Posted by Nicky Drayden on Nov 2, 2011 in
Writer's Life 
Happy NaNoWriMo everyone! So I’m off to bit of a slow start on my novel, but I’m super excited about it. I’ve put down a total of 165 words in the last couple days, but I’ll catch up this weekend. The more challenges the merrier, right? Actually, this year I’m cheating with my NaNo, working on a novel I’m already 22k into, which technically should have been last year’s NaNovel, but I was so excited that I started it early and then it got lost among other projects and getting ready for Viable Paradise.
But this year, the story shall be told! I read through what I’ve got so far and it’s more interesting than I remember, which has got to be a good thing. I really want to know what happens next and there’s only one way to find out! Hope all of you out there are putting words to page, whether you’re NaNoing or not, and for those of you who are…see you at the finish line!
Posted by Nicky Drayden on Sep 30, 2011 in
Writer's Life 
For those of you who have a special place in your hearts for zombies, there’s a Blogger Zombie Walk going on today via the magic of the interwebs! Fifty brave souls have chosen to participate, putting up some sort of zombie themed post on their blogs. Leo Godin is one of them, and has highlighted several zombie story podcasts including my “You Had Me at Rarrrw.” So shuffle along and visit his blog for a healthy dose of zombie…one taste of what the walk has to offer will surely leave you infected.
Posted by Nicky Drayden on Sep 9, 2011 in
Writer's Life 
So my writing life’s been pretty rosy lately–I’ve got a couple new short stories out (including my all-time favorite, not for the faint of heart), made some short story sales and got a reprint in this squid anthology, received my first four-figure Amazon.com royalty check (four figures if you count the decimals), and have a ton of fan mail (okay, just one email) sitting in my inbox waiting for a response. Things were going swimmingly, I thought, and I was fairly pleased with the progress my writing career was making…
And then I got THE CALL.
Uh, huh. That’s the one. The one I’ve been dreaming about for years now. On Wednesday I had a great conversation with wonder-agent Jennifer Jackson (no that’s not a typo) about my manuscript THE PREY OF GODS and she offered me representation! I’ve just about picked my jaw up off the floor, but my head is still spinning to see my name listed on her website among writers like Elizabeth Bear, Jay Lake, Amanda Downum and Martha Wells. I’m a bit tongue-tied, but let’s just say it’s pretty surreal.
I’m so pleased that all of the countless hours I’ve spent glued to my keyboard, swept up in delusional dreams of being a writer are finally paying off. But somehow I have a feeling that the real work is still ahead of me.
