Book Update #5 - The Editing Begins

"Misty Autumn Forest Road - HDR" by Nicolas Raymond is licensed under CC BY 2.0

So... it’s been awhile since I’ve talked about my book.

Usually when someone goes dark on their blog or any site they may use to talk about their book and/or writing, it regularly means bad news. The person either gave up entirely or fell behind in some way. Perhaps maybe they still are chasing that dream, but really aren’t making any substantial process.

I can say that is not the case with me at all. Not by a long shot.

In my last update, I wrote about how I had decided to raise the story count for my book (which is a collection of short stories) from ten stories to thirteen. I also stated that I had written the eleventh story for the book. Well, boys and girls, I finished those last two stories. I hit my goal of thirteen and can now say that the writing process of my book is finally complete.

Which brings me to the next thing I have been up to.

Editing.

I completely re-wrote the first story I had finished for my book. If you read what I had before and compared it to what I have now, it’s insane how much my writing has improved. I guess the old saying is true, practice makes perfect.

The truth of why I haven’t been posting on here as much basically comes down to time. I landed a new job at the tail end of last year and have been working hard. The free time I have either goes into writing or just relaxing. However, now that I am more accustom to this new position I am going to try to not be so distant from this blog.

You can always follow me on Twitter and Facebook if you’d like to hear from me more often.

That’s all I have for now. Until next time... keep writing.

Book Update #4 - Thirteen It Is

"The Woods" by ThreeIfByBike is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0

In my last update, I toyed with the idea of upping the story count of my book, which is a collection of short stories, from ten stories to thirteen. Well, I decided to go with thirteen. Mainly because it’s my book and I can do whatever I want; but also because, like I said before, thirteen is my favorite number. The Friday the 13th movie series might have played a part in that, but I don’t see anything wrong with it, wink wink.

As of late, my brain has overflowed with ideas. The most I have ever had before in my life. I’ve always had a creative mind, coming up with movie ideas and stories, but lately I feel it has ramped up. Maybe it’s because I have been eating healthier? I don’t know. Whatever it is, knock on wood that my brain keeps it up.

That being said, I would really like to write a few more stories, get them all down on paper (or on my computer), before I head into the editing process of the book.

I know I have been talking and giving updates about this book for what seems like an eternity, but things take time. I could have probably released this book last year, if I had rushed it, but I don’t like to rush things. “It’s done when it’s done,” is a quote that keeps coming to my mind, and is something I keep telling myself.

Since my last update, I’ve completed writing another two stories, which brings my total now to eleven. One of the stories I just completed was actually a story I started writing years ago, but could never really figure it out. An idea hit me recently, (that overflowing I mentioned) and the story seemed to finally have that missing piece I always felt it needed.

This book might be taking time, but this beast will get finished. I created a roadmap of sorts, with key dates as small deadlines that will help me stay on track for that goal.

I have a plan, and my motivation is just a strong as it was when I typed the first word.

2017 is Rolling Along

"Long and Icy Road" by Stark is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Wow, it’s February already?

I am still chugging away on my book. I have only one more story to complete before the book will ready for full blown editing mode. Some of the stories I have I think are pretty much ready to go (except for maybe the random typos). However, I want to go back and revisit them, one at a time, and give them all the attention they deserve.

I slowed down on writing my book a bit for the holidays, plus I took some time away and jumped into writing a short screenplay (about 18 pages) from an idea that popped in my head last October. I wrote it mainly for fun, to get it out of my head and down on paper, but I plan on sending it to my filmmaker buddy to see if he likes it.

Who knows what will happen? I know nothing is guaranteed other than him reading it. He might like it, but he might not. Either way, it was pretty exciting working on a screenplay again. I figured if all else fails and nothing were to happen with it, I could submit it to a short screenplay contest or maybe just rewrite it as short story for another book. We will see, as the saying goes.

Like I said, writing a screenplay again, short or not, got me really excited. I finished my first screenplay way back in July of 2014 (damn time flies!). I’ve been hard focused on completing my book, so I haven't worked on anything screenplay related since then. So now I have this itch to write my second feature length screenplay.

They say the second one is easier than the first. I just need to think of something and flesh it out to fill the 90-ish pages. I’m sure my (odd) brain will think of something, but I am anxious to get started. Once I finish the last story for my book, oh it’s on.

(Oh yes, there will be blood.)

In other News...

I recently updated the Contact page. There is now a simple form that you can fill out to send me a message. However, there is still an address listed on the page for anyone that wants to send me an email the old fashioned way.

Book Update #3 – Summer 2016

It has been about six months since my previous Book Update. As you can see from the fancy progress bar above, I am now 80% complete the writing portion of my book. What does that mean? That means I have finished two more short stories for my book since my last update back in February.

As I mentioned before, having a full-time job and other responsibilities limits how much time I have to devote to writing. This is another reason why I aim for only one blog post a month. At least I am progressing though, that’s saying something, right?

Writing a little each day is still better than nothing at all.

"first day of summer" by paul bica is licensed under CC BY 2.0

When I originally set out to write this book, my plan was to write ten short stories. My progress bar at the top is based on me writing those ten stories. Lately however, I have been contemplating the idea of expanding it to thirteen. Thirteen has always been a favorite number of mine.

I am not completely sure if I am going to commit to this change or not. It’s not that I am at a loss for ideas. I have more than enough ideas to add three more stories to the lineup. To me, it’s more about the fact that this book has been a long time in the making. Adding three more stories is going to take more time. I guess this is something I can decide when I hit that 100% mark.

What would you all do if it was your book? Let me know in the comments.

In Other News...

I added a new page to the sidebar a while back. If you haven't noticed, it’s called A List of Lists. This page is a collection of all the lists I have compiled here on my blog. All on one page for easy reading. Check it out!

Next month I’ll be adding a new Top 10 list (my opinion) of something I have been working on for the past several months. Just part one in a long adventure. You’ll understand when you see it. Be sure to check back for that.

This Summer has been way to hot. Can it be Fall now, please?

Book Update #2 – Winter 2016

It has been almost an entire year since my previous Book Update. As you can see from the fancy progress bar above, I am now 60% complete the writing portion of my book. What does that mean? That means I have finished two more short stories since my update last Spring.

I know it seems like it is taking forever for me to finish my book (or at least it does to me), but I think I am progressing pretty well considering I have a full-time job and go to the gym four days a week after work. No matter how busy I am, I try to find the time to at least plop down in my chair for one hour a day and put some words on the screen.

Sometimes I wish I could do this full-time. Wake up each day, and just write. I wouldn't even have to change out of my pajamas. Okay, maybe not that last part, but one can daydream.

Also, still contemplating on a title. I have a few ideas, but not set on anything just yet.

In Other News...

I have made Official Facebook page that everyone can follow. facebook.com/officialmtsmith
Also if you are on Twitter (which I tend to post more) you can follow me @mtsmith85

This past September and November I filmed yet another short for the anthology feature film Terrortory, (Movies also take a long time to make.) A teaser trailer is online for your viewing pleasure. If you are interested, I have posted a link to it on my Facebook page.

Stay tuned and keep writing!

- Matt

Book Update #1 – Spring 2015

It has been a little while since my last update. Time flies! In the last year, I not only wrote my first screenplay, but I also filmed a segment titled Smiling Jack for the upcoming horror anthology film, Terrortory. I will talk more about that later.

Also in the last year since my update, I finished writing two more short stories for my book. As you can see from the fancy progress bar above, I am 40% complete the writing portion of the book.

I just wanted to provide an update on things, since it has been so long since my last update. I wanted it to be clear that I am still plugging away on my book. I have not given up, nor do I ever tend to. I still have a lot left ahead of me, but I am enjoying the process every step of the way.

I am still contemplating a title.

In other news...

I am going to start posting more often. I have many random ideas that I believe will make for great posts on here. I have been very busy writing my book, but I think I can manage at least one good post a month.

Stay tuned!

- Matt

I Finished My Screenplay

In my last update, I mentioned I was going to be writing a screenplay that would be submitted to a contest. This past week the Quarter Finalists for the contest were announced. I was not on the list. Although I didn't make it on the list, I did accomplish something most people can't say...

I finished my screenplay.

The truth is, I started writing this screenplay years ago. I did what many writers do that are new to writing screenplays. I worked on it here and there, never actually got far, and eventually stopped working on it all together. Which is something I'm not proud of, because I'm actually really passionate about the art form that is screenwriting.

Jump to early 2014, I read online that ScreenCraft is holding a screenplay contest specifically for horror. It kicked me into gear. Finally, once and for all, I was going to finish my first screenplay. I was going to make damn sure of it. From mid March to the end of May, I worked on my screenplay almost every night. Even after working an 8 hour day, then hitting a gym session afterwards, I still came home and at least put an hour into writing something before bed.

My hard work and dedication paid off as I was able to complete my screenplay a week before the deadline of June 1. The 30 to 35 disordered pages I wrote before, were now a cohesive 92 pages.

Yeah, I didn't make it to the list of Quarter Finalists for the contest, but I did receive one page worth of feedback notes on my script. I'm proud of what they had to say about it. The numbers I received on their scorecard rating system shocked me, in a good way.

Just because I didn't advance in the contest doesn't mean my screenplay is bad. I am proud of what I accomplished in such little time. The fact that I finished my screenplay and received positive feedback on it from a reputable source is victory in it self. Not to mention it's my first screenplay.

I'll be moving forward with my writing, short stories and screenplays. Hopefully one day this screenplay will be shared with the world.

- Matt

Are you a filmmaker interested in reading my screenplay? Please contact me.

My New Project(s)

If you follow me on Twitter, which you should, you might have noticed me posting about editors and/or things related to writing. That's because the new project that I am working on is writing a collection of short stories. Horror stories of course.

My goal is to write ten stories in total for the collection. I am working with an editor after I complete each rough draft to help polish them. As of right now, I have two stories completed.

Why am I writing short stories? Honestly, I have always wanted to write a book of short stories, but never actually dove into doing one. Once my film RedFall died, I thought now was the best time as ever to do it. I have a lot of random ideas, mostly ideas that were conceived as a plot for a feature film. So I thought to myself, why not turn those ideas into short stories and at least get them out into the world for people to enjoy.

I am also inspired by Clive Barker to write a book of short stories. He is mostly an author, but has directed some feature films. He is most famous for creating the Hellraiser series and the character Pinhead. Clive Barker writes novels, but every so often releases a book of short stories titled the Books of Blood. Seven of his short stories have actually been adapted by others into feature films, including 2008's The Midnight Meat Train and 1992's Candyman.

Although I am focused on writing short stories for my collection, I am about to take a break from writing them so I can complete a screenplay I have been working on for years. ShockTillYouDrop.com is holding the 2nd Annual ScreamCraft Horror Script Contest and the deadline is June 1st. Not only do I think it would be cool to enter and just see what happens, but it also gives me an excuse to kick myself into gear and finally complete the script.

You never know what could happen from there.

- Matt