Lou Paduano | Urban Fantasy Novels | Sci-Fi Crime Series

The Medusa Coin Author Commentary Intro

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When I started this blog one of my main goals was to provide an inside look at the process behind the scenes. I did it with Signs of Portents and Tales from Portents. Now it is time to start the author commentary for The Medusa Coin.

Why divulge the secrets behind the book?

Seriously. Why let you know what a complete and utter buffoon I am when it comes to putting together a book? Why pull back the curtain on the inane arguments I have with myself on a daily basis to make the overall narrative as strong as can be?

Because it’s what I love to read about.

Yeah, I’m that guy. I’m the one they make audio commentaries for when they release a film, the one that runs through the documentaries on the bonus features disc before even watching the movie. I’m a process junkie. There are constant debates in this basement torture room I call an office about the best way to tell a story and I like being able to share those moments with you.

Maybe it will help you with your own writing – if that’s your thing. Maybe it will clue you in on something you missed during your first reading of the novel or it will inspire you to want to read it again to catch all the little moments you may have glossed over, while speeding to the finish.

author commentary

Let the author commentary begin!

For the next two months – off and on – I will take you all the way back to 2010 at the start of this wacky project. You’ll find out how I wrote The Medusa Coin FIRST and then went back to Signs of Portents and how the book is soooo much better than that first draft.

You’ll read about my fears of using Death and the mystery behind his role as well as the fact that Ruiz almost met his end in this story.

Lots of in-depth looks at the major players with all sorts of stories to share from my side of the screen. I promise there will be SPOILERS so read your copy this weekend and come back here Monday for the first look behind the scenes of The Medusa Coin.

I’ll see you then.

Writing Update – October 19, 2017

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I’ve been hiding from the world of late. My social media presence was never staggering but has been extremely limited the last few weeks. Why? I’ve been writing! Best excuse ever, right?

NaNoWriMo and The Lost Outpost

If you’ve been following my blog the last week you may have noticed some attention placed on NaNoWriMo – National Novel Writing Month. I wasn’t sure I was going to participate this year, I have plenty to keep me busy as it is – but inspiration struck and now I can’t wait.

I put the finishing touches on a new script-level draft this week. The book is called The Lost Outpost and is my first foray into the sci-fi/space opera genre. New worlds, alien cultures, war and strife. Lots of interesting elements to play with and new characters to learn. It’s been quite the experience putting this together after living in Portents for so long but I’m excited to see where it goes come November 1st!

Founder’s Day

The pre-order should be up next week for the FREE novella sequel to Resurrectionists. Reading through it again, I forgot the fun that came with Loren and Myers’ growing partnership. Yeah, there’s murder and betrayal – lots of darkness abound – but the back and forth between these two characters made the whole project worthwhile.

I’ll be sure to share some links as soon as I have them!

Meanwhile, if you or someone you know hasn’t downloaded a copy of Resurrectionists be sure to snag it before Founder’s Day arrives on December 5th. Definitely want to read that first chapter before diving into the latest Greystone tale.

Reading

I am one-third of the way through my Fall Reading List for those keeping score at home. I think I have time for one more read before the insane drafting begins next month. We’ll see how it goes.

A Fistful of Rain by Greg Rucka – Loved it. Absolutely loved it. Mim Bracca is the kind of character you can’t help but hate and root for at the same time. I could not stop picturing Krysten Ritter from Jessica Jones as the main character, couldn’t stop hearing her voice even. It fit so well.

A fast read with plenty of character moments. Can’t recommend it enough.

Advance Team

I’m opening the Advance Team up again for new readers. If you’re interesting in receiving a free copy of the next Greystone book in exchange for an honest review come release time shoot me an email at lou@loupaduano.com.

Can’t wait to hear from you!

Thanks for reading

Using NanoWrimo – Doing What’s Best For You

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There is a lot to be said about NaNoWriMo. It can be a great motivator to finally kick your story into gear and craft it into the book you’ve been dreaming of for years. There is plenty of fun to be had, plenty of connections to be made, but the choice has to come from you and doing what is best for you and your novel.

Making connections

I absolutely love the writing community inspired by NaNoWriMo. The forums are brimming with excitement over word counts and achievements made over the course of the month. There are threads pertaining to different genres to help with prep work needing to be done.

There are also write-outs scheduled during the month. Local chapters with writers in your area are always planning a get-together in the hopes that inspiration will come from a group setting instead of pining away in the darkness of your office all the time. Or your really, really, really cold basement.

Lots of engagement to get the creative juices flowing.

You can spend hours chatting with other authors, some of which are probably right in your neck of the woods.

Or you can get your book written.

NaNoWriMo Your Way

I know, sour grapes much? That’s always been my issue with forums in general. I could spend all day connecting with like-minded folks and absolutely have a blast chatting them up about their book. But at the end of the day I still have pages to get done.

Last year I tried to use the forums. There were great people posting every day for hours on end about their journey. Great inspirational tales to motivate your own writing. There were write-outs and meetings, all kinds of engagement to help writers hit their goals.

I did a little bit of posting. I wanted to hit up the write-outs and meet some local writers but the timing never worked out. There were goals to hit, a house to maintain, and kids that missed me already. For me, working on the book came first and community fell to the wayside.

And that’s my point in this. There are many opportunities with NaNoWriMo, and one of the main reasons I’m doing it again this year. Connecting with people, even on a small scale with a word or ten of encouragement or advice about a plot twist can go a long way to making your own journey easier to handle.

Writing is a slog so why not take advantage of the tools at your disposal. But on the other end? Don’t let them slow you down or impede your progress. Use them or don’t but make sure either choice serves the book your crafting over everything else.

That is the goal. 50,000 words. 30 days.

You can do it. But do it your way.

NanoWrimo is coming – How to Prepare

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It’s coming. NaNoWriMo, National Novel Writing Month, kicks off November 1st. Are you prepared to get some writing done?

I debated the very same question. I ran a successful campaign last year when I tackled The Medusa Coin. It was a great experience and I learned quite a bit about my own writing process and the steps I personally need to take to complete a novel-sized project.

My original plan was to take it easy this fall, edit the final book (for now…) in the Greystone series. Work on the marketing side of things, get ready for a crazy editing project next year. Completely ignoring NaNoWriMo.

Then my brain screwed me over yet again.

So yeah, I’m in it again. I have a novel that’s been hiding out in the back of my noggin’ for a loooong time so it will be exciting to see if it comes to life the way I’ve always envisioned it.

NaNoWriMo Prep Time!

The Medusa Coin was a dream project for NaNoWriMo. I had the book in my head, each beat locked and loaded, ready for typing. This new book? No so much. So I’m prepping like a fiend.

For those on the same page, with their story in hand, here are some areas I’m focused on this month to get ready for the type-fest that will be November:

  1. Plot Breakdown – From major turning points to intimate character moments, I like to go into the drafting stage with these pretty much set from page one. Even if it is just a sentence – Man walks down the street and is mugged. – You have the start of some connective tissue for your novel. I had one that said “Characters learn about the outpost.” No idea what that could mean but as I looked at the pieces surrounding it I was able to pull on them for more information, more substance to strengthen the need for this chapter. Can’t find that need? Ditch the moment and see what happens.
  2. Character Arcs – With The Medusa Coin, I knew Loren and Soriya. Ruiz and Pratchett. All the players involved. With that background knowledge it was easier to fill in the gaps and see their progression. This time? I’m learning these new characters as I go along. Are they sarcastic? Are they angry? Where do they come from? What baggage do they bring to the table? And what are their hopes to get out of this insane situation? I need to be able to answer these questions before drafting or the voice, the narration won’t ring true. Will it be 100% locked and loaded by November 1st? No way. But having as much noted and planned ahead of time saves on the editing frustrations to come.
  3. World Building Details – More questions. Expanding on character arcs, now look at the world of your novel-to-be. If it’s Earth, good on you. You have a basis to jump from. Thinking about sci-fi, galaxy hopping craziness? Know your world. What are the rules? What are the sides? Who is friendly, who is not? Why? What history is there? What type of currency is being used? Understand as much as you can about the world your characters find themselves in and it will make your draft pop better right from the start.

No idea where to start for your NaNoWriMo Prep?

Still want to take part but haven’t even thought of what type of story to tell? No problem.

Check out these amazing writing prompt resources:

  1. Creative Writing Prompts by Writers Digest
  2. 365 Creative Writing Prompts by thinkwritten
  3. Writing Prompt Exercises by Poets & Writers

And be sure to check out NaNoWriMo.org for amazing tips and resources as well.

Hope to see you there!

Writing Update – September 28, 2017

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Has it been a month already? No idea how that happens. A busy month all around with a new project in development for your reading pleasure!

Writing!

The Medusa Coin launched and my incredible advance team has done some fantastic work promoting the novel and posting reviews. I cannot thank them enough for their hard work in making the launch a success. The $0.99 launch window closes on the 30th so grab your copy now!

 

             

 

Pathways in the Dark is back from the lovely and talented, Kristen Hamilton over at Kristen Corrects. I’m hoping to really dive into it this weekend to make sure everything lines up with any additional changes and tweaks. If you’re interested in joining the advance team for this one be sure to email me at lou@loupaduano.com and I’ll shoot you a copy when the time comes.

Time for a new project!

The fifth and final book (for now…) of Greystone is written. Edits are coming! The draft is strong and I know where I need to make it better. It’s been an amazing experience taking this journey with Soriya and Loren. With it winding down next year it saddens me to leave them behind for even a moment but…

It opened the door to a brand new project! The Lost Outpost is my first foray into science fiction proper with a space opera/military/horror feel to it that I think plays to my strengths and should be engaging to people not in love with the genre. The book is outlined and I’m slowly diving into the scripting phase – my favorite!

Stepping into a new world has been challenging and the process takes some getting used to again. Learning new voices, finding new angles for storytelling and pushing boundaries not yet explored takes time, but oh man is it fun to figure out along the way.

The Lost Outpost, if things go according to plan will be heading your way early 2019. (Crazy to think about, I know…) I’ll be talking about it more come November when NaNoWriMo kicks off!

Reading

Ambassador Book One: Seeing Red by Patty Jensen – To get in the sci-fi spirit I took the opportunity to dive into Patty Jensen’s space opera series Ambassador. The world building involved is incredibly rich and the characters have a diverse history. Everything is explained well and sufficient background is given for all the customs and protocols necessary as an ambassador between Earth and other worlds. The conspiracy building in the background definitely has me intrigued about future installments as well.

I’m ignoring the love story component of the novel. It didn’t speak to me or have any real bearing to what I felt was the main thrust of the narrative. I’m sure it widened the potential audience for the series but for me it didn’t fit with the pressure Cory Wilson’s character was under during the novel.

I’m heading to Buffalo Comic-Con this weekend! And yes, I’ll be the guy holding the My Little Pony’s for my kids while we wander the floor. See you there!

Genre Hopping

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This issue comes up for me more often than I’d like to admit – the choice of what’s next in terms of projects. Greystone closes out its first major arc next year and after that I have to decide where my brain would like to go – what world is out there for me to explore. Those discussions always bring me back to genre hopping.

Genre Hopping – the great conundrum for writers

It is and I don’t know why. Maybe it comes from a love of multiple genres growing up. I have to assume most feel the same way and don’t want to read the same thing over and over again – with various nuances, of course, depending on the author. Then again, maybe people do only read one type of story.

Yes there can be an infinite number of permutations of a dystopian novel or a romance novel but the structure, the rules of the genre tend to remain.

Looking ahead to my next project (or next series, depending…) I have no choice but to think about THOSE readers, and how any change might leave them behind. Greystone isn’t over, not by a long shot, but will they join me on the next journey if it doesn’t contain the same rhythm, the same elements or direction as introduced by this initial series?

Genre hopping isn’t common, not for the bestsellers. They write what put them on the list, what their readers demand with little deviation. Shouldn’t I follow the same road?

And the old fear kicks in with that thought.

Losing readers

If Urban Fantasy Thriller is what brought you to the table, will you stay for a Sci-Fi Military Thriller? Is it worth alienating an audience in the hope of growing a new one in the process?

I have to say YES.

What it boils down to for me…

I’m not going to be the next Brad Meltzer or Dan Brown. When you buy one of their books you know exactly what you’re getting. There will be a forgotten, historical element involved. You’ll meet a clandestine organization hiding in the shadows and secretly controlling the world. You’ll have a protagonist who has a love interest but is committed to solving the mystery/saving the day above all else.

You’re in safe hands.

When I read I want variety and I want to offer that to my readers. My voice remains my voice (to some extent) and my tastes filter in the background no matter what genre I find myself playing in for the time being. Is that enough?

I hope so.

After Greystone I want to stretch my Portents-laden brain a bit. I’m going to take you to the far edge of the universe to see war and strife put through a horror no one can walk away from. But it ends with a smile…

And then? I know what I WANT to share. An awesome experiment in storytelling, using a serialized “seasonal” structure. There’s psuedo-science, there’s government conspiracy, and as always jokes and sarcasm littered through the dialogue. Six books. One season. The beginning of a giant adventure.

Don’t fear genre hopping. Enjoy the hell out of it.

Greystone ends next year (for the time being). I’m sad to leave it behind for a bit. However, I am so incredibly supercharged to explore new worlds with you.

I hope you will feel the same.

Thanks for reading.

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