Just a year ago, anyone who claimed to write five books a year would earn the ‘bad writer’ badge, or the ‘low content’ author category. While this is still true to an extent, I now see I may have been wrong. I used to write one book a year and thought that was normal. Then I managed two books a year. I’m not quite at the three books point, but I’m getting there. Has the speed influenced the quality of my writing? Absolutely not.
So what is it that clicks in your brain? Is it the experience? The confidence? The specific strategies we adopt to induce a higher word flow? Or is it a mixture of all this and perhaps more? I still don’t know, but I’d like to hear your thoughts.
My point? I am 107K into book four of Silvan Outlands, at only a month after the release of book three. Of course, there are at least three more drafts to go, which is another three months - at least I think it is. I wonder if that process will accelerate too.
A New Lord of the Rings Movie?
OMG it looks like there is another one coming out: The Hunt For Gollum. Please gods tell me this is not fake news, that it’s true and there will be more to come.
Peter Jackson is producing, Andy Serkis is directing - these are originals to the pioneering Lord of the Rings trilogy, directed by Jackson himself. On top of that, Sir Ian Kellen is back as Gandalf, Elijah Wood as Frodo, and of course, Andy Serkis himself as Gollum. I wonder whether any of the other original cast members will be back. Orlando Bloom? Viggo Mortensen? How on earth am I going to make it to 2027?
To celebrate this exciting news, I found a great giveaway for you to participate in.
That box set is making my mouth water, and the mug is perfect for early mornings at Shedquarters. Let me know if you win something! That would be extremely awesome.
How Many Ways to Laugh?
Split your sides, roll on the floor laughing, bust a gut, in stitches, laugh your socks off… think of any more? Well this likely happened when you visited my tiktok account @r.k.lander Thanks to those who followed me despite the embarrassment. There will likely be other ridiculous vids coming out of me talking about my books. I cringe every time I make one, but such are the demands of an indie author life. It has to be done - we may as well all have a laugh riot at my escapades.
Shedquarters Update
So 107K into Quest for Adakia, and the release date is still on target for January. I am hopeful it will be before, but I’ll keep you posted on that one.
My neighbour is at it again. He’s building - like an arc or something. The noise is ridiculous, just when I’m into my writing. How many types of saw can you have? They all make different noises… I hate him.
On a more positive note, I am now writing with the map of Boscandia in front of me. As the story deepens and details are revealed, I swear it is so hard to keep up with my own worldbuilding it’s ridiculous. Thank the gods for my beta team for keeping me on track. Oh, and we have decided to start an Excel sheet with all the juicy typos and the autocorrect results that had led to no small amounts of laughter. I might even publish it once we have it nailed down.
We’re building up to the climax now, and The Company is revving up for a rescue mission. Time to block out the drilling and sawing noises with epic fantasy music, and get this first draft finished, because that is when the magic happens.
Finally, I’m leaving you with a collection of sci-fi and fantasy deals from select authors for you to browse through. Fel’annár and co are there, naturally, along with some other great reads you might enjoy.
Take care everyone, and happy reading!
Well I hope that neighbour of yours stops sawing soon, if not play your music loud.
I am glad you are getting faster at your writing, we get more great books, and I truly do not believe there is any detrimental effects to you writing faster. I believe that you sometimes have inspiration from the previous book and know where the story leads you, and as such it must form the storyline. Just keep up the excellent writing as I can’t wait for the next book.