What it looks like at the moment

Hello Adventurers,

It's cold and rainy day here in the northwest. A perfect day to sit back and work on Adventure #4. I received an email from my editor and he promised to have Next Rest Stop: Earth back to me before Christmas. Once it's back in my hands I can make the changes and be one step closer to completing it. Until then I will focus on Edgar.

Growing up I always wondered how my favorite writers worked. Did they just barricade themselves in a room and hover over a typewriter with a pot of coffee? Did they write the entire book out by hand first? Did they retreat to a cabin in the woods to escape the world?

I unfortunately have to hold down a full time job in advertising, which makes it hard to concentrate on the books. I give them as much time as I can on the weekends and evenings, but I do have a family and life to live as well. I dream of the day when writing is my only job. I'm sure it will happen one day. There are a lot of books in my head and all I have is time. As for my process;

1. I start with a detailed outline of the entire story. I also write out a characters list and highlight all the notes from my research.

2. Once I have all that I open the laptop and type out a first draft. It's really rough, just me getting the basic story out of my head and into the computer.

3. I will then read through this draft and make sure I haven't missed anything from the outline and I also make sure the story flows and makes sense. At this stage I'm not worried about spelling or grammar.

4. The pages are then printed out and I read it again, but this time sentence by sentence with a pen and extra attention on the details.

5. I'll then make these changes to the file, read it one more time and then send it to my editor for their notes.

Right at this moment I'm between steps 3 and 4. Above is a picture of what I have. On the left is my marked up manuscript. On the right is the list of characters in the story.

I'd better get to it if I'm to have it completed by late summer.

Your friend and storyteller,
~p

New novel & the next Edgar Font Adventure

Hello Adventurers,

I have big news. For the past six months I have been writing a new Science Fiction novel which will be in bookstores and available online in February 2011. It's called NEXT REST STOP: EARTH and you can learn all about it at nextreststopearth.com.



Also, I returned from a trip to Kenya two weeks ago. I was investigating a story I found in Garrett Font's journal and I discovered some very interesting facts. But that is a story I will be telling you later. For now I want to let you know that I have been working hard on Adventure #4 since my return and will have the book ready and in your hands by late 2011. To prepare you for what's to come I tease you with this page from the unedited manuscript.

I will be updating this blog weekly with notes, pictures, drawings and news so be sure to bookmark this page a come back often. Feel free to drop me a note while you're here. I always love hearing from you.

Your friend & storyteller,
~patrick

EDGAR FONT'S Hunt for a House to Haunt
Adventure 4: The Playhouse of Phym
By Patrick H.T. Doyle
copyright 2010, Armadillo Books

“Is there a key to the front door?” Grandpa Edgar called out to Mr. Neckritz.
“No. You’re not allowed inside tonight.” He whipped around in his chair. “If you were on time it would have been under the door mat, but I checked this morning and it’s gone.”
“Gone?” Garrett questioned.
“Removed as instructed. You’ll just have to wait until morning.” He spun back around and continued towards the cabin. “Randy. Edward. Come!”
The dogs left Grandpa Edgar’s side and raced up to the cabin.
“What are we supposed to do now?” Audrey asked.
“Let’s see what Aunt Phym wrote.” He held the note in a beam of sunlight and read out loud.

“To my most adventurous nephew Edgar on the eve of the house’s 100th anniversary (I knew you would be late). In the event of my death before this special day, I pass onto you an adventure, which began when I was an eleven-year-old girl. The enclosed painting is of a very wise woman who shared with me the secrets of the stones and treasures concealed within the ruins. If you don’t remember this painting from your past, the present adventure will never begin. I will guide you along the way if you follow the correct path, and I’m sure the fairies with help as they have me these many years if you need them.

~Phym

“Fairies,” Audrey’s face lit up. “Mr. Zare was right about them being here.”
“I’ll believe it when I see it,” Garrett scoffed.
“Quite a turn of events, Adventures.” Grandpa Edgar started up the steps to Aunt Phym’s house.
“It’s starting to get really dark, Grandpa.” Audrey pointed out.
“And I don’t want to be in an animals belly,” Garrett stressed.