Dragon Orb - Longfang

[Mark Robson]

Just a quick progress report for those who are interested. I expect to finish the first draft of Longfang in about two weeks (I started writing it in the middle of April). This keeps it on deadline for publication in April next year.

The current publishing schedule for the series runs:

Firestorm - 4th August 08
Shadow - 1st Jan 09
Longfang - 1st April 09
Aurora - 1st October 09? (roughly)

Four books in just over a year isn't a bad pace to be turning them out. The editor is happy with Shadow, so that should definitely be on time. Let's hope she likes what I've done with Longfang. There are certainly a few interesting twists and turns in the story.

[BookStop]

Geez, Mark. how do you have time to post here?

[Mark Robson]

LOL! I don't have a lot, BookStop! I'd love to have more time. I try to get involved when I can, but this year's writing and events schedule is pretty punishing.

[Mark Robson]

Wrote the final 3000 words of Longfang today. Doesn't give me much time to check back through it before handing it across to my editor ... it gives me tomorrow to be precise! I don't know why, but I found this a tough book to write. Only having 3 months to write it in did not help. I'm hoping Aurora will be easier ... particularly now that S&S have brought the launch of the final book in the series forwards to August of next year.

All four books of the series launching in a single year!! Don't expect this with the next series, folks! I'm not going to be agreeing to this sort of contract again in a hurry.

[Julian]

It's a good job you don't get writers block .. Like any good author, taking a holiday, relaxing the mind as much as you can without thinking about your next book can do wonders. But if you're like me, if an idea springs to mind I have to write it down else I would have forgotten about it the next day.

Originally Posted by Mark Robson

Wrote the final 3000 words of Longfang today. Doesn't give me much time to check back through it before handing it across to my editor ... it gives me tomorrow to be precise! I don't know why, but I found this a tough book to write. Only having 3 months to write it in did not help. I'm hoping Aurora will be easier ... particularly now that S&S have brought the launch of the final book in the series forwards to August of next year.

All four books of the series launching in a single year!! Don't expect this with the next series, folks! I'm not going to be agreeing to this sort of contract again in a hurry.

[Ian Whates]

Well done, Mark... If the others live up to the standard of Firestorm, we're all in for a treat.

And now, have a rest, sir! You deserve it.

[Patrick Mahon]

You don't hang around, do you Mark?! Congratulations on finishing writing the third book in the series just before the first one comes out in the shops - that's some rate of work!

Have a great holiday - I'm sure you'll come back to some great reviews of Firestorm.

Originally Posted by Mark Robson

Wrote the final 3000 words of Longfang today.

[Mark Robson]

Back from holiday. Had a fantastic time. Am tanned, rested and already back to work! Initial feedback on the first part of Longfang is most positive, so let's hope my Editor likes the rest as well. Three down, one to go.