Weekly Update – Week Commencing 2nd May 2022

I have found other writers who publish a weekly progress update, and I find it interesting to read, even if I am not immediately familiar with their work. I thought I would start doing the same. It is a great way to keep myself accountable. If I write too little, the update will be boring.

I have had a productive writing week. Last week I was in Porto (Portugal), presenting at a conference, and I got back home on the Sunday. I started the week by reviewing some blog posts I wrote while I was away. 

I wrote another chapter for Diary of a Martian; just under 2000 words. I performed a light edit on this chapter so that it is quite clean. I am thrilled with it. I am approaching a very action packed part of the book, and the current chapters contain a lot of rich world-building. 

The most challenging part of these chapters is the principal antagonist is present in the scene, but nobody knows they are the baddie. It is a mystery, as the antagonist is someone in a position of power. I have been trying to drop subtle hints about the person in the story; just subtle mannerisms. It’s been fun to do, but I sometimes doubt myself and wonder if I am giving anything away, or not being subtle enough. I hear from a lot of writers that doubting yourself, and motives, is normal, so I am putting it down to being part of the process.

I am also working on a new non-fiction book, which I will talk about in more detail this week. I completed about 3000 words for this project and I am feeling good it. The book is a creative writing non-fiction book, and I am considering sharing the unedited chapters on this blog to solicit feedback. I will be self-publishing the book, so I don’t need to worry about how a publisher feels about me posting them. I thought it would be fun to write it in the open.

Next week, I am presenting at a conference in London, so I will be away most of the week. While away, I am hoping to get a lot of writing done. I find work trips very productive. Like a true introvert, I enjoy being holed up in the hotel writing in the evening. Not every evening. I am not completely anti-social, but I intend to get at least one more chapter for Diary of a Martian completed.