That’s a wrap! December 2019
Can you believe that 2019 is just about over? I had a wonderful December, celebrating Christmas with my family, reaching some significant writing milestones and reading 6 amazing books. Read on for all the details!! →
Wow. Can you believe that 2019 is just about over? I had a wonderful December, making the most of my last few weeks before I start working and generally enjoying my favourite time of the year. I love the Christmas period, where I can bask in glory of the lights and decorations, and spend time with aunts and uncles and cousins and grandparents who I don’t see often enough. Best wishes to you and your families as we usher in 2020!!
This month I have published 3 full blog posts (with one more on the way!) which you can check out below! My call for beta readers is now closed for the time being, but will likely open again next year for a second round!
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: Querying
Word count: 84,878
What’s new: Folks…I finally did it! I finally hit SEND, and submitted the query for my contemporary YA novel Holding Up the Sky to a literary agent! I’ve only started with one at this stage, because I’m aware it’s not the best time of year to be submitting, but I really just wanted to take that first step before the end of the year. Now we’ll wait and see, and I’ll crack on with more submissions in 2020!!
Blood of Old (Graceborn #1)
“The Old has returned…and what once was, will be again.”
Status: Beta reading
Word count: 195,170
What’s new: Having finished drafting Blood of Old, the first book in my fantasy series Graceborn, during NaNoWriMo 2019, my focus for December was on commencing the beta reading progress. I put out a call for beta readers earlier in the month, and am so grateful for the responses I received! Beta reading is now well underway, so while that occurs, it is time to turn my attention to…
First the Song (Graceborn #2)
The story continues…
Status: Structuring
Word count: 0
What’s new: What’s this? No, your eyes are not deceiving you: this is the title and mock cover of book two in the Graceborn series, which I announced at the start of December. I’ve been planning this second instalment for a while, and now know most of what will happen. I’m currently sorting out the structure of all the scenes, ready for developing a proper outline at the start of 2020!
I read a total of 6 books this December, which has rounded out my 2019 Goodreads Challenge at 77 / 75 books. Woohoo! The titles I finished this month are:
“You can’t expose a lie without first shattering the will to believe it. That is why leading people to truth is so much more effective than merely telling them.”
— from The Toll by Neal Shusterman
Neal Shusterman’s Arc of a Scythe trilogy is full of little gems like this. Its final instalment, The Toll, is no different, and I love the point that this quote in particular is trying to make: when it comes to convincing people of something, it is far more effective to help them discover the truth for themselves rather than just telling them. Not only does this feel so relevant to the world today, but it made up an important subplot in the story!
What did you get up to this December? Did you make much writing progress? Have you achieved your 2019 reading goals?
Rebecca Alasdair
I'm an Australian indie author who hoards books, loves dogs and coffee, and has a tendency of staying up all night!
No Comments
Tomas
Reading 6 books in a month while working on three of your own? Whoa! My reading goal was at 25 which I met with published books + three finished beta reads and one in progress as a bonus. My writing progress has slowed down as my main WIP is now waiting for beta feedback but I guess I’ll try to get some work done on the sequel as I wait…
Rebecca Alasdair
I’ve been fortunate to not have many other commitments this month, and therefore plenty of time to get things done. It can be tiring juggling it all though, so I’ve pretty much taken the last week off to chill! 😂 Best wishes for the New Year!
Andrew McDowell
Happy New Year! Congrats on your accomplishments, and thank you for reading my book. I hope you enjoyed it.
Rebecca Alasdair
You’re most welcome! Looking forward to book 2!! 😊
Andrew McDowell
Thank you! If it’s not too much to ask, I hope you’ll consider posting your rating on Goodreads.
Rebecca Alasdair
No worroes at all, it’s already on my to do list!
Andrew McDowell
Thank you! Happy New Year!