Welcome back to another monthly post in my Novels and Narrations blog series! In this series, you get updates on my writing in all facets: from celebrations and excitement to dealing with impostor syndrome, hopelessness and rejection. Thanks, as always, for caring about my work as a writer and supporting me in this way. โค
Writing Intentions for the Year
As a quick refresher, here are my writing intentions for the year:
- Create a healthy, low-pressure but regularly-kept writing routine
- Continue to work on my MFA and work to improve potential writing weaknesses
- Write draft zero of my fantasy romance WIP, tentatively titled THE BECKONED AND THE BOUND (TBATB)
- Form more friendships with writers and better support those friends who are already on this writing journey with me
September Accomplishments
My specific monthly goals for September:
- Complete my synopsis assignment (due Sept. 1st)
- Start working on opening scenes with BLOOD PRICE
- Continue research
All of which I did. Sorta. Without getting into too many details and sob stories, my first meeting with my thesis advisor didn’t go so well. (Lots of tears were had by me.) It required a follow up meeting where we were honest with one another, and apologies were had on both sides. In the end, we agreed that working on BLOOD PRICE together didn’t make sense, with my advisor’s style and my goals for that story.
Instead, we’re going to work on my fantasy romance WIP, mentioned above. It’s still so early in its ideas that it’ll be a good place to help learn from her how she world-builds and then look at strengthening craft, even from a draft zero perspective.
Honestly, this is okay with me. It feels a lot better and I’m excited for it. Especially since we get to start somewhere fun. My first assignment is creating a list of 10-20 “shinnies,” or things that excite me about this project. Then, we’ll go through and begin worldbuilding from there.
October Focuses
So, for now, BLOOD PRICE is going to breathe on its own for a bit. I’m definitely not giving up on it. It WILL be published, in some form, some way. But, shifting gears to focus on the fantasy romance more will be fun.
With all that in mind, I’d like to:
- Craft worldbuilding for TBATB, under advisor’s guidance
- Create a writing routine
- Begin first pages?
A lot of this is tied to where my advisor thinks I should be and what assignments she has me do. It’ll also be trying to help me slow down, which is not like me as a writer. I’m curious to see where it goes!
In Sum
Obviously, not as positive as my last writing check-in felt. But, still keeping up some forward momentum, which I will definitely take. And to the writers who helped support me during some really low moments? Thank you. I can’t explain how much I needed you or how much you meant to me.
Thanks for supporting me in my own journey and reading another installment of Novels and Narrations! โค
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I’m really happy to hear things are better and that you’re feeling some excitement about this new story, as well! Sometimes, a story needs to breathe on its own and rest a little bit before getting out into the world. I believe in your work and know you’re doing fantastic, Nicole, always here to support you no matter what! <3
Thank you so much, Marie! This means the world to me. I had some good worldbuilding ideas last night, so I am excited to flesh those out this week! ๐ค