Here’s a snippet from the current chapter I’m working on. Enjoy!
“Hope. Was it still a reality? Or is it just a delusional concept to ensnare and weaken the mind so that the enemy can attack? Everyone had their personal agenda, Benji had one, Frank had one, even Val had his own, and me? Definitely! Mine was to get home, and everyone else’s was to control something or someone.”
I thought I’d give you all an update on my writing progress. Currently I am struggling with finding a good balance with work, church volunteering, and keeping up my four blog sites. Have I taking on too much? Some people may say so, but I believe it is just a matter of finding a new rhythm in life.
My writer’s block is slowly dissipating as new ideas are surfacing. One idea I never thought of before was giving the characters in The Traveller’s Paradox a good enough reason to remain in a far off star system (a upcoming story arch starting in the latter half of Volume Two). Like the winds of time, ideas come and go as they please. Since I began this blog, posting the first draft (since removed) and then the second draft of Volume One, the story thus far is set in stone.
Since my previous post I haven’t had much progress in way of writing my novel. One day, hopefully before summer’s end, I will have another chapter or two (or three) done. And hopefully the first draft of Volume Two can turn into second draft. The story is a long one, and lots will happen to Zephaniah and the people around him.
Like I tell my friends, “I know where the story needs to go; it’s just a matter of getting there.”
Before I begin I would like to apologize to my dear readers. My posts aren’t as consistent as I’d like them to be. I’ve been struggling with what to write. Lately this as seeped into The Traveller’s Paradox–as I tell my friends, “I know where the story needs to go, but the journey getting there is the hard part.”
With over a decade of countless drafts and attempts at writing Zephaniah’s story, the main tale as been set in stone (to a point). At the beginning of Book Two of Volume Two I’m trying to add a few more modern conspiracy theories. The one I’m currently weaving into the novel is Valiant Thor, a Venusian visitor to Earth. (Here is the best link I can find. Mind you, I don’t believe the legend, just using the idea and name.) Zephaniah encounters Valiant’s grandson or some distant descendant.
In past drafts I had various means to get the cast to their next adventure. A secret message in an ancient, abandoned city to a encrypted message from a galaxy far, far far away (or a nearby star system). My current line of thinking is Valiant’s people are part of a greater community of aliens and his message is the means to find someone the Reverent-Mother Leah needs to find and bring back to Earth.
“Sounds like a plan.” You might say. The road block I’m facing is not the bones of the story but the flesh and skin. How do I embellish the story without deviating too much from where it needs to go? Or do I make some major changes at this point? The discovery of a new world can still be on schedule but what happens once there can alter. Thus several more changes can take place, which may turn out for the better of the novel series as a whole.
Only time can tell.
While my writer’s block sits occupies my life as a writer, I’ll take the time to focus of other projects I have on the go.
How does a one-dimensional character become a multi-dimensional person? That is one of many questions I’ve been asking myself since the beginning of this writing journey. As an author there are two major hurdles to overcome as a storyteller and character builder. They are on the opposite end of the same spectrum; a good writer eventually needs to achieve a good balance of the two.
The first hurdle is due to planning: seeing the big picture. The Traveller’s Paradox has been bounced around my mind for over a decade and the story had multiple versions. The main story has remained fairly the same in the past five years; with that the characters have also stayed the same.
The issue with knowing the big picture is writing with only that in mind. Trying to reach the next major event can hinder character development. I confess that my characters remain in character too long and too well. That is to say their responses and vocabulary seem to be predictable because the next stage needs to be met before the book’s end.
The second hurdle is due to writing: seeing the small picture. This problem has similar outcomes as the previous, but for different reasons. As take time to write The Traveller’s Paradox I typically don’t have the time to write an entire chapter in one sitting. With that I tend to see and focus on the material right in front of me and the characters just go for a ride.
There are times I allow them, and prefer that they do, direct the direction of the story. But, with the process of interpreted writing sessions, the story development can move along perfectly at the expense of character development.
How does an author reach a balance? Simple, reading and re-reading; editing and re-editing. The point I’m trying to make is one of encouragement.
Fellow writers, bloggers and authors: stay strong and don’t give-up the the writing burdens you down. Keep up the good writing, eventually your inner master piece will be shared with the literary world. The Traveller’s Paradox would still be in the process of re-starting for the umpteenth time if I kept listening to the negative voices around and in me.
Get out into the world and make connections with other writers, both published and pre-published authors. Be as much of an encouragement to them as they will be to you. Even editors, beta-readers and the like, can be your encouragers.
Be strong and keep on writing (and reading).
From the day I moved back, until today, I’ve been busy looking for a job, writing and volunteering at my church. While this is all fun it doesn’t put money in my bank account or food on my table. That’s pros and cons living in an economic downtime in Western Canada.
That’s my life in a nutshell and this is Zephaniah’s journey.
I’ve been doing some research into what to add to The Traveller’s Paradox and it brought me back to one of my original ideas: conspiracy theories. Which ones should I use? And which ones are too far fetched? Every science-fiction author properly has a different answer to this.
I’ve looked into UFOs and alien visitations. I plan to also use a modified version of the ancient astronaut theory. There are so many stories and reports floating around in the internet. In Volume One I’ve already used or alluded to several and in Volume Two I’ve already touched on three.
In your science-fiction stories which conspiracy theories have/would you use? How does this advance or hinder your protagonist’s experience?
While I’m on the hunt for employment I have been partaking in a tonne of writing. Since mid-May I’ve written nearly four chapters of Volume Two. My other writing projects are being kept up and a new one (planned one) has finally begun (click here for more info).
I do enjoy writing. Unfortunately it isn’t a paying job. There is not way to turn my hobby into a career. Some authors and bloggers can, but most cannot. This is the sad truth of wanting to be a full-time writer.
Here’s an update on the storyline of The Traveller’s Paradox:
A new twist in the story as just occurred. Zephaniah didn’t know who to trust back in the beginning. While this mistrust had subsided to some degree, it has now manifested itself again. And for good reason. Can he trust someone enough to get back home? Is the division permanent within the Council? Or is there something else going on behind the scenes? Again, only time will tell.
Months down the road, once Volume Two is written and the editing is underway, I’ll post the chapters for you, my dear readers, to read.
How much reading does a reader read if a reader doesn’t read? (Lame, I know. It’s fun writing randomness, that’s for sure.)
Thank you all for following and supporting me in this endeavour.
This past weekend was quite productive for my editing. Friday, April 29th, I spent all afternoon at my favourite coffee place. I buckled down and went to town. Typically it takes me hours to want to finish editing a single chapter, but this weekend was different. I guess it was the fact that college is over plus grad and my big move are nearly upon me.
I began work on Book Three and before I knew it three chapters were edited and as of today Chapter Four is done. All chapters are posted for your enjoyment. In the days to follow I plan to finish the second draft of “The Traveller’s Paradox” along with packing and other fun things.
Once I get the final three chapters posted you may not hear from me for about a month. Once I get back on I’ll be in the lovely city Saskatoon. It’ll be great to be back home, at least the closest place I have to it.
Thanks for reading and following “The Traveller’s Paradox”. Remember you can always begin the journey with Zephaniah Amoz here.
Editing one’s own work is both fun and daunting. Going over what has been written (changing a few thing, spell checking, fact checking, etc.) is a unique step in novel writing. During this phase the wording can be clarified and the details can be smoothed out so the story and characters make sense to readers. Well, as much sense as I can make them. This is important to be done before our works are sent off to beta-readers or editors.
With that said, I’m pleased to announce the completion of Book Two (at least the editing process). Chapter Seven has been posted and so have many others.
What changes do you make during your initial editing of your manuscript? Do your characters change names, appearance or attitude? How do change in setting affect your plot line?
The seventh chapter of Book One is edited and posted. This step may go faster than I initially estimated, which is a good thing. I’m wanting the manuscript to read as smoothly as possible before I send it out to beta-readers for further editing.
This chapter I’ve properly made more changes than any previous chapter. When I reread the first draft a ton of ambiguities arise. What did I originally mean or want to convey? Is the character in line with his personality or level of knowledge? These are questions I attempt to solve. A few paragraphs I had to completely rewrite or even erase and come at it from a different vantage point.
I must admit, at first it was daunting to even think of reading over what I had written so far. The more I do it and the more time I have to undertake this task, the easier it becomes. But beyond easy, it’s actually quite enjoyable.
My journey as an unpublished author (and blogger) is finding new avenues to explore. My apologies to my fellow bloggers, due to work and school taking up most of my time since before I started the first draft of “The Traveler’s Paradox” I haven’t been all too active on here other than posting. Reading and commenting on your posts will become a reality starting in the next few days or weeks. My schooling is done in three weeks (and graduation is four weeks) I’ll have plenty more time to focus on all of my blogs.
A sincere thank-you to all my readers and followers.
Finally, chapter six is edited and posted.
It took me a while to work on it because I’m currently experiencing stress. My college load is light and my work in still the same. The anticipation of graduation and getting all my weekly assignments done, along with my editing, is getting to me. Only six weeks left of school and hopefully chapter seven can get edited within that time.
I’d like to thank you all for following me and reading my posts and chapters.
The Traveller's Paradox 
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