My goodness it's been a while since I've posted.
Also, welcome to my new site. Very minimalist. Very demure.
I'm trying to not get carried away but since this year I've been hitting targets and have never felt better ... BOOK UPDATES ARE HERE!! I never thought I would ever see the day that one novel would be near completion and yet, here we are.
I'll start at the beginning considering this year has already been a shit show. So much drama, I love it! (NOT).
So first term of sonography goes swimmingly, I have written 1/3 of what will now be my debut. Passed all 3 subjects, so yay! Let me tell you, I have never felt so happy in a degree, even with the intense level of anatomy that I'm learning at the moment. It's so much fun!
Anyway, the start of this term is when it all goes to shit.
As some of you may be aware, I was diagnosed with endometriosis back in 2020. Over the course of the past four years, I have been put on various medical interventions (birth control) to try to control the pain that I get. Absolute laugh. With one more option presented in June, I thought that it couldn't be any worse than the Mirena and it's lovely side effects for 2 years.
I was wrong.
Pain was up the wazoo. Sure I had my little moments here and there of peace. Somehow managed to keep my writing goals for a good portion until a couple of weeks ago.
(mind you, I write from my subconscious rather than conscious, so I just zone out and somehow manage 2000 words).
For the past several weeks I have been looking after myself and doing what I can. Uni has been going slowly, and in any health care, law, engineering degree (maybe others too), if something happens and you fall behind, it'll take you years to catch up (I am exaggerating, but I'm still 3 weeks behind with an exam next week that I pushed back as far as I could go, and another 2 weeks later). Thankfully, my lecturers have been incredible, and the support has been amazing.
During one of my moments of peace from pain, fatigue and cognitive disfunction, I started a youtube channel (please keep in mind, during all of this, I am still studying my butt off. I haven't just tossed it aside). Figured I could have a bit more fun on there, but this blogging is good too. I like the sound of my keyboard. Might need to get a microphone and do an ASMR video for you all as it's so satisfying.
Which reminds me, even though you haven't asked for it, here is my shameless self promotion.
This is my latest video on the writing tools I use. It's already slightly outdated as I no longer use NaNoWriMo, instead I use TrackBear which I find better and isn't intwined with controversy.
I don't gatekeep any tools I use, so if you have any questions with regards to what I might show in my Insta stories, youtube videos etc., let me know and I'd be willing to share. Most of what I use are either free or have a one time payment as I am a broke uni student after all.
Anyway, onto the much anticipated book updates.
So my debut (SitS) is going strong I have roughly seven chapters left of my first draft and one of them is a short chapter as it's a flashback. Really not long to go, especially as term ends in 3 weeks (maybe more for me due to the fact I've had to push my exams back. Either way, I had a goal of Jan 31st, I'm definitely going to make that.
My aim is to have a month off and get my book printed and put in a binder so I can start editing it. I want to edit 2 to 3 times before bringing in sensitivity readers, before I even think about alpha readers.
**Trigger warnings will be provided in the book and website. I will also be putting a disclaimer on the description if the section in the book is missed.
Trigger warning mentioned - DV
That way, I have a semi finished and polished product that has correct information and is not romanticising DV or providing misleading information to prospective readers.
SitS is a heavy book for the most part whilst showcasing personal growth after childhood trauma and DV. I have utilised my qualification and current studies in a Grad Dip of DFVP.
Meanwhile LiS is also coming together perfectly and if my deadlines for SitS fail, LiS will easily become my debut.
LiS is a romance novel, that so far has six out of fourteen chapters. I'm aiming for less in case I need to add more later as I find it easier to add than take away.
This is a beautiful small town romance set in the Sunshine Coast of Australia in a fictional town. It's also a medical/workplace romance, and it is set over Christmas, but it isn't necessarily a Christmas/Holiday trope novel, but it is.
I really wanted to accentuate the endometriosis rep, and its crappy trial and error process, as well as healthy relationships (romantic, workplace, friendhsip, and family). It's why I really wanted to introduce the love interest so early on, and the fast friendship as it really shows my FMC how someone should actually treat her after learning of her diagnosis (and she really had no choice but to tell him - you will find out in due to time, my friends).
It's hard to believe that LiS has been in the making for two years, and SitS was only just started back in February of this year! Holy crap!
It's next book in the series only has one chapter written but it too is fully planned out and is ready to be fully written. LiR is an anaphylaxis rep and will be continued as soon as one of the others hits editing.
I am so proud of myself for making it through these past few months. It's been a real struggle, and to have two books on the up and other on the way, all the while juggling uni (like you wouldn't believe) is insane!
Next year is looking good and even more challenging, but I'll talk about that closer to the time.
Any who, HERE'S TO HAVING NOT 1 BUT 2 FIRST DRAFTS ALMOST COMPLETED BY THE END OF 2024!
In the mean time, until next blog post!