Guest Post Firebolt Book Tour
Author Adrienne Woods talks about her writing procedures today on my blog. Adrienne Woods is the author of young adult fantasy novel “Firebolt”, which I’m in the middle of reading, and which is pretty awesome so far. Thanks for visiting my blog, Adrienne!
My Writing procedures
It took me three years to write Firebolt of the Dragonian Series. I have about nine drafts of Firebolt.
The story of Elena and the dragons took me an entire week to see everything in my mind. It took me three more weeks to see the entire series. The first book, Firebolt, took me about a month to write. I couldn’t stop. Then I changed some scenes, so I rewrote it a second time to make sure that everything fit perfectly. I always rewrite, because I’ve read many novels where they just changed the mistakes and then you have two versions of plots that played out differently. No joke. I’ve seen it in some novels, good novels.
With the second draft I sent it, as is, to four beta readers. People I don’t know because they didn’t have a reason not to be blunt and tell me what they found wrong with it. This was purely to find out if the layout of the story and how everything was moving forward worked or not. I asked them to concentrate on boring scenes, scenes that felt a bit out of the story, like it didn’t belong, and scenes that didn’t sound realistic.
After they came back to me, I changed whatever they didn’t like, leaving me with draft number three. Then I met a writing group and all of them helped me with my grammar, sentence structure, writing mechanics, etc. I never knew any of those little points existed in writing until I met this group, leaving me with draft four.
Draft five came with a book I read about Self Copy Editing for Fictional Writers, written by King and Brown. They told me about the showing vs. telling, something I still struggle with, and again the mechanics when it comes to dialogue; sentences that aren’t necessary and other mistakes of that type. So I edited, took out, revised, and changed scenes that slowed down my story. I’ve got to add, that this book should be on every writer’s shelf.
Developing draft six, was when I sent it out to two new beta readers. They were also strangers, and this time I asked them to concentrate on everything.
Draft seven emerged from their thoughts and I took it back to my writing group, and that is where draft eight was born.
Draft nine came with my editor, Hillery, which changed my novel from about 89,000 to 94,000 words.
Her input came mostly through descriptions she felt lack of meat. (As I call it) That went to two beta readers, and two proof readers. The final product will be released on November 20th of 2013.I’ve read this novel about eighty times, no lie. My opening chapter changed four times. Every time I read it, I found one or two mistakes. Don’t ever think you can do it without help. The reason why I had so many beta readers is because once you read the novel, and fix it’s mistakes, you are already too close to the manuscript. That is why I had two proof readers revise after my manuscript was edited by Hillery. There will always be a mistake here and there. I’ve seen it in bestselling novels, and to catch all the mistakes, you need a team of people not just one. So next time you’re writing a novel, keep in mind, not everyone out there wants to steal your work, some of them really want to help you.
Kind Wishes,
Adrienne Woods.
About The Book
Title: Firebolt
Author: Adrienne Woods
Genre: YA Fantasy
For the love of blueberries, Elena Watkins was destined for greatness, even though she didn’t know it. Before entering Paegeia Elena was not special, she wasn’t even average until the night her father was killed by a creature she thought only existed in fairy tales – a dragon. With her father’s death leaving her orphaned, Elena is whisked away to her true birthplace, Paegeia. Arriving at Dragonia Academy, the premier school for young Dragonians; a school she was never meant to attend because her father was a dragon. Unbeknownst to Elena danger is lurking behind the enchanted vines concealing the once thriving capital of Paegeia – Etan. Goran, the darkest sorcerer in the realm, has lain dormant for over a century behind the crumbling city. There, in the shadowy ruins he plots his revenge to destroy the only weapon that can kill him – the King of Lion Sword. When the sword is stolen without a trace Elena doesn’t think twice about seeking it; knowing deep down that it is her destiny to save her new home.
Author Bio
Adrienne Woods lives in South Africa with her husband and two little girls. She writes full time and also in different genre’s. She has different pen names, one for every genre.
Melony/Kristen Ping For NA, sub genres could be anything. From paranormal to Mythology.
Isabella White for Woman’s fiction/Erotica
Adrienne Woods for YA. When she’s not writing, she’s reading books or help other authors to get their work notice through her blog ADRIENNE WOODS BOOKS AND REVIEWS.
You can reach Adrienne Woods at the following links
G+: https://plus.google.com/103613266023743368283/posts
Blog: http://woodsadrienne.wordpress.com
Blog: http://thedragonianseries.blogspot.com
Twitter: erichb3
facebook:https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Dragonian-Series/301375039891281?ref=hl
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7219081.Adrienne_Woods
Title: Firebolt
Adrienne Woods lives in South Africa with her husband and two little girls. She writes full time and also in different genre’s. She has different pen names, one for every genre.