
That all sounds awesome! I remember you telling me about Warrior Monks at WFC. I hope it comes off the shelf one day, because I still want to read it. My first book is shelved now too, though.
I am on book three and getting pretty close to querying it. Won't that be a fun nausea-inducing roller coaster ride?
wow, you DO have a lot of irons in the fire! And I concur with Suzie: Superbad Kickass IS an awesome title!
Discounting my trilogy (which is half way complete) I am about to embark on book #6...
My brain's still trying to balance the four major projects I'll be trying to work on over the next year. Maybe five. Gah. I need some Daylight Expansion Time, I think, where they extend the number of hours in every day. That would be good.
WOW, you're a busy guy. Ha, ha, ha.
Skipped NaNo this year to revise and get last years project 'out the door'. Working on the query letter, so be warned.
Wow!! You've got a lot going on. Enjoy. -)
Can't wait to eventually find out more about the Super Secret MG Project.
Post a Comment