James G. Pearson's Blog

That’s right, I’ve been gone for a while. A long while to be honest. Work, getting married, having a honeymoon, studying, and doing life things have all taken time away from writing. But what I have been able to do here and there has been beneficial toward the book. Whether it’s working on the cover and back or writing a paragraph here or there. I’ve managed to do something with it.

So, the good news is that it’s now available for pre-order! But there’s something else. From December 25th The Kingmaker will also be on a countdown deal until the release of Kingdomfall on the 31st of December. Pick up a copy and catch up on what you’ve missed so far before the release of the second book in the Kingmaker Saga.

I have to say, I really couldn’t have done this without the love and support of my amazing wife. She’s a rock to me. Every time I come up with a new twist or plot, or even a scenario in my head for where the books are going, she listens. She’s sick to death of me talking about it, but she listens… and rolls her eyes when I ask her to. But I suppose it saves her from reading them. She already knows everything that happens!

So I really have to say ‘thank you’ to my amazing wife, for putting up with my stories.

Here’s the pre-order link: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kingdomfall-K...

Go nuts! And if you pre-order, tell me about it! I’d love to hear from you!

Hello everyone!

I know it’s been a while. I’ve been working a lot of shifts recently and have found it hard to keep up with my writing and editing of Kingdomfall. But I will let you know where I am on the second book in the series.

So far, I’ve completely cut out two chapters. I found them completely unnecessary and proceeded to buldgeon them from the manuscript. I’ve corrected a lot of sentences and tried to give them the feel I wanted to express and I’ve started work on two chapters to replace the deleted ones. Because of work, this is taking a lot longer than it should. Not only that, it will then have to go off and be proof read for grammar and consistency (hey, if you want to be a beta reader for it let me know), so I can be confident that you’ll enjoy the story without having to look it and think “that doesn’t make any sense.”

I personally think a lot more work has gone into the second book than the first. Or at least it seems that way. It’s taken longer, whether that’s because I’ve had so much more going on at work or the fact that I’m getting married in less than two months, it’s certainly taking longer than the first one did. But I also don’t have professional editors or proof readers. I can’t afford them. I can’t afford to spend money on getting the best editor, or even a mediocre one, to read through my manuscript. There are simply too many outgoings. All the time.

So, unless I get picked up by some big publishing company it’s not happening and I’ll have to do it the time consuming way. I don’t mind that. It gives me time to polish my story. Then again, there are a lot of people who fund their books on indiegogo or other crowd funding pages. Makes me wonder if it isn’t the way to go with getting it edited. I’ve certainly heard of worse ways.

I know, I know. I sound like I’m rambling. But I just thought you deserved an update on where I am with Kingdomfall. The good news is that it adds to the story and drags you deeper into the characters and their motivations. We also get some new characters involved like ‘The Bear’ Samson Ivorson and another highly regarded soldier, Saxon Grey.

I’m trying to get it finished, I really am. I know some of you like the story and want to know more and get on with the next book. But I simply can’t pump them out on an industrial level, unlike some ‘authors’ who basically brand ghost writer’s books.

Here’s a promise I plan to keep: you will see the end of this series. I won’t give up on it, because if I don’t tell their story, who will?

Well, I’m excited! Finally, the 3rd edition of The Kingmaker is out! And in paperback as well! It’s been a busy few weeks, I’ll say that. I’ve been working on tweaking a few things in The Kingmaker and edited to a point where I think it’s pretty good. I’ve even added in some new little bits to the story to try and give some more information as to where it’s going. There’s more clues than before and a few sentence restructures.

As I said before, I’ve also got the paperback done with the new cover, too! I couldn’t be happier with the schedule I’m managing to keep along with my work. Some days do drag and it’s hard to put pen to paper (or fingers to keys), but I’m reading through the first draft of Kingdomfall as well. Realising that I need to cut out two chapters is a bit of a letdown, but at least I know it now. When I read some of the stuff back I can see that one character’s point of view just isn’t needed. Maybe said character will be something more in the third book? Possibly. We’ll see. I can’t give too much away, can I?

That being said, book three is also coming together in my head. I’m loving the direction it’s taking and there are more plans in between. And with so much time in between book two and three, there may be a couple of books where other characters have their own adventures in Vikinsa. In my mind, it helps flesh out the history and the vastness of the world the characters live in.

I’ve put the links here for you to visit in case you want to buy a copy with the new cover. Enjoy!

The Kingmaker paperback on Amazon.com

The Kingmaker paperback on Amazon.co.uk

So, after finishing the first draft of Kingdomfall I said I would go back and work on The Kingmaker. And that’s what I’ve done. First off, I had the edit that was done by the lovely woman on Fiverr. But I also have a friend who’s exceptionally good at finding errors in writing. He even champions himself as a grammar nazi. He had a look through my book and managed to help me adjust the majority of the recurring errors that cropped up.

But it also led me to want to add some things to the first book. I decided that I needed more clues. The story itself has direction, it has purpose. But I know it could benefit from a few more questions and hints. There are characters moving in the background that I haven’t shone enough light on. But that’s because I want them in the dark. I want them to be lurking in the background. But I also want you to notice them. Because they’re major players in the grand scheme of things. Maybe you won’t notice. Maybe you won’t pay too much attention to them. But when it all comes together, you might find yourself going back.

And that’s what I want. I want you to have that “WHAT?!” moment. Okay, maybe it won’t be so much like that. I suppose it depends on how into the story you are. We’ll see. For now, I’m going to plant a few more clues in the first book.

It is with great pleasure that I can announce that the first draft of Kingdomfall is done! Hurray! It’s been a long road so far, with a lot of breaks in between. It is finally done, though. But that’s only the first draft. I’ve printed it out, set it aside and have decided to let it cool (something I should have done with The Kingmaker), so it allows me to take a step backwards and look to the first in the series.

The Kingmaker has been left to do its own thing for long enough. Having a few people look through the manuscript has allowed me time to recognise the editing that’s required to fix some of the erroneous commas. Yes, of course, I read the reviews of my books, and editing is something that was lacking with the first book. But, as I’ve mentioned countless times, I don’t have the funds to hire an editor. At least not a professional one. So, I look to beta readers, Fiverr, and friends to help me try and rectify my mistakes.

Although, I have finished the first draft of Kingdomfall, I must turn back and get The Kingmaker in good order. I can’t have the beginning of my series letting down the rest of the books, can I? The answer is no. I’m having fun plotting the course of the story in my head and can’t wait to start work on the next book.

May was an awesome month for my writing. I smashed through my targets while at work and managed to type my way through to chapter 48 of Kingdomfall. Who knew it would be that good? Me. I knew. Since getting this new job, I’ve had a renewed vigour. So, I just thought I’d update you on where I am.

Chapter 48 brings a characters involvement for book 2, to a close. Their arc finishes and also foreshadows the events of book 3. There’s a lot going on. But it’s since I’ve been thinking about book 3 that I came up with the concept of where I want it to go. Book 2 isn’t finished yet, not by a long shot. I still have a few redrafts left to do, but I know where book 3 starts.

Book 3 starts seventeen years later. Things will have changed significantly in some areas, some will have stayed the same. I’m excited for where it’s going. I can see more of the story than I have ever done before. Normally I’m a pantser. Yeah, that’s right, I write by the seam of my pants. Well… trousers. I’m English. George R. R. Martin would also call me a gardener rather than an architect. I plant the seeds and see what happens. I love writing this way, I get to explore my characters more, see how they react. Don’t get me wrong, there are still some things I have to plan out. I just lean more towards gardener.

So that’s my June update, so far. A couple of chapters left and a rewrite of a few to go. Let’s smash this out.

These last couple of weeks have been a whirlwind for my writing. The creative juices are flowing and I find myself furiously typing at work. Hammering away at the keys in every moment that permits me. The story in Kingdomfall is coming to an end and it’ll soon be time to make the edits and rewrites of chapters. But, most of all, I’m enjoying where the story is taking me. The characters feel varied for me, larger than life yet still have their everyman moments. I’ve asked a few people and, for them, Dirham is one of their favourite characters. Even more so than the main protagonist. It makes me wonder whether I’m doing this subconsciously, considering he’s the everyman in the story. Is he, perhaps, the actual main protagonist? Maybe… Maybe I missed a trick.

The next book in the series is going to be slightly different. The reason? A completely new point of view. I won’t say too much now and spoil it, but I’m excited for the next part of the story.

I have to say, I never thought I’d be a writer. I’d loved the idea when I was younger, but never seemed to have the time. I’d always be out or working, or socialising. I guess when it’s your time, it’s your time. Now I’ve started it, I have to finish it. I’ve toyed with the idea of making it a nine part series. I’ve toyed with the idea of a trilogy. But ultimately, the books will continue until the story has been told. There’s more ground to cover yet. And who’s to say that I won’t write more books set in the world of Vikinsa? I’d love the idea of a new cast of characters coming across old ones, like seeing an old friend.

For now, there’s a long journey left for Rhyn and company. I hope you’ll join me.

���You’re all the same. You think the world owes you a debt. You think the way should be paved with gold and people should sing your praises just because you are who you are. But it takes people like me to show you the real world. All your gold turns to shit, and the people who sing your praises mock you behind your back. The world will turn. You will die. And you will be forgotten.���

That little speech is from later on in the book. Can you guess which one?

Kingdomfall has come a long way and so have the heroes and villains of the story. But this installment is heading towards the end of the first draft. I’ve already identified a few chapters that either need to be completely cut or rewritten. I have yet to place the clues as to where the story is heading, the little bits that make it that much more interesting.

As far as writing goes, I’m on chapter 40. In the last novel I finished at chapter 50, which in theory gives me ten chapters before it comes to a crescendo. Things are taking a turn and I can’t wait for you to read it. I know I’ve been taking my time with the second book, but I assure you, it’s worth the wait.

Recently I’ve been reading Tower Lord by Anthony Ryan, a wonderful piece of writing and the second in the series Raven’s Shadow. I’m truly captivated by the setting and the characters. I’ve also recently picked up Malice by John Gwynne, along with his second book, Valor. Once I’ve finished Tower Lord it’s on to them.

Do you have any recommendations for future reading? Leave suggestions below. You can even let me know how excited you are for the next book in The Kingmaker Saga, I’d be happy to hear it.

Happy Tuesday! So I got my manuscript back for the first book from the lovely person on Fiverr. And I have to say, I’m happy with the results. The thing you have to remember with Fiverr is that you’re paying for a service that is supposed to be a quick turn-around. Some users will fall into the trap of speed editing and miss some things. To be fair, no-one can catch everything when editing. That’s why it takes so many drafts to get your manuscript right. Anyway, onto what I made of my Fiverr proofreading experience!

The user hasn’t pulled any punches with what their thoughts were on the manuscript, which is what you pay for. If you’re going to write you have to have thick skin, don’t take what they say to heart because they’re saying it to make your writing better! My manuscript was done within two days and the user found things that I’d missed on the second run through. I have a terrible tendency to edit when I’m beyond tired, so things don’t turn out the way I’d seen them in my head.

The service offered was exceptional and my experience with the seller was fluent, their communication with me over what I wanted was brilliant and the user even threw in an update when half-way through.

So, what does that mean for Fiverr editing? It means I had a great experience. But ultimately the advice I can give you is: research your potential proofreader. Not everyone will be the same, not everyone will pick up things, and not everyone will be as good as they say. If there’s one that I would recommend it would be the user jaqwardle. Thanks to her help the first book in The Kingmaker Saga can get a rewrite it deserves.

Jaqwardle Fiverr Profle

Jaqwardle Manuscript Service

Being a writer is hard work. I can’t lie and say that I have an incredible amount of time to run through my own books for editing purposes. My first book, The Kingmaker, was completely self-edited as I couldn’t afford an editor. Being in full-time work as well put a strain on my editing abilities and often leaving me editing late into the night, often causing more errors than fixing them. So I would go back the next day to redo what I more than likely messed up while trying to edit. Eventually I managed to finish the editing and put the book out. Having several good reviews but with the same problems, grammar and editing. So I thought I’d try something new, Fiverr.

For those who don’t know, Fiverr is a catch-all service that allows people to put advertisements up for specific skill sets (now I sound like Liam Neeson…) that can offer their services to people. These things can range from SEO to Brand Design, Business Consultancy to Accounting, Video Editing to Acting, and even people painting stuff on themselves and dancing manically. But the service that mattered for me was the editing and proofreading services. So I did some reading and researched through a few of the people on Fiverr that offered the services until I came across one user that may have matched my needs (and my budget).

After messaging what I needed they came back to me with a custom offer for the work they would do which would consist of��spelling, grammar, and consistency using track changes in a Word Document. It seemed like a very good offer so I decided to go ahead with it. The person I’ve decided to use for editing services has received a Masters Degree which helped me with my choice and has also had experience reading pre-release books.

This is something that I’ve had to try out as I’ve found myself without time to edit the first book while I write the second, which is coming along nicely! I’ll keep you up to date with how it goes as the turn around time for the editing is around four days. If it’s great, I’ll recommend this!