Last Updated on August 26, 2020 by ThoughtsStained
Hello, lovelies!
I hope today, you woke up from a restful sleep, got to eat a really good breakfast and the weather was exactly how you prefer it (I know, the biggest fantasy possible, but hey, I can still hope for it, right?). I’m back today with the second installment of the Novels and Narratives feature, where I talk about what I’m writing, my writing progress and any other random things tied in with that.
First off, I have to say an amazing THANK YOU to everyone who read last month’s post. It received such positive praise and I am AWED by that. So thank you, truly, for the support. I’m so glad so many of you enjoyed and connected with this series and I’m so excited to continue it!
So, how did this month go?
How’s your progress going?
Well, actually! I did the math and figured out I needed to edit 15 pages every day, in order to hit my September 1st deadline to send it back to my editor for a second readthrough. At the end of last month, I was on page 147 out of 421. Currently, I’m on page 275 out of 425. So, I’m a little bit behind, but I am planning to catch up next week and then finish out anything I have left next weekend, for sure. I am not missing that deadline!
Wait a second. Did…did your page count go up?
Yeah….about that. I am NOTORIOUS for adding more words when I’m editing, rather than cutting them out. I started this round of revisions at roughly 112,000 words and I’m up to almost 120,000 (shush, please don’t tell my editor).
I have a problem.
What have you enjoyed the most about your edits so far?
It’s been really fun to read the latter half of the novel again. I made quite extensive edits to the second half of the novel the round before I started querying, based on beta feedback, which was very helpful and needed! But, this is the first time I’m reading the novel all the way through with those edits incorporated, so it’s almost like discovering my story again, which has been really fun.
I also just feel…so much more confident about my beginning, when needed the bulk of the work, I think. How it started is totally fine and right where it’s always needed to be, but the writing style and the way I told it was off; too much exposition. However, I feel a lot more positive about it now–perhaps because I find myself needing to edit less as I go further in, thanks to discovering I actually do a better job with showing the story in telling later, I think!
What are you still nervous about?
Does the entire thing count? Is that an adequate answer?
No?
Well, I’m nervous about the increased word count. I know I’ll have another round after this, based off Jeni’s feedback, but I plan to submit my R&R after that and then query a few more agents, so I’m nervous the word count is going to turn agents away. However, I also feel it’s a very appropriate length for what story I’m trying to tell, so I’m trying to be confident in that.
Any favorite passages you care to share?
I’m sure I have tons, but I honestly didn’t remember to note any I was particularly proud of (and that aren’t spoiler-y, since I am in the latter half of the book), so hopefully I can do something like this next week, if anyone was interested?
Any new news?
Only that I’ve been on a romance reading kick lately and that inspired some intense desires to write a romance fantasy; so intense, that I ended up staying up until one in the morning thinking about it, already have a draft of the main cast and main romance tropes I want to incorporate (only one bed, anyone?) and started working on a rough outline as a reward for finishing edits on a chapter last week. 😅
So, yeah, I’ll prolly start working on that story after I query BLOOD PRICE again, because I have Ideas.
I really liked the fake interview style, so I’m going to stick with it. Is it weird to interview myself? Yes. Knowing me, is that also oddly on brand? Also yes.
What about you? Do you write? What projects are you working on? Let me know in the comments, because I want to support more writers!! Also, if you follow any bloggers who post about writing, would you mind linking them below? I really need to find more of them!
Cheers.
Keep it up! 😊 I hope to have this on my shelf at some point and see how much it’s changed.
I would be beyond honored if you bought a copy, Phil! Friendly tip: make sure to read all the way to the acknowledgements section, for…reasons. 😉
😊😊😊
“Only One Bed” is a fantastic trope. If you’re looking for a fun, fluffy historical romance that features that trope deliciously, “A Week to be Wicked” by Tessa Dare is stellar. Keep up the great work!
I loved this post! I don’t personally write, but I wish you the best of luck with your novel!
Have a great day! <3
Ohmygosh, thank you so, so much!!
Love this!! And yayy for ever-growing wordcounts! (*nervous laughter*)
SO excited that it’s all coming together, and that you’re feeling confident in it again. AND UM this new Idea sounds fantastic, I would like to read it now please and thank you 😀
I’m also trying to finish editing my Venice book by the end of this month, and I too was supposed to shave words off, but instead seem to be adding them? Oh well haha
Hahahaha, yeah, we’ll see if my editor comes back and kills me for adding um, I like 10K to my novel? Oops.
You will be literally the first person I email this to, once I write it, I PROMISE.
I always want more words for you, so I am going to be a horrible influence in this regard. XD
I like this style of post so I say keep with it!
I think I might, it’s been really fun!
I think it’s pretty cool to interview yourself 😂 I took a look at your Novels page and your WIPs look really interesting! Yeah I want to see some snippets!! You go girl I can’t even get to 100,000 the highest I’ve gotten is like 74,000. I’m currently working on a science fiction novel that I’ve been doing for almost a year now…I love it that much. All the best with your current WIP!
Hahaha, honestly, it’s kinda fun! Aw, thanks for not only checking it out, but that they look interesting! Oooh, what’s your sci-fi about, if you’re comfortable sharing (totally cool if not, of course). And hey, 74K is TOTALLY impressive, so you should absolutely be proud of yourself for that! Thank you!!!
Awww thank you so much!! My sci-fi looks at time through a different lens (if that makes sense) and the MC has to figure out its properties all while she’s going through emotional turmoil.
Oooh, you got your pitch down really well, because you’ve definitely hooked my interest! Have you ever read Time Shards by Dana Fredsti and David Fitzgerald? It seems like it could (potentially) be a good comp novel for you!
Oh I’m so glad it sounds interesting! I haven’t read Time Shards yet, but the premise is intriguing. Thank you so much for recommending a possible comp novel, I’ll definitely look into it!!
Of course! I dunno if you ever struggle to find comps, but it’s my bane, so I hope it’s helpful, if you do end up checking it out! 🙂