Dream Writing!

"Dream" by Melody Campbell is licensed under CC by 2.0. To View a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/?ref=openverse.

 Writing definitely has its up and downs. As I mentioned recently, I'm finally on the "up" side and am moving forward with my latest book. It is Book III of the Alban Saga, titled The Vortex. When I'm on a role and things are flowing well, dreaming is something that often takes hold and helps me move a book forward.

My latest dream about this book ended up taking it in a completely new direction, which I'm extremely excited about!

I hope to complete the book in 2023 or early 2024. I think the new direction is going to add a lot to the story!

"MERLIN & ARTHUR: THE AWAKENING" - Manuscript Finished!

The manuscript of my latest SciFi/Fantasy novel, Merlin & Arthur: The Awakening is done. It is over 162,000 words and has thirty-four chapters, plus a Prologue.

I began the research for this novel, which I originally entitled "M", in March of 2016. After three months of preparation, I actually started writing it in June of 2016, and just finished it yesterday, August 26, 2019.

It has been an unbelievable journey that has included some wonderful characters such as Merlin and Arthur, of course, but also many, many others. The plot takes place across the globe in such places as Carmarthen Wales, Glastonbury England, many cities and villages across Russia, and in Alaska. It has magic as well as science fiction, real places mixed with fictional scenes, humor, great sorrow and pain, international intrigue, love, joy, adventure, and events based on current politics, history, legend, and imagination.

I am extremely proud of all the hard work, sweat, tears, and dreams that have gone into this, and I hope to be able to share it with you in the not-too-distant future. But my approach with publishing this book will be different than with my others. I just sent it off to be edited, and in the meantime, I'm leaving on a trip to Europe where I'll be gone for a year. We'll get the manuscript into its final form, and then I'll send it off to as many agents as I can. Then while I'm in Europe, I'll attempt to meet with some agents and publishers there, as well as enter it in some writing competitions.

If I can find a publisher or an agent, I will go that route to publish the book. If not, I'll publish it independently as I have my others.

While I'm in Europe, I've also decided to step away from writing prose for a time and work on my poetry. Many of you have read some of my poems on the blog. I'd love to write more and publish a book of poetry. It was my first love after leaving the music business. Now I'm anxious to get back into it.

Just yesterday, I noticed that my blog is now being read in 70 countries, and I wanted to thank all of you for your interest and support of my work. When I started all this, my goal was to share my struggles as well as my writing. I didn't want to merely try to impress; I wanted to be real and honest.

I'm looking forward to improving everyday, gaining more readers, and producing work that I can continue to be proud of. If you want to read any of my other books, you can get a printed copy or download it onto your Kindle through any of Amazon's websites around the world. Just do a search on Amazon with my name in quotes: "Bob Stegner". I wish my books were written in other languages, but for now they're only in English.

So...keep watching my blog. I'll let you know what's going on with my writing, what's happening with Merlin & Arthur: The Awakening, and when it will be available. I'll also be publishing some of my new poetry on my blog, so keep an eye out for that.

Thanks for taking this journey with me!

Bob Stegner

New Sci-Fi/Fantasy Novel & 2nd Edition of "Black Grotto"

In my new fantasy/science fiction book, Merlin & Arthur: The Awakening, I completed chapter 23 and am working on chapter 24. I hope to finish the novel sometime during 2019.

As I've been working on it, even I've been amazed at where the story is going. It originates in the time of Merlin and Arthur, during the late part of 6th century AD, and moves into the modern day, a bit into the future. Yes, Merlin and Arthur awaken, but at the start, they have no idea who they are. In fact, Arthur is homeless. The reason they awaken... Well, you'll discover that in the book.

The blending of the old and the new is obviously a challenge, but with all the research I've done, it's coming together. When I planned the book, I generally knew where I'd be going, but as always, when I write I see what's happening in my mind - like watching a movie. Sometimes things occur that I don't expect. That's what makes it fun!

The novel takes place in Wales, England, Siberia, other parts of Russia, the Bering Strait, and in Alaska. There's also an episode of international intrigue that complicates the plot and carries Merlin and Arthur around the globe as they interface with many characters and attempt to solve an unsolvable dilemma.

And as you know, if you've been following my blog, I've begun writing a second edition of all of my previous novels. I finished "Beatrice: Book I of the Alban Saga". Now I'm working on the second book of that series - "Black Grotto". I should be done with that sometime during January.

Keep checking my blog for updates. 2019 will be a busy year!

"M": The Convergence Of Two Plot Lines

In my latest fantasy/science fiction/international intrigue novel, "M", I have two significant plot lines that have been unraveling since the beginning of the book. I just completed chapter 12 and have written a little over 50,000 words. The two plot lines will soon begin to converge.

One of them has been the resurrection of two medieval characters in Wales and England. The second, the development of a major international incident, which has taken place in Russian Siberia.

The final steps bringing these together will occur in chapters 13 and 14. I'm really pleased with the story development at this stage and am very much looking forward to melding the two plot lines into one.

There has been a tremendous amount of research involved in "M", and the two stories within the book have been very unique and different in tone as well as substance and setting. I'm looking forward to completing it, especially considering my style of writing. Before I start a book, I generally know the beginning and end and how I'm going to get there. I know some of the characters as well, but as I write, I see the story in my mind, like a movie, and many times the plot will take twists and turns that I never expected. It makes it a lot more fun to write and allows for the book to evolve as I write it. I like not having everything figured out ahead of time.

I know it's going to take at least another year or so before it's released, but I can hardly wait for you to read it!

BLACK GROTTO: Change Of Title

BLACK GROTTO 

New Title

I've finished planning and have begun writing the 18th chapter of my new fantasy novel. As I've mentioned before, this new book is a continuation of the Beatrice series. The original title, Cave of Dreams, didn't seem to fit the book nearly as well as another one I've been considering.

This book is much darker than the first and a more complex story. I believe that BLACK GROTTO, for several reasons, sets a better tone and provides a better sense of the mystery inherent in the novel.

I'm only writing about a chapter a week now, as each chapter is taking a great deal of planning and thought. It's a joy to write this book, and I'm having a great time with the characters, scenes, and the plot. It isn't an easy book to write, though, and each of the chapters are much longer than in any of my other books.

So...BLACK GROTTO it is!

CAVE OF DREAMS: UPDATE

Cave of Dreams 

UPDATE

The main character in my new fantasy book is Bea. She is eighteen years old at the beginning of the book, and she must go on a quest across the width and breadth of Scotland to fully understand where she came from, who she is, and where she is headed.

There are many other important characters in the book: Marta Pottinger, Willam Brodie and his son, Aran, Bea's family, the Bauman's, Anu Grenn, and others. There are also several plot lines moving forward, and the beginning of each chapter has a date that helps you keep track of where in time you are. All of them will converge finally toward the end of the book.

I've just finished writing Chapter 16 and have started Chapter 17, and I know this book will be my most intricate and longest book to date.

I will let you know when it is done, but it will be a while, and I may enter it in some fantasy contests before then as well as have it read by some reviewers and editors.

Hope you enjoyed the update!

Expanding My Writing

Cave of Dreams 

Cave of Dreams is my latest novel. It's my fifth and probably my most ambitious project to date. As I've written, studied, and read other authors, I've become more and more aware of the importance of details. Having a rich story that feels life-like and real to the reader beg the necessity and importance of them. There are scenes to be painted, character's to be enriched and enlivened, and the tremendous importance that details play in the plot as well. There are times, though, when you need to watch out for the pitfalls that one can encounter with details from either slathering the page with too many of them or trying to place them into a story at the wrong moment.

In Cave of Dreams, the number of characters has increased over my other novels as have the fine details that tick the story along - moment to moment. And, I'm painting my characters with richer and finer tones and qualities. All of this detail also teaches me patience and sometimes creates a need for more research to make sure that the work feels authentic and has some basis in fact, even if it is a fantasy, as this book is.

I've been working on Cave of Dreams since the beginning of June, and I'm only into the sixth chapter. So far, though, my chapters are longer, and I'm building the world of this story a lot more slowly and carefully than ever before. In those six chapters, I've almost written 25,000 words, and chapter six isn't even complete yet. I'm not a word counter, normally, but it is an indicator of what I know is happening in my writing.

I mentioned patience, and I know that I'm gaining that as an author. I'm really enjoying the slower pace. I've always loved writing descriptions anyway, and taking more time to lay out the scenes has become very enjoyable for me.

I also mentioned the possible pitfalls of too much detail. I'm watching for that and using places where I believe other authors have stepped over that cliff as my measuring tape. Sometimes simpler is better, so I'm doing my best to balance conciseness with rich texture. "Balance in all things..." has always been one of my mottos, and I think it definitely applies to writing as well.

I'm enjoying and learning and working hard on Cave of Dreams. The book should be done in five to six months. I'll be excited as always when I finish and look back on its development and the wonder of creating something from my mind. It's a ride that I relish and revel in!


Learn More About My Other Books
To learn more about my other books, click on the BOB'S BOOKS link at the top of this blog.