A Novel Idea...

I wanted to update you guys on the progress of The Unfading Lands. 
When I first set out into the publishing world, I found the process of taking an idea and turning it into a finished work quite interesting. And I also soaked up any information I could from other authors and learned different ways of doing things. As my fourth round of publishing, you would think I've gotten it all figured out by now, but honestly, the process of a novel versus children's books are quite different, and it is a new experience for me this go around. 


As of right now, I am about halfway finished with The Unfading Lands. 
What?
Yep, it is not finished.
You may be thinking, then how do you know you can publish it?

First off, let me say that I have been working on this book for almost two years. 
And I am halfway finished? No, it is not going to take me another two years to finish it. ha. :) 
What I guess I meant to say, is that I came up with the idea for this series of books two years ago and have been mapping the story out ever since. I did not start writing it until this year. So yes, I know how the story is going to end. I know how each book will begin and end, I just now have to write the middle. The meat. The juicy, juicy meat of a middle. :) 
So yes, it is only half written, but the end is already finished. ;p 
At this stage in the process, I start having a couple of people (sworn to secrecy) ;p begin to read it for fun. That way I can receive input on what an actual reader thinks, feels, etc. 
Also at this point, I have an arsenal of editors who read it for different things. I have one editor that focuses on grammar, one on structure, one on this, one on that. That way, I have all my bases covered. Then when the book is complete, I have different editors read it as a whole. And another couple readers read it as a whole. 
You always want to bounce your book off a potential audience. It's hard, trust me. I was scared to death to let someone take a glimpse at my baby... aka this book. I felt vulnerable. This is my heart, so to speak. I LOVE writing. What if they don't like it?! Then what will I do? Thankfully, I have yet to have a person dislike it. Phew! But I also am not blind. I know some people won't. And I'm okay with that. It's not for everyone. I don't like Stephen King books, not because of his amazing writing ability. I just don't like being freaked out! haha. So I know some will not like my book, and no problemo. :)


I wanted to keep you guys posted on where I am at and the process of the way I do things. Surprisingly the most common questions I receive are from people wanting to know 'how it's done." So I hope as I make this journey and piece together this MASTERPIECE (jk jk jk.... not really.... okay maybe a little) I hope it sheds some light on the process for them.
It takes work. It takes dedication. It takes patience. It takes vulnerability. It takes guts. It takes imagination. And most importantly, it takes fun. 


I'll continue to keep you posted. :) I'm hoping to introduce you to some of my characters soon. So stay tune! And if you have any questions, please... ask away. :)