Thaddeus White
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Is this a trilogy I see before me?

7/11/2016

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Not quite sure when, but probably in a few months or so my second short story of the year will be published in the forthcoming Explorations sci-fi anthology (by Woodbridge Press, the same firm that did the well-received Haunting of Lake Manor Hotel anthology, in which I also have a story). Quite pleased, and mildly surprised to be in it, given there were few free slots and many of the authors (Jo Zebedee and Ralph Kern to name but two whose works I've read) are best-selling sci-fi authors.

My story's called Dead Weight, so watch out for that.

As well as an update (see below) on novels, I thought it might be of interest to bang on a bit about the odd process of writing stuff that won't be out for years. 

Writing a trilogy's tricky in lots of ways. If you screw up the first part, then you're buggered, so you have to take especial care (not only with quality but also to try and ensure you don't paint yourself into a corner for later books). 

Not only that, but you need to have book endings that are conclusive within that book's story arc, whilst still leaving open the over-arching trilogy plot. Time (and reviews) will tell how well or badly I've done with that.

A serious problem is that you can't kill everyone you want to right away, because there are still two books left to come. That said, I did get to write a few juicy deaths, so hopefully readers will enjoy those.

But there are plus points too. If people love book one (as I'm sure you will. Can you name any other books with cross-dressing knights and lesbian princesses? Ok, probably, but are they as good as mine? An absurd suggestion) then you've got one and probably two more sales in the bag.

On a less tawdry note, you can make the plots more intricate and have, over the course of three or more books, characters and their relationships change gradually yet substantially. 

In short, you can do more, but there's added complexity to writing because if you get the first book wrong (either because it's poor or because it makes the latter two difficult) then you're in trouble. 

Following a Twitter poll (I'm @MorrisF1 for those interested) I've decided to go for an annual release schedule. I'm near certain Traitor's Prize, the second book, will be released a year after Kingdom Asunder. The third book may prove trickier (obviously I'll delay if necessary) but time shall tell.

At the moment, I'm splitting my workload between that and Sir Edric and the Plague (which I'm about halfway through). If needs be, I'll put Plague on hiatus to focus on book three, but I'm hoping I can keep working on both.

Anyway, that's how things stand. If Kingdom Asunder is out this year, that'll be my fourth of 2016 (including two novels and two short stories in anthologies). When Explorations has its release date I'll be sure to bang on about it. 

Thaddeus
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Progress, pictures and spinning plates

6/5/2016

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I just wrote a nice progress update, which got mysteriously deleted when I got rid of a different, empty, text box. Bugger.

Anyway, to recap (or cap, given none of you saw the first version):
The major additions to Traitor's Prize of this redraft are done. Got a lot of little tinkering points to do, but things are on schedule.

Sir Edric and the Plague is about a quarter of the way done (unusually, I will have at least one significant change to make in redrafting). However, given it'll be released after Kingdom Asunder, Sir Edric's Kingdom and perhaps Traitor's Prize, that's fine.

It's tricky writing two novels at once (well, redrafting one and writing another) whilst also delving into short stories. However, I've got a couple in consideration for anthologies and they will, hopefully, keep things ticking over whilst I get the trilogy ready for release.

When not writing, or trying to play Dragon Age: Inquisition in German (with occasionally hilarious incompetence), I've been fiddling a bit with some drawing.



Picture
The picture above, which can also be found under the Artwork tab, is an Egyptian style depiction of Dog fighting a certain creature in The Adventures of Sir Edric. It took a shockingly long time to draw, because I have the artistic aptitude of a baked potato. That said, it was quite enjoyable (and the Egyptian style means I can draw Dog without giving away any details of his appearance). I'm toying with the idea of doing more of these for future Sir Edric releases, (although humans are much harder to draw than animals). Regular readers of my Twitter account (@MorrisF1) will be aware I've also been messing about with some cartoonery (only a little) which is an alternative art style I could try and use. Self-promotion's difficult, especially when it feels awkward, so that may be a better approach than tweeting 'buy my book' and so on. If you have a preference between the two styles, do let me know either here or on Twitter.

Even if I decide not to try and use either approach for marketing, it's always good to have something to do that doesn't involve staring at a screen.

Thaddeus


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Calm after the storm

5/12/2016

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Well, last month was unusually busy. Two books came out (The Adventures of Sir Edric Volume One was out late on 31 March, to be precise), including my first full size book since Journey to Altmortis, all the way back in 2013.

It will not be as long until Kingdom Asunder is released (almost certainly self-published). The results of a poll I ran on my Twitter account (MorrisF1) had the optimal gap between trilogy entries as 1 year. My plan is to get Traitor's Prize (part two in the trilogy) either nearly or completely finished, then release Kingdom Asunder. That'll give me about two years to finish off the third book and, even if it takes a bit longer, there won't be a monumental gap between books.

The first draft of Traitor's Prize is done, but it's undergoing a major redraft (as is normal, for me, at least). I hope to get it finished this year, but that is not certain.

On the comedy front, Sir Edric's Kingdom is fin
ished, and I'm working on the first draft of Sir Edric and the Plague (both novel-sized). In the meantime, there may be short stories (check the Free Stories tab at the top of this page for a couple of Sir Edric's shorts, as well as a story, inspired by true events, starring me).

Going back to recent days: signing your own hardbacks is a weird thing. The hardback is now available on Amazon, and you can also get a signed copy from the Tickety Boo Press website, where they're currently on sale.

And remember, kids, if you do like a book, don't forget to rate, review and recommend it to your friends. Word of mouth is like gold dust for authors.

​Thaddeus



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Future Doings - and a picture of Dog

1/3/2016

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After a slightly fallow period, many good things are ahead in 2016. The editing of Sir Edric's Temple/Treasure will commence shortly, as will late changes to a short horror story that should also be published in the first half of 2016 as part of an anthology.

And that's just in the short term. Kingdom Asunder is largely done, and the first draft of its sequel, Traitor's Prize, is about 70-80% finished (worth noting redrafting that will take a substantial amount of time). Sir Edric's Kingdom will hopefully be finished off shortly after Temple/Treasure, then I have plans to outline the fourth Sir Edric large story.

Further ahead, I'd like to write a novel around the serial Zodiac Eclipse, published last year by Kraxon Magazine (can be read here, first episode at the bottom), as well as the final part of the Kingdom Asunder/Traitor's Prize story and more Sir Edric shenanigans.

But, most of that is far off. In the short term, I'm hoping to get the short horror story and Sir Edric's Temple/Treasure out in the first half of 2016. 

Although not much of an artist, I did an Egyptian style sketch of Dog (also under the Artwork section of this site).


In addition, Sir Edric joined Twitter (under the modest name HeroOfHornska). One suspects he'll be an intermittent and mostly drunk Twitterer.

So, many things happening this year, and in the future. 

Thaddeus
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Quantum writing - both ahead and behind schedule

4/4/2015

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In a slightly odd position, being both ahead and behind schedule.

The third outing for Sir Edric (planned to be longer than Temple and Treasure combined) is currently ahead of schedule. Normally, my problem is brevity, but I ended up writing 11,000 words for a section that was meant to be 5,000, and the first draft is on course to be done by the end of next month [after which it will be brutalised by beta readers].

In less good news, Kingdom Asunder is a little behind schedule. Extra stuff (map, cover etc) should all be finished before the text is done, but I'm a bit behind on getting the text sorted. It is still almost certain to be ready this year, but the problem may be if Temple's re-release (by Tickety Boo Press) and Kingdom Asunder run into each other. If that happens, then I'll need to delay Kingdom Asunder so I don't have the ridiculous spectacle of releasing both right next to each other. On the plus side, that would delay the wait for the second part of the trilogy after the first's release, but my goal is still to release Kingdom Asunder, then see Temple and Treasure come out.

Plenty of future projects bubbling away in the foetid cauldron of my mind (steampunk story, a sci-fi novel based on Zodiac Eclipse, more Sir Edric shenanigans etc) but right now my focus is firmly on Kingdom Asunder and Sir Edric's Kingdom [working title].

The free 12 part sci-fi mini-series (one episode per month) Zodiac Eclipse is available at the excellent Kraxon magazine. First part is here. 

Don't forget to give Prey: Seven Tales of Beastly Terror a look. It's an anthology put together by seven independent authors, including me, with all proceeds going to the WWF (that's the wildlife charity, not the wrestlers).

Thaddeus
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The Horror!

2/21/2015

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It's a weird thing, writing. Tons of work, very few releases, and when stuff is published it's often weeks, months or even years after you finished it. On the other hand, it's quite nice when there's a pipeline of stuff due to come out.

There are now two episodes (of an eventual 12) of Zodiac Eclipse available, for free, on the Kraxon magazine website. It's my first published sci-fi foray, so far Gertrude seems to be going down quite well.


Also recently released is Prey: Seven Tales of Beastly Terror. Seven independent/self-published authors contributed a horror story each, with all proceeds going towards animal charity (WWF). It's my first horror story (many firsts this year). Particular thanks to LK Evans for getting me the last spot on the boat, Tom Conyers for his work putting it together, helping me with feedback and artwork, and Chance Maree for formatting [which can be rather more difficult than it sounds]. 

An e-book version will be forthcoming, for now it's a physical edition only. 

On larger works: Kingdom Asunder's still going through the beta reader mill. I don't envisage enormous changes, but that may change depending on feedback (important to remember when getting critiques you don't have to take *all* advice, and different beta readers may have diametrically opposing views).

As mentioned before, Sir Edric's Temple should be re-released at some point this year. Sir Edric's Treasure will also come out, though that may be early 2016 (both are being published by Tickety Boo Press). 

I'm also working on a third Sir Edric adventure, although that's very much in early stages. As always with comedy, I have no idea whether it's amazing, dreadful, or somewhere in between. 

So, after a 2014 which largely involved writing lots and few releases, tons of stuff is coming out. Huzzah!

Thaddeus
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2015: The Plan

1/16/2015

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Last year was a bit fallow in terms of stuff I released.

There was the milestone of getting my first published short story out (Saxon & Khan, part of the Malevolence: Tales from Beyond the Veil anthology), but that was the only story of mine released in 2014.

The reason for the fallow year was just a matter of circumstance, in the same way that Journey to Altmortis and Sir Edric’s Temple were released a few months apart in 2013, and didn’t reflect any slowdown in how much I was writing (quite the reverse, to be honest). Hopefully, 2015 will be a bumper harvest.

I’m very glad to announce that the first of 12 episodes in the Zodiac Eclipse mini-series is out now at Kraxon magazine. Zodiac Eclipse tells the tale of Gertrude Jaeger, a crippled bounty hunter coerced into piracy on the infamous ship The Sun Dancer. One thousand word episode will be released each month of 2015.

I’m endeavouring to get Kingdom Asunder self-published this year. It’s hard to say when, precisely, as it’s currently being brutalised by a small army of beta readers, whose hard work beating out the weak spots is greatly appreciated. Kingdom Asunder is a fantasy novel which occurs in the Bane of Souls/Journey to Altmortis world.

Those who enjoy comedy may be pleased to know that the second edition of Sir Edric’s Temple (published by Tickety Boo Press) has been pencilled in for release in 2015. Sir Edric’s Treasure, the follow-up comedy, will also be published by Tickety Boo, possibly this year, possibly next.

I have a number of short stories in the pipeline with several anthologies. They range from sci-fi to steampunk (which was surprisingly fun to write. I’m giving serious consideration to a full-length steampunk novel). Can’t say which will be given the green light, or when precisely they’ll be out, but I’m hoping for at least one short story (within an anthology) to be released in 2015, in addition to the 12 Zodiac Eclipse episodes.

So, at the maximum extent this year could see about sixteen short stories and three solo efforts, and the minimum should be twelve short stories and one solo effort. Either way, it’s a lot more than 2014, so stay tuned for announcements on new releases.

Thaddeus

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The Middle of the Tunnel

10/7/2014

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Perhaps the most difficult stage, in terms of making progress, is after the first draft is done and I'm knee-deep in the first redraft (which is pretty hefty for Kingdom Asunder). It's over a year since I started background work (ironically, I only started Sir Edric's Temple, soon to be re-released and traditionally published alongside the sequel, because I didn't want a massive gap between releases) but I'm still miles away from the end. There's no light at the end of the tunnel, yet. I know there will be, but it's a bloody long way off.

I've done most of the redrafting for this first pass. I still need to insert the substantially rewritten portion of the start into the first draft. Almost all the finickity little changes are done and the largest substantial change has been written, but I do still have some more big changes to make.

I'm hopeful it'll be ready for release in 2015. If so, there's a chance I'll have three books coming out that year (Temple's re-release, Sir Edric's Treasure and Kingdom Asunder), not counting several potential short stories as parts of anthologies and another project.

Mind you, that will follow 2014, in which I have released nothing, so it's swings and round-abouts (or peaks and troughs). 

I haven't begun making changes yet on Temple and Treasure (editor/publisher suggestions), but I'm hoping there won't be too many or too difficult changes, particularly for Temple, which has generally been well-received. 

Back to KA: I anticipate, after finishing everything on the to-do list now, at least two more major redrafts. I have lots of things set in stone but several major plot points are still changeable (mostly a matter of timing rather than reversing decisions). I'm also finding the strange problem of lack of humour, possibly because I spent so much time with Sir Edric and Dog, and their shenanigans are pure comedy.



Thaddeus
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Something finished, something started, something redrafted

8/25/2014

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I've very nearly finished Sir Edric's Treasure. Much like Temple, I seem to have a blind spot a mile wide, and have great difficulty telling whether it's any bloody good. Temple went down well, but that's no guarantee Treasure will do so, despite the many improvements made by changes following beta reader suggestions (thanks once again to Springs and Prizzley).

Proofreading takes me a long time, although I'm running a bit ahead of schedule so far. I'm hoping Treasure will be more or less done (in terms of the text) by the end of this week, or next week at the latest.

However, it won't be released for some time. I can't go into the reasons now, but they're positive rather than negative.

Another thing I can't into much detail is a strange new project I may be embarking upon. Unlike Treasure or Temple, it won't be too long and should not distract from my impending redraft of Kingdom Asunder (my main focus, after two Adventures of Sir Edric and various short stories, will be firmly on Kingdom Asunder once Treasure's text is done).

I am going to have to thoroughly change the first few chapters of KA. In addition, some characters need more time, the plot requires rebalancing, and I'll probably have to write a new battle scene. In many ways, big changes are easier and more enjoyable than small ones. They're almost like a first draft, part 2 (draft harder), whereas small changes involve fiddling with existing scenes and chapters to try and bend them into a new shape. It can be tedious, takes longer, is more difficult and harder to assess when it comes to productivity. Writing whole new material has the handy productivity rating of the word count.

I'm considering slightly reducing the death toll. Each of the major deaths makes sense, but a flurry occur all at once and it makes the plot feel a bit lopsided. One could definitely be delayed to the next book, and might even fit better there.

However, with most major plot points I'm happy, and I'm especially pleased, at this stage, with how the two lead female characters have turned out. A couple of the chaps need more meat adding to their bones, though, particularly the Esden brothers and perhaps Sir James, the cross-dressing knight.

Anyway, even going full steam ahead I do not believe there's any prospect of Kingdom Asunder being released this year, though I shall work hard on it. The mystery smaller project, if it occurs, will be released in 2015.

Thaddeus
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Some rambling answers. Oh, and I finished Kingdom Asunder and Sir Edric's Treasure (first draft)

7/22/2014

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Good news! An exciting blog hop/tour/rambling set of answers is up on my blog. (For those wondering, I use the other blog for personal stuff, so it includes reviews of books, films, TV, games and occasionally just wittering on about historical episodes I find interesting. This writing-blog is solidly focused on my writing process and progress).

In other news, also good, I've finished the first draft of Kingdom Asunder. I haven't yet run through the proto-chapters and worked out the initial word count, but with twenty-seven chapters at this stage I'm guessing 80-100k. It's likely to be a fair bit bigger when finished.

Hefty redrafting of the start will be necessary and whilst I may reverse a significant decision near the end that will require much less in terms of work. More description/development will be needed in many areas, but that was entirely expected.

Now I come to think of it, I've also finished the first draft of Sir Edric's Treasure. Whilst it'll need less work (and no maps) there's still a fair bit to do. 

I'm hoping the comedy will be out this year. Kingdom Asunder is less likely. I wouldn't quite say it's impossible, just improbable. As well as the significant redrafting required, I also have the very difficult (and self-inflicted) task of balancing both sides of the story, as I plan to release a free 'regency edition' containing the chapters revolving around Esden (half the book), to help drum up interest both in Kingdom Asunder and the trilogy more generally. I also need to make a more aesthetically pleasing kingdom map, and probably two smaller ones (of the White Stag Mountains/the Mere, and Fenshire).

Anyway, enough wittering about writing. Time to actually do some work.

Thaddeus
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    About Me
    I've always loved reading
    and writing, particularly fantasy and classical history. I'm also quite into F1 and politics and have no idea why this section is double-spaced.

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