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Trepidation

 17-Feb-2009
Posted At : 4:52 PM | Posted By : Russell
Related Categories: Russells' Daily Grind
Mood: Nervous
Now reading: Finished Karen Traviss' 'Judge'


I spent most of today in Auckland with my editor and others from the local branch of HarperCollins, my ANZ publishing company. I had a great time looking over what the proof readers made of my sixth novel, 'Beyond the Wall of Time.' I'm a terror for repetition, and they always catch me at it. Some of the mistakes I make and never see during my own edits leave me embarrassed. Despite extensive notes characters go missing, swords and stones are there one moment and gone the next, and people stand up after having just stood up. Sigh.

I left HarperCollins having submitted two manuscripts, both of which I'm very nervous about. The first is a part-finished near-future scifi/fantasy hybrid, quite unlike my usual style. The second is ... a children's picture book. I wonder what will be made of them. I've got more hope for the novel, though we've worked hard on the picture book. It's not really my area of expertise, but we had a fun little story to tell.

We'll see.

Comments (6)

Comments

Let's hope that HC realise that you are more than just a fantasy writer. Did you mention that with the picture book you will capturing an audience for all your writing. Get 'em while they're young!

Posted By Brendan Podger / Posted At 2/18/09 6:21 AM

Is it a fantasy/scifi picture book? My kids need more books to brainwash....er....encourage them over to the dark side!

Posted By Jo Kasper / Posted At 2/18/09 4:00 PM

No, Jo. It's a very gentle story about a missing hat. And it's for pre-schoolers. Just thought I'd try something different.

Posted By russellk / Posted At 2/18/09 5:36 PM

Damn, too late for my kids. Got my fingers crossed for you though, can't have too many books about lost hats, little kids love that stuff.

Posted By Jo Kasper / Posted At 2/19/09 10:22 AM

Oooh, how exciting! They're sure to go for the hat - it was a delightful little story. And it will be interesting to see what they say about the other one. Particularly about the character that wasn't meant to be one :)

Posted By Nicole R Murphy / Posted At 2/20/09 6:56 AM

Hey Russel,

Believe me, I'm very happy to hear that the third book in the Husk series will be coming out here in Australia relatively soon.

I've read a considerable amount of 'epic' fantasy and the first two books in your Husk trilogy were definitely above average in my opinion. They were well written and have a complex and gratifying storyline which isn't just choked-full with the usual tropes. I am enjoying the many shades of grey with regards to your characters - both mortal and otherwise. (I hope that is sufficiently discreet?)

Suffice to say, I'm glad to hear that should shortly be winding up the printing press and sending out those bad-boys (figuratively speaking, of course)

Thanks for the great read so far!
Chris

p.s. How do you start your novels? Characters, world-building, back-story etc?

Posted By Chris / Posted At 2/20/09 8:59 PM