Making Choices
Hello all! Welcome to October! I always love October, because it’s when fall really comes alive. Not to mention I love how into Halloween people get nowadays, starting as early as late September. There’s so many creepy stories and movies that can be watched during this season. I always try to watch/read at least a few! Not to mention, it’s always fun to plan out Halloween costumes and buy candy for yourself trick-or-treaters.
Let’s get into what I’ve been working on!
Novel #3 Update
This past month, I made a big decision regarding my third novel that I’m excited to share. After a year-long break, followed by sporadic work on revisions, I decided it was high time to involve some professional help.
I know I could probably continue alone and acheive a good result, but I also have finally acknowledged I don’t have to. It’s probably a good idea to have a fresh set of eyes on the manuscript, especially that of an editor who can point out specific and minute areas that need improvements. It’s easy to get really self-critical, sometimes to a detriment, and I’m afraid I’ve reached that point with myself at the helm.
I’ve contacted an editor to get started, and they’ve fit me in their schedule for the spring of 2023. That gives me some time to take a quick glance through the book and update a few small details I’ve been thinking of updating.
Besides that, I’m going to discipline myself to not nitpick the entire book before the editor even has a chance to look at it.
Poetry Progress
This month, I also began to dig out my old poetry and edit it. I had placed around 80 poems into a folder about three years ago, and I feel enough time has passed I can be critical about them. Many of the poems were highly emotional and reflected a tumultuous time in my life, and I think I’m finally distanced enough from those feelings that I can cut and rearrange lines without mercy.
So far, it’s been a fun process reading over the poems. Of the 80, not all are worth publishing, obviously. Some are just not salvageable in terms of quality, and some reflect themes of other poems that pack a better punch. But of the ones I’m deciding to keep so far, the work is really good if I do say so myself. I think it will be a positive experience compiling them into a comprehensive volume. I even made a mock cover to get myself excited!
Audiobook Recommendation
A fellow NineStar Press author, M.D. Neu has recently released an audiobook for his novel, The Calling. It’s an urban fantasy romance with spooky vibes—perfect for Halloween season! It’s read by Vance Bastian, who always delivers a stellar performance.
A brief description:
Being nobody isn’t Duncan Alexander’s life goal. Juliet de Exter is an Immortal who is undertaking ‘The Calling’ – a search for a human to join the Immortals. How will Duncan navigate a forbidden romance with an outcast, keep the balance between the Light and Dark Immortals, survive vicious attacks while keeping the humans unaware? More importantly, who is this foe Duncan sees in his dreams?
Anyway, that’s all for me for this month! A lot of changes are in motion, which is a great feeling. Sometimes, change takes time, but it’s always worth it!
If you’re in Canada, I hope you have a great long weekend! See you next month for more updates.