It takes a while for me announce a new WIP, especially when it’s a novel. I like to make sure that I’ve figured out the opening and gotten a good feel for the characters. Working on the sequel for Stolen is no different. It was actually harder to start because I wanted to keep the same style and characterization that I left off with in the previous book. There are whole articles that talk about how difficult it is to get that middle book down in a series, and this was no different. It took me forever to get Shaleigh’s voice in the first book finalized, and it’s taken me a while to grasp how everything in Stolen has changed these characters. Sometimes it’s for the better, sometimes for the worse.

Over the last couple of months, my writing for this book came in fits and spurts. Mostly the flow of creativity got interrupted by responsibilities that I couldn’t ignore, and when I read over the story I had so far, I wasn’t pleased with it.

As an author, I know that if I’m not digging it, my readers won’t either. So I keep revising and revising and revising until I get that introduction and opening as good as I can get it. For me, it’s important to start with a solid ground before I build up. Even though the ground is pretty solid from all that happened in Stolen, there’s still a lot that needed to be sorted out.

I write in a way that’s known as a “Planster”. Yes, I will plan and use an outline, but it’s more of a guide for me. Mostly I’m a “pantser”, letting the story and characters lead me along, making sure I hit those plot markers as I go. Those I already have figured out. Those I figured out back while I was writing on Book 1. I have found that when I get near the ending though, that’s when it’s really important for me to have an outline. Sometimes I’ll drop everything to pinpoint the steps and stages for those final scenes. (And you’ll probably see why when you read Stolen when it comes out in January!) When I was working on The Seeking earlier this year, I was very glad to be using Scrivener too, that way I could easily reorganize scenes if I needed to.

Here’s the start of my next book: Broken. It’s book 2 of the YA Fantasy Stolen series. So far it’s already pretty dark, pretty intense, and pretty darn scary. Did I mention this book will take a dark turn?

Project: Broken

Book 2 of the Shaleigh series

A land has fallen. An escape was made. It’s a victory of sorts, but at what price?

Shaleigh has made a terrible mistake, one she may not ever be able to fix. Lost and in a strange land with anger and death all around her, she must navigate her way through treacherous lands on her quest for redemption. Along the way she’ll have to negotiate with the mercurial Queen of the Fae, survive the dangers of the Masked King’s realm, and seek out a terrifying fire dragon.

With two powerful beings hot on her trail, Shaleigh has no choice but to keep moving, or else face the dangerous magic of the Madness that has already caused so much pain and heartache. With her sights on helping her friends and her heart longing for home, Shaleigh is determined, but will it be enough?

BROKEN is Book 2 of the Stolen series

Words Written:
6/18 – 4,243
6/19 – 807
6/20 – 482
6/21 – 3611
7/29 – 740
8/7 – 708
8/10 – 2,226

Current Word Count: 10,609

Progress:
Oh my gosh, so much has already happened and I’m only 10k words in! An illness, a revelation, a confession, and even angry outbursts. It’s been an emotional roller-coaster ride!

Next Up:
Realizing that they need to work together in order to correct this and that they need to keep moving. These two have so much to work through, not just externally but internally as well.

Commentary:
Of course, starting a new novel means putting together a new playlist! Once I get it a bit farther along, I’m looking forward to sharing it.