J.R. Murdock

The Mrs. and I went for a shorter than expected hike today. We’re going to try again tomorrow. Breakfast was good though. Had a nice, long nap. Then sat down to do some editing of book interiors. While doing a mind-numbing task, sat around watching SHAZAM! Finally, a DC movie worth watching! I hope they make a sequel.

This week has been a little bit stressful. For those who’ve been following along, today was my boss’s last day. I did apply for his position and my interview is next week. We shall see what happens. I spent a good deal of this week and last week meeting with my boss daily going over contracts, documents, projects, contacts, and getting his take on team members and outside teams we work with. It was quite a bit of information to take in.

Even with all that going on, I was able to crank out 1500 words on Jack Kane 3 on Monday. I picked away on GRPC3, but didn’t commit to writing a lot of words. I did 5 a Day With Jay, and wrote the blogs, but fiction words escaped me.

Until last night. Last night I put down 3200 words. I had cycled back a couple of chapters, did some clean up and added some words. Fleshed out a couple of spots, then moved forward. My intention was to finish the chapter I had been working on and call it a night.

Well, that chapter got done and I jumped straight into the next chapter because it was calling me and I got around 1700 words into that chapter before I got to a stopping point. Literally mid-word I stopped. I know what’s going to happen next and as soon as I finish this blog post, I’ll get to work on that.

But Jay, how could you just stop like that?

I’m so glad you asked. Because now when I sit down, my brain has been mulling over that scene since I lifted my hands up. This is a trick I learned long ago when I’m in flow. Yes, I could have probably finished the chapter and been at a break in the story, but then I’d have to ramp back up when I sit down again. I wanted to put my hands on the keyboard and go. It’s an exciting story (for me) and I’m having a blast writing it.

That said, with the change in my writing style and pacing, and the POVs, and the fleshing out of the universe I’m doing with these recent books, I can tell already this one will be a monster. GRPC books have two parts, the preparation before the battle, and the battle. I’m roughly 17,000 words in and I know I’m not close to the battle yet. Seems my GRPC books like being around 100,000 words. I’m guessing this will likely be the length of books going forward.

Which is acceptable. I’m good with books at that length. It means I need to write around 50,000 words per month to get a book done every other month. Again, very doable. If I’m doing 3000 words a day each weekday, that’s 120,000 words in two months. Means I have lots of words that can go into the 2 short stories a month I want to write.

That’s what I’m working toward at the moment. 60,000 words a month. I know I’m capable of doing 100,000 in a month, and if I’m feeling it, probably more. That means 60,000 is a good pace to shoot for that isn’t too much and will keep me moving steadily ahead.

Beyond writing, I finished a couple of the writing books I was reading. It’s still frustrating reading these books and going “Yup, doing that.” “Yup, did that.” The last one I read talking about laying out a plan and a schedule for your books. Hey! That’s what I just did! <sigh>

I still have more reading to do. I’m not bashing the books I’m reading, I’m looking for new material to move forward with. It’s nice to know I’m on the right track and following in the footsteps of authors who are doing what I’m dreaming about.

One last thing before I run away and go write. I know many that come to this blog are writers (or artists). What are you working on that’s keeping you going? Tell me about your projects. It doesn’t matter if it’s today, tomorrow, next month, or a year from now and you just stumbled across this blog. Tell me what you’re doing. I’d love to hear.

I’m off to see if I can do another 3000 words.

Until Next Time!

Stay Awesome!

Audio Only: https://anchor.fm/jr-murdock/episodes/5-a-Day-With-Jay—0149-e126onh

I consider myself a lifelong learner. I love taking on a new challenge, digging in, and figuring something out. Oh, I’ll get frustrated along the way. That’s human nature. But if I were to hand someone my setup as it exists today for doing my videos, I guarantee anyone would do what I’m doing differently. They’d find something I missed. Make it their own. I don’t claim to be an expert in either video editing or writing. Far from it. I’m an amateur.

Right now, I’m reading two different books about marketing yourself. I’m frustrated with both books because it’s telling me things I already know and am actively doing. I’m not frustrated with myself. As we discussed earlier this week, slow, steady growth is what we’re going for. We’re making progress and at this stage, that’s all I can ask for.

What’s frustrating is the advice is so basic. Even listening to a couple of video series. The info is high-level. I get the reason for this is because everyone needs to find what works for them. Like me doing my videos. I need to keep futzing around with it until I find what’s right and works for me. It can be frustrating and I struggle to figure some things out, but I’m having fun with it or I’d quit and give up. Hey, look, we’ve on episode 148. I must be having fun.

Even this blog can be a struggle from time to time. Sometimes, I don’t know what to write about until I sit down and start typing. Today will be day 133 on the current streak of blog posts. It’s fun to watch that number go up. It’s not always easy, but once I get going, it’s always fun.

One thing I’m struggling with right now is the fact I’m working on GRPC book 3. This will be the 8th book in the over arcing series that will run 16 books. 4 – V&A Shipping books, 4 – GRPC books, and 4 – Almost-Super Heroes books, and 4 in a military sci-fi series. Yes, the halfway point of that run. And I only dropped the 4th book in that run last month. I’m working on a book that won’t release for at least 6 more months. (I’m trying to maintain my backlog of books). What’s going on in my head is how excited I am about what the characters are doing in this book. I’m excited at how much better my writing had gotten. I want to tell everyone about what I’m doing and see if people notice. It’s weird to think that I’ve got a majority of the books all in my head and I just need to sit and write.

One other thing I’m currently struggling with is getting onto a schedule. I’d like to keep on a schedule of working out in the morning, doing my video as soon as I’m done with work (and this blog) and then have dinner and get to writing. That doesn’t always happen. It’s not something I can always control. I’m getting better, but some things need to take priority.

This is why I started streaming my videos live. I wasn’t doing any post-processing edits anyway, so this is a real time-saver. Working out, yeah, I need to get at that. The more I workout, the clearer my head is during the day compared to when I crawl out of bed and sit down at the laptop and being working. It also means I have more time in the afternoon to get the things done I need to get done.

It’s a balancing act. Not only am I learning video streaming, writing, and staying on schedule, I’m also learning how to juggle it all. It’s weird. Soon, I may be learning a new job and that will be an additional challenge (I have an interview for my boss’s job next week – his last day is tomorrow).

Things don’t always move in a straight line. I think that’s why I’m doing these videos and blogs. Not only for myself to keep my head straight day-to-day, but in case someone comes along and wonders “How’d he do that” there will be a record of what I did and where I went. It’ll also be nice to return to the blog and see what worked and what didn’t.

I’m off to go make words happen. Let’s see if I can get over 2000 tonight.

Until Next Time!

Stay Awesome!

Audio Only: https://anchor.fm/jr-murdock/episodes/5-a-Day-With-Jay—0148-e124id4

Sometimes I get stuck in a rut. When that happens, I like to try something a little different.

Tonight I put the GoPro on a tripod in a different position. Sat a little differently. Microphone was a little further away that normal. Nothing major, but different. Listening back, yeah, there’s a little echo. I can fix that. If I never tried, I wouldn’t know if it sounded bad.

At some point, I may buy a lapel mic and give that a shot, but for now, I’m not putting any more money into my setup.

The same thing about changing things up applies to my writing as well. Right now, I’m writing two books at the same time. This might sound jarring to some and mind-bending, but I assure you, it’s fun. It’s different. It’s keeping me engaged.

I wrote around 1500 words yesterday and got those back to my coauthor. Jack Kane is moving along. Nicely.

So is GRPC3. I wrote a little in it over the weekend, but mostly, I tried to relax playing a video game. Some times it’s nice to take a break.

I do multiple things when I sit at this particular computer. I write. I play video games. I watch TV and YouTube videos. I record videos for youTube. I edit photos and videos. Social Media. Email. Bills.

You get the point.

Writing is only one small part of what I do on this computer. When I sit down, at times, it can be difficult to focus on the task at hand no matter the task. I wear many hats and have thought about that and what I can do about it.

One thing I’ve thought about is getting a dedicated writing computer. Something not connected to the internet that is intended for writing only. Nothing else. This would force me to focus when I sit at that machine. Much like my work laptop. I only use that for work. Nothing else. It keeps me focused and prevents me from doing something else instead.

That option could be expensive so I’m not going to do that at this time. Though I would love to. I still have my NetBook, but it’s a slow, clunky POS that needs to be retired.

Another option I have at my disposal is to create another login on the home PC that’s dedicated to writing. I could default it to not connected to the internet and ONLY have my writing software on that login. This as well would force me to focus. It’s an option I’ve giving serious thought.

At this time, I’m not going to do that. I’m doing well at keeping myself focused. Oddly, as I’m typing up this blog, I have a YouTube video playing at the same time. I never thought I’d be able to write/type at the same time as someone else is talking about something unrelated. It’s weird. I mean, I can do it to music while humming along with lyrics, this isn’t that different, right?

At any rate, I’m about to stop this video and make some words happen!

Until Next Time!

Stay Awesome!

Audio Only: https://anchor.fm/jr-murdock/episodes/5-a-Day-With-Jay—0147-e122vtt

I was going to record tonight, but the Mrs and I, along with her sister and TJ, took a short 4 mile hike that turned out to be a 7 mile hike. Far more than I can normally do. Here are some pictures to tide you over until tomorrow.

Played a few too many games of Among Us today.

Also went to the farmer’s market, washed the cars, and spent time relaxing with the Mrs and My Favorite Daughter.

All in all, a good Sunday.

Regular posts will resume tomorrow.

Good evening and welcome to five a day….wait a minute. There’s no camera or microphone today. Oh, right.

I was going to spend the day reading, writing, recording.

That’s not to say I didn’t get things done. I watched a movie, Vivarium. This movie is right up my alley. I can see how many wouldn’t like it. I like weird, slow movies on occasion and this one fit the bill. It’s weird. It’s creepy. There are no jump scares. It’s more of a psychological horror. As a writer, I loved the story. I felt the foreshadowing at the beginning was a bit too much and, for me, gave away the entire story.

I also started watching Jupiter’s Legend on NetFlix. I’m only a few episodes in, and again, it’s a slow boil of a TV show. I’m liking how it’s structured and laying things out a little at a time.

I practiced bass for a little bit as well.

Oh, and I got a few things done around the house. Getting ready for my brother to come down for a few days with his wife and kids. That’ll be a lot of fun. Haven’t seen them all in a while.

The weather has messing with my head so I took it easy today.

Oh, and on Epic Games they’re giving away Among Us. I’d seen some YouTubers playing it and it’s a fun game, but when you’re dealing with a random crowd, it can be a mixed bag.

Anyway, good day. I feel both that I did a lot, yet did nothing at all.

Until Next Time!

Stay Awesome!

Okay, I kid, I kid. I’m here.

Got plans this evening. No 5 a Day tonight. Might be one over the weekend. We shall see. I will more than likely be spending time working on Jack Kane book 3 and GRPC3. I’m excited for what’s happening on both of these books for totally different reasons.

Until Next Time!

Stay Awesome!

P.S. Here’s the link for the print edition to GRPC2 (shhhh): https://www.amazon.com/Villain-Giant-Robot-Planetary-Competition/dp/B095LBRN7Q

Try as I might to get things right, I won’t succeed a majority of the time. Oh, I will get things right some of the time. But there are many times I will fail and fall down flat on my face.

Like tonight. I got all set up to stream. The stream didn’t look like it was streaming after a couple of minutes. I stopped the stream and restarted it. A few times. Guess what. The first time it was streaming. (sigh).

These things happen. I keep saying over and over: We’re learning here. The road will be bumpy. I will fail from time to time. I’m doing the best I can. I’ll let you in on a little secret. I goofed on the print book for GRPC2. It was supposed to go live next week. Whoops. It’s live now.

I won’t announce it everywhere until next week, but for the readers of the blog, it’s out there now. Go get yourself a copy! 🙂

Another thing I’ll note about my writing. It’s not perfect either. I’ve made many mistakes not only with my writing career, but with the books I’ve written and published as well. V&A Shipping is filled with cardboard characters that can come off as flat. My female lead is your “typical” female. I learned a lot writing that book and I feel it’s a really good story despite its faults, but it’s not a perfect book.

Neither is GRPC1 or even GRPC2. But I still think those are good stories and I learned a lot writing those stories. If you read V&A1, V&A2, GRPC1, GRPC2, you’ll see growth from story to story. Heck, you’ll see that in Jack Kane 1 and 2 as well. You’ll see it across the Golden West trilogy.

That’s all I can do. Progress as a writer. Grow as a writer. Tell better stories. I’ll take courses, learn from those who came before me. Apply what I’ve learned.

The road to success in the arts is rarely a straight line. An “overnight success” is almost never overnight. There are years if not decades behind the scenes that you’ll never see, never know about, and probably never care about. That’s completely understandable. The movies and even some books make it seem like if you write a novel, you’re done. You can retire and live off the royalties for the rest of your life off that one book.

Being perfect has never been a goal of mine. Telling stories people enjoy has been. I’m not looking for all 5 star reviews and awards. I’m looking for a small handful of people that want to hop on and have a fun ride with me. That’s all. I have no expectation of getting rich doing this. I do have the expectation that I’ll have a good time trying.

Until Next Time!

Stay Awesome!

Audio Only: https://anchor.fm/jr-murdock/episodes/5-a-Day-With-Jay—0145-e11o011