S.A. Etter | The Official Website

SAEtter.com 3.0 Now Live

Submitted by Stuart on Wed, 10/14/2009 - 5:39pm

Just over a year since my brother overhauled my sad website into something professional, he's given it a huge make over again. Most of this update is back-end stuff, though he did clean up the look a bit. Essentially, he rebuilt it from the ground up using a new system that allows me to edit the content on the site dynamically, instead of having to fiddle with HTML code and then re-upload the files.

Also, he's added a blog feature that I can have cross post right to Livejournal. We've also rearranged some things and fixed my broken LibraryThing widgets, so now you can see what I've currently reading and what kind of books I stock my shelves with.

If you're reading this from LJ, go give it a look see and let me know what you think.

www.saetter.com

Easily Distracted

Submitted by Stuart on Thu, 10/01/2009 - 4:45pm

Since being laid off last month, I've made some good progress on editing/rewriting my manuscript. Except for the end of the first act, which I've had to overhaul. It's still kicking me in the rear, though I think I'm close now.

Even so, I find that I'm very easily distracted these days. I'll spend hours looking at Monster.com and other such sites. Then I'll tinker with the graphics for my website, which is getting a little overhaul soon (mostly back end, but the look is going to be tweaked). Occasionally, this sin called Lord of the Rings Online beckons. Then I remember what I'm supposed to be doing since I don't have a "real" (ie paying) job.: Finishing Echoes of Truth so I can start working on The Condottiere.

What's my distraction today?

The Value of a Ransom

Submitted by Stuart on Tue, 09/01/2009 - 4:45pm

It's been awhile, but I'm still slogging through rewrites. I'm making my final pass through part 1 and cleaning up all the fun worldbuilding details I've left for myself.

Yesterday, I came across a comment I wrote years ago that threw me into the world of currencies. I had to figure out how much bread costs versus a bracelet, and how much a legionary makes a year and the value of a nomadic horselord being offered for ransom.

When writing the first draft, I left these kinds of details until later and focused on the story. Now I have to make all of those amounts make sense together.

Revision Update

Submitted by Stuart on Sat, 07/25/2009 - 4:47pm

Has it really been a month since I finished the first draft?

I’ve made good progress on my revisions, but not as much as I had hoped (the real story of my writing life, it seems.). I’ve imputed edits for eleven chapters and finished my complete rewrite of chapter one. The first two chapters got scrapped and redone from scratch with new scenes to better introduce the characters and plot. Chapter two is still coming along. It’s too much explanation of the plan right now. I need to add more conflict.

First Draft Is Done

Submitted by Stuart on Mon, 06/22/2009 - 4:48pm

I’ve been waiting a long time to say that.

For too many years, I was “writing” a novel, when I really meant I was daydreaming about having finished a novel. At long last, I’ve joined the 1%, the percentage of people who start writing a book and actually finish it.

It feels good.

July, 22 2010

Echoes of Truth is revised and polished. I'm ready to start querying agents, the next step in seeing this novel published. In the meantime, work on the Condotierre is underway. I'm as excited to start this new book as I am to have finished my last.

September, 2 2008

SAEtter.com version 2.0, the Professional Edition is now live! Feel free to explore the new site and features.

While reading The Fellowship of the Ring at the age of twelve, Stuart A. Etter was told by his teacher that he should be reading shorter books. Undaunted, he finished the trilogy and promptly moved on to other novels ranging from fantasy/sci-fi to historical fiction to horror to thrillers.

Prologue: The Prisoner

Damion rubbed the dull ache of age from his hands. Countless years wielding a sword had strengthened his tendons and muscles, but time had worn them down, replacing power with chronic pain. Closing his eyes, Damion dreamed of his youth. Battle and victory marked most of his memories, but darker images tainted his successes, reminding him of his one great...