It’s been a while since I wrote on my blog. What have I been up to since last we met?
A novel, twice finished
These past few months, I was working on my first novel. Again. I previously thought it was finished, but feedback from a couple of readers made me realize the manuscript needed more attention. That and many form rejections.
I tightened the story and added more excitement early on. Taking the text back to Scrivener also allowed me to put in ideas that had been floating inside my head, never finding their way to the page. The manuscript is stronger for their inclusion.
In this final version, I also focused on writing more explanation. I tend to put very little, intent on letting the reader put it together. Unfortunately, it’s often not enough, and the reader is left confused instead of intrigued. I’m confident the story is quite a bit more legible and understandable now.
What’s next?
There are a few paragraphs of a short story waiting to be finished. I will soon tend to that. At the same time, I will prepare my next novel. The ideas are coming together in my mind and need to be put on (virtual) paper. It will be the first novel of a YA series.
Before I committed to fixing my first book, I was 60,000 words into its sequel. I might finish that first draft before I move on to the YA series. Or I might just step into that fantastical take on our world. I’ll have probably decided by the new year.
Until then, it’s queries and short stories!
Photo by Rizky Subagja on Unsplash