Day Three Of Editing

DAY THREE OF EDITING

Whew, almost half way through the first chapter.

This is turning out to be awesome! I'm so thrilled with where this is going.

I know, I know. I'm saying that an awful lot. However, having seen the first chapter where I began and how it is shaping out now, I know it's the correct course of action.

I'm loving this process!

I'm thinking about introducing the characters so you can get to know them. It is something I've been thinking about since I began this. However, I would do it in an "interview" style.

In other words, I would ask "them" questions and they, of course would answer back.

I think it would be kind of fun but we will see.

It's sometimes difficult to fill this page because I don't want to be giving too much away, however I want to be recording that I'm making steady progress.

To be honest, I think it can be frustrating for you to hear the same things over and over. For that, I'm sorry.

Having said that, this is writing. This IS the way in which we writers move through the pages. It can take a while but the effort is so worth it in the end when you finally get to read a new and exciting book.

I therefore am very thrilled that you are hanging in there with me. Watching this from where you are, probably wondering when publication is going to happen.

I wonder the same thing too. However, I know that it will take place. It's just a matter of a little bit of time.

I hope you will be ready to read it when it finally happens and you will be able to say "I followed that guy as he created it".

Thank you again for being here and I hope you won't be disappointed.

Have an awesome day.

Mark

Day Two Of Rewriting

DAY TWO OF REWRITING

So, three more pages have now been written.

I know that this first chapter is going to be changed the most and will take me the longest. However, I feel that a lot of the book will remain intact, because it flows with the story.

Having finally finished the logline, it has really helped to crystallize the story, putting it into the perspective that it needs.

What is a "logline"? I hear you ask.

Well, as you know, I've been discussing that this book will become a screenplay. So, to learn about the best way to write one, I've turned to the book: "Save The Cat" by Blake Snyder. It's available at Amazon.

Anyway, what that book will do is teach you the finer points of a script. (I'm still reading it. Lol.) It's the hottest thing in Hollywood right now for writers because it does such a great job!

So, what's a "logline"? It is the "What is it?" When describing a movie. It should be one or two sentences that anyone can read and visualize a movie from.

Producers read it, as do we.

They are hard to write, in my view but I think I have it.

It really helps.

(I'll discuss more about my logline, when I begin writing the screenplay.)

Anyway, today was awesome! I'm so thrilled that this book is coming together in the way I had envisioned when I really began this journey.

I hope all is well with you and you are enjoying my journal.

Mark

So The Rewriting Begins!

SO THE REWRITING BEGINS!

Okay, finally have begun writing. Feels great! I must say that I'm really enjoying this. It already looks so much different and better. I'll be very happy with the outcome, when all is said and done.

The first chapter is my focus right now, of course. The first three pages are in.

This chapter might take a little longer than my original schedule of three days but I will make it up later for sure.

It's setting the stage for the rest of the book, which means that it has to be good.

It took a little bit to really get going but once I did, I found it easy to write. Of course.

I've been sitting with this story for the better part of, well, going on nineteen years now, so I better know it! Lol.

Which reminds me. Where did this really all begin?

Well, I've always been into the paranormal for most of my life. The experiences that I have had and the "stuff" I've come to learn have both intrigued and scared me.

One thing that has captured my imagination is out of body experiences. Since dreams are a source of mystery, it didn't take too long to ask the question "what if?"

Once I did that it followed that it would arouse my creativity and bring the two together in a short screenplay. The title of which was "The Dream".

This book had that same name too until I discovered that there are a number of novels that start with "the dream" on the front cover.

I knew then I wanted to change the name to better reflect what the manuscript was all about. So "Dream, Recurring" was created.

"The Dream" was well received by those that read it. They all had their "take" on it and I loved listening to it.

I even let a Producer read it. (I was working in the film industry at the time.)

He was so impressed that he said if I could make it a full-length feature, he would fund the movie!

I thought he was joking but he was serious. I was stunned and very humbled. I am a "nobody" screenwriter that has no track history. So that to me was huge!

Even though I couldn't turn it into the full length that I wanted to, back then, I knew I had something.

Years would go by, I left the industry to pursue other interests and I shelved the story for a while. I couldn't put the pieces together.

Finally the screenplay became my outline and the story grew. The first thing I wanted to do with it after years of collecting dust, was to turn it into a novel.

So, "Dream, Recurring" was born.

Anyway, it has led me to where I am now. A four book series that will eventually be written and I am committed to turning them all into screenplays. Hopefully they will all be seen as well as read.

I hope you have an amazing day!

Mark

Final Day Of Planning

FINAL DAY OF PLANNING

Okay, well the last chapter has now received my notes for the changes I'm going to make.

Actually, the major difference from the old to the new will be because of the enhancements, which I feel will carry this story through to the end.

The bottom line is, I think by the time I have completed this part of editing that I will be able to begin moving it towards publication.

Whew!...

So what's next?

Tomorrow, I'll begin on chapter one, making the changes. I will always keep to my minimum requirement of three pages a day. However, I'm sure there will be times when I'll be able to produce more.

My hope is it'll take about three days per chapter. Although there will be some that only need one. If I look at the three day schedule, knowing I write Monday through Friday only, I can see me finishing the editing (ready for moving to a Literary Agent) by around March 3rd.

My original plan is to have it all ready by the end of February (aiming, more precisely by February 29th).

So, somewhere I have to make up three days if I'm to maintain my schedule.

I guess we'll see how it goes!

Hope you have an amazing day.

Mark

Day Three Of Editing: Planning Almost Complete

DAY THREE OF EDITING: PLANNING ALMOST COMPLETE.

Well, this took a little longer today, some interesting things were happening.

I was focused on chapters ten through twelve, with chapter thirteen to plan on Monday. Almost ready to begin the actual rewriting.

I'm growing with excitement!

So, what was going on?

Well, now my emotions are completely invested in enhancing the story. I just want to start writing but I know if I don't do this part of the process, I'll loose track of where the book needs to go.

Plus I like the fact that I've left the last chapter for one entire day of review.

There were parts that I was reading, because I know of the original concept and that the changes will bring it back to that, which had me wonder why I even wrote those parts in.

Sometimes story-lines run away from you if your not careful...

Clearly, I was not as cautious as I should have been! Lol.

Thank goodness for editing!

Well, I wouldn't want to put something out there that you didn't like. (I know the paranormal isn't for everyone and I'm sure I won't be able to please some people but you can only put best foot forward. :) )

Much of today was all about following up on yesterday's work. Indeed Wednesday's as well. It just feels good that I'm close to putting this all together.

Hope you have an amazing day!

Mark

Day Two Of Editing

DAY TWO OF EDITING

Whew, what a day! Began planning chapters six through nine.

Because of the enhancements in the earlier chapters and the need to remove old story lines that don't serve the book, I found myself planning to rewrite most of these chapters.

This will take a little time but I can't wait to see the outcome.

I am certain that the remainder of the novel will go like this too, however it just means it's going to really elevate the original concept.

I can't wait!

WOW!

So what changes have I made?

* Removed an old interaction between the main characters.
* Developed love interests for each of them (Lucy and Sam).
* Removed some characters that weren't necessary, so the story could better focus on them.

I'm very hopeful that you will really enjoy the final product just as much as I'm loving creating it.

Mark 

Editing Begins

EDITING BEGINS:

I'm back from my Christmas break and I started the process of making the changes to the book.

Everyday that I'm working on the novel, from now on, you'll see a post from me in here. (That means: Monday through Friday I'll be doing something towards completion of the project.)

So here goes:

Today was about planning what areas and changes that I would work on for chapters one through five.

It was an interesting process as I started to think what do I need to do to enhance the story. My editor and I, (Lisa and I), worked on some interesting concepts during the break that I'm going to bring in to the manuscript.

These are designed to ensure that the book stays on point and that your reading experience is second to none.

So what are some of the changes/enhancements that I'm making?

Well, without giving away the story, here are some sneak peeks:

*Enhancing the dream to bring in greater depth of the back story and mystery.
*Ensuring that the antagonist is darker, scarier.
*Introduction of the main characters in a better way that more falls inline with the tale.

These changes are exciting and I look forward to actually writing them. (That begins on Monday.)

Anyway, I look forward to tomorrow and I'm so blessed that you want to come along for the ride.

Mark