Time for a writing update…

I’m feeling pretty good!

Bonds of Magic series:

• I am currently querying Seeds of Power along with a mention that the sequel, Land of Monsters, is also available upon request.
• Book three is still a vague idea in my head, no outlined plot and nothing drafted yet. I hope to tackle it in 2024.

Dreamcatcher series:

• Based on helpful feedback from my writing group on the first seven chapters, I was able to “kill my darlings” and get the overall wordcount down to something close to the marketable range for SFF. I’m hoping to find a few more opportunities to trim the fat as my group continues to critique for me over the next year or so.
• I started to work on edits for book 2 Dreamweaver and book 3 Dreamkeeper because the timing of a few series reveals were a little too late. That work stalled when I got a puppy because I can only write when he naps now.
• I finally had an idea on how to change a big plot detail in book 4 Dreammaster that I wasn’t comfortable with. When I finished the series, I had some reservations about the rabbit hole I had gone down, and I think now I have an easy way to scale it back into my comfort zone without going in a completely different direction. I probably won’t start redrafting that book until 2024 though.   

Red Hour:

• I desperately want to get back to this standalone book before the year ends. I haven’t touched it since July and miss it! I love these characters and want to write the remaining action sequences that I skipped over when I originally drafted it.

Other:

• I edited my short story Moon Blessed, a twist on Little Red Riding Hood. Based on feedback from my writing group, I tackled it again one day while puppy napped. The flow at the start is better with a new scene to set the stage. I cut everything unnecessary and got the wordcount down too. I am going to take one more crack at editing it and then if I can find a fairytale retelling writing contest, I think I will submit it. If nothing else, it can be a freebie when I launch my newsletter sometime down the line when I’m closer to publishing my books. I’m mainly just excited that as a (lengthy) novelist, I improved a piece of short fiction!
• I have taken on too many ARCs/author review requests and I am a little overwhelmed about finishing my reading goals for the year in the next two months. I am so grateful to receive books from authors, Bookish First, NetGalley, BookSirens, Booktasters, and other ARC or book tour opportunities—but I need to slow down again. Just say no until 2024!
• I am still having a great time growing my fun bookstagram account and engaging with new people.

Wish me luck that I make more progress on my 2023 goals before the year ends!