It’s been just over a month since I checked in with everyone here, so my apologies for that!
I’ve been steadfastly working on doing some beta reading for two fellow authors in exchange for them reading Gravedigger Foley: The Cemetery Man. I finished the first of the two manuscripts the other day, and provided my notes, so I am just waiting on his notes for me!
I did do something different this time: I actually paid (not like an astronomical amount mind you) an editor on Fiverr to read Gravedigger Foley! Not gonna lie, I was a bit leery of the process at first, but this editor had volunteered to read the MS for free in an FB writer’s group, and she had already provided me excellent feedback on the first (of 3!) parts of the novel, so I figured I would toss some duckets her way for the rest!
What a lot of people don’t understand about writing a novel is that, while the author themselves are majorly responsible for what readers will eventually read, there are other people behind the scenes too. I had a former friend tell me one time about finding an unedited manuscript version of one of the Hunger Games books and how it was vastly different from the version that eventually hit the stores. Writers need capable people behind them–readers (both Beta and Alpha), Editors, Agents, etc. While I personally don’t mind the editing process at all (I kind of enjoy seeing what I originally created and contrasting it with new versions), it seems to be one of the harder aspects for aspiring authors, so having someone not only provide solid feedback, but having them kind of point us as writers in the right direction is a real blessing!
I’m happy to say that this Editor seemed to really enjoy Gravedigger Foley before I paid her, and continued to do so until the end! So judging by that response, hopefully there is something here than just another manuscript that goes unread!
I haven’t started working on any new projects yet, although I am heavily brainstorming my next two. I’m debating on signing up for the NYC Midnight Scary Story challenge, but the jury is still out as to whether or not I will follow through with it.
In other news, Fantasy Football season is (already) upon us! I will be doing 2 drafts this upcoming weekend, and then 2 drafts next weekend! Wish me luck!
On the Grams front, her and I watched both The Terminal List and The Terminal List: Dark Wolf. I enjoyed them both, but I felt like it was time to give Grams Dogg a break from shows. We got to talking about how she felt like she hadn’t really seen too many movies–not just the classics, but movies in general–and that got us started on the new venture of Grams Watching Movies this past week.
This week we watched:
– Dredd (she hated it, calling my boy’s helmet and outfit “really stupid”)
– Knight and Day (Tom Cruise is her guy; it’s a silly, fun movie that is just goofy enough but with enough spy stuff that kept her into it)
– 25th Hour (not my favorite Spike Lee joint AT ALL, might be one of my least favorites to be honest; she found it extremely boring. Sorry Chris…)
– The Recruit (God Pacino looks young in this one, and Farrell even younger; she enjoyed this one, and commented that she was “excited because she felt like she followed the entire movie, including the plot twists”)
– State of Play (super underrated political thriller, I forgot how stacked the cast is; she kind of struggled with the big plot twist, but I think overall she got it, and enjoyed the movie)
– Prisoners (Jackman’s facial hair is AWFUL in this one, to the point that we both agreed that it almost feels like it hurt his performance, nevertheless it’s a pretty cool thriller with a solid enough twist; Grams didn’t like the torture scenes).
On my own I watched the new Insidious, and I’m about to watch Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum.
I’m still struggling to finish The Boys. It just really isn’t doing anything for me, which sucks. I have like 2 episodes left, but I’m pretty mentally checked out on it sadly.
As far as gaming goes, I’m still drudging my way through Alan Wake II. I gotta say I’ve really enjoyed it despite how long it is seeming to take me! It’s one of the better games I will play this year!
Alright friends, that about does it for me this time. I will do a better job updating everyone next week.
Oh, before I leave, I spent part of Sunday and Monday this past week completely reorganizing my physical media collection (just not PS4 or 5 games, I have those in a bin). I will attach some pictures. If this writing thing never takes off, this collection will sadly probably be my legacy LOL.
Take care everyone!
