I’m still on the second draft of my debut novel The Weirdness. But my book has changed like all books change between conception and inception. I’ve always dabbled with writing and always manage to get noticed from it so it made sense for me to publish a novel because, after all, storytelling is what I’m best at. How fantastic my book tours would be? Very.
The only problem is that writing a novel takes a lot of time, patience and care. the dreams and visions have always been there but putting them into context, giving the story a beginng and an end…it’s a lot more difficult that you might think.
That’s where rewriting comes in. I feel now that I’m getting somewhere with it. When you get that feeling that your story suddenly makes sense, well, it’s a great one. There are so many differences with the second draft compared to the first one. Character names, plot points, and whole chapters have been violently slashed out by my ruthless pen. The original title for The Weirdess was David, Billie, Catherine & Sebastian. I don’t even know whether or not The Weirdness will be the final title but I will push for it because it’s great. It sums up the whole book in a way no other title I’ve thought up can do.
The next big problem was actually getting myself an agent. Publishers are very difficult to approach and an agent solves that problem. They will make sure your book actually gets looked at and is given a fair chance. I wanted someone enthusiastic who would do me justice. It’s not in my nature to sit back and allow things to happen around me; I also need to get involved. Most publishers hurl your novel on the slush pile without reading it. That’s why an agent is so important. It’s someone I need to work with to further my cause and do well for all of us.
I got myself an agent with my manuscript, synopsis and covering letter. I’ve drawn up a list of publishers for my agent to try for but she’s already sold books before so she’ll know better than me who to approach.
This is the mini-blurb for my book that was originally sent in my first draft:
Sebastian Bunter is not your average sixteen year old. Moved to the quiet little town of Bonnie Doon by his new stepfather, things seem bleak in his life. At school he is known as Bunter The Munter but in reality he is The Shadowdancer AKA He Who Will Stop Evil Aliens Invading The World.
Except someone forgot to tell him this. Whoops!
An aeons old alien power is about to rise in Bonnie Doon; an interdimensional tyrant who knows Sebastian from another lifetime and whose plans will unleash a fire of wrath across the whole galaxy. There will be a titanic catfight between the Emperor Metalurionsis and the snobby Sebastian. But Sebastian is not alone in his holy mission. A star pilot who looks like an Abercrombie & Fitch spacesuit model, a kleptomaniac Jonas Brothers obsessive, a performance poet and a man in a black suit who might be a figment of Sebastian’s imagination will all join forces to aid him against enemies aplenty. It’s not just the monstrous Emperor Metalurionsis to be defeated but also a mad woman with an obsession with dissection, assassins with ribbons, the school bullies, a children’s television host and her big yellow bear.
Will hours spent watching Doctor Who, Babylon 5 and Star Trek be enough to help Sebastian prevent the apocalypse? Will Sebastian get along with his hated new stepfather? Who is the astronaut in the school football field? Why is Molly Happy so awful? Why are so many teenagers going missing in Bonnie Doon?
Behold The Weirdness!
Some aspects of the book has changed since that was sent. Once my contracted gigs are over with then I can really get to work. It might take a while as it is not quite there yet. Nothing is guaranteed in the publishing industry but I hope you all support me and get the book once everything has been negotiated. There has been some interest which is fantastic. I will update you when anything happens.
I am not writing a book with a vampire in it. Not ever.
