Can you believe it’s only 2 days until November? Every time I look at the calendar, I am reminded again of just how close we are to the end of the year. There’s still so much I want to do in this year. Like participating in NaNoWriMo, or National Novel Writing Month. For anyone not familiar with NaNoWriMo, it’s a month long challenge to write a 50k word novel in 30 days. I’ve been participating every year since 2011 and this year is definitely no different. I’ve been working hard all September and October planning my books, as well as finishing off another project to clear my time in November. This NaNo, I’m planning on writing two books, and today I thought I’d share them with you.
The first project is a spin off to my YA fantasy The Crystal Tree, and it’s upcoming sequel The Shattering Song. I thought at the end of writing this duopoly that I was going to be sick of writing in this universe and need a bit of a break, but instead I’m actually more excited than ever to continue exploring this world of mine. This new book is currently called Nameless. One step up from Untitled I know, haha. There is a good reason for the title. I promise I’m not really being lazy.
Synopsis
No one leaves the village after dark. A monster lives in the mountains, and anyone foolish enough to stay out after sunset pays the price. Calla knows this better than most. But when she accidentally breaks curfew, she stumbles across not the man-eating monster, but a traveller, lost, bleeding, and half frozen to death.
With his fellow Nameless Ones locked away in the impenetrable fortress that is the prison of Dobrang, Bo heads north to help free them. However, he didn’t count on the bitterness of the winter, losing his way, or being rescued by Calla. Trapped in the village by the worsening weather, and his own injures, Bo must try to keep people from finding out what he really is.
But winter brings more than just snow. The monster is hungry and hunting. While the villagers hide behind their flimsy wooden walls, Calla must decide whether she’s brave enough to fight back, and Bo has to choose between his companions in death, or the people who are teaching him how to live.
I’m excited to write something new, in a world I already love. I’m already in love with these characters too, and the journey that they’ll be taking throughout this book. It’s a bit smaller in scale than the books that I’ve written in this universe before, which should be a bit of fun. I’m still finishing up the outline, but I can’t wait to write this one.
My second project for the month, because why not add an extra layer of challenge, is the second novel in a sci-fi/spec fic series I’ve been working on in my free time. I’ve actually tried drafting this novel three times in the past, but it hasn’t come together yet. This series is all about mutant abilities, courageous teens, and fighting for what you believe in. Its WIP title is Ember, which doesn’t suit it much any more, but I’m not great with titles, so Ember it will stay for the time being, haha.
Synopsis
Sara and her team are hot on the trail of the infamous mutant terrorist, Hector Martins, in the hopes of finding him before he strikes again. When several leading politicians pull their support for the contentious mutant registration bill without giving a reason, they are sure Hector has struck again.
Lee has enough problems in his life without adding the mutant registration bill to it. But with everyone trying to use him to fit their agenda, from marching against the bill to being used in propaganda supporting it, it seems Lee is getting involved whether he likes it or not.
When Lee’s best friend is kidnapped, he and Sara must work together to try and save her before Hector starts taking innocent lives to further his cause. Lives hang in the balance, and the clock is ticking.
I’m excited to see if I can finally nail this plot down. I’ve written an entire outline for it, which seems to work this time, so fingers crossed I’ve worked this book out finally. I love the characters, most of whom I got to know quite well in book one. And I’m really looking forward to making another step forward with this passion project, which has been my side project for the last five years or so.
So that’s what I’m writing for this NaNoWriMo. But I’d love to hear from you. Are you participating in NaNo this year? If you are, what are you writing? If not, what are you working on at the moment? Have you done NaNo in the past?
I actually had a mini moment of panic when I read there are only two days until NaNoWriMo, but I’m excited anyway. I’ll be working on an adult sci-fi novel. It will be my first adult novel, so we’ll see how that goes. Those sound like some interesting projects you’re working on! I’m glad to hear you’re writing more in the world of The Chrystal Tree, and I’m curious about the sci-fi novel too. Is it related to the X-Men or is it more independent?
Happy writing!