Tag: writing

What the Heck am I Doing?

Hi everyone! I just figured a quick update was in order.

On Wednesday I just finished reading another manuscript. This one was called the Sword and the Rose. It may be a stand alone novel. But it’s definitely another fantasy novel. I know that most people don’t use Twitch but I will be editing the video and uploading it to YouTube and it will come out after I finish up the Talisman of the Winds video series.

Speaking of Talisman of the Winds, I’m going to be going over the next rounds of edits beginning next week, and then I’ll be releasing it to Beta Readers. I know that some of you have already expressed an interest and I will be getting the manuscript to you as soon as I finish these edits. If you haven’t already reached out to me just let me know and I’ll arrange to get you a copy.

But wait, there’s more! While I was digging around, I found what I believe is the sequel to Talisman of the Winds, at the very least the stories are connected. Then I found another story (although I think it is a short story) that may or may not be connected, which I will likely be reading next so that I can learn more about it. I’ll end up reading both of them, but the first one will be the short story and the second one will be the connected story. Nope I’m not telling you the titles, you’ll find out in a week and a half when I start reading them. 🙂

July News

Eep! I really meant to write in here sooner, but at least I can say it was for a good reason that I haven’t.
I’ve been working on the outline for the manuscript for The Sword of Justice. Yes, the manuscript has already been written, but it needs to be reworked and that means starting at ground zero and rebuilding. I’m keeping most of the story, but I am going to be smoothing out the pacing and writing out some of the scenes which were glossed over but needed telling.
My current worry? That this may mean the book will be unwieldy and that I will have to break it up into smaller books. But that is getting ahead of myself. Right now? I just need to get the outline finished.

Summer/June Update

Hey everyone! I’m back again and so are the recommendations from my editor. What did she say? I have a lot of work ahead of me.

So for the foreseeable future, I will be toiling away to whip the manuscript for The Sword of Justice into shape so that it can be the best book that I can make.

As I work through the story, I’ll try to give quick updates to let you know where I am in the story, along with other interesting tidbits that I run into as I go. But I figured that I’d give you all a quick update to let you know what’s going on.

Update!

As I am working on formatting manuscripts (basically getting them so they are in English rather than computer OCR gibberish), I’ve come across several scenes in the stories which are triggering memories.

I remember hearing my father tell me some of these stories as bedtime stories when I was young.

I also remember being absolutely terrified as my father told me about the evil werewolves in one of the stories.

A werewolf of Alsban.

What Am I Up To?

It’s the end of January and February is about to begin. What am I doing right now?

At the moment I am about to start unboxing another manuscript. This is a literal unboxing. I’ll show you what I mean in a quick video. The name of this story is called the Chronicles of Avantir I have no idea what it is about (mom, don’t tell me, I’ll find out as I read it).

But wait! Wasn’t I working on The Sword of Justice manuscript before Christmas?
What’s going on?
Well, I am getting the manuscript ready to send to an editor who I am hiring to help me make sure that I am on the right track with my edits.
As I have more updates on this manuscript, I’ll let you know.

It does seem like I am skipping around a lot on projects, but also bear in mind that these have all been written for the most part. Some of them just need more work than others. Also, as I’ve stated in a previous post, my process will be different from a writer. It will be more like an editor for many of the stories with the occasional writing foray into some of my father’s worlds. The work is just beginning.

Welcome to The Curmudgeon!

With the new year I have decided to do a quick mission statement post to introduce (or reintroduce) people to this blog.

Who am I?

My name is Beth Wagner, I am a comic creator turned editor and publisher. My father, J.P. Wagner, was a writer. He was a published journalist and his first novel was officially published a few months after he died. But his last words to me were to protect his books. Which I took to mean, publish them.

What is this blog?

Basically, this blog is me rambling. But more specifically, it’s me rambling about writing, editing and things that I think my dad thought were cool. I try to write things in a way that I think he would want things to be written on this blog.

I will also write about my thoughts and feelings as I edit his manuscripts. For example, I would write about what I remember going on in our lives at the time he was writing a specific manuscript. Or, if I find something interesting that I think my dad would have liked.

What this blog is not.

This blog is not an indelible shrine to my dad. It is not a solemn, gloomy place and if it ever gets like that, then it’s time for a holiday.

What are my plans for this blog?

My plans for this blog is to entertain you with interesting stories and my unusual process in editing and publishing my dad’s books as well as to inform you when his books are being published.

Happy New Year!

Looking forward to another year of entertaining you;

Beth Wagner

The Beginning of the Process – The Sword of Justice

I’ve just finished the first read through of the manuscript for the Sword of Justice.

My first impressions?

The concept is solid. A little reworking is necessary, but the general plot itself is solid. This means I can give it the go ahead to continue editing it, and after my faithful beta readers have had a chance to read it, it can be published!

I already have a fantastic idea for a cover and I can’t wait to start working on it.

I’ll give you all more tidbits as I work. Talk to you all very soon!