CM Simpson: Writer & Gamer

Project1 has just crossed the 31,000-word mark. Character classes are done—and I mean completely done, bar the play-testing—so I am now working on the new races. Normally, I’d put up a short free read to celebrate, but I can’t do that without giving away what the project’s about. Since that might imply a relationship with the publisher that doesn’t exist, I’d rather not do that. Project1 is planned as an on-spec submission with no guarantee of acceptance. I can’t even discuss the research I’ve done as that might also leave clues, so all I can say is that I’m enjoying this project. Whatever the outcome of the submission, this project is something I have to get out of my head. I’m not worried that I’ll regret the time spent on it. It won’t be wasted. Despite Project1’s relatively unique nature, working on it has spawned other ideas that lend themselves to more generic systems and settings, and these are now waiting to be written. I’ve also had an idea for a setting that I can use ...

Love the mechanical bugs and kraken, but especially adore the leaf-green spider, kraken, copper-bodied praying mantis and rhinoceros beetle. Link: http://catherinetterings.blogspot.com/ Take some time and a wander through a clockwork-styled wonderland :-) I warn you, players. I am seriously inspired!

So, November went okay, and I learned a lot about my work habits and lifestyle. I’m not sure I want to set such stringent goals for December. One of the things I noticed in November is that having such well-defined goals was also a straight-jacket when I had a new idea that needed some attention. On the other hand, I believe I need to set firm goals so that I am working towards completing projects and maintain at least a little discipline in my writing. One of the other things I noticed is that these goals didn’t give me much flexibility. If, for instance, I accepted a contract for work, or had a submission accepted, I wouldn’t have been able to concentrate on it and maintain my progress in any of my goals. That’s probably not good business. I think what I want to do is set a main project to work on, and nominate secondaries that can be moved in and out until they become the main project. That way, if I am offered a contract, or have edits, I can make that the main project, and...

November went better. I’m starting to work out where my limits are and to balance them with my work. It does mean not writing as much as I used to, but it doesn’t mean giving up writing entirely. Writing Me: 1.       Adventure1: Scene 2: Monster Stats /4 +; 2.       YA Novel1: Outline: Ch.1-4; character development:partial; 0/2000wds. 3.       Short Story1: outline: not completed; 0/2,000 words. 4.       Project1: Chapter 1 edited. Character Classes: edited the already completed work but did not completely finish the classes due to unexpected research requirements; Races: started; 1,500 /5,000 words BUT removed an equivalent amount from the manuscript draft. Still short, but not as short as I might have been. Chart-value should be noted to exceed value of word number entered in chart. 5.       Project2: Chapter 1: Adding Project2 to Your Campaign: ...

Two tests, two days of working extra hours, a teething two-year-old and what amounts to two days off. A slow week this week, but the two days’ rest mean I’m about to head into to today with a clearer writing head. Writing Me: 1.       YA Novel1: Ch.1-3 outline complete. Ch.4 outline started. 2.       Blog: 3/4 +1 3.       Bob Mayer and Jen Talty’s Publishing Options course: Wk 3 complete. 4.       Continue reading and working through Bob Mayer’s Write it Forward: From Writer to Successful Author and Joy E. Held’s Writer Wellness: A Writer’s Path to Health and Creativity . Writing Head #2: 1.       Novella1: +1500 wds. I struggled with this all week, and as it is prioritised above my other goals, nothing else got done (except in class breaks while on a training course). I may have to put a time limit on it on days I struggle. I only have 2500 wor...

Long week and busy. Starting to think I need to cut goals even further during term time. Next week will be the decider. Writing Me: 1.       Short Story1: re-familiarisation complete but the story is refusing to cooperate. Revised an alternative short story (1,300 wds) – science fiction stand-alone start in to an anthology set in my own universe. Over half-way through the second story to the anthology (800 wds). 2.       Project1: Chapter 1 edited. 1 new class drafted and almost complete (took out 400 wds, added 300). May lose more words as I refine the project's focus and move what will become supplementary material into supplement drafts. 3.       Project2: New class idea added. 4.       1 blog entry a week: 4/4. 5.       Bob Mayer and Jen Talty’s Self-Publishing Options course: Week 3 complete. 6.       Continue read...