Artwork tonight from the amazing Syd Mead.
Boom explosion.
Today was one of those badass days…I wasn’t quite on schedule for EVERY hour, but I was for most and I finished on time AND did my writing hour. I mean…that’s the dopeness right there. Especially after having such an up-and-down few days.
Feeling more myself…feeling more normal. More able to focus on the task at hand and not feel so overwhelmed by the big picture. I feel ready to sit down and re-structure my goals and deadlines. Based on Liz’s reaction to the Starstuff novel, ie- how hard she is to impress, I think my priorities are best aligned with finishing that series. That’s two more novels. I can have that shit done by Valentine’s Day next year, right? Right. Rough drafts, anyway.
I’ve also thought more about how to handle the books, ie- what to do with them once I’ve had them read, re-written, and then copy edited. The idea of self-publishing them is very appealing…BUT…and I want to do more research about the pros and cons…why not try and see if there are any bites on the publishing end. I’d have to think the chances are remote of getting a print deal from anyone as a completely unknown author..but hey, you really do never know. It might cross someone’s desk at just the right time. So…I’m considering doing that first, and then if no bites are forthcoming, publishing myself as I’d realized was a legitimate option for the first time a couple days ago. Build my own audience. Give them a series to get to know me…see if I *can* find my audience. Here’s hoping, right?
In the meantime…yes, I am still finishing my Icarus script. My Foundation script is being put on the sideline for the forseeable future…although I take that back. I am definitely going to finish the rough draft of the script, as terrible as it is. I can still use it to sketch out either the next draft of the pilot, OR…as an outline for the first book in a potentially enduring series. I love the idea of doing a book series set in that world…1930s archaeology/mysticism with a healthy dose of X-Files conspiracy and Indiana Jones adventure. It sounds like fun to me. The other series that comes to my mind would be to turn the Icarus first season into a novel. That’s always been an idea, actually, since I very first thought of the concept. See…I’d love to actually see Icarus on television…and if it’s a novel already out there? Well, that’s a huge step closer to becoming a reality.
See…I was talking to Liz about this just the other day…one of the most attractive things about writing books is that they’re ground zero for Hollywood. They’re existing properties, two magical words in selling a pitch for TV or film. Books are this realm of originality that the screens we watch is desperate for; original ideas. If I write a book, that book is MY idea, MY story…it’s pure. My name and only my name is on it. It’s original. That’s power in the world of story-telling, power that nobody in Hollywood has. It really appeals to me. And not so much because I crave the power…rather I crave the freedom to create what I want when I want to. If I’m the one calling the shots, I get to do what I want and put out what I want. I mean…that’s incredible.
Anywho…it was a good day today, guys. I am myself again, and tomorrow shall be more of the same. Huzzah!