Stesha's Progress Journal

Current Project​

Title: The Dollmaker's Niece
Genre: Fantasy
Status: In progress, second draft
Word Count: 47,267

I hit a major snag when I decided a reveal toward the end of the book shouldn't have happened, and that the chapter would have to be completely rewritten. I figured out what I wanted to do with the chapter instead, but I couldn't put the words onto the screen for some reason. For a week I managed to eek out a sentence here and a word there, sometimes the whole chapter, only to go back and delete everything and start all over again.

But I'm back on track now, and the rest of the book is practically done. I just have to pat down some sore spots and comb through it.

 

Got 333 words into Chapter 33 before a migraine took me out. Will try again tomorrow. Made a note of where I left off and what needs to happen.

 

Title: The Dollmaker's Niece
Word Count: 48,024

Need to clear up some technical details with this chapter. Some things I hadn't considered will probably drive the characters in a slightly different direction, but not enough to require major changes. Major changes in a previous chapter will also need to be addressed here.

 

Title: The Dollmaker's Niece
Word Count: 50,476
Chapters: 35
Status: Complete!

Finished up the second draft/re-write! Done, done, done! I'm going to start looking for beta readers and an editor now.

 

Title: The Dollmaker's Niece
Word Count: 50,476
Chapters: 35
Status: Complete

May have found an editor. Working on a letter to contact (how do!?!). In the meantime, combing over everything again - even though I said I wouldn't.

 

Title:The Dollmaker's Niece
Status: Complete

Try, try, try again. Third time's a charm. Blah blah blah. May have found an editor! Really excited!

 

Title:The Dollmaker's Niece
Status: Complete

Editor has been established! I am really excited (and admittedly, nervous) to start this next big step.

 

Title: The Dollmaker's Niece
Word Count: 64,539
Chapters: 37
Status: Complete

Found an editor. Sent second draft/second round of edits to her last week. Bit worried that I haven't heard back from her yet, even as a confirmation that she got the email.

Started work on second book (not a sequel). Currently banging out an outline.

 

I like your title. Is this a freelance editor you've contracted with, or a publisher's editor? Either way, good luck and congratulations on the progress!

 

Thank you! I'm working with a freelance editor. I know I should probably start looking at publishers, but ... I haven't.

 

Book 1
Title: The Dollmaker's Niece
Status: Complete

Heard back from editor! Yay!

Book 2
Title: Lightcatcher (tentative)
Status: In planning stages

Finished a rough outline, character guide, and a bit of background. This helps me see the direction I'm going - even if it changes course while I'm writing. Also helps me remember who is who, appearance, ages...