If any of you read my last post here, you'll know that I had a rather stressful week all told. I'm just here to say that after much prayer and thought, I've reached a decision on the next steps to take in my writing pursuits.

After the input I've received, not only from my editor and a friend from church, but you guys as well, I've decided to go ahead and restart my series. If the core plot wasn't one of the issues, I would go the revision route. But as it is, I've decided to basically start from scratch. At that point, I'd just as soon write new content then try to so drastically modify what's currently there. I have a number of scenes that I can keep, and of course an entire world populated with plenty of characters. So mainly I'll be building my world better and drawing up a new plot. Which means I won't be getting a book published before the new year as I had hoped, nor will I complete my series, which I had almost finished. In the end, those are the only sad parts of this.

My other option is to leave that world for the time being and start working on the ideas I've been forming for a new series. That's my biggest undecided dilemma right now.

I struggled with this tidal wave of change at first, but as the days have passed and I've thought about it, I've come to see that this is the best path for me, even if it doesn't lead to publication as soon as I would like. I'm totally at peace with my decision, and to tell the truth, kind of inspired to get working and put out a compelling novel that won't smack of LOTR. I knew this was the right choice when I told my brother that I wasn't even going to finish the series, but rather start writing something new. His response was "Great. Now I'll get to read something I don't know anything about" (one of my main problems was too much LOTR, which my siblings easily identified and weren't forgiving over).

So there you have it. My crisis has passed. Now it's time to roll up the sleeves and get to work.

Sounds good.

That's great, Tarin. I'm so glad you've come to a decision, even though it's not exactly what you'd been hoping for. It's God's providence that you were able to get help with this, and I know He'll help you get things straightened out.

Good decision.

I'm glad that you were able to make a decision that inspires you as well as one you are content with! Hope it goes well!

I am so glad that you've come to a decision that you're happy with. It's sometimes very hard to decide what to do in some circumstances, escpecially with your own writing. It's also good that you have your family behind you; I find encouragement from family members really spares me on.

I'll keep checking up on how you're doing!

That is a tough decision, and while I say that we should finish what we start, some projects are best scratched. I sometimes think back to the two years I spent writing, editing and scrapping my first novel, along with the dozens of novels I started but scrapped before they got very far. While it is frustrating to still not have a novel for sale after five years of concerted effort, it is encouraging to know: a) what I'm writing now is much better than that first novel; b) I'd much rather this novel be my first impression to readers; and c) I've been flattered by my editor/mentor C.L. Dyck and friend Marc Schooley that I "have a good feel for story". I can't help but think that those two years spent analyzing story contributed to what is now a natural feel, and which means the projects I invest in stand a better chance not to get scrapped.

Be encouraged, Tarin. Not every success is measurable in units sold. If you stick to it, and God has it in His plans, you will succeed in that, too.

Now, it's time for me to roll my sleeves up, as well.

Thanks for the encouragement, everyone. I can't tell you how much easier it is with you guys giving input and advice.


Amen, Tim! I couldn't agree more. I don't want to put out anything that I wouldn't be proud of and that others couldn't enjoy reading, and now that I know what I have to do to improve, I can start acting on that knowledge in writing even better stories than I have been.

Good luck on your pursuits as well. I hope it goes smoothly and that you're able to reach publication soon.

Thanks, Tarin!

Also, you reminded me! I get to change my profile to say "published author!!!" My short story "Cornhusker: Demon Gene" will be published in the Monsters! anthology by flameinthedark.net within a week or so. I've been around for like three years waiting for this day. Hmmm, maybe I should wait until the story is actually published. I think I'll do that. I'm still super encouraged though. Glad we could do the same for you!

Way to go! It's great when all that time and effort suddenly becomes worth it.

What a brave and wise decision. I wish you God speed and lots of fun!

Thanks.

How has this been going for you, Tarin? Which series are you still working on, and is it going well?

Good for you! A series reboot takes courage. My siblings were always the harshest critics of my stories, but usually they were right, because they responded from the gut. I've just read recently that a gut reaction is the most valuable thing a writer can ever have.