So, I’ve been swept up editing my upcoming novel. It’s not the first time but I’m hoping it’s the last time before I send it out to a professional. And Proof-Readers and Beta Readers and so on. There are multiple levels that a book passes through before it hits the market and I’m learning just how many there are. However, self-editing is the first step, then the second and then the third and so on and so on. Until you polish things enough to let a professional take an axe to it. Still, even after you recognize it’s necessary, sometimes it can be rather hard…

And so it goes. When your dealing with any creative project what takes out, can be just as important as what is left in. Yet, when you’re trying to trim “your baby” things get complicated. Loss of perspective is inevitable. However, it is a necessary step because there are few readers who will take a chance on a new author’s 700 + page tome.

So, that’s where I am at the moment. Tons of fun…maybe a few tears. After all, “It’s so BRILLIANT!”

I’ll release more details of this journey as I go and hope you’ll come with me. But if you’d like to join in with other stories of adventure, check out our graphic novels, The Sorcerer’s Children, Volumes 1 to 3 and The Adventures Of Astrodog, Volumes 1 and 2.

Now, back to crying – I mean editing.

I’m a bit busy these days so I thought I’d repost an old Doodle Blog for your enjoyment.

One of my distractions lately has been this little gentleman to the side. His name is Tars Tarkas, after the 11 foot tall, green, four-armed, tusked Martian warrior from the Mars novels by Edgar Rice Burroughs. He’s at the zooming, climbing then snoozing then starting the whole cycle again – stage. I wish I had his energy.

When I was first asked this question the answer that immediately sprang to mind was: “It depends.” For our fantasy-adventure, graphic novel trilogy, The Sorcerer’s Children, I had been reading a lot of Celtic mythology, fantasy and non-fiction history. In that case, the setting or world swirled around in my head with the history of it coalescing into a quartet of main characters caught up in the fallout of events that transpired a thousand years before they were born. For our science fiction adventure graphic novel, The Adventures of Astrodog, I remember watching a docu-drama about humans expanding into outer space and noticed nobody had any pets. I promised my dog at the time, Sam, if I went to space I would take him with me.

So, in each of those cases, the ideas sprang from interests I was investigating at the time. Even though The Sorcerer’s Children isn’t a retelling of any particular Celtic myth it does share certain motifs, symbols and characters. Also, while including a healthy dose of mystery, romance, magic and the forgotten to unexpected consequences history can leave in its wake.

The tone of The Adventures of Astrodog was meant to reflect the old-fashioned escapism of cartoons from the ’70’s like Johnny Quest or Scooby-Do. A pair of children led by their hard-boiled, mystery-sniffing dog uncover interstellar conspiracies and cosmic skullduggery while living on the moon. All in the name of fun.

In my novel, the setting has a role to play in the events of the story. As well as the time period and the characters themselves. In some cases it would be difficult for me to say what came first but it is worth it to know that it all comes down to what works for you. With all the elements we’ve discussed, the main goal in the end is to establish a connection with your reader. In every great story I’ve read, plot, setting and characters have come together to create a tale that can move me to tears or provide me a wonderful escape into an enchanting world.

You can join our characters of The Sorcerer’s Children and The Adventures of Astrodog in their fantastical stories by clicking here. We look forward to hearing your own stories of adventure.