Tag: novel

by Shelton Bumgarner
@bumgarls

In this one I talk a lot about the inspirations for the scifi novel I’m writing.

by Shelton Bumgarner
@bumgarls

I’m now working on the second half of the second act, the part of the novel where I hope to directly talk about the 2016 presidential campaign in the context of the novel’s scenario. I feel as though people are beginning to reach the stage where they want that momentous event represented in art and as such I believe this novel will be really accessible, even if it’s based on scifi tropes. I know some hack could very well steal this concept because I foolishly posted the original first act scene summary (which I’ve since deleted) but there’s little I can do but keep going forward.

This concept is really strong while where it’s set isn’t ally that sexy — and if some hack stole the concept they’d probably set it somewhere closer to LA or NYC — but my version of the concept is structured in such a way as to at least be interesting and make sense in the context of what’s going on.

I have a lot of work to do. A whole lot of work. The thing they don’t tell you about writing a novel — or at least I didn’t understand going into this — is how much is just takes time to not only develop but to write a novel. Writing a novel — unless you’re Phillip K. Dick and you’re on crank — doesn’t happen quickly. It takes time. A lot of time, even when you’re feeling inspired.

But for the moment I actually do have time and it’s my responsibility to keep going. My responsibility to just keep chugging along. I really like this concept and my biggest fear is, well, my writing won’t be good enough to actually get anyone who doesn’t know me personally to finish it and want to know what happens next. Because that, really, is what this first book is — it’s an introduction to its universe and a way of giving people a taste of the broader universe I’ve managed to come up with. If by “taste,” of course, you mean about 200,000 words.

Anyway, wish me luck. It will be interesting to see what happens going forward.

by Shelton Bumgarner
@bumgarls

I’ve just about reached the midpoint twist of the novel I’m developing. Things should go a lot quicker after this because I have a lot clearer understanding of what the story is about.

by Shelton Bumgarner
@bumgarls

My novel continues to move along. I am still developing the second scene summary of the novel. The novel is still going to be heavily influenced by the 2016 campaign, but I can believe it’s going to be really great, but it’s up to me to actually produce the goods.

I am still paranoid that someone is going to “steal” the concept because I posted the original first act scene summary. But there’s nothing I can do at this point is to keep going. I have to just stop navel gazing and keep going. I have to keep developing and keep writing.

I have to stop daydreaming, however. I need to actually do the hard work. And, really, all I have when it comes to someone “stealing” the concept is to write as fast as I can and to be as creative as possible. If I come up with a really interesting concept then there’s a chance, however small, that maybe I might be able to produce something people really like.

We’ll see.

You are a hack.

Not only are you a hack, I’ve improved on this a great deal and it’s not like I don’t know someone may steal this idea. So, take that into consideration before you write a screenplay — or whatever — inspired by what you expected to find here.