I hope this post finds you well and perhaps even with a cup of something warm and comforting by your side. Today, I want to share an update on a project that has been close to my heart, though it’s taken a bit of a winding road to get here.
It’s been about two or three years since I first started working on Under Wing, a YA paranormal novel. Back then, I was eager to dive into something new—something that stretched the boundaries of my usual writing comfort zone. YA and paranormal are genres I hadn't explored before, and the challenge was both exciting and a bit daunting.
I even took Story Plan Intensive with Kevin T. Johns to ensure the book was well plotted before I started writing. The course was incredibly insightful, and by the end of it, I had a full outline in hand. The story was mapped out, the characters were fleshed out, and the world was built. It felt like the hard part was done, and I was ready to start writing.
But I didn't!
As often happens in the life of a writer, other projects called for my attention. I put the outline aside, thinking I’d get back to it soon. Well, “soon” turned into months, and months turned into years. I found myself gravitating back to the familiar—working on projects that fit neatly into my usual genres and styles. All the while, this YA paranormal story sat quietly in the background, waiting for its turn.
I think part of it was the voice in the back of my head telling me that if I was going to write in this genre, I needed to have a pen name. But I already write multiple genres and other than the picture books and novels I write for kids, everything is under my own name for simplicity. So, it didn't feel right to start a new pen name just because I wanted to write paranormal novels.
Now, as I revisit the story, I’m reminded of why I was so passionate about it in the first place. There’s something magical about stepping into the unknown, about creating a world where the paranormal becomes the norm and young characters navigate challenges that are both extraordinary and deeply human.
I’m excited to share that Under Wing is on track to be published in 2024. The outline is back on my desk, the characters are speaking to me again, and I’m slowly but surely making progress. It feels like I’m reconnecting with an old friend, and I can’t wait to see where this journey takes me.
Thank you for being part of this adventure with me. Hopefully, it won’t be too long before I can share more about this story with you.
Until next time, keep dreaming big and reading widely.
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