I forgot to send my previous major update to my email list. If you wanted to read that first, go here.

The Bright Spot Update: Blight Eater, Kings and Beggars, New Neon Signs

What a month. It just absolutely flew by. Not much progress has been made other than the following:

Let’s start at the top

I have five beta readers going through the manuscript right now and so far the reactions seem positive. There are some unanimous feelings about certain ideas presented. Likely due to the lack of explanation. Once most of my readers are finished, I’ll go through and read the third draft fully and go through the suggestions.

I will spend the next month or two going through each suggestion and making necessary edits. I don’t want to rush this part since this would be the last revision before sending it to a copy editor, so any major decisions must be made now before publication.

I started working on the first draft of Blight Eater. I’m almost 10,000 words in and it’s looking amazing. Excited to share it with you all. The tone is slightly shifted but is still more of the same. If you like psychological horror, hold your breath for this one.

This one is tricky. I hate the idea that I can’t continue writing this, especially since I’m so far into the novel. I cannot seem to continue with certain plot threads because they are either 1. Boring, or 2. Out of Character. The character work is the core of the story and when one of the two protagonists isn’t sewn together neatly, the whole book may fall apart. Because of this, I’m shelving this novel for now.

I can’t remember if I’d mentioned this before, but I was invited to participate in another crowdfunding campaign in November. I was going to list The Ballad of Kings and Beggars (which I assumed I’d have at least two drafts done by then), but it doesn’t look like its going to happen.

The other reason why I will not participate in this campaign is because of The Bright Spot. I know I collected money nearly a year ago to fund the production of this book. Trust me, I want this book to be published so badly, but I think it would be a disgusting display if I started another campaign, asking for help funding another project before I even deliver on the first! The three options I have are: 1) Rush the production of The Bright Spot so it can be published before I start another campaign. 2) Do the campaign anyway and collect more money before I deliver on the first book. 3) Delay the Bright Spot (to get it done right) and not do the campaign.

Segue (what an odd word. Like fugue, and queue) into my next point

You’re probably like me: Groaning and moaning, knowing you’ll have to wait a little longer. I want you to know that things ARE moving. As the great Mee A. Moto said: A delayed game is eventually good, but a rushed game is forever bad.

I have to get this book done RIGHT. I want it to be WORTH reading. As well as separating itself from the stigma of self-published books lacking proper editing. We are nearing the finish line, even though the finish line keeps getting pushed back. Getting this published by Christmas is my goal, but it’s not set in stone. I’ll keep you all updated.

As many of you know, I can’t just do one thing. I must be good at everything, which is why I’m doing something new in my free time. If I’m not writing I’m doing this.

I’m now making custom neon signs! I might make a separate update on my website to go over everything. I have added a new section where you can design and get a quote on your very own custom sign for your business or workshop for as little as $60!

Once I build my portfolio, I will have some premade signs that you can purchase at any time!

That's it for now. I’ll make another book update in about a month or so unless I forget something.