Royal Road Post: Tuesday Update #1 of Experiment: Building in Public — My Journey to Releasing a Book I Love

Hi All, New author to the community. Love the friendliness I’ve seen here. I recently left a cushy salaried job to go part time so I could write more and…well…I think I should dig in everywhere I can :) I want to post a weekly reply to this thread and just create a log of my progress:

Progress on Key Milestones, Word Count, Lessons Learned, and Punches to the Face.

I think it will be fun for me to look back someday and see what ridiculousness comes of this. Anyways, I know ya’ll have your own adventures cooking too. Feel free to DM me..I’ll try to get back in a day or two while I’m in this phase of making friends :)

Week 1 (May 4th - May 12th)

Key Milestones:

Book 1 Final Story Points Beat Map Finished - The plot and character arc are clear, I know the LITRPG power mechanics / progression well enough to feel excited, direction is onwards.

Super rough outline of books 2 - 5 on paper.

First 4 Bookcover Art Queries submitted to promising artists (one I’m VERY excited about. Hope he takes the project)

Word Count: 4359

Lessons Learned: Don’t query Book Cover artists whose portfolios don’t match my vibe. Better to work with someone I’m excited to colloborate with, than push through a resentful, second-guessing type attitude working with someone who has ‘covers on best sellers’ but who doesn’t match my vibe and values.Punches to the Face:Isolation. I’m feeling it already. I write and work on my computer all day. As a (currently) single young man, with roommates who mostly keep to themselves, I’ve been aware of two spells of depression wanting to come on already. Through practicing self awareness, compassion, and actively reaching out to connect with others, and to serve, depressive spells avoided. (This might be a weekly punch to the face..Haha. if so I’ll stop the repetition unless I find myself needing to work through a REALLY big one)-Onwards Friends! Signed, Dave Ogles