Archive for the ‘Great Gumban Novel’ Category

GGN update

Monday, January 24th, 2011

Hey, remember the Great Gumban Novel? You may think I don’t, but I do. I most certainly do.

Here’s where I give you a bunch of excuses about why I haven’t posted a new chapter in awhile.

Okay, so this is the thing: I have this entire story mapped out in excruciating detail. I honestly do. I know everything that happens. I have most of the jokes worked out. Everything’s in place except the actual, you know, writing part of it. I have attempted to write chapter four three different times – and actually hit my target word count two of those three times – and then trashed the entire thing. I have a real problem with my protagonists being too whiny, and this story’s hero keeps falling into that trap. I want to show him being intimidated, but that keeps coming off as weak and petulant. I know I sound like a crazy person saying that my characters aren’t acting the way they should, and I don’t know how to answer that accusation. You’re not wrong. But there it is, just the same.

My usual tactic in this case would be to skip the offending chapter, press onward, and return to it later. But since I’m posting these things sequentially, that’s not really an option.

When it comes to people creating things, there’s little I hate more than a broken promise to generate content. I feel like a total ass every week I’m not posting this thing – not because I feel like I’m letting you down (though I suppose that’s part of it), but because I’m letting myself down. I know my limits. I know what I’m capable of. There’s no reason I shouldn’t be posting chapters for you. And yet… I’m not.

So here’s what’s going to happen: I’m going to keep writing. I’ll probably skip chapter four and write ahead a bit. Eventually I’ll come back to chapter four and have it all sorted out. Until then, you’re not going to be seeing new chapters posted, since you should really hear them in order. So what that means for you is more delays. Which it kills me to be the cause of.

Chapter 3

Wednesday, November 17th, 2010

Chapter 2

Wednesday, November 3rd, 2010

Prologue (repost) and Chapter 1

Wednesday, October 27th, 2010

I guess I’m really pulling the trigger on this thing. This is a novel I’ve had in the works for quite awhile (something like 20 years). I’ve outlined it to death, I’ve almost written it half a dozen times over the years and I think (I hope) I’ve finally decided to get a complete rough draft down now. As a way of motivating myself to do this, I’ve decided to post one chapter of the story here (and on iTunes) in audiobook form (narrated by me) every Wednesday. I’d like it if you listened, but you should know that it’s not like the usual things I do — there are elements of attempted comedy in here, but it’s definitely more serious than SV or the comics or the reviews or whatever else you’ve seen of mine. It’s also very much a work in progress, so bear with the occasional mistakes and missteps. I’m just trying to get this thing in a form where I can actually edit it, rather than leaving it unwritten in my head for another fifth of a century. I’m also not sure I can tell you exactly what it’s about. I mean… I know what it’s about. But I’m not sure I can tell you in a way that doesn’t make it sound inaccessible or ridiculous. Call it comedic socio-political fantasy, I guess. But I hate that label, just so you know.

As of this writing, I’ve completed through chapter 4. So if these posts suddenly stop in three weeks, you’ll know that this attempt at motivating myself didn’t work. And, if you’re enjoying it by that point and find yourself wanting more, I invite you to pester me for more. Because I should be writing this thing. There’s no excuse for me not to.

Thanks, as always, for your support. Oh, and between you and me… I’m sure you’re getting as burned out by the sound of my voice as I am. Don’t download this out of politeness. If you’re not interested in it, that’s totally fine with me.