I am releasing the chapters so quickly now as I am just excited to get them out there. The readers on Wattpad are posting the more encouraging comments. One even compared one of my chapters to Percy Jackson!
Have anyone compared your novel to another?
Click here to read chapter 29
Click here to read chapter 30
Click here to read chapter 31
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Article writing for publication
This chapter is very upbeat and happy. It felt good to write something that wasn’t full of drama but it still has lots of feels.
Here is a confession, I have never been on a real first date. You know the sort where you a guy takes you out to get to know you better. I was too young for my earliest boyfriends and then I fell for Rob who was my best friend and have never looked back. Mariah and Jace’s romance is inspired in parts by memories I have of crushing on my best friend.
Some people believe you have to write what you know but I believe that you should work with what you know to create something new. I’ve never had lightening powers but I know what lightening is and I can imagine how it might effect my body if it was part of me.
Does your novel contain things you have never experienced?
Click here to read chapter 28
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How I got my son pedaling first try!
My baby girl. This post contains cute baby pics!
As I get closer to releasing the ending on Wattpad, I get more nervous. I have put a lot of time and effort into my novel (I’m talking years) and I really want people to enjoy it.
Originally the ending was the new midpoint. My early version left ended on a cliff hanger as I wished to my readers wanting the next novel. But, then I realised that is really unfair on my readers.
So, I cut a lot and added a lot to make a new ending. But, I still wasn’t pleased with the new ending. It fell flat from how I saw it in my head.
I will confess, I do struggle with endings. I don’t like saying goodbye to my characters. But, I rewrote the ending and it is so much better. I pray my readers feel the same.
The new version is a whole story – no cliff hanger ending. I have hidden elements within the novel to enable me to write a sequel for those that wanting more. My plan is that by delivering a good debut that keeps its promises, my readers will want more and they will become fans.
How many times have you changed the ending of your novel? Have you read a good novel that was spoiled by a poor ending?
Click here to read chapter 27
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Today, I released another chapter. Mariah is starting to get suspicious of her mum. Head over to Wattpad if you have an account to have a look.
I am cross with myself that I haven’t celebrated finishing editing my novel. It is because, although it is finished I know I need to get it into a suitable format and then I will be looking for beta readers. Then, I will have to edit again and it feels like it is never ending. In addition, I would like to give the new content another once over…
The task of querying is on the horizon and that is putting me off doing anything. Instead of formatting I am researching agents. Anything to delay querying. This time would be better spent working on my query letter which I am certain is what holds me back.
On a more positive note, here was my Instagram post about celebrating triumphs no matter how small. Writing this post did help perk me up. I really should listen to my own advice.
Do you find you are great at giving other people advice but struggle to swallow your own truth pill?
Click here to read chapter 26
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A little post on how I am doing…
Spotlight on Summer Literary Dates calendar
This is the chapter where the snippet comes from:
Still crouching under the table like a naughty little fairy, I had enough happy thoughts to fly me to Neverland.
So, all the chapters are finished now although I’d like to go over the new content once more as I find when the writing is fresh it is hard for me to spot my own mistakes. Then, I will be putting the manuscript together and preparing to query.
Today, I attended a live workshop with Kathy Ver Eecke called Secrets of Getting a Book Deal. I sat there with my notepad taking notes on the 20 things that writers do wrong when querying. This webinar was a sales pitch for her paid services but she spent an hour demonstrating her wealth of knowledge and answering questions. She made some brilliant points and if I wasn’t on zero money right now, I would have been very tempted by her offers. Would you pay for help with getting a Literary Agent?
Click here to read chapter 25
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Editing is coming to an end, just in time for PitMad. I have been working hard on my pitch which I will share with you in a later post.
I am now getting the final chapters of Jewel of the Sea finished and saving them in draft to be published on Wattpad. I didn’t want to overwhelm readers by doing it all in one go.
Does your personal life affect your novel writing – any tips for dealing with that? Anyone doing PitMad this month?
Click here to read chapter 24
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Last week, I was a little distracted and didn’t get as much editing done. I was feeling anxious about my flexible working request to reduce my hours. Today, I had the meeting with HR and it couldn’t have gone better. I was almost dancing out of the office.
I feel like a load has been lifted off my shoulders and can now relax and focus on my novel. As a result, it is only Tuesday but already I feel this week is being so productive. This is the second chapter I’ve edited and I’ve already made a start of the next chapter. Plus, I have been working on my Pitch for PitMad (Pitch Wars).
I probably won’t take part in PitMad on 6 June as I don’t think my novel will be edited in time, however, it doesn’t hurt to get my pitch ready. You can join the PitMad Challenge Facebook group and get help from Kathy Ver Eecke on your pitch.
Does your personal life affect your novel writing – any tips for dealing with that? Anyone doing PitMad this month?
Click here to read chapter 23
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I tried to edit this chapter yesterday but something strange was up with Google Drive and it left me feeling a little paranoid about whether it would save my progress.
It kept saying there was an error when it opened my documents or tried to create a new one.
Everything seems back to normal today and I got it finished. Have you ever worried about technology losing your work?
Click here to read chapter 22
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Jewel of the Sea – Chapter 19 & 20
Seven tips for querying agents
I rushed editing this chapter so I have made a note on my spreadsheet to come back and look at it again before I finish.
I’m right in the middle of the novel and I feel like I have come so far but still have a long way to go. It’s like the midweek hump. I just have to get through it to see the end.
The second half of the novel is very distinctive as it has a very different feel to it. Mariah thinks she has got what she wants but is suffering memory loss. She knows something isn’t quite right but doesn’t know why.
Is you midpoint distinctive?
Click here to read chapter 21
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Jewel of the Sea – Chapter 19 & 20
Earlier this week I published the new improved chapter 19 and 20 but I didn’t have time to write about it on my blog.
Chapter 19 is told from Gwyn’s perspective in third person which is different from the rest of the novel. I wondered whether to cut this chapter out completely but I decided to keep it as the foreshadowing is important for the readers tension.
How do you feel about changing the point of view within a novel?
Click here to read chapter 19
Chapter 20 took a little longer to edit as the original chapter was a whopping 5k words. Often my chapters are quite short and I have to merge them together to make a better length. This is because I’m naturally a fan of short chapters, so I have no idea how this happened. And, I need to add in more content between the scenes so this word count is going to get bigger. I decided to cut it into two chapters but it may even become three chapters.
Do you prefer long or short chapters?
Click here to read chapter 20.
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