Month: March 2016

Trust my Own Words

Lee Hall Leave a comment

Much of a writer’s life is spent in solitude without anything really newsworthy happening. I say this because this year has been a productivity struggle in terms of new material, and my fortitude and faith in writing has been truly tested.

Without going too far into a back story (which seems to be a habit of mine in writing), last year I took a heart heavy decision to drop a series that failed to find any sort of publication via the search for the ‘traditional’ way to be published. Writing a series without having the first book out there became like playing a broken record. Inside me there was still a burning desire to have the world read my work and maybe they’ll read that one day, but I had to start fresh and look within for another story, a new story.

Some time ago as a teen I had begun a story inspired by my school life and a dream that I had. Over ten years later Open Evening was born. A book that seemed incredibly easy for me to write as it was all there in my head, I just had to decipher it onto page. So I did and after some organisation, it will be published this September.

I chose to make this book so I can officially arrive as an author without ‘throwing’ away my original series books if it be a failure. At the same time I can build a following so the series can one day have a readership base. Having done all I can with Open Evening for now, I took the decision to try an put together another story.

Drafting began in late December and as of today it sits at 30,000 words. Somehow I have got this far. But why so slow you ask? A combination of things ultimately have led to this. One is work. I’m a shift worker now so a structure which writing thrives on is out of the window.

Secondly is the decision I have made to tell this story. Most of which I don’t really know. Yes very much of it is being made up on the spot. Previously with Open Evening and the series I knew exactly what was going to happen. This time I don’t.

The genre sits tidily between young adult and another, which I won’t say just yet. But its a proven formula for book sales and of course the originality of an idea which ultimately twists the genre into my own. Something which you will see in Open Evening. There are some really cool original concepts intertwined with the familiar.

All of the stories in the world have already been told. How you tell them is what makes them original in this age.

So slowly I have reached a sort of halfway point. One very important concept in this book is what I am hanging onto and thus built the rest around. My drive to finish this thing has never been higher. As previously said I have to go after this if I want it. I’ve just got to find my faith in writing again and more importantly. Trust my own words.

When I get closer to a finish of drafting, hopefully before the summer. I will announce the title and basic premise this book. Until then I shall disappear back into my words with hope they will turn into something more.

Book Update: Chasing the Words….

Lee Hall Leave a comment

Oh my G its halfway through March already! Here’s the scary figures. In 9 months it will December again! In a few weeks our evenings will be drenched in sun again (in the uk and only for a while anyway). That also means we are getting ever so much closer to the publication date of my first book Open Evening! 6 months to be precise.

This month I have managed to do two major things in guaranteeing that my book will arrive by September 29th. Firstly I have secured my editing spot with Satin Publishing. Work will begin on that in August. Also if you are a follower of my FB page you would have seen a status telling you all that I am in the process of sorting a cover artist.

I can happily announce that design for writers will be taking on the job. That being, the making of an eye catching and memorable cover for Open Evening. Show them some love by liking their page of FB and you can even see some of their work.

Chasing the words…

Some of you may know that late last year I changed jobs. There were numerous reasons for doing this,

1.A better career prospect and future

2. More monies for a house and to fund books

3. A better direction in life

Now that I am a shift worker instead of a daytime softie, this means that everything outside of work becomes a challenge to do sometimes. I find myself constantly busy in my various endeavours, like directing a play for the summer or doing my best to write another book. Finding time to exercise and look after myself has also been a challenge and as you can see there hasn’t been much activity on here as of recent.

Time has become my most precious commodity.

In order for me to achieve those three things above I have to sometimes sacrifice my time. Its for my future and there’s nothing that will stop me from securing a viable future. Its been a slow process writing my next book but its getting there and like anything I want to do now, I have to go after it!

And that resonates through anything that anyone wants to achieve. You have to go after the challenge! Want to do it when you don’t (if that makes sense) because we all have limitations. Time is my limitation and just because you don’t hear from me as much doesn’t mean I’m not writing.

There was a time when I could come home every week day and spend 4 hours writing. Those days are gone and now the challenge is to write effectively in less time. This means the stuff I write has to be good within a time frame.

Although I do blog less. Behind the words is me. With the biggest hunger to chase them and make things happen!

Your wonderful support does not go unnoticed. Thanks to everyone for liking the FB page and to those who re tweet, favourite or follow me on the tweet machine. My following grows steadily and I am hoping towards publication date the good citezens of the internets (you) will rally together and show your support for getting new writers on the shelves.

Now go and chase those words….