Experimenting with Process

The first of a weekly update and curate list of writer-centric tools and tips.

Happy Tuesday! 👋

Today I’m starting something new and yesterday I stopped something old.

• On Tuesdays I’ll share a brief update of my work in progress, my weekly experiments and 3 Tooltips, 2 Application Ideas, and 1 Inspiring Quote.*

• I’m taking a Micro-Sabbatical from Microcosm, to focus on my novel.

Work In Progress

I’ve now over the middle hump with A Slave to Memory, my cyberpunk serialized novel, and I’m starting to pick up momentum.

I really want to finish the early access version by the end of August.

But, this isn’t about rushing but rather about finding the right rhythm and using a more consistent and productive process.

I’ve been writing in stops and starts so it shouldn’t be difficult to improve here. And I have so many exciting ideas and plans, but many of them hinge on finishing the early access draft. So I have the mental space to start doing really fun stuff like audiobooks, concept art, lore, and the more wild experiments with AI and VR tech.

But one thing at a time, it’s head down now to finish my early access draft.

Weekly Experiment

Jay Clouse’s recent post on Experimentality inspired me to be more focused with my many iterations, as any good creator or designer should really.

So I’m making specific, small changes and the desired outcomes.

Less spaghetti thrown at my wall.

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🎯 Goal

• 2x monthly chapter output from 4 to 8

🤔 Hypothesis

Having a clear daily target and batching drafts or edits could double my productivity.

🧪 Experiment

1. Write 1000 words per day in week one.

2. Edit, package, and schedule those drafts in week two.

📓 Ideal Results

4 scheduled chapters after two weeks.

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I’ll then report back next Tuesday on how part one goes.

Do you use a daily word count goal? Does it work for you?

Three Tooltips

• Descript is a podcast editing tool, but its Overdub feature can be used to clone your voice.

• ElevenLabs is another audio synthesis option I’ve seen come up in the Curious Refuge AI filmmakers community, that has existing voices that sound really good and the pricing is reasonable.

• Super.so is a website generator that turns your Notion pages into a slick website where you can add a theme and custom code. I use it for two years at work and love it.

Two Application Ideas

• You could clone your voice with Overdub and then generate an entire audiobook “read by the author” without the days in a studio.

• Or if you’d rather your story had a different sound. Try an American drawl or something like Tom Hiddleston, in their Voice Library and let your words come to life.

One Quote

“Art, like life, should be free, since they are both experimental.”

— George Santayana

Thank you, Dear Reader

For joining me on this journey, for your support, and for sharing your thoughts in the comments. 💜

Until next week — keep creating.

Zane

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* Jame Clear has a similar format, and I’m shamelessly stealing like an artist.