There was much celebration in the Jones household last month. Finally, after months of planning, dictation and finger tapping, Downstream book 2 is finally done.

Yay!

There were tears. So we opened another bottle of champagne and were smiling again. Simple.

Of course, when I say the book is done, I mean the first draft. Now, the editing process begins. In so many ways this can be an awful lot of fun, the hardest work is done after all! Now it’s a case of refining and often cutting the hell out of it.

Either way, whether it’s planning, writing or editing, completing a book is a little like running a marathon. You have to train, pace yourself and remember to enjoy the journey, not just the finish line.

Next steps. Edit like a mad thing through May then, the manuscript goes out to my Alpha readers (love you guys). They get to rip out the weeds and knock it into shape.

Exciting times.

Audiobooks

As regular readers know I’m a huge fan of audiobooks. They are a fantastic way to consume more fiction, or non-fiction (I’m doing lots of that right now). Did you know that if you read a book on Kindle it syncs to the same position of your audiobook and vice versa? It means you can ping easily between them. I know, it’s amazing. Dog walking and long journeys are transformed!

Well, I have some good news.

I have just signed a deal with Podium publishing, a fantastic audiobook publisher, responsible for breaking a book called the Martian, by Andy Weir. Matt Damon starred in the film.

The Unexpected Gift is currently underway and being voiced by the fantastic David Thorpe, a fellow Brit. It should be ready around August time. You, of course, will be the first to know.

I am so excited to hear Joseph Bridgeman’s world brought to life in audio.

Alfie update

98% of you Love the Alfie updates. To the other 2% I apologise, I didn’t realise what I was starting!

We had four days of amazing sunshine here in the U.K. Alfie loved it, I missed it completely. I spent four days at a personal development seminar in an air-conditioned hangar. Anyway, our spring was short lived. We are now back to the normal weather here in England (wet), and Alfie is groaning constantly. In this week’s action shot you can see him doing his best impersonation of a Mr Whippy ice cream. It isn’t animal cruelty. He cries if you don’t smother him. Or, as a friend described it recently, ‘wrap him swaddling’.

What I’m reading

I devoured yet another Dresden novel, I just love Jim Butcher. Apart from that, I’ve primarily been reading non-fiction, books on the writing craft and editing process.

I’m halfway through the third Human Hibernation book at the moment so I’m collating top sci-fi reads for holiday binge reading and inspiration. Oh, and I’ve also started World War Z. It’s an oldie but has been on my list too long…

Films

The Disaster Artist is a film about the making of – what is widely considered – the worst film ever made; The Room. Over the years The Room has gained cult status as a colossal stinker. The disaster artist explores what drove its creator (an eccentric, odd character) to make – and self-fund – the film. It’s a touching, heartwarming tale about never giving up. And, it’s a little weird, but aren’t we all ; )

That’s it for this month, I hope wherever you are you’re having a good day/evening/month/year/life.

I’m back to the editing. Next month I’m going to reveal the title of Downstream book 2 as well as the cover. Look forward to sharing it with you. And, if I can pluck up the courage I might share a chapter or two as well ; )

Until then, stay happy,

Nick

I know it’s way too late to say it… but I will anyway. Happy New Year everyone : )

Personal update

New year. Time to reflect and plan. The Writing Team (me and Alfie) had a ‘strategy session’. Tea was drunk, treats were chewed and there were many, heated disagreements. (Should the heating go up or down?) But, finally, we agreed on something… The focus this year will be on efficiency.

So, I’m tracking everything: Word-count, editing, planning and marketing. New tools and software. Streamlining. Alfie is holding me accountable. Geeky, yes. But more organised means more words, which means I can bring you more cool fiction this year… so it kind of feels worth it.

Downstream book 2 is shaping up nicely. Joe has a new timepiece, a pocket-watch fitted with mysterious time crystals. He and Vinny are back in 1963. I’m having fun and can’t wait to share it with you. I’m consistently hitting a good daily word count and still smiling. All good.

Also, on the writing front, I’ve been mapping out the Zido Zitagi origin story (working with a new collaborator) More soon… And, have been working on some novella concepts with Ian. Again, watch this space… it’s going to be exciting.

Multiple projects. Definitely the new me.

What I’m reading

Still working through Rose Madder, and absolutely loving it. The audiobook includes male and female narrators (Male is voiced by Stephen King). It does add something to hear it from the Author. Steve can be hit and miss on narration but he does a good job here. Sadly, I’m so busy writing and learning that my reading of fiction has dropped off a bit in January. Oh well, you can’t-do everything. And anyway, it’s the King, so like a good brandy, I’m going to savour it…

Films

The break was a good opportunity to stick a dent in the ‘to watch’ list.

Spider-Man homecoming: Loved this. They went right back to Spidey’s roots and reminded me why I loved the comics so much as a kid. Tom Holland is Peter Parker. Watching him goof around, quipping and smiling with his side-kick, all worked in my opinion.

Paddington 2: What can I say? The first film shouldn’t really have worked but it did… And, the second should have followed the rule of diminishing returns. Instead, you could argue (just check the Rotten Tomatoes score) that the sequel is actually better. Yes, it follows a well-trodden formula but all expectations were met and the audience walked out with a smile on their face. Mission accomplished.

Logan: The perfect antidote to the sickly-sweet Paddington. Well made, dark and gritty and I enjoyed every icky, stabby moment. Hugh Jackman (also known as ‘Huge Action’ in our house) brought a thoughtful tenderness to the character and then killed everyone. Raaahhhhhh! Stab, splat, dead. Nice.

To watch (this year feels like a biggie)

Darkest hour, The Post, Logan lucky, American-made (to name but a few).

Something cool

I absolutely, totally bloody love being an author. It may be the most demanding job I’ve ever had, but it is by far the most rewarding. Butt: I can easily spend way too much time sitting on it. (See what I did there?)

So, with that in mind, I purchased a sit-stand desk.

Press a button and the whole kaboodle rises to standing height. Unexpectedly, I seem to be able to stand for hours and sort of forget that I’m not sitting. Better for the posture, heart and energy levels. Highly recommended, especially if you have any sitting related aches and pains.

Alfie update

The boss (Alfie) is quite demanding. He constantly needs attention, fuss, walking, treats and most of all wrapping up. He hates the sound of my typing, he groans in annoyance when I dictate. He is the ultimate black hole of negativity for a writer. So, thanks for all your emails wishing Alfie (not so much me) a Happy Christmas and New Year. He needed it. I passed them on. He wagged his tail and then demanded an urgent photo-shoot.

He is suffering from the January blues at the moment. Being Italian, he is craving warmer climes. The heat pad is on and that seems to have cheered him up a little. Important to remember, it’s all about him…