Word count

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Monthly Update: Word Count September 2021

In Sleep You Know Novel Updates Writing

Hello Magic Seekers! I’m checking in with my current word count and State of the Novel update, as promised.

I’ve been writing away, and I am pleased to tell you that I am at 93,907 words, or at 78% complete on the first draft. My base goal is 120,000 words, give or take. Just for comparison, In Sleep You Know came in originally over 127,000 words and I trimmed it down to about 125,000.

The task of getting the word count under control happens during the editing and revision process, which is coming SOON for me! I’ve found that once I get close to the end of the story, things start speeding up and before I know it, I’ll be blasting through the action like I’m riding a speeding bobsled to reach the conclusion. It’s always a wild ride!

After that, I’ll take a small break to let the story rest and to give myself some space and fresh perspective. After I’m ready to dive back into the story, it’s time to re-read and start looking over the plot to see what should be tightened up, moved around, or deleted. Some things may be added, like extra scenes or observations, things that will stitch the subplots together with the main plot seamlessly – that is, if I do it right! In this time frame, I’ll also have some trusted beta readers look over the story and let me know what they think and if there’s anything I’m missing.

Next up is all the line editing and proofreading, first by myself, then by a professional. This is really when my hands start to come off the reins, and the pros take over to make sure that the finished product will be the best that it can be. My job changes at this point, and I will start concentrating on things like writing my back cover blurb and elevator pitch and all those good things that will help my book get into the hands of readers.

But enough about that! Want to see some fun character avatars I threw together via Picrew? They aren’t perfect, because I had to work with the limitations of what Picrew offers, but they are adorable.

The Fae as Comic Style Avatars

  • Aisling
  • Tully
  • Morgance of The Ladies
  • Camlin
  • Karsten
  • Merrick
  • Lucee
  • Vali
  • Sousa
  • Cullen

Like I said, not quite perfect – for one, I couldn’t do green hair for The Ladies! But hopefully you can see the spirit of the Eleriannan, Gwyliannan, and Mortals in these cute comical avatars!

Check back in next month for the next update, Magic Seekers!

monthly updates word count

Monthly Update: Word Count August 2021

Novel Updates

Hello, dear magic seekers! I’ve started a new feature, the monthly update post. This is where you can read about the progress and word count on my current novel, plus any other interesting updates about my work and life as an author.

I’ve noticed that people really enjoy seeing my incremental progress with my writing! I post regular word count updates, but if you want to see the current word output, I’ve made it very easy to check in at any time. If you look at the sidebar, you’ll see a widget that shows my last reported word count, including percentage complete. As of this post, I’m almost halfway! [58,230 words!]

Obviously, this has me extremely excited – especially because I’m exactly where I want to be, in terms of plot lining up with word count and story beats. Outlining is to thank for that, as well as my copious notes and near-obsessive word count tracking.

What does tracking word count have to do with maintaining proper pace? Basically, it helps me keep track of where I know certain events should be happening as I write. If I hit the midpoint and there isn’t a big event happening, I know that my pacing is off, and people will lose interest in the story, no matter how great I think the characters are. [If you’d like to learn more about the mechanics of plot pacing, I suggest looking up the “three act structure” or wait until later this year, when I’ll be offering deep discussions about the craft of writing on my ko-fi.]

A few other things to mention: keep your eyes peeled for some new events that will be added in a few days!

I should have a title to announce SOON.

Once there’s a title, you’ll get a link to the working SOUNDTRACK! Or…. you can support me on my ko-fi and you’ll get early access to that link!

Did you catch the last excerpt I included from the manuscript?

What else are you dying to know? Hit me up in the comments here or on Facebook!

Unexpected Visitors – a Sequel Excerpt

1 comment
Novel Updates Writing

Just a little sequel-writing update, with word count and little peek behind the curtains for you!

Still struggling with a title; the right one will reveal itself when the time is right, but the time could be right sooner rather than later, if you want my opinion.
35,662 words so far, out of a general goal of 120,000. That’s not bad progress! And it doesn’t include my copious notes and my new, updated outline.

Some details about the plot that I haven’t mentioned anywhere else yet: this takes place a few months after the events of In Sleep You Know, and focuses more on Lucee Fearney and Vali Dawe and their stories. Of course, expect the rest of the Eleriannan, Gwyliannan, and Mortals you’ve come to know and love, because they always have opinions! And of course there will be music, magic, graffiti, and even more glimpses of Baltimore.

And of course, there will be some unexpected visitors…

“Will you let me be by her side when we tell our tale?” His tone was stoic, but his eyes were pleading with her to grant his request. “Let me lend her some of my energy, as meager as it is now. I can help her. If you fear my interference – she can ask me if I am dabbling, and I cannot lie to her.”
He looked ill when he confessed this to Vali, and the thought occurred to her that he meant something much more concrete than a basic declaration of respect.
“You swore an oath.”
He looked trapped, but he nodded in the affirmative.
“You gave her that much power over you.”
He glanced over at Emmaline, then back to Vali. He straightened up a bit, and looked Vali in the eyes as he explained.
“She has never, not once, expected me to be anything more or less than what I’ve presented to her. She has never demanded anything of me other than to be myself, and to be utterly and completely honest. This was the way I could assure her that I would deliver on that request. I wanted to level the field between us. I have so much power, and she had very little. At least this way, we could be equals.”

Like what you’re hearing so far? Excited for the sequel? Let me know! Comment below, or on Facebook or Instagram! Can you guess who is speaking in the excerpt above? I want to know!