Novels and Narrations No 8

Last Updated on March 30, 2021 by ThoughtsStained

Hello, lovelies!

Welcome back to another monthly update on my writing! As you may have seen in January’s update, I’m trying to be more intentional in putting my writing first and really develop a writing habit again, focusing on editing BLOOD PRICE before diving into new worlds and stories for the first time in years.

So, let’s see how March went!

Monthly Recap

In the writing routine vein of things, here’s my breakdown so far:

• January: 7 days out of 30 days
• February: 11 out of 28 days
• March: 14 out of 31 days

Forward progress FOR THE WIN. Sure, we’re not up to the 5 days a week (or, every traditional work day) yet–which is my ultimate goal–but I am so, so proud of the work I did in the past three months, if not only because I’m taking steps towards writing more consistently, but I also completed something else pretty dang cool.

I FINISHED EDITING BLOOD PRICE.

My reaction when I realized that I finished it:

My reaction when I sent it off to my editor:

But, in all seriousness, fam, I did it!! The 7th draft of BLOOD PRICE is complete!! This was probably my most intense draft yet, for various reasons:

• I rewrote a solid third of the book, including the entire beginning chapters
• I changed all the names and introduced roughly a dozen conlang terms
• Introduced a handful of new characters, including reenvisioning a certain child that so many beta readers loved
• Restructured some of the world building with inclusitity in mind

It was a lot of work, friends. And, thinking that I started working on this 121,000 word manuscript on in January and managed to edit the entire thing (down to even 113,500 words, which is an ACCOMPLISHMENT for me, please clap), all in 32 days spanned over three months AND still completed it two days before deadline?

Me after reading those stats:

But also:

I’m so, so excited, friends (and lowkey proud of myself, so sorry for the bragging). I love this story SO bloody much. And, just because I can, here is some fun stats and future plans with this book, because I’m feeling sappy and accomplished and drained and proud. I’m in my feelings a lot right now, basically.

Blood Price

I started writing this book in December of 2016, giving up after 50 pages because it just wasn’t working the way I wanted to. Yet, I couldn’t let this story go and, in August of 2018, I finished the first full-draft of the novel, complete at almost 80,000 words, calling that draft one.

Six more drafts later and we’ve reached a manuscript of 113,000 words, a “Cut Scenes” document almost 50 pages long (single spaced), two beta rounds, two 1st chapter workshop critiques and a full edit with my editor, Jeni Chappelle, with another reread round on the way.

My score was this playlist I curated:

In particular, In Maidjan by Heilung, Warrior (Revisited) by Anilah and anything by Danheim really speak to the feel of this book.

I don’t have any mood boards because I suck at making artistic stuff, but who knows, maybe I’ll have someone make me something, one day. Perhaps as a publication announcement? *dreams*

Timeline wise, the goal is to get any last beta-type sort of feedback and work with my editor to hammer out any remaining kinks and qualms, before polishing it up for the query trenches, hopefully around late September or early October, if not earlier.

April Goals

Since my editor will have my book until at least May, if not later, I don’t want to waste April. But, I’m also trying to be smart about it, because my day job is about to get hectically (and most drainingly) busy, so I don’t want to burn myself out for the sake of being able to say I’m working on something. But, I’m hoping that, by at least starting something new, I can refuel my creative juices and come back to BLOOD PRICE refreshed. So, fantasy romance, here we come!

Goal Summary

• Rest and recharge, practicing self care with day job intensity
• Outline and map out fantasy romance
• …start writing fantasy romance? 👀

And that’s my wrap! A little bit longer than my usual writing wrap-ups, but I hope you don’t mind, this month. ❤

My fellow writers, what are you working on? How can I support you? Let me know in the comments and thanks for supporting me in my own journey!

Cheers.