New Story: Aloi Who Learned To Fly

Since I need some time away from my novel in progress, I decided to turn my eye on some stories I've had on the back burner. One that screamed at me the loudest is a young adult fantasy short story collection. I figured it would allow an opportunity to work on something fun and stress-free.

Elementia is a continent home to four countries. The cultures and people are defined by their varied landscapes--each ruled by one of the four elements. I begin my journey in the land of earth, Grovenglen. My goal over the next few months is to post new parts of the story on Wattpad. I'll add more each week as I edit. 

Here's the teaser:

"It was nearly one hundred generations since the Faeryfolk came to Elementia and settled in Grovenglen. The orators spoke of the days when they could flap their wings and lift themselves into the treetops rather than climb rope ladders. That ability, or gift, as the Elders called it, died off after they settled. The trees were so abundant that Faeries only needed to leap from branch to branch. 

Aloi was just like every other Faery child--content with tending to the family garden, trading with the mushroom gnomes, or floating in the Mirrored Pools. It wasn't until her junior brother Mick was caught in a high tree that Aloi discovered she wasn't at all like the other children. Can she keep her secret and avoid being sent to live with the Elders--or worse--banished from Grovenglen altogether?"

As always, Wattpad is FREE TO ALL. Just click the link, sign up, and read!---> Click here to read.

Why Taking a Break is Necessary

It is a fact that acclaimed American writer Mark Twain took a long time to write books. Over 400 pages into Tom Sawyer he felt the manuscript was feeling contrived. He put it away for two whole years before touching it again to allow his subconscious to refill.

This is not to say that I am in the same league with Twain or that my work is on par with Tom Sawyer. But I do know wisdom when I hear it. Sometimes you have to look up instead of look within. You need to take a break from your work so that you can come back to it with a fresh eye and a clear mind. It is part of the process. 

As much as I believe in my novel in progress, The Bloodsong Swords, I know that by pushing it forward now, I'll be doing the story and myself a disservice. In the mean time I've been doing a lot of painting and focusing on my Etsy store. 

During this break from writing, I find my mind wandering to other stories and characters that I have in progress. I will likely end up working on those since that where the fire is burning hottest. I know it is better to go with the flow than go against the grain where the muse is concerned.

For now, I'm going to keep looking up.

Stalemate

As you may know, a revised draft of my primary novel-in-progress was read and reviewed by a group of trusted beta-readers. While all agree that the story concept is good and the action engaging, there is a certain lack of empathy toward some of the characters. Particularly toward an individual who is essential to the story's conclusion.

I couldn't help but wonder how characters that I'm so invested in and in love with have come across unlikable on the page. Luckily, one of my readers tackled both drafts of this story. She pointed out that I edited the heart out of my novel. It lost its magic. I cut and trimmed so much of what I assumed were extraneous details that I left my characters naked. They lacked critical back story, motivations, and reasoning in the second draft.

So I find myself in a stalemate. My creative/receptive side is in a proverbial stare down with my logical/critical side. It is obvious now that this tale is bigger than what my two planned novels can handle. I am going to continue to work on the conclusion and reanalyze the project as a whole upon completion. Perhaps it is a trilogy after all--as much as the cliche irks me.

It is difficult to quell the inner goblin after receiving constructive criticism. Especially since this revelation means I will again have to push back my publication date. So in the mean time I'm working on a different story as well as painting. I think it is wise to step away from what is vexing me and refill my subconscious.