That’s a wrap! September 2019

Can you believe we’re now three-quarters of the way through 2019? My September has been a flurry of activity, consisting of one finished WIP, significant progress in the other, ten books read, and a runaway Nanna. Read on for all the exciting details!! →

Despite being technically unemployed, my September has been a flurry of activity, most of it writing-related in some way. Can you believe we are now three-quarters of the way through 2019?! My key “highlights” from the last four-and-a-bit weeks include:

Applying for a Real Job. I’ve been stepping through a multi-stage selection process for one job in particular this month, and I had the final interview for it last week. Fingers crossed it goes well, but if not the hunt will continue!

Revamping my social media. In an attempt to increase engagement, as well as the diversity of the feeds on my social media accounts, I’ve been posting specific content each day of the week and it’s been going fairly well. Check it out on my Facebook, Twitter and/or Instagram!

Dealing with family stuff. September seemed to be crisis month for some reason which included, but was not limited to, my Nanna escaping from her nursing home and a morning-long police search! Fortunately, everyone is safe and well, it’s just been wild!!

This month I published 2 full blog posts, which you can check out below!

As you may be aware, I currently have 2 key writing projects: one a contemporary YA novel, and the other an epic fantasy series. My progress on these is revealed below…and you can click on each heading for more information!

Holding Up the Sky

“The weight of the sky—of the whole world—was pushing down, and it was crushing me.”

Status: “Final” draft complete

Word count: 84,970

What’s new: Yes, you read correctly: this month, I started and finished the “final” draft of my contemporary YA novel Holding Up the Sky! HOLY SMOKES!! I have to do one last proofread through the whole thing, but otherwise the manuscript is ready for submission. My next step is now to figure out exactly where and how said submission will take place. I’m rather terrified, but also thrilled at the prospect of moving forwards!!

Blood of Old (Graceborn #1)

“The Old has returned…and what once was, will be again.”

Status: Writing 2nd draft

Word count: 94,950

What’s new: During September, I set myself the personal challenge of writing 30k words in the 2nd draft of Blood of Old, the first book in my fantasy series Graceborn. And guess what? I succeeded! At 50% of the way through this draft, I’ve finally gained some much-needed momentum, which I hope to carry through to NaNoWriMo in November! I still hope to have the whole thing done by the end of the year, but I know I’ll be cutting it fine!!

Somehow, I read a whopping 10 books during September! I devoured two new releases within days of their publication, and made my way through 75% of the Mortal Engines series which has been sitting on my TBR since last Christmas. The books I finished are:

“Death has existed always, and so has he.”
Patrick shook his head and turned on his feet. “Death needs to fuck off in all its many aspects.”

— from A Crown of Iron & Silver by Hailey Turner

While not particularly deep or meaningful, this quote from A Crown of Iron & Silver was absolutely perfect! You know those witty one-liners that just make you laugh out loud, even when the characters’ world is falling apart around them? This was one of those. Poor Patrick has faced down so many gods, goddesses and personifications of Death in the Soulbound series so far, I wholeheartedly agree with his statement! 😂