CM Simpson: Writer & Gamer

Words are happening, and this section shows how short works can inspire something much longer...although I didn't realize this novel was going to tie in the lizardine and Lunar Wolves until I'd started writing. Yes, I write first and discover the story a little ways in - and then I lock down an outline...at least until the story decides it wants a slightly different path to follow. The outline is done (and has been since about Day 2), and the story seems happy with it so far. As I write this, at the beginning of Day 6, we are almost a third of the way through the expected word count, so the outline looks pretty solid...even if the target word count does not. I'm thinking this novel might run an extra 10-20 thousand over. We'll see. The good thing about being indie is I can give the story the room it wants, and not try to cram it into a publisher's ideal. While I do have the skill to hit a designated word length, I find it's better for the story not to have to.....

I am on Writing Day 5, as I prepare this post, so that day will come out as a snippet on its own. In the meantime, here are pieces taken from the previous two days' work...and this isn't the only novel I'm working on - but I'd like to keep the other one under wraps for just a bit longer. It's fantasy and I'm still sorting it out. In the meantime, here's a little more Mack. Writing - Day 3 (Chapter 5): Information became sketchy after that. The captain had returned to the domed city and taken an apartment in its slowly expanding residential district. She’d seemed to adjust well to the change from active to diplomatic duty for the Earth Council, apart from the nightmares that plagued her. “Put a tap on her,” Mack instructed, after watching the last piece of footage. “I want to know everything—from what she had for breakfast to how long she spends in the shower.” “And the lizardine?” “They don’t need to know.” He glanced over at me. “I need you to lock ...

Writing has commenced on Mack 'n' Me #6, the final book in this series. In fact, it commenced some time ago, but I forgot to post an update, so I'll give you two small snippets each day until I've caught up, and then I'll post the day after each piece is written. I struggled with the start of this one, so I've started late and will be pushing to make the 80,000-word length by the 31st, but I'm going to do my best, given that's my personal due date. If the words go over, I might be a week late, but it won't be any more than that. Writing - Day 1 (Chapter 1): “You came back.” Mack looked like he was having trouble understanding the concept. “And your point is?” I demanded. “But…” It was funny to see him so lost for words. I let him struggle a little bit longer. “But you never come back on your own.” I gave him my most evil grin and punched him—hard. He grunted and took a half step back. Okay, so maybe I usually punched him harder, but I re...