Noonday in the North’s first draft complete!

Has it really been almost a month since my last post? Gosh, it didn’t feel like it to me. With the new job and trying to finish a book, I knew that I wouldn’t be able to post as much, but a month? Well, let me give you an update.

The job is going well. It is a bit of a whirlwind to start a new higher ed position at the beginning of the semester, but I’ve never been one to avoid a challenge. I’m a month in and still alive, so that’s good. I love my team and the people I work with, making daily challenges productive learning experiences and not dumpster fires. I still have much to learn, but I’m getting there. Two weeks ago, I was singing a much different tune, so it was good I was radio silent 🙂

The first draft of Noonday in the North (sample chapter available through link), book 3 of the Absolution of the Morning Star series, is complete! I wrote the final words of the last chapter on Thursday (9/14). My goal was to finish by today (9/16), so I’m ahead of schedule! The novel currently comes in at 144,089 words, but as I haven’t read through the book (at all), that number will change drastically. I planned for 150,000 words, so I am under budget too! I aim to start by reading through book 2, The Mourning Son, to ensure I stay consistent in my storylines and details before I start my first read-through of Noonday in the North. This pause will also let the story sit for a bit, which is always good. Then, of course, comes the editing…ugh.

The read-through of The Mourning Son will also give me a chance to clean some things up. I’ve received some feedback, and as I can make changes through Amazon KDP to the manuscript and republish it, I will do so (it is one of the benefits of being an Indie writer). Nothing will change in the story (in case you have already read it), but I think I will try to do some trimming. My wife finally had the chance to read books one and two in the series (she’s getting her MBA while working full-time). She absolutely loved the Dawn of the Lightbearer– I mean, just loved it (which warms my heart). She also enjoyed The Mourning Son but felt it was a little dense in places, and I, of course, value her feedback. Reading through The Mourning Son again, I will likely come to the same conclusion.

As we enter this cooler weather, I’m looking forward to setting a roaring fire in my fireplace and getting Noonday to the North ready for publication. The read-throughs are my favorite part of writing, and I could use the break from producing new content. I think Noonday in the North will be complete by November or December at the very latest. Keep your eyes open for more updates!

Cheers!