Fifth Prequel Draft Complete

With the fifth draft complete, the prequel is nearly ready. The text has grown yet again, from 60,000 to 63,000 words, and the number of chapters has increased from 43 to 44. The sixth draft will be the one which goes to Vella. Have to get the cover design completed too.

I'm looking forward to having my two older daughters, who are also my beta-readers, back home next week. They'll be returning from university for winter break. It will be nice to talk with them in person, and not just over FaceTime, about plans for the prequel's release.

Fourth Prequel Draft Complete

I've had my first reader feedback on the Stormfall Chronicles prequel, mostly centering around the pacing and a couple of the side-characters in the story. My middle daughter's feedback has been invaluable in refining the storyline.

A few of the chapters have undergone some rearranging as a result - particularly closer to the end of the story where a lot of things are happening at once. It has not been the edit cycle I might have originally envisioned for the 4th draft of this novel, but it was the edit cycle which was needed.

The text has grown from 55,000 to 60,000 words, and the number of chapters has grown from 40 to 43.

It's coming along nicely, although another round of edits and beta-readers is still needed to polish the story before release.

Third Prequel Draft Complete

Each successive edit cycle tends to take less time, with fewer additions and changes to the text. Having now completed the 3rd draft of the Stormfall Chronicles prequel, the text has grown from 52,000 to 55,000 words. The number of "chapters" or "episodes" has likewise grown from 39 to 40.

Ordinarily, I would continue to complete multiple edit cycles at this point, and begin to seek beta-reader feedback on the draft novel as part of this process.

In this instance, however, since the story is expected to be released as a serial, on Kindle Vella, I'm planning to begin honing the story on a chapter-by-chapter basis. In other words, Chapters 1 through 4 might each undergo multiple edit cycles and beta-reads, before I even begin additional edits to Chapter 5.

Getting more excited to see how this story shapes up.

Second Prequel Draft Completed

I've completed the 2nd draft of the Stormfall Chronicles prequel I've been working on, with the text growing from 43,000 to 52,000 words.  Along the way, I ended up sub-dividing one of the longer chapters, so the "episode" or "chapter" count has grown to 39. I'd like to see at least one more edit cycle completed before I'm ready to submit the draft to my beta-readers.

This prequel is very different from the books in the series. It's shorter - about half the length of most of the novels in the series. It's also a different tone. This is the story of Callisto, and how she came to be the person we're introduced to in Book 3 of the series. As such, this prequel takes on the air of a tragedy.

First Draft for Prequel Complete

I have finally finished the initial draft to the first prequel for the Stormfall Chronicles. As I had indicated in a previous post, it's my intention to publish this prequel as an episodic series on Kindle's Vella platform.

Before I can do that, of course, there is a lot of editing which needs to be done. At least I have a skeleton to work with now.

The first draft spans 43,000 words, arranged into 38 short episodes or chapters. My plan is to complete the second and possibly third draft, front-to-back for the series - getting the story's flow right - before beginning to edit and release the final draft for each episode on a chapter-by-chapter basis.

I can't deny that I'm excited to see this story take shape.

Changes and Episodic Fiction

This past month has come with a lot of changes. My two oldest daughters, who were also my beta-readers for the prior novels, moved to their respective university campuses. It's been quite an adjustment to not have them around. Tomorrow, my youngest starts her sophomore year in high school.

While we were preparing for the move, and my daughters were beginning their beta-read of Book 4 in the Stormfall Chronicles, I took a little time out to begin a new project. As those who follow the indie author scene might be aware, Amazon has launched a new Kindle service known as Vella. The new platform is aimed at delivering episodic series a chapter at a time rather than as a completed novel. It's a different, and intriguing prospect, which I thought might be a good match for one of the prequel novels I had been contemplating as a spin-off for the Stormfall Chronicles.

Ever since I first introduced the character in Book 3, I was convinced that Callisto was deserving of her own prequel (and likely a sequel) story. Being focused on a single character, it would be very different from the Epic landscape of the first four novels. It also might be well suited to a episodic format such as Vella offers.

I am currently over half way through the first draft of this prequel story, patching it together between preparations and moving my daughters across country. It will be shorter than the novels have been, and would likely be released one week at a time, chapter by chapter - once the initial draft is complete. It has definitely been a different canvas to work from. Hopefully it brings a little insight into the tragic beginnings which made Callisto into the figure she becomes.

Third Draft for Book 4 Complete

I've completed editing the third draft to Book 4 of the Stormfall Chronicles. The total word count has grown from 106,000 under the second draft, to 111,000 words today.

For reference, I have attached a tracking chart, for visualizing my writing progress in comparison to the prior novels. Although the first two drafts for Book 4 took longer to write and edit than I would have anticipated, the third draft is in line with the turn-around time expected from the previous novels.

Ordinarily, I wouldn't be releasing copies to my beta readers until after the fourth or fifth draft. In this instance, however, two of my beta readers (my oldest two daughters) will be leaving for their respective universities in August. I will therefore need to release beta reader copies a little earlier than I might otherwise have wanted. My beta readers have been a key part of my editing process, however, making this unavoidable.

Second Draft for Book 4 Complete

 I've finally completed editing the second draft to Book 4 of the Stormfall Chronicles. Between the first and second draft, the total word count has grown from 78,000 to 106,000 words.

This is similar to the word count for Book 2 at this same point in the editing process, which went from 74,000 to 105,000 words between the first and second draft. Book 2 totaled some 121,000 words by the time the final draft was released. I'm hoping Book 4 is a little closer to its final form at this point, than was the case for Book 2.

The editing process has taken a lot longer than I had hoped it would, but at least this draft is done. My first draft usually forms a skeleton for the story, and I rely on the second draft to fill-in missing chapters and scenes.

Book 4: The Editing Continues

Editing for Book 4 continues. I'm now a little more than two-thirds of the way through the second draft for the novel, with a total word count of 99,000 as of today. At the end of the first draft, it may be recalled, I was at 78,000 words.

For me, the first draft is always very rough. The second draft has to add a lot of scenes and material to fill in any gaps. Still much to do, but making progress.

Author Interview in the Faerie Review

As an author, I find it's always a joy to talk about my writing and the projects I am working on. I am grateful to Lily and the Faerie Review for taking the time to sit down with me this past week.

https://www.thefaeriereview.com/2021/05/inside-the-mind-j-w-golan/

Storm's Gate Featured on the Faerie Review

It was wonderful to see Liliyana Shadowlyn's review of Storm's Gate, Book 3 of the Stormfall Chronicles, earlier today.  To quote briefly from the review:

I’ve enjoyed following Lynette, Baxter and Eirlon over the last two books, and getting to continue their adventures with them has been a delight. . .  

There's a lot on the line, and you'll be turning pages, wanting to know what's coming next. Definitely recommend for fantasy adventure lovers!

So glad she's been enjoying the series. Liliyana's review and website and be found under the links below.

https://www.thefaeriereview.com/2021/05/review-storms-gate/

https://lshadowlynauthor.com/2021/05/12/review-storms-gate/

Book 4: The Editing Chronicles

The editing process for Book 4 has been stretched out. Too many day-to-day demands on my time, it would seem.

I have begun editing the novel in the same way in which I began composing it: with the final chapters. I have now completed my first round of edits on the final quarter of the novel. The word count has climbed from 78,000 words at the end of the first draft to 90,000 words today. Hopefully the edit process for the earlier chapters will flow a little more quickly.

Collecting Photos for Future Cover Designs

Went on a hike with my middle daughter at James L Goodwin State Forest today, collecting photos for use in future covers. It was a beautiful day out. Beginning to look like spring.

Designing a Cover: Book 3 of the Stormfall Chronicles

Having completed the first draft for Book 4 of the Stormfall Chronicles, I will soon be launching the cover design for Book 4. This should give my cover designer time to begin working on the cover, in parallel with my edits to the text.

This might therefore be a good opportunity to discuss the cover design process that I've used throughout my novels. My covers usually begin with a very quick, hand-drawn sketch outlining what I'm looking for. It's usually nothing elegant, just a starting point for discussions with my cover artist - who happens to also be my middle daughter. From there, the two of us can discuss what photography she will need to help create the final design.

Each cover that my daughter produces is generated from a series of photographs which she breaks down into the constituent elements and reassembles to produce the final product. Her sisters will often serve as models. For other elements, we'll go on day-trips to state parks or similar sites with camera in hand, looking for inspiration.

The raw photo and processed image compared.
Numerous changes were made to the dress and hair.

For Book 3 for example, she used an image of her younger sister - but had to edit the color of the dress to match the sketch. She also needed to extend the dress' hem, as well as the hair length in the image (her sister had cut her hair shorter between the photo taken for the cover for Book 2 and that taken for Book 3).

The dragon began as a polymer clay figure.

A model for the dragon, in turn, was constructed from polymer clay which was painted to achieve the general tone. After experimenting with a couple of alternatives, we settled on constructing the wings and neck of the dragon separately - to allow us to take photographs at a variety of angles which could then be sorted through, to determine which combination worked best. Working from the photograph, the contours and pose of the dragon and its neck could be adjusted to achieve the desired effect.

Relatively few changes were needed for the tower

The background for Book 3 also required a wall and a tower, for which we made a trip to Castle Craig Tower in Meriden, Connecticut.

The wall image was mirrored for the cover

Built as a scenic lookout point, the tower required minimal modification, while the image of the wall had to be mirrored to fit in with the overall design. Similarly, the courtyard surface required a trip to a local landscape retailer to collect working images for the stone paving.

The flames were likewise reconstructed from actual flame images, captured at night. The color contrast was then adjusted to match the tones in the sketch.

There were a lot of fine details which needed to be added or adjusted to get the image right: smoke; lightning bolts; shadows; and texturing. The most crucial part, however, was the lighting. Getting the color and lighting just right to resemble the illumination from a flaming background was no small feat - and something which my daughter had to research on her own and figure out how to do.

Getting the lighting right was essential to achieving the final design

Once the image was complete, it was passed through a filter to arrive at the final, "oil-painting" style. The cover lettering and framing color could then be added once everything else was done.

Assembling the cover was another great part of working with my daughters on these books. Together with beta-reading the final drafts, the cover design was another chapter which I will sorely miss when my two eldest children leave for their respective universities next fall.

First Draft for Book 4 Complete

The first draft of Book 4 is finally complete. Like most of my first drafts, it's a messy thing. There are a lot of scenes which I'll need to go back and add, and a lot of refinement which needs to be done for each scene. At long last, however, the first draft is complete.

It took me a bit longer to pen this draft than it did for the prior novels. At 78,000 words in length, it has required some 19 weeks to complete, for an average writing pace of 580 words per day - as compared to 880 words per day for the first draft of Book 2 and 930 words per day for Book 3. I had to divert a certain amount of time and energy during the past few months towards tutoring my daughters in their classwork, so the slower pace is inevitable.

This first draft is slightly longer than the initial draft for Book 2 (74,000 words), but is shorter than the initial draft for Book 3 (98,000 words).

Looking forward to editing the novel and adding those missing details during the coming weeks.

Book 4: Closing In

I've exceeded 70,000 words into the first draft of Book 4 in the Stormfall Chronicles. Into the finale of the series now. A lot to juggle as the story arc closes in on its conclusion.

The first draft always takes longer than I plan for. Between my day job and family time commitments, it's always a challenge to find the hours needed to write. I'm grateful that I've had the opportunity to make it this far. I already have ideas floating in my mind for the cover design as well.

Book 4: Progress

I've finally surpassed 60,000 words for the first draft of Book 4 in the Stormfall Chronicles. As I've hinted at before, this will be the final installment in the original story arc, following the experiences of Lynette, Baxter and others, as they face an epic battle for the future of their world.

As the final chapters in the first draft take shape, I can already begin to see beyond the original series. Possibilities run through my mind for spin-off stories, following some of the many characters who appear in the current series. The temptation to complete some of their miniature story arcs is becoming ever more irresistible as the epic story nears its closure.

If I do decide to write a follow-on novel or novels, however, I expect them to be structured as stand-alone novels - more narrowly focused on a single story arc and character. Juggling an epic fantasy has been an exciting undertaking, but has also absorbed more energy and time than a more conventional fantasy tale would require. Something for me to think on.

Beebliophiles' Review for Storm's Gate

I was excited to see Bee's review for Storm's Gate appear this past weekend. I'll borrow just a short quote from their review:

One of my favourite elements was when we switched to a viewpoint not seen for a while, for example Kalden, who we hadn’t seen since the previous book. It’s like meeting an old friend, catching up, seeing what’s going on in his life.

I had been looking forward to reintroducing Kalden since the end of Book 1, and am glad that others felt the same way too. Bee's complete review appears under the link below.

https://beebliophile.com/2021/02/21/storms-gate-review/

I really do appreciate the thoughtful comments from all of my reviewers. Thanks again Bee.

Book 4: Gradually Taking Shape

The beginning of a new month, and I am now 46,000 words into the first draft for the fourth installment in the Stormfall Chronicles. I can see the elements of the story taking shape more readily now - although there is still much to be done before the first draft is complete.

There is a certain bittersweet side to writing the fourth and final installment to the original story arc. I can envision some of the side-stories which might be spun-off from the original characters. At the same time, however, it will be sad to say goodbye to other characters along the way.

Stormfall Chronicles Book 3 Trailer

Another short video, this time featuring Storm's Gate, Book 3 of the Stormfall Chronicles. Love what my daughter did with this cover.

Review for Storm's Gate on Pop the Butterfly Reads

It was great to see Paige Green's review for Storm's Gate, Book 3 of the Stormfall Chronicles, appear on her website today:

https://popthebutterfly.wordpress.com/2021/01/19/storms-gate-by-j-w-golan/

Besides being an avid reader and book blogger, Paige also organizes the Indie Blog Hop. Thanks again Paige, for all that you do for the indie community.

Stormfall Chronicles Book 2 Trailer

A very short video advertisement featuring Book 2 of the Stormfall Chronicles. A little bit of video fun.

Stormfall Chronicles Book 1 Trailer

To kick-off the New Year, I've assembled a (very) short video advertisement featuring Book 1 of the Stormfall Chronicles. Just a bit of video fun.

Hope everyone else had a great New Year's Eve.