We’re about midway through June—Yule is coming much faster than I anticipated—and I am still working on getting the first draft of Blade’s Gauntlet finished( ° ᗜ ° “). At the same time, I’m also working on the first drafts for the first volume of Say Nope to the Trope (ᵕ • ᴗ •). Who’s idea was that?

Based on my writing plans, Blade’s Gauntlet is behind by half a month and Say Nope to the Trope is on time. I can feel a lot of editing needed for both of these works but I’m getting there (૭ ｡•̀ ᵕ •́｡ )૭

Dual Wielding: Blade’s Gauntlet (ง •̀ゝ•́)ง

What I’m struggling with Blade’s Gauntlet right now is the want to work on it. I was incredibly excited to work on it again and think I may have burned it out by going to hard. Now, I want to work on other writing and it’s causing issues with getting the writing for Blade’s Gauntlet done. I think this is what I forget the most when I’m writing, that I need to make sure I enjoy writing. Sometimes I have other little projects I can have more fun with and I need to remember that it’s okay to take a break from the main ones and let myself dabble with more freedom.

Say Nope to the Trope (˵ ¬ᴗ¬˵)

Writing is coming easier with Say Nope to the Trope and there are two reasons for that: the fun experimental nature I’m approaching the work with and a lot of the writing is likely that type of melted metal that I’m just churned out and need to spend a lot of time pounding into shape afterwards.

The current goal for Say Nope to the Trope is to write a volume in a month, edit it over a month and then publish it. So far, it seems feasible. Milestones are for 2,000 words per day over six days per week, equating to three chapters per week and so twelve per month. One volume. I’m not hitting my goals per day but am able to tidy them up by the end of the week. I’ve been working almost twice as many hours as before and so there’s some adjusting to that.

Writing Goals for the rest of the Month

For the remainder of June, I want to get those last scenes of Blade’s Gauntlet written and the latter half of Volume 1 for Say Nope to the Trope also written. I am also hoping my beta readers will return the final feedback and edits for Rini & Butler so that I can start working on the final iteration. My timeline wants the final iteration complete by the end of July so that the timing for publish works out. I am also away for the last week of July and have to factor that in.

I’m also toying around with a new cover design for Rini & Butler, something that might convey the story much better. Though I adore the current version, I think it doesn’t communicate the genre and story as well as to others as it does for me and so I am working on that. I have limited financial options and so am working on seeing if I can scrape together something decent on my own. It is likely a little too late to commission an artist at this point.

If all continues to go well, Rini & Butler will be published on time in October (๑>ᴗ<๑)! I’m incredibly excited but know there’s still a lot of work and research I need to do in preparation. I’ve done all the hardest parts and have squared away much of the legal steps but I do need to learn more about the logistics of ordering and distribution. The only issue is that some of that information won’t be clear enough for me until I’m starting the actual publishing process.

For anyone curious, I will be publishing through IngramSpark. I am currently working on also building my own shop front so that individuals might find it easier to access the book through me. That will mean more management on my side, but I think it will only be beneficial for me. Though IngramSpark also distributes in Australia, I’m starting to think it might be easier for some people to order directly through me. But that’s also information I’m hoping will be made clearer when the book is published. I’m basically fumbling my way through here.

In July

So the final work on Rini & Butler will be the focus of July. I will also be editing Volume 1 of Say Nope to the Trope and starting prepuary for Blade’s Gauntlet.

Happy writing!