<![CDATA[Writers Corner]]> http://www.leethomasrichards.co.uk/blog/ EN Wed, 06 Feb 2019 21:24:00 +0000 Incomedia WebSite X5 Evo <![CDATA[Book Two]]> imblog
There are so many times in life when as a writer you sit and stare at a blank screen and wonder why. So why bother.

It's writing advice time, yet again.

Having put the last word to a 100K+ project, it was a little daunting when the other half of the writing team said. 'Let's do another.'

I was not quite sure whether or not I should laugh, get excited or hang my head in desperation. I'm sure you've all felt this way, you get to the end of a substantial project, only to realise its not really the end. There more to come, and your proofreaders want it now.

So, good feedback aside. That pressure of people wanting more is good, right? You've created colourful characters that people care about, have invested in, and desperately want to read more of.

Yet when the time comes, and you sit there in front of that huge screen of white nothingness. We find ourselves doubting. The usual questions come to mind, list time:

  • What happens if I mess it up?
  • Should I kill off a main character?
  • Should I take it in a different direction?
  • What happens if I go too far?
  • ,,,
  • ..
You know what I mean, the list expands. Before you know it you are doing more procrastinating but not in a good way. This is in self-doubt, too nervous to start, too worried to end.

So how do I get over it? Well the above counts for all of us. I would loop back to my default here, and remind everyone that I do not sleep. Which always comes in handy when you need to write to a deadline. Yet I can offer a bit of advice.

Leave the PC alone, step away from the keyboard. Grab a notebook and a pen. Yes, a good old paper writing session. Firstly it takes longer to write longhand, your brain can often work quicker then you can scribble. This is the opposite to when you type, when you feel that words are flowing 1:1.

So the first bit of advice is, grab a pen and slow down a bit. Take time to plot, and to think. it can really help.

The second bit of advice is this. Take pride in the pen. Yes, love that notebook. Rinse and repeat. Keep coming back to the one book. Build it over the years, full of anything and everything. The next time you get stuck, flip it open and read some of your past entries. You'll be surprised how a blank spell can be unstuck by your past version of yourself.

So do future you a favour and keep scribbling, even when you are prolific.

Anyway, I hope this helps somebody, somewhere.

For me and the rest of the team (you know who you are). It's onto book two. The notebook method really worked this time, a little too much I might add. Yet it served its purpose until next time its needed.
]]> Wed, 06 Feb 2019 21:24:00 GMT http://www.leethomasrichards.co.uk/blog/?book-two http://www.leethomasrichards.co.uk/blog/rss/000000016 <![CDATA[Done, dusted, time to move on]]> imblog
So, it's been a little over twelve months, and I am finally able to say that the book is complete.

It's been a fascinating voyage of writing with a partner, and I've decided to share some of those experiences here for people to understand how this has affected my writing.

I have jotted a few topics for conversation down below, and over the next few days I will add to the post, but for now, and in no particular order, here we go.

Learning how to let go

This was an interesting one for me. I am terrible at allowing other people to read my work. Yes, I know how bad this sounds, I am an author. The whole point is to write and let others know what is going on inside your head, but hear me out.

I have been writing on and off since I was fifteen. So in a shocking realisation, that means I have been writing for nearly twenty-seven years. In the course of my writing journey, I have only let two or three books out into the open. The rest remain locked away, not because I do not want anyone to read them. No, more the fact that I have never really thought they were ready to unleash.

So allowing someone to read my work real time was a real eye-opener for me. To write a chapter at a time and then unleash it was nerve-wracking for the first couple of chapters, more like ten.

It worked for me, something that was quite scary at the start became the norm towards the end. The big thing here is to ensure you have trust in the partner you chose. Above all else ensure you let go but do not become too precious over what you release. Remember its the first draft.

Allowing decisions to be made jointly
Accepting criticism
Feeding back criticism
]]> Sun, 04 Nov 2018 10:50:00 GMT http://www.leethomasrichards.co.uk/blog/?done,-dusted,-time-to-move-on http://www.leethomasrichards.co.uk/blog/rss/000000015 <![CDATA[A Post Forgotten]]> imblog
Well, it has been a very long and challenging week but I am here now, back in front of the keyboard and that is what counts.

So, what am I up to today? Hammering out the next chapter, chapter 29 & 30. So a few things to talk about tonight. Firstly by my calculations, I am around 30k away from finishing. This is good but leaves me with another exciting issue.

  • What issue, I hear you ask?
  • Well, what do I do next?
  • Rinse and repeat or move onto something new and improved?

So what do I mean by rinse and repeat?

Well, that is an excellent question. Firstly, do I keep repeating the draft process or just rinse off the required number of words ready for submission then worry about the rest later?
How many times do you go through the draft process before you submit? Again, this is another excellent question, and honestly, one that I cannot answer for you. I guess you know when you know. Sometimes it's good to get it out there, and other times it's good to take more time and slow it down. Polish every word before you submit, because you only get one chance to make the right first impression.

What do I do next?

In this instance, I have left the judgement up to the editing team. They have grand plans and want to try different approaches to the submission process. Whatever that means! From the novel, to screen and graphic art. They have big plans, but as I have said in previous blogs both here and on the website. I am full of ideas, the latter stages of the process bog me down when in all honesty, I just want to keep on writing.

So what to next? I have plans. 31 of them in total. Yes, you read that correctly, not 1 but 31 new works in the pipeline. So please check back from time to time, once the first one is picked up I will be able to provide you more detail as the 'cat will be out of the bag' by then.

Rinse and repeat or move onto something new and improved?

I refer to this a few times. Rinse and repeat, by this I mean more science fiction and fantasy or something new and entirely different to my writing style. My head is hankering for the latter, but something tells me I need to do some more of the first to get through the backlog. Either way, there will be words on a page, and that is all that matters.

]]> Sun, 20 May 2018 10:33:00 GMT http://www.leethomasrichards.co.uk/blog/?a-post-forgotten http://www.leethomasrichards.co.uk/blog/rss/000000014 <![CDATA[The End Is Right There]]> imblog
So, after nearly a year my latest work is almost complete, there's just the little matter of a few characters to sort out (no spoilers), and the inevitable 'The End' to be written.

So what have a learnt from this writing journey then?

Quite a lot, a year is a little bit of a stretch in writing time. Most of the bulk of the chapters have been written in the past two months. Out of a thirty chapter novel, the last twelve were written in fast succession. What this tells me is that I can be, when correctly motivated, focused to achieve a lot in a short period of time. Writing in bulk also helps with my continuity and integration into character depth. Writing with long breaks or in short bursts, I have noticed that there is a tendency to waver or drift.

Working with an editor on a daily basis has been a lot of fun too. Challenging at times, but I have looked upon the opportunity as a welcomed experience and not one to be passed over in the future. It also served to drive me forwards, knowing that there was a person there, waiting for your pages, on a daily basis gave you added time pressure. It was not only a matter of time though, it felt like I was writing for them or to them, so there was the aspect of direct feedback. This stopped me from rabbit holing too much too long and we could rectify plot issues as they unfolded instead of at the end when rewriting could be more detrimental.

Have I finished yet?

No, and this is the problem. Those plots and planning steps that we all know and love. Those notes for what will come next that we have all written in margins of notebooks and new file documents. Well, let's just say that this time there has been a problem.

It's comical when I come to think about it, but here goes. I intended to end the book in a certain way, and with certain people. The problem that has come to light is this, the book had other ideas, and now I have taken the final act in an entirely different direction. The strange thing to contemplate is that they are my words, written or typed by my hand, and yet here we are in a entirely different endgame than what I first expected.

The more I read it, the more it makes logical sense, given character progression and the natural order of how things would pan out for both the reader and the storyteller. That does not quash the niggle though, that little itch that keeps telling me to go back three chapters are reworked it all to make the ending what I originally intended. Tough choices need to be made, so here we go.

I have decided to end the book as is, to let the logical choice flow and stop.

I will then do what my brain is telling me to do and go back twenty thousand words and rewrite the end game to make it what it was supposed to be. I will then let the editor or you the reader decide how you want it to end in good old fashion adventure style. The book will either be published with both endings or one, and the alternative will be on the website for you to contemplate. Let's call it my nod to the red/green books (hidden meaning).



]]> Sun, 13 May 2018 11:36:00 GMT http://www.leethomasrichards.co.uk/blog/?the-end-is-right-there http://www.leethomasrichards.co.uk/blog/rss/000000013 <![CDATA[28 - A Blow Out]]> imblog
When all the words go wrong: So, chapter 28 was going so well, and then I read what I had written at the 3000-word mark. Yep, time to delete that mess.

#writingadvice At what point do you stop and start again or try to salvage the mess that you have made? This is a good question and one that all writers face at some point in their journey through a novel.

Having encountered this little problem today here is my advice.

DO NOT, REPEAT, DO NOT, DELETE IT.

Everything you write is good, remember this. Bad words are kind words, all the same; they come from within. So take the time to review it, store it, but do not delete it. Review, and edit it.

There will be more on this subject shortly, with examples as I am currently editing the mess that is chapter 28 of my current project. How did I get here? Well, that is the question. In short 3k words, rushed because I am so close to the end I can almost see it. So bad words come from being rushed. Never set a target, never think the book is complete until it lets you know it is.

Once the book is released I will publish all the pain, and there are lots of it, that it took to get it out to print. For now, you will have to trust me that every chapter is just another roll of the dice before it is pushed out to the editor.
]]> Sat, 05 May 2018 15:57:00 GMT http://www.leethomasrichards.co.uk/blog/?28---a-blow-out http://www.leethomasrichards.co.uk/blog/rss/000000012 <![CDATA[27 Locked]]> imblog
So, another one had been dropped into the editor's inbox.
After a bit of a flourish, I now have time to blog again. Its been a few weeks since I last posted, so what's been going on?

Work, writing, and learning the piano all over again. All the usual stuff to keep me occupied.
Focusing on writing though, I am now 27 chapters in on the latest project. It has been running since the middle of 2017 and is at around the 140k mark as we speak today. With editing, it has notched up to a little higher.

The book is very close to completion, of the first draft that is. Once completed and the editor has caught up with the backlog. A subtle nudge there is you are reading. Then it will be recut, shut and pushing it out to the agents.

The story is part one of a potential two book series although the material is expansive and lots could be expanded upon. Part of me wants to wrap it all up into one book, but you know how editors get. Always looking for a series where they can.

Borrow are respin (#writingadvice) : One of the reasons this project has moved along so quickly is because I borrowed a couple of well-formed characters from a previously unpublished work. Never start from scratch, especially when you have some characters that are complete and, excuse the pun, sitting on the shelf.

Anyway, a short blog today. Keep on writing, it's no good having stories in your head. Get them down on paper (or virtual).

I am currently predicting that the project will be complete sometime in May. So many more to start and complete though, but I am looking forward to beginning another joint project. This one has driven me to write more, faster with the knowledge that there is a support network to keep me focused.

Writer (me), editor (Mr S) and a screenwriter (Still to be confirmed).





]]> Sat, 05 May 2018 09:51:00 GMT http://www.leethomasrichards.co.uk/blog/?27-locked http://www.leethomasrichards.co.uk/blog/rss/000000011 <![CDATA[Cover Art ]]> imblog
First submission of some potential cover art images for the up and coming new book #TopToBottom.

Thanks to Mushin for submitting and getting the ball rolling.

We will be accepting all submissions either through the email address in the footer or via Twitter.

For those of you eagle eyed enough to spot it, there is no brief on the web so please write in and request one.

Once the book is ready to launch we will notify the artist selected. Good Luck, Have Fun.
]]> Mon, 16 Apr 2018 19:03:00 GMT http://www.leethomasrichards.co.uk/blog/?cover-art- http://www.leethomasrichards.co.uk/blog/rss/000000010 <![CDATA[Top To Bottom]]> imblog
First graphic art design for the up coming: Top To Bottom project can be seen below.

More information to follow shortly but go check out the artwork as it stands today.

Image was drawn using layered chalks and a good old Sharpie pen. Post processing added flare and illustrator filters to add effects and lift grain.

Intent is to show varying levels of the tower. This will all become obvious when the blurb is finally released.

As always stay tuned for more information, coming soon. Additional works have been commissioned by other artists.

Winner takes all for the front and back covers. This is still a work in progress but the book is nearing completion. So its time to turn our attention to what it should be wrapped in.

If there are any readers out there that dabble in cover designs please let me know via the usual channels. Comment in the blog space below or direct PM in Twitter. Either is good for me.

Keep reading and check back soon for more info.
]]> Sun, 15 Apr 2018 15:48:00 GMT http://www.leethomasrichards.co.uk/blog/?top-to-bottom http://www.leethomasrichards.co.uk/blog/rss/00000000D <![CDATA[Writers Software Choices]]> imblog
One pet hate is when you pay good money for software you need to help save time and it does the complete opposite. This is frustrating to say the least. Our times as writers is precious especially when writing is not our full time role. Therefore to be facing issues with software, the one thing that allows us to put things onto paper quicker can lead to anger.

Over the years and during writing the books in my catalogue of work, I have used many different hardware and software devices to put my thoughts down. Some have been good, whilst some have been extremely detrimental to that creative process.
The important thing to remember before reading on is that what works for one person will not necessarily work for another. The approach that I take will not be the same as yours or should it be. The intent here is to show the development process and some of the struggles I have faced over the course of the years I have been behind a keyboard.

With that in mind what I am about to tell you probably gives you and indication of how long I have been writing. So my first device was an Amstrad 464 which shipped with a tape drive and a free word processor called Easi-AmsWord. This to date is still the best word processor I have every used, which may come as a surprise to many of you considering how basic it was but here are my reasons why.

  • No spell checker. Yes that's right. It shipped as is so a dictionary was vital to ensuring you made no mistakes. At the time I had and used a thesaurus which was a trusted tool.
  • Max file size. The 464 would only allow you to write so many lines before it would be unable to store any more into temp memory. This meant that you would only ever be able to write ~ 2-5 pages before backing up and moving on. This allowed for a very focused way of writing. There was no ability to go back to a previous chapter or side two different chapters side by side.
  • Time to load. It took around 2-3 minutes to load up the word processor then further time to find the file you were working on and load that via the tape drive. All of this meant that once you were ready to start working you were in the zone. Today's ability to flick on and off is good but often allows for personal procrastination.
  • The keyboard, oh my word the keyboard was insanely good. The right height the right depth of key for speed writing. It was a dream. Whilst we are on keyboard.

Keyboards:

So keyboards, yes this is my personal addiction. As stated above my 464 had to date my favourite keyboard. It's important to note the to date part of the previous statement. As I am always on the hunt for new ones. My second favourite keyboard is an old IMB model M. Folding spring model but this is too loud at night and keeps most of the neighbourhood awake whilst I am working.
I am currently writing this on a surface keyboard which is very good but still lacks the physical connection to a key press that earlier, sturdy keyboards provide. The recent revival of mechanical keyboards have gone a long way in reviving that experience but with a modern take. Keyboards loaded with Cherry MX or ML keys are good and allow for a very tactile experience when I am writing. The surface keyboard and its folding equivalent allow for lots of high speed word bashing without suffering the wrath of the family shouting at me for interrupting their sleep.

Back to software:

So through the years and with faster devices being made available for cheaper prices the king of the word processor dominated my writing path. Yes I am talking about Word. Love it or hate it you cannot deny that it does exactly what its supposed to do and it does it well. There are too many pros and cons for this one and over the years even MS have listened to their users to reduce some of the later whilst maintaining the for.
I have to be honest here and say that Word has been and will be my fall back tool for years to come. With the bulk of my back catalogue still sitting in .doc format.

Passing word by I moved onto Scrivener for a few years. Again this is a good tool and helped me to start writing again at speed but it also hindered it quite substantially too. Lot's of people love it but after two books I felt we had to depart ways. The process of writing seemed too complicated and if anything a word processor just like a pen is a tool to help and not hinder.
My departure with the above led to a bit of a word processing crisis for me. Do I return to the old ways and use word. Look even further back to the word perfects or push onwards to the Google equivalents.

After dabbling with a bit of nostalgia I decided to move forwards and I am now heavily seated in gdocs. Not perfect but it does allow me to collaborate at speed with my editor and other writers. Simple in nature, a hark back to the very fundamentals of what a word processor should be and for that I am happy.

The biggest single advantage however is cloud computing. An always up approach to writing, any device and connection anywhere. This is where the power in my current choice resides.

I hope this blog was of interest to you. Please remember though. What works for you is the most important choice to make. Be in Mac or PC. MS or Google. Bespoke or generic. Seek out what makes your writing sessions a success. The end of the journey is always the same, a book. The process or getting there can be infinitely different. From paper and pen to computer. Go make your choice but never be afraid to explore and seek out other peoples advice. You never know it might make you sessions more enjoyable.
    ]]>     Sun, 15 Apr 2018 09:08:00 GMT http://www.leethomasrichards.co.uk/blog/?writers-software-choices http://www.leethomasrichards.co.uk/blog/rss/00000000C     <![CDATA[Long Week: Positive Outcome]]> imblog
    Well that was a very long week. Which unfortunately meant that I was unable to join the #5amwritersclub.

    Work can be one of those distractions that aids my writing or hinders it. It all depends on the pressure. Let me explain.

    Some days work can be full on 100 mph and 12-14 hour days. When the pressure is so high it can often help to spur my writing on. As long as I can protect that 1 hour slot at 5AM.

    When work is everything and all consuming it can however impact my writing and not just by the fact that I run out of time. It can put my creativity on a negative slant. Where I rush my sessions, looking for work count over content because time is so short.

    Linking back to some of my previous posts, ensure you have the ability to notice the warning signs of this second effect. With my current work 'Top to Bottom: Working Title' the editor is keeping a mindful eye on these tell-tales. When I am working on my own the first edit is usually when I pick it up and this can often be too late.

    Today's point to take away is this: never write because you have to. Never force words because you think you need to.
    ]]>     Sat, 14 Apr 2018 09:23:00 GMT http://www.leethomasrichards.co.uk/blog/?long-week--positive-outcome http://www.leethomasrichards.co.uk/blog/rss/00000000B     <![CDATA[Watch Out For Repetition, Repetition.]]> imblog
    Beware the repeat.

    Yes we can be all guilty of it. The same sentence, the repetitive character. Beware you don't just rinse and repeat.

    This is not really a problem if only one of your novels makes it to the shelf. However, if you have learnt heavy on the reuse, the cookie cutter, the classic two dimensional character. Then you might just be in trouble.

    I use a number of methods to avoid this.

    If it writes itself, it usually means I have already written it before. With so many in the back catalogue this can often be a danger that just cannot be avoided but if you feel yourself writing the same go to scene over and over then stop.

    Change of character. Yep, we all love that one character. That Han Solo cheeky rogue. The lady in red that drives you man. The Bruce Wayne alter ego. Either way. Write it once and once only. If you love it enough to write it again, it probably means you did not right it to its fullest potential the first time around. If this is the case and you feel you have more to offer, then do just that. Interweave them into another story, rewrite the original or just begin again. All are acceptable. What is not acceptable is writing the same character with a different name, just because it is safe.

    Kill them all. Easiest way to get that feeling to return out of the way is to kill them and bury them on paper and emotionally. OK this one is for fun but you know what I mean here. As a writer each character is a part of you. Use them, do not abuse them.

    This one is for the win. Mirror your favourite char, black and white. The best way to continue the thread is to mimic and augment. If your favourite character is a good guy, make them mad. Take everything you love and make your readers hate them. This can ensure you avoid any issues with replication and duplication.

    A quick and dirty list I know but it works for me at the moment. To recap:
      • Keep track of your characters, A6 cards work well for this.
      • Do not rinse and repeat. Make sure when you spot the reuse you nip it in the bud there and then.
      • Don't be scared to borrow but unless they are the same character in total do not clone and go. Your readers over time will spot this lazy way of writing and call you out for what you are doing.
    The flip side of all of this is a double edged sword. For those that you do wish to reuse:
      • Keep track of them
      • Make sure your timelines fit.
      • Flesh out their back stories, make them interesting and multi dimensional.
      • Determine where you are going with them before you start investing in their story.
    ]]>     Fri, 13 Apr 2018 22:05:00 GMT http://www.leethomasrichards.co.uk/blog/?watch-out-for-repetition,-repetition- http://www.leethomasrichards.co.uk/blog/rss/00000000A     <![CDATA[Free Stuff On Amazon]]> imblog
    Well, I'd almost forgot that I had this one published but here it is on a free promotion for all of those people who want something fun to read. It's short and sweet but full of action and magical nonsense. I am still proud of it all the same. A total departure from my usual content.

    Go check it out. Hal's Tale: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hals-Tale-Lee-Thomas-Richards-ebook/dp/B007TNWND8

    The reason this little book came into life was quite simple. My eldest asked me to write her a book for her birthday. Time was short and with less than three weeks to pull it together, Hal's Tale was born.

    It's a good example of how time pressure can work for you and against you. Lot's of words and OK plot, some great scenes and not a lot of editing. The last point is the reason why I have not pulled it down and reworked it, even now after all this time. It serves as a reminder of measure twice and cut once rule but when faced with the time I had and the request of a daughter something had to give. So, this book shows what can be achieved in twenty one days if you sacrificing the second and third rewrites.

    One day I will go back and rework the whole thing as this version is the 'Short' version. There is a 'Longer' version kicking about in the cloud somewhere but other projects keep getting in the way.
    ]]>     Fri, 13 Apr 2018 17:56:00 GMT http://www.leethomasrichards.co.uk/blog/?free-stuff-on-amazon http://www.leethomasrichards.co.uk/blog/rss/000000009     <![CDATA[A New Site To Rule Them All]]> imblog So here it is, after nearly six years I have finally managed to update my website.
    Don't look to hard it might crumble.

    For those that ever visited the old site it looked like this:



    Compared to the new site which looks like this:



    Not masses of changes, I get that. It will get bigger over time though and the main intent here is to broadcast.
    Broadcast, broadcast, broadcast, what I am working on and more importantly how it is going.
    ]]>     Wed, 11 Apr 2018 20:59:00 GMT http://www.leethomasrichards.co.uk/blog/?a-new-site-to-rule-them-all http://www.leethomasrichards.co.uk/blog/rss/000000005