Writing Journey: Journal Entry 8

February 24, 2021

Day 142, Week 20

• Words: 90,236 (6,084 revised out)
• Revised Chapters: 2
• Ego Size: Clementine
• Emotional State: Creative Juices Replenishing

Today I’ve started revisions. Only two chapters though, because I have to rewrite them all, adding in layers upon layers of complexity. And world-building. I’m struggling with adding in world-building without derailing the plot movement or figuring out what the reader needs to know. Sigh. It’s so freakin’ hard.

Really, how do you do it effectively? I’ve read some of my favs and I just don’t know how to do it without it either standing out or feeling like all it does is create more questions. My primary MC, Seraphina, grew up in the magical community, so to her they are just normal as they are – 8 foot tall and gray, claw hands and monster-like form, or 12 inches tall with poison spikes for hair. So if it’s her thoughts, why would I include the backstory on how shapechangers (aka shifters) function in my world?

I think I may need to do more research (aka reading), but I have to get more of the book rewritten before submission next Friday, especially since all of Act 1 is out. Like in the dumpster, to be set on fire for how bad it is. (Not really. It is in the dump folder, though.) I can’t have a new editor review it and give feedback if it’s a disjointed mess. Okay, so it already is a disjointed mess before I submit, but I’d like it to be less of one.

And don’t get me started on word count. I have to cut at least 30,000 words. Thirty thousand. That’s 120 print pages. While I had no problem cutting out 400 words, I don’t know how to cut 30,000 of them without really damaging the story, so that’s a delicate tightrope I’m about to walk. Am walking. Not liking walking. But doing it anyway.

But I have exciting news! At least I’m excited. My wonderful world-building husband has written 7 blog posts about world-building and how we crafted the fantasy world of my book. There will most likely be an 8th, but we’re still negotiating how currency will work and how my narrative needs to work. You’ll also glean some insights as to how our relationship works and what was tested during many of these discussions. And yes, I did have moments where I thought – Stop telling me how to write my book, dude. It’s MY book. But we came to a compromise. Wine helped. Lots and lots of wine actually.

These posts will begin sometime in the coming month as I figure out my promotional schedule for…the pre-sale of my first fully written and shown to other people fantasy novel! Yes, that’s right. I need to make some upfront cash to get all the pieces put together – editing, cover design, interior design, blurbs and other marketing know-how. So, stay tuned for more news on that front.

And that’s all I have for this week’s journal. It’s pretty low key because I’m low key. If I’d have written this tomorrow, we’d be in a different place. Tomorrow is the day I record my video for my pre-sale campaign. My script is ready. I don’t have a tripod, which means rigging one up. And my skin isn’t as nice as it was last week, but…oh well. There’s filters for that, right?

And I’m also appearing on my very first podcast. I’m going to cram for the podcast – all about my book, my favorite passions – because I’m worried I’ll sound like a total dork or an uninformed idiot. Either one would suck. Especially if it is both at the same time.

Wish me luck.