Well… NaNo is over and um. Well. Nope. I didn’t win this time. At least, I did win, because I’m up about 14k more than I had on October 31st, but I didn’t come close to the 50,000 for an official NaNo win. I was having a really hard time getting invested in the story and ideas just weren’t coming. When, 2 weeks into November, I identified the problem, it was that what I was really WANTING to do was to work on A Cat for Troy and get that out the door so I can finally tackle When Darkness Falls. This whole thing was set off incidentally by my son-in-law, who chanced to ask me in the course of a conversation about I don’t remember what, how happy I’d be on a scale of 1-10 if I had to publish Cat right now, as-is. I thought about that, and decided really? A 9. I think it’s in good shape. There are some areas I’d like to work on, but overall I wouldn’t be too unhappy or disappointed if I had to publish it today. So that set off a desire to get those areas worked on, and the book published (though not today, of course!).

So… that’s what I did. I abandoned NaNo, and I’ve been revising my lil heart out. I’ve set a release date of March 4, 2021, and have it set up on Amazon for pre-order. I got some great banners made up, and … THIS amazing book trailer from Eeva Lancaster of The Book Khaleesi. Watch carefully toward the end, as Cat morphs into Katerina!

So the plan is to keep working on A Cat for Troy. I’ve finished all the edits from the first round of beta reading, and am going through now and doing some global type changes (like taxi’s to Ubers) and characterization work, while my second round of beta readers get their feedback to me.

I’m still actively seeking beta readers for another round of Cat before I send it off to an editor for a final read-through and corrections. I have a webpage that explains what beta readers do, and my own process for handing beta reading, and some links to youtube videos for those new to the process. If you’re reading this and you’re interested, please go to my Beta Readers webpage, then give me a shout!

 

Also, last but not least, please subscribe to my monthly newsletter!

 

In Other, Non-Writing-Related News……

• I got an iPhone 12 ProMax. I’m spoiled. Sue me 😛 This is my first foray into the world of Apple (aside from iTunes), and I am LOVING my new phone, it takes amaaazing pictures and videos.
• Coronavirus, of course. I’ve been in self-imposed #stayhome since March 15th, when I read this article by a journalist in Italy. I’m staying home and safe, and hope you are, too!

 

The Books

1. Truck Stop
2. Wishes in a Bottle (Wishes & Dreams #1)
3. A Gift of Jacinth (Wishes & Dreams #2)
4. SwanSong (Sons of the Desert #1)
5. Castles in the Sand (Sons of the Desert #2)

 

The Manuscripts

1. Finished Manuscripts, major revisions in progress prior to 2nd wave of beta reading:
   1. WHEN DARKNESS FALLS (201,775 words, as follows:)
      1. Book 1: The Palace (61,150)
      2. Book 2: The Dark Lord (90,500)
      3. Book 3: The Prophecy (39,400)
   2. A CAT FOR TROY, Wishes & Dreams #3
2. In-Progress Manuscripts:
   1. MICHAEL’S QUEST, Sons of the Desert #3
   2. SHADOW CAT, Wishes & Dreams #4
3. To Be Written Partial Manuscripts:
   1. BEHIND THE CLOUDS, spin-off of Sons of the Desert
   2. INTO THE STORM, spin-off of Sons of the Desert
   3. Short Story: Amanda & Julian, spin-off of Wishes in a Bottle
4. Planned Manuscripts:
   1. HATED MATE, Wishes & Dreams #5
   2. UNNAMED, Wishes & Dreams #6

 

THIS WEEK’S WRITING PLAN

(Not in any particular order except as indicated)

1. Working on A Cat for Troy.
2. Get my December newsletter out.
3. Decorate the Christmas tree.
4. Taking lots of cat and toddler pics and videos on my new iPhone.
5. Keep staying home and safe.