When you finally get through the block that you’ve had for too long, the floodgates open, and all the words start pouring out. I love that feeling. I also love making progress finally. Sure, it’s post-NaNoWriMo, but progress is progress! I get away from a set of characters for a bit and then come back to them and I’m in love with them all over again. It’s like seeing a close friend that you haven’t talked to in a while, and then they’re just as witty and entertaining as always. It’s refreshing.

It also sounds crazy when you’re talking about people in your head that you made up, but let’s be honest, that’s what writing is all about. You chronicle the lives, the loves, the struggles, and sometimes the deaths of people that are part of you. Sometimes it’s tragic, sometimes it’s inspirational. Only you get to control the outcome. As Stephen King said in his book, On Writing,

All the arts depend upon telepathy to some degree, but I believe that writing offers the purest distillation.

On Writing, Stephen King

Each character is a little mental child that I’ve molded into existence and send off into the world. Yes, they’re part of a book or a story, but they also exist in their own bubble of a world, isolated from everything else. The fact that I can write about them and share them with others and others can love/hate them too is pretty damn amazing if you ask me.

With that, I give you my progress on my latest WIP this evening!

Project: Broken

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:
12/3 – 2,357

Current Word Count: 42,420

Progress:
We had an unexpected adventure – which I always enjoy! My characters never do, but I do! 😉

Next Up:
I’ve got the perfect music to set the mood for this place, and some great build-up going for it from multiple points in this book and from Stolen. I left a number of hints around that this would be introduced, so I’m curious to see if readers pick up on it. Now I get to enjoy setting the mood for it and giving it some life.

Commentary:
I’ve been loving how many words I’ve gotten in just over the past couple of days. I know this won’t be sustainable long-term, but I’m just going to sit here and bask in high wordcounts while I can.

Also this whole scene was largely unexpected so I’m really pleased with how it fleshed out and the twists that it took. Things started so mildly at first and took a turn for the worst (like they do in my books). Really curious to see how this next location is going to be for these guys!