Iron Earth: Stage One Complete!

It is on this fine day that the first draft of my first novel, Iron Earth, is finally complete... again. It has only been six years coming but now, in the comforting warmth of Winchester Universities learning cafe, that the last word of the short story ending, The Nurse (Or The Cure, undecided) has been written. Thus begins the second draft. Here is a section by section breakdown of what still needs to be done:

The Tramp: I am very happy with this story, and on the whole it will remain unchanged. This was the first part that I wrote and seeing as I was seventeen/eighteen when I started; it is the part that will require the most rewriting from a technical point of view. There is also a few details to be added in the middle to help make the ending make more sense (The underground homeless network needs clarifying, for those who have read it.). However the plot and the characters I am happy with.

The Father: Will be renamed The Psychologist. This story is the strongest at the moment in terms of writing style and story elements. It needs little in the way of rewriting or changing but simply minor details to make it line up with the new ending.

The Siyon: Will be renamed The Gangster. Siyon is an English translation of the number four in Japanese and was part of an elaborate rank scheme for Arius's gang, which is no longer relevant. Oh and that’s right Arian is now Arius (In retrospect Ethan, Jonathan and Arian wasn't going to work, so they are now Ethan, Jon and Arius.). And I'm contemplating giving Arius a sex change; it may make things more interesting. Stylistically the writing will need some work but not much - unlike The Tramp - however, it will need the most changing plot wise, as there are many aspects that I am unhappy with. And some parts that are silly/weird/need elaboration.

The Nurse/Cure: This needs reworking and an extra 2000 or so words for the second draft, but for now I am working on it as part of my Creative Writing course so it is in good hands. I feel it works as a tie for the three novellas and leaves options open for a sequel!

Overall changes and other bits: There are several aspects throughout which will need altering in each story to create a better overarching theme. The multiple news stories will be more focused and mainly relating to the IDV4 disease; eluding to the climax of the book. I need to finally sort out the day and night structure of the planet, finally determining how long half-light lasts etc.

There are other small parts that need to be written, between each of the four stories is a spacer page, which will range from an informational poster about IDV4 to the entry sequence to incoming arrivals to Iron Earth. These will hopefully add to the setting and overall planetary feel without having to detract from the stories themselves. I will also need to re-write the brief history of Iron Earth; which may or may not be included but will be worth writing regardless.

Also: There are plenty of bits that need sorting; I need help with the website, creating a draft front cover, and proof reading. I have people in mind but yes, lot's to be getting on with. I think I have a degree that needs finishing as well... The title, I am still struggling, to decide on.

And finally... I was thinking about creating a new blog which would feature flash fiction set on Iron Earth. It would include fiction related to a specific character or event or Iron Earth's history or perhaps nothing except that it is an occurrence on the planet that the novel doesn't delve into. I will look for feedback/advice from you fine people on this idea.

Thank you,
Alec: