Format

The next work 'The Cockatoo River Incident' is going well.

I'm at the point of the incident now and I'm enjoying getting back into writing, after a couple of years of fiddling and editing.

With the ebook format, I'm now thinking of getting away from the 'big book' 200k word model and turning out a series of novellas/ short novels in the 'Meddlers In Time' series.

I can always string a couple together into a larger book...

E-Book Week

All you want to know about ebooks over here!

For once, NZ is not the test-ground for the new technology.

This would be our telcos wanting crazy money for some of their un-used 3G capacity, no doubt. Not exactly world- leaders in inovation or service, that lot...

Now available at Barnes & Noble!

I see that I now appear amongst their listings!

here

Writing tricks

Being very time-poor, I have come up with a technique that seems to work for me.

I have set a target of 500 words five days a week. I find that while driving around on my own (can't do this with other people in the vehicle) I can come up with enough story line to fill out to 500 words easily. I only have to keep a few days ahead with the plot this way- while working to the story plan, of course.

Break anything down into small bit and it becomes do-able.

500 words, five times a week is nothing- but adds up to 100 k a year!

Another price change

I have decided to try Mark's suggested model of letting the buyer set the price.

Minimum price is 99 Cents US!

The daily grind

The Cockatoo River Incident just broke the 10k word mark!

I have set a goal of 2k words a week. I know- pathetic to a full-timer, but I work 60-80 hours a week and have a handicapped kid. What I are doing is getting the writing discipline back and 2k a week is a book every two years (allowing for editing and re-writing)

If you want me to write more, tell people (with money) about MIT. I know this won't support me anytime soon, but I'm taking the long view with this!

This message sponsored or prompted by Jacob's Creek Chardonnay!

(The Cockatoo River Valley is on one of the Australian worlds of the Empire)

Cheers!

My thanks to those kind folks who nominated me for the NZ Sci-fi Award- the Sir Julius Vogel awards!

I got confirmation of my nomination today!

Precious!

Getting on with it

The new book has been nothing like the first one, which was blurted out in a couple of month.

I learnt much from that, the big lesson being 'slow down, do it once, do it right'

or at least don't spent three years editing and tinkering!

It's slow going, with work and everything, but 500 words a day adds up over a year1

More Google Earth shots

I wish I had this when I started writing the story. At the time I had to used on-line topographical maps.

This is the piece of Derbyshire from the book- no doubt it looked a bit different back in the ninth century!

Google earth is a writer's friend!

Of course being in an alternate universe, the locations are only approximate, but this is where the 21st century NZ parts of the story take place.

Found on youtube

Every now and again I search 'Meddlers in Time' to see what comes up on Google.

The other day I found this offering:



Don't worry- I won't sue!

Sir Julius Vogel awards 2010

I'm blowing my own trumpet and nominating 'Meddlers In Time' for the Sir Julius Vogel Awards for science fiction!

[Serious grovelling mode on]

my chances would be greatly improved if I recieved supporting nominations!

To help with this, I have prepared a nomination email body below, which just a cut & paste and your name added.

The information is all is here: http://sffanz.sf.org.nz

Name / Title of work

Meddlers In Time

Name of Producer / Author / Creator

Author- Wayne Watson

What the work is i.e. Novel, TV, Movie, Short Story, Web, Collection, Comic, Art

Novel

Year of First Release

2009

Publisher / Production company name

Smashwords- https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/6204

also

http://www.wordclay.com/BookStore/BookStoreBookDetails.aspx?bookid=55297

How to contact the producer / author

wwfeatherston@xtra.co.nz

What category you think the nomination belongs to i.e. Fan awards, Professional awards

Professional Awards

GENRE - science fiction, fantasy or horror

Science Fiction

Contact details of the person making the nomination e.g. email or/and phone number

add details here

Other details about the work, that might be relevant

Website- http://meddlersintime.blogspot.com/

Publisher- https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/6204

e.g. the media it appears in - radio, web

Where to get a copy of the work

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/6204

or email here for a free copy: wwfeatherston@xtra.co.nz

Any other comments you wish to add

Meddlers In Time is in ebook format

Reviews

A great review over at Sci Fi Down Under!

"...if Avatar is a 'puff pastry' the this story is a T-Bone with all the trimmings. It's great to have the Kiwi's as the main protaginists they make great anti-heroes. It does take a little bit to get into the story but stick with it as the action does come and when it does it is full on. Wayne has done a lot of of research to make sure all of the details are accurate which makes it a very appealing read.

If high-tech weaponry, guns, APC's and Kiwi's having Nukes (oh yes we do!!!!) setting up residence in 9th Century England sounds interesting, check it out..."

Check out this blog for all the news on sci-fi books and movies.