Not dead, just working

[rj_anderson]

Image by Nic's events via Flickr

The good news: Since I started work on Arrow in the second week of January, I have written over 41,000 words.

The bad news: I still have to write at least another 35K, if not more, before this book is finished. And then I need to revise it at least a bit before I can send it to my editor... and all that has to be done by the end of April.

So if you've been wondering why I'm not around much in any of my usual online haunts, that would be the reason, yes.

But I leave you with a teaser! Because I am either nice that way or mean that way, depending on what you think of such things:

He was even taller than she remembered, his skin more tanned, his eyes greener. There was a smear of blood high on his forehead where something had cut him, and he was wearing the fireplace poker like a sword stuck through his belt.

See you on the other side!

Comments

[deirdrej.livejournal.com]

I love the trailer, & can't wait to read the book! And you're more than halfway through!

~Deirdre (who is still eagerly awaiting "Wayfarer" -- summer seems a long way off!)

[crunkette.livejournal.com]

I just imported Rebel from the UK instead of waiting. *shifty eyes*

[rj-anderson.livejournal.com]

Well, that will not help my domestic sales much, but I am honored you found it so hard to wait! :)

[crunkette.livejournal.com]

waiting, and the prettier cover! (mmm sparkles)

[faerie-writer.livejournal.com]

HA! LOVE that last line - and he was wearing the fireplace poker like a sword stuck through his belt.

[tapinger.livejournal.com]

I am trying desperately to remember who that reminds me of. It feels like it's somewhere in the back of my mind but I can't put a finger on it...

[rj-anderson.livejournal.com]

You mean, trying to remember what character in my books the description reminds you of? Or that it reminds you of a character from some other source? Or that the writing itself reminds you of something else?

(Why is the sky blue? Why do fools fall in love? Have I asked enough questions yet?)

[tapinger.livejournal.com]

I was referring to a character, but whether in your books or some other I know not. I'd like to know why fools fall in love too, though, and what other questions you might come up with.

The thought occurs to me that asking questions is a very childlike activity. Any child asks a hundredfold more questions in a day than the average adult. Why do you suppose that is?

[rj-anderson.livejournal.com]

I think possibly because they haven't yet learned to be ashamed of ignorance, or to despise authority. There's a lesson in that somewhere, don't you think? "Unless you change and become as little children..."

[tapinger.livejournal.com]

There's a lesson in everything if you're a teacher. :) The suggestion about authority is certainly making me think.

I was going to ask why writing quickly was working so well for you this time when the novel-in-30 thing was such a disaster, but I suspect the answer is discipline.

[rj-anderson.livejournal.com]

Well, that and writing a novel in 90 days is a lot different than trying to write one in 30. At 2000+ words a day I couldn't edit or polish my work at all, and that made me miserable. Whereas at ~1000 words a day, I can spend time going back over yesterday's work before I start today's, take all the time I want as I'm writing, and still fit in 1000 new words most days.

Not all days, mind -- I had a run of 3-4 days last week where I counted myself glad to get 500 words -- but usually I can find a way to make up for the lost productivity.

[rj-anderson.livejournal.com]

As a fellow author I'm sure you will understand that as soon as I wrote that, I started thinking, "Should I have written 'stuck through his belt like a sword' instead?" :D

[faerie-writer.livejournal.com]

Hahahha! Totally! ;)

[newport2newport.livejournal.com]

Wonderful teaser!

We miss you around LJ, of course, but are wishing you well on your journey to The End.

[rj-anderson.livejournal.com]

Thank you, Melodye! Love your hummingbirds. :)

[mary-j-59.livejournal.com]

Good to know what you're up to, and yes, that's a cruel teaser! (Fun, though. I can't wait to read more.)

[areth-lovejoy.livejournal.com]

First off, teaser are both a delight and pure torture! But I am so very excited for whatever book that is from....

And best of luck with the writing for "Arrow"!

[infiniteviking]

The fireplace poker... ok, I'm grinning all over my face here. :) Best of luck with your wordcount, and see you on the other side!

Arrow

[(Anonymous)]

I love the new twist to faeries. Great books and I can't wait until your next one comes out. I bought these in mind for my now 12 year old and ended up reading them both before she could get a hold of them. It was quite funny how that happened.

Keep up the good work.

That was a great teaser for the next book.

Cheers,

Heather

Re: Arrow

[rj-anderson.livejournal.com]

Thank you, Heather! I love to hear from readers. I hope your 12-year-old enjoyed the books too!

Knife

[(Anonymous)]

Knife is really good but i brought Rebel and i cant seem to get into it. what shall i do?