Scrivener - Writing Tool

Well after many years using MS Word and a notepad I am about to embark on an exercise to use Scrivener to see if it improves my productivity at all.

This will be a one year test (might as well commit if you are going to do anything) and I will start all new projects in the tool whilst importing Gen's Tale.

Wish me luck, free trial here we come. You can find more information and links to both the free trial and the full tool here: Scrivener

Update: Well application downloaded and product has been bought, first impressions are good. The tool offers some very nice touches straight out of the box. Time will only tell if it's good enough to pull me away from Word permanently.

Keyboards still have not arrived so awaiting confirmation of shipment into the UK, can't wait to try out the White Alps switches. If all else fails though and they are not all they are supposed to be then Cherry MX blues here we come.

Writing keyboards - Discussion point

Hello again,

It's been a while since I last posted, so here's a couple of things that I have been upto in the world of my writing.

Firstly and unfortunately all productivity on the next instalment of Snow Depth has come to a stop for the moment. The frame work of Gen's Tale is in place now but the mortar is taking a little bit of time to reveal itself. In light of this I have moved onto a new project called One Day.

Secondly, I light to take this post to discuss writing keyboards. Switch options, vintage and retro versus modern etc.

I have recently swapped my writing keyboard, following a long and pointless adventure but I have taken out my trusted ML4400 Cherry ML board. This keyboard has a micro form factor and feels very similar to the earlier laptop keyboards.
However, it is potentially just a little to small for me to work on comfortably at speed so after a little research I have managed to secure a Siig MiniTouch from the good old USA, it's not a 1903 but a 1948 version. Unsure yet if its carrying the White Alps keys or one of the many variants that it was built with. Either way the form factor looks a good size for working on and time will tell if it manages to increase my productivity.

Anyway thanks for reading, hope to post again soon.
Merry Christmas and happy holidays to all.

One Day Updates

1700 words, it's so good to be writing again. I just do not want to stop but sleep is calling. Maybe tonight I will not dream, here's hoping for a peaceful night after a evening of jotting demons down on paper (pc) maybe they are tired too.

Interesting turn of events began writing a new story and ended up writing book three of the snow depth trilogy. Funny how things work out somedays.

Watching - A great story

The man from earth, a truly brilliant film. It reminds me so much of twelve angry men and other thinking movies. Somedays people sat in a room talking can make the best entertainment.

"I don't believe you're mad but what you are saying is not true."

I have to use this line in the next meeting I go to.

Amazon promotion - Freebies

Hi again, well there is another free promotion now in affect on Amazon and Kindle. So if you have not read the first instalment of the snow depth trilogy and fancy giving it a go (be kind) then head to Amazon now.

For any first time readers, Hal's Tale is a small fantasy novel. War is building between two kingdoms, high up in the snow covered mountains, a princess is captured in the dead of night and only Hal and his brothers can rescue her.

The story is filled with witches, wizards, good magic, bad magic. Kings and princesses, dark nights and unconventional hero's. Yet most of all, Hal's tale is a story of true love.

Sunday morning

Well it's Sunday morning, I'm lying in bed thinking I could get up an undertake a little writing. However, in light of recent events the spark to
write or should I say, fix what I have already written is just not there.

It still amazes me that people are not as perceptive as they could be. That with every spoken word one should be evaluating the response and not just continue till the end.

Gen's Tale has all but ground to a halt. The structure is in place but the padding has not yet begun. As previously mentioned the last chapter of book three has also been written (Bare bones) so the end is set in stone so to speak.

Here's hoping the spark comes back soon.

On a different note, five days of free promotion is once again upon us. So if you have not read Hal's Tale yet and fancy giving it a go then watch this space because it will be free once again very soon.

LT

Nothing new as of late

Sorry but nothing new as of late. Family, work and a hectic social schedule has burnt up nearly all my time as if late.

In light of this I have decided on a quick easy win. More to follow soon.

Progress Report

So work has been, well a little manic as of late.
So basically, there has been no progress made on either the re-work project or the latest instalment, Gen's Tale.
Drop back to see how we are getting on soon but for now and until work settles down, my writing will have to take a back seat.

Rework's - Long Version

Ok so in short or in answer to the short version, the original full length Hal's Tale is now underway again.

It might help to explain that the original work was intended for Eve's eyes only and therefore was shorter than it should have been. No excuses intended but it was always meant to be more.

So here I have an opportunity to write more, expand more and more importantly make it darker than it originally was. Target audiences aside, drowning and torture does not make a nice bed time read but it could lead to the making of a small but epic tale.

Throw a stone and make a splash

As a writer we slave and slog. We scratch and bleed. We talk alot and write even more.

There's an old saying that every person has at least one story inside them, the story of their life. Some of us are cursed and are full of them. Screaming to get out.

Rework & Rewrites

Feedback can often be constructive and sometimes not.

This time I am going to take it constructivley and find the time to start again.

So Gen's tale is on hold for a little while whilst Hal gets some well deserved attention.

Writing, well kind of.

So yes, I did spend the whole evening writing but it was not on Gen's Tale unfortunately.

On a plus side I have almost completed the internal job application pro forma. I must admit its harder than trying to come up with a good opening.

However, I did hear the use of the word reticent in what could be construed both the original and new (reluctant) way today. Very clever use of the word.

Distractions

No progress tonight but on a plus side this did arrive in the post.

Rules of engagement

It's better to write something than nothing at all.

As an aside and to mirror the upcoming release of chapter 1 (sample) of FWOL. The website will also house the blurb chapter (same book different setting).

After over ten years in the making an about face was undertaken to rehouse the story into a different setting.

I would be interested in any feedback or comments between the two versions.

The chapters will be published shortly. Pop back soon to have a read.

Still no words but now it looks pretty

So another night of tweaking the website and not writing. Funny how none symmetrical pages can drive you mad. It's all sorted now though so nice and happy once again. I might even get a little writing done tomorrow ;)

Slow progress.

Well no progress to be honest. Friends, sun and garden took up the majority of the day.

What a great day though. Hard to get back into the writing spirit when so much has gone on.

#ColumboTV

Taken sometime out to watch a classic episode of Columbo.

Mobile blogging

Well let's give this a go. Blogger on iPhone. Does anybody out there rate it?

Back from Beyond

Back from the woods, tired out now but lots and lots to think about.
New sculptures have been added since last time we were there.
Very impressed with the lumberjack woodman, very impressed indeed.
Particularly like the drawn on face ;)

Is off to the deep dark woods

Well, off to the deep dark woods we go.
Time for some more inspiration, the last time we went there I wrote the sunrise scene from Hal's Tale.

Saturday, sunny Saturday

Well it's Saturday again, looking forward to another fun filled day.
I am hoping to get sometime this evening to push a few more words out.
Gen's Tale is progressing well at the moment after what could be seen as a bit of a rocky start.

Fresh Start

Well the blog is up and running, new territory for me is this one.
Here I am hoping to replace the mini blog from my homepage with something a little more substantial.
Lets see how we get on.
Pop back from time to time to see how the next instalment of the Snow Depth trilogy is getting on.