As the global experience has progressed, things are still rather unreal. It makes for rather interesting contemplation while writing this April Review. In the UK we are lagging behind other countries in our response to the virus. Although the media would have us believe we are eager to be out of lockdown we trail many other countries in response and data. As an historian, it will be interesting, and sobering, picking this crisis apart in the future. Whether that be the actions of the political actors, the influence of the media, or the work of those people in the frontline, let alone the individual stories of those lost.
For my writing experience, my focus has been all over the place. I have worked hard for several days, while slacking off on an equal number. I am also balancing the home-working needs of my principal job, but these are not challenging at the moment. As an introvert, I am not finding the isolation much of a challenge; it is even refreshing. I am not wandering around the house craving interaction with others. Often I am looking for things to do, but there are so many things I can engage with, it is the paralysis of too many interesting things to do. I am not raring to go back into the workplace, because working with lots of people is always the bigger challenge for me. I pull it off very well, but to be that social always has a cost.
April Review – Word Counts
April was marginally better than March for word counts. Unlike March, I was nowhere near as distracted by the 24-hour media cycle, but it is still a time-sink. However, the word count has stayed low as I have spent greater time on editing.
During April the total of new words into writing was 5,345. A daily average of 178 words. This compared to April’s 4,837, with a daily average of 156, is an improvement. Yes, I am aiming to write 12,000 new words each month, but I’ll pick up the slack later in the year.
The good news is editing has been proceeding at a far higher pace. The proof-reading of Tigers on the Western Front was completed. In early April I uploaded the new edition for sale. I have also invested some time working on grammar and setting up better computer-aided checks. I have applied this fresh approach to the editing process for ‘Dead Handler’, which is half-way through editing. The new approach is thorough and picking up many more issues before proof-reading. Hopefully, it will provide a far better final product.
April Review – writing projects underway
· ‘Dead Handler’, Book 6 of the Royal Zombie Corps series is 50% edited. It is a slower process than originally intended, especially as I have expanded the detail and depth of the checks. Fortunately, I have also increased the time spent checking. I would be very surprised if I did not have the editing and proof-reading completed by the end of May. After that, it will be off to the ARC readers.
· Tigers on the Western Front – released in 2nd ebook format following the completion of proof-reading.
· ‘Butcher’s Fire’, Book 2 of the Butcher’s Funeral has moved up to 2nd in the editing queue.
· Book 7 of the Royal Zombie Corps series now has a name. It will be called ‘The Sands of War’. The artist cover brief has been submitted, and the book is now at the top of the editing queue.
· I have started a fresh story in the Butcher’s Funeral series. This will be the third book. The book outline is now in place. It’s not thorough, but I know where I’m going with it. I’m not much of a pantser with writing, more a plotter. I completed the first draft of the first chapter three days ago and am quite pleased with it. There is plenty of action, and a couple of clear hooks.
· I have made little progress on the future historical fiction project. I am slowly completing background reading, which will help support the character and plot development. I am hoping to plan out some locational research over the next few weeks.
April Review – other projects
I took part in a marketing challenge in April. This took more effort but has had the benefit of cutting my AMS marketing costs. Marketing is improving again as purchasing and reading patterns move closer to normality. There is still some way to go until the patterns return to normal in the genre I am publishing in.
Publishing schedule
· April 2020 2nd ebook edition of Tigers on the Western Front, with the old cover, was released.
· Before the summer 2020 – ‘Dead Handler’, book 6 of the Royal Zombie Corps series.
· Summer 2020 – Butcher’s Funeral new cover and 2nd edition.
· Summer 2020 – ‘The Sands of War’, book 7 of the Royal Zombie Corps series. This is the last book in the WWI sequence.
· Autumn 2020 – Butcher’s Funeral book two titled ‘Butcher’s Fire’.
May plans
· Finish editing and proof-reading ‘Dead Handler’.
· Release ‘Dead Handler’ to the ARC readers for final checking.
· Continue writing the first draft of Butcher’s third book.
· Continue focus on editing as I have two books queued.
· Continue to research the new historical series I’m working on.
· Continue to learn about publishing and writing.
· Write a brief for another book cover.