Nick Kyme

…I’ve been putting the final touches to my first Horus Heresy short story, ‘Forgotten Sons’. It’s done now, first draft anyway, and resides with my editor for his perusal. It weighed in at an impressive 18,000+ words. For some reason, I’m whacking more words on the page at the mo, which is fine, because I’m on to Fall of Damnos next. At a mighty 100,000 words (and then some – maybe…), I’ll regard the long-shorts as training.

Tough experience writing the Heresy piece. I enjoyed it. It’s also a different type of story for me. Main issue is the feeling that I don’t quite have carte blanche to do what I want within the milieu. It’s daunting, being in a collection alongside some of BL’s heavyweights. These guys have got frightening creativity and intelligence, and know how and where to bend the envelope (or push it, or whatever).

Still, that’s said, it’s given me a taste for it and I’d like to delve into the series on a deeper level if I can just bypass all the flaming hoops I’m having to jump through. There’s a story scripted already, and it’s a biggy – I just hope I get to tell it.

Anywho, lots of printed product coming out with my name on it or thereabouts recently.

First up is Sabbat Worlds, Dan’s awesome anthology on the aforementioned eponymous theme. My story is called ‘Blueblood’ and is another bloater at over 20k. That’s around 40,000 words in short story mileage of late – almost half a novel. Sheesh! I’ll be joining some of the other luminaries (okay, so they’re a little bit more luminous than me) at Forbidden Planet in London on the 9th of September for a signing. Details are in a previous post, but if you like this sort of thing get your asses over there as it’s a rare opportunity to get all of these great authors in a room together.

Also through the printer’s pipe was Grimblades – now released and getting some decent reviews. Still need to do my BL blog on this one, but have been a little snowed under to get around to it just yet (you’ll probably have noticed my own website’s blog has been a little quiet lately too…). I’ve had a copy of Fear the Alien, and a big thanks to the fans who’ve got in touch via Facebook to tell me how much they enjoyed my story ‘Prometheus Requiem’.

Finally, and I’ve really saved the best until last. Firedrake has landed in all its flaming glory!

It’s not out until November or UK Games Day at the end of September if you’re lucky enough to get it on pre-release at that event. I’m also doing two signings in early October at Oxford and Uxbridge GW (apparently, Aylesbury won’t be open or ready in time, so I’ve had to nix that date – sorry ). There’ll also be signed copies heading over to GW King’s Lynne in limited numbers, so if you just want a daubing and no face time then that’s the place to be.

One quick addition to all of this Firedrake fun. For some unfathomable reason (I suspect the influence of Chaos or something…), a rather important acknowledgement was missed out of the first printing. It’ll be on subsequent printings, but the first few won’t have it. Anywho, as it name checks a lot of good people who really helped me during the completion of this novel, I wanted to put it here. You guys are awesome and my appreciation to your efforts and counsel is vast. From my heart, a sincere thanks…

‘A sincere nod of thanks to Aaron Dembski-Bowden, Dan Abnett, Steve Parker, George Mann and Caroline Law for going above and beyond. Also to Christian Dunn for letting me write this thing.’

I’m sat at home ill today. I’m nursing a bloody annoying cold (yeah, it’s man-flu – shut up, okay), thanks to my plague-ridden desk editor at BL.

I wish crush you, Davis. Crush. You.

I watched Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths again (and the DC Showcase: The Spectre – both of which are awesome), have eaten breakfast, lolled about feeling sorry for myself, taken max-strength flu tablets and am Lemsipped up to the freakin’ eyeballs – now I’m bored.

So to the blog cave, Blog Man, for some bloggage – o’h yes…

So, what’s new?

Well – he says between sniffles and coughs – again, Davis I will snap you in two for this (I’m Best Man at a best mate’s wedding at the weekend and really need to write my speech…) – I’m officially past my word count on ‘Forgotten Sons’ (that’s the Heresy short I’m doing for Age of Darkness). It’s gonna be a mite longer than 12,000 words, methinks (sorry eds, but that’s the way I’m rolling at the mo – sometimes you write short; sometimes long – I’m on ‘long’ right about now, so suck it up ‘kay). I’m chuffed with the way it’s panning out; part legal drama (but in a cool way), part thriller – I think/hope you’ll all likey.

Fretting over Fall of Damnos (though there was a saweeeet looking dps in our latest trade catalogue of this bad boy, complete with quote about how someone really liked my writing and characters – woot!), not because it’ll be tough to do; yeah, it’ll be tough but that’s not why – I just need to get this Heresy short nailed and my speech written and my health back in order so I’ll be able to get somewhere in the ball park of the deadline. Arggh!

Okies, so I’ve been watching a few films lately, taking advantage of my membership to Lovefilm.

Most recently, Youth in Revolt and Edge of Darkness. The former was very funny, quirky and odd (a typical Michael Cera movie of an independent bent); whilst the latter was Mel Gibson dullness, dressed up as political thriller – yawn.

On the silver screen, I watched Inception (a separate post on that is in order, given it’s sheer awesomeness) and Shrek Forever After (yes, I’m still a sucker for 3D, and yes I will be going to watch Toy Story 3 in the same medium – do one).

Culturally, I had my first ever experience of Cirque du Soleil (my girlfriend informed me, a few weeks prior to the performance, that there was more than one type – ignorant beast that I am, I had no idea), the Saltimbanco show. It had a real street festival feel to it, apparently a little smaller in scale and grandiosity than some of the other shows, but was charming, mischievous and wonderful all in the same colourful, flashy hat. Recommended.

Last week I was out with the BL posse (the entire gang, barring Davis who was busy brewing up his lurgy to infect us all with – Crush. You.) on an ‘away day’. Lot’s of team bonding and crazy-ass antics ensued – photos headed to the blog in the next day or so.

Got some signings coming up. There’s UKGD, of course in September (27th, methinks?), but I’ll also be doing a mini-tour for the release of Firedrake - that’s going to be in early October in Oxford, Aylesbury and Uxbridge. If you’re around or can be around and can’t make GD then I hope to see you then. Oh, and don’t forget that in early September (see previous post of the exact date – I will update the events diary soon, I promise…) that I’ll be crossing signs pens with the big dogs: Abnett, McNeill, Swallow,Vincent and Mitchell (and possibly more besides) at the Forbidden Planet mega-signing of Sabbat Worlds - that there big anthology with Mr Dan’s name on it. Banzai!

That’s about it for the non-specifics. I may be back later with some other guff; for now, I’m going to make lunch and have a little sleep in the vain hope that when I wake up my head won’t feel like it’s filled with play dough.

PS Grimblades is now officially released and just want to give it a quick shout out. As I was saying to the missus the other day, I am very proud of this book and while it won’t get the same attention as a Salamanders novel I still hope that folks go out and get a copy. I’m supposed to be writing a guest blog spot about it for BL, so if you’re still undecided, take a look at that and see the light…

My latest Warhammer novel, Grimblades, is back from the printers and here’s the proof!

This book is set during the reign of Emperor Dieter IV and retells the classic story on when Grom the Paunch descended from the mountains in an almighty Waaagh and brought the Empire to its knees. Only Reikland prevailed, mainly thanks to the brave deeds of Prince Wilhelm. The Grimblades are one of his regiments and the focalisers for the story. Due in stores July/August.

In addition, Firedrake is featured in the next Black Library Previews Catalogue, hitting the GW stores in August. You’ll get a decent-sized extract to whet your fiery appetites until the book is pre-released as Games Day 2010.

Short and sweet, but that’s your lot for now…

After a tough final few chapters, I’ve finally got he entire first draft of Grimblades in the bag.

It was actually pretty plain sailing up until that last little stretch, though I will say a lull in my writing fervour on account of oink flu didn’t help matters.

I finished up the last few bits and pieces of my housekeeping on the novel this morning (and some of this afternoon), and by that I mean spelling and grammar checks, looking out for repeated words, a last survey for typos, re-reading those final few chapters (again), a bit of fact checking and going through my little to-do list that accumulated during the writing of the project.

On a tangent, it’s not a bad idea to make one of these lists during the writing of a novel or other large work. There’s always something that you miss, some inconsistency you might have introduced by mistake or a gap you left to fill in later – writing these down and going back to them at the end is a good idea. Having the list to hand helps you make sure you’ve missed nothing (well, as little as you can). It also allows you to ignore niggles, so as not to interrupt your flow, and get on with the business of actually writing and not editing.

Remember that A4 print out of writerly wisdom I was banging on about last time? Well here’s another one: ‘No writer can stand the attentions of the persistent editor’. I’m not talking about the editor as in the person who reads your book and says what they liked or didn’t like about it, I’m talking about that little voice which exists in all writers, that perfection, that inner-editor, the dark side that can derail even the healthiest writing regimen.

Bring ‘em in, do that, it’s a good idea, but leave until the end or after a chapter, or anywhere so long as it’s not stopping you from writing.

So, the list. I definitely works for me.

There’s always a sense of relief and elation at finishing a novel (depending on whether it was a joy/horror to write – relief is usually guaranteed – elation not so much). Seeing that word count flick up and you’ve reached your target (or thereabouts) is nice. ‘Books should always be as long as they need to be’, someone said to me – that’s right, but do try and hit your agreed word count. Any less and you’re selling your editor short, any more and you could be selling yourself short.

Grimblades in the can then, the next step for me is to get it to my editor and await feedback. Despite my housekeeping (which is usually pretty diligent), I’m sure a few errors (hopefully minor) will have crept in but that’s what read throughs, copy editors and proof readers are for. Still, doesn’t hurt to be fastidious – editor’s like that (take it from me – I know they do).

While that’s ticking over and being scrutinised under the editor’s beady eye, I’ll be turning my attention to new projects. Next up, novel-wise, is Firedrake, the sequel to Salamander, but before that I have a couple of shorter projects to sink my teeth into. More of that in another post.

For now, Grimblades is done and I am heartily pleased with it. I hope fans of Warhammer and the Empire Army series will enjoy it as much as I did writing it (even those last tricky chapters – they turned out very well, though). The book is out July 2010 – I hope you all go and buy it and love it. There, pitch over.

I made a post on Facebook recently (a status update, to be precise), that I was struggling with the final chapter to Grimblades.

Well, I’m very happy to report that the literary ‘bung’ has shifted and, after two evening sessions in the office, I’m well on the way to finishing the first draft of the novel.

I reckon, over the last two evenings, I’ve nailed about 3-4,000 words in total. It was definitely helped with a bit of planning and ‘think time’ beforehand, but I’ve really got over the hump and the change of scenery has facilitated that, I think.

Has to be said, I don’t always write in the same place. Occasionally (more than occasionally), I need to switch rooms or venue completely. This time it was a case of knuckling down after my working day at 4.30pm (I start at 7.30 – 8.00am) and just cracking on. I did a bit of pre-lim in the morning, which set me up nicely, making sure I had opening lines to paragraphs all ready for me to do a re-read and then dive in to create. Then I plugged in the iPod, clicked on ‘Thunderstorms’ (which I love as a way to block out ambient noise and allow me to formulate a clean writing slate I don’t always get, even with instrumental music) and let it all happen.

Mercifully, for me, it did.

Thinking I’ll need another couple of good sessions like those I’ve enjoyed recently to finish this off, then the weekend for a full review and to implement changes I’ve already highlighted.

I’m definitely starting to feel the elation associated with completing a project. This one’s been good, with just a minor snag at the end to spoil th eparty. That’s over now, though, and I’m headed for home.

Funny how a change of venue can result in a change of mindset and fortunes.