Happy March, everyone! It’s the first Wednesday of the month, making it Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. But guess what? I’m not insecure!
I am two chapters away from finishing my complete rewrite of book 1. It’s been over a year, and it’s not just some editing venture, but a full, from-the-ground-up rewrite. Characters have changed, some renamed, a few given more prominence, others fading to the background. I’ve cut several side quests, reorganized the timeline, and changed the magic system. Key events remain the same, but the plot has tighter coupling between the POVs, higher tension, and a clearer throughline. I’ve taken all I’ve learned over the past decade and put it into practice.
I’ll have to do edits to book 2 to accommodate some of the changes, but overall, it should be a painless process. Book 1 has risen to book 2’s quality, and the improvements are noticeable. Though, now that I think about it, I guess I am insecure about one thing. My main character makes some really dumb choices, and people’s tolerance for such ill-advised behavior is pretty low. But that’s the series arc–going from a reckless guy who doesn’t think of the consequences to being the hero they actually need. He’s a mess for the first half, though. The question is, can people endure the bad decisions without chucking the book across the room? Hmmm.
IWSG Question of the Month – What elements do you include in your book launch? Or what do you have in mind for your future book launch? Or what advice do you have to offer to others planning to launch a book?
I have absolutely no plans for my book launches. Honestly, I’m so done with the marketing. I think I’d rather just open my own little shop on my website. I do plan to make stickers with my own artwork! And bind my own hardback books. But otherwise, I think I’ll stick to being a hobbyist.
How goes your projects? Got any creative launch plans? How do you feel about stupid characters?
About Insecure Writer’s Support Group
You can find the sign up for the IWSG here. We owe Alex J Cavanaugh a huge thank you for thinking this blog hop up.
Hooray for being two chapters away from completing your rewrite!! That’s exciting!!
I kind of feel like stupid characters help the plot move forward, but that could just be because all my characters are pretty stupid in their own right. 🙂
I feel so done with marketing, too—love your plans for a website shop. And stickers! I love stickers.
Happy rewriting!!
First, congrats on winding up that book #1. Persistence is a virtue authors must have. And second, open that shop and enjoy creating the artwork.
Great job on your rewrite! Launches can be so expensive. I’m in the middle of one right now. It’s probably the last time I’m going to do a major launch. I think your shop sounds like a great idea!
Way to move forward. Keep it up. 🙂
That’s awesome! And good to hear edits on the next book will be easier.
My characters usually don’t make dumb mistakes but I have written a few who were a bit unlikable and readers stuck with them.
I suppose I tolerate stupid characters if something else is compelling me to continue reading. Generally what makes me stop reading a book is bad writing. If the writing is decent, I’m usually invested enough in the story to continue reading. I’ll forgive plot holes and the like with the belief that the author planned all this, and it’ll all make sense in the end. Good writing usually rewards my belief.
Good luck finishing your rewrite!
I like the idea of dumb decisions playing into the character’s arc. It sounds like you’ve got a great plan for him.
Huge congrats! You’re almost there! Woohoo!
You can see the light at the end of the tunnel!!
I know what you mean. Marketing is so painful. I’m also a hobbyist and proud of it.
Finish line in sight for your total rewrit ? Congratulations.
The task sounds as radical as what I did with my last book.
Name changes deliver so many pitfalls, including patchy find and replace,. Some names just stop feeling right.
Restructurin g, for a major rewrite, i love the way some characters decide to take on a life of their own, like war zone rescue engineer Patrick who wanted a much bigger part in how could all this be true. ?
Well done, Loni! And fun on the stickers! 🙂
Congrats on almost finishing your revisions on book 1. It’s a huge accomplishment. And it’s okay to be a hobbyist.