That’s a wrap! May 2020
May 2020 feels like one of those months that have gone on FOREVER, but at the same time I’ve tried to make the most of the situation. I reached an exciting milestone with my writing and read some great books, so come check out the details and tell me how you are!! →
For me, May 2020 is one of those months that feels like it has gone on FOREVER, but when I look back I struggle to remember anything significant happening at all! I suppose that’s not a bad thing, in the context of everything that’s been going on around the world. Hope you guys are all going well? Anyway, here are the “highlights” of my last 4.5 weeks:
Life in lockdown. 69 days have passed since stage 3 lockdown started in my state, and I transitioned to WFH. Tomorrow, there will be a further easing of restrictions, but I’ll still be at home for the foreseeable future. I’m very proud of what we’ve managed to achieve, and hope we can keep it up! Fellow Victorians, all COVID-19 updates are on the DHHS website.
Visited the new puppy. Last month, I shared that the family will soon be getting a new co-worker after the old one quit on us last year! My dad and I went to visit her yesterday, and the distance travelled was so worth it!! I seriously can’t wait to bring her home in 1.5 weeks’ time. Keep an eye out for pictures, as there are sure to be many!
Boom in Instagram followers. Don’t get too excited folks, but I’ve seen *unusual* growth in my Instagram following this month. I try not to look too much into numbers, but sometimes Insta makes me feel like I’m shouting into the void. I enjoy it, though, which is why I persist. The extra love has just given me some much needed warm-and-fuzzies!
This May, I once again published 2 full blog posts as per my goals for 2020. Motivation to do so was a little low, but I dragged myself over the line! You can check these posts out below.
I also read a stack of incredible content posted by my fellows in the writing community! Here are some of my favourite blog posts from this month:
- Plot twist tricks by K.M. Allan
- 10 reminders for writers having a hard time handling the pressure right now by Meg Dowell @ Novelty Revisions
- How to fix a fractured first draft by M.L Davis @ Uninspired Writers
- How to plot a novel: A guide to finding your plotting process, even if you’re a “pantser” by Madeline Bartson @ Happy When Writing
- Not everyone will be interested in your novel by Ari Meghlen
- 10 things I want to see more of in YA books about mental health by C.G. Drews @ paperfury
- The case for chapter titles by Marcia Meara @ Story Empire
May has been another pretty big month, where I’ve taken advantage of all my time at home to work on my three key writing projects that span four separate novels! Here is the status of each, with my comments on what I achieved this month:
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: I don’t have a lot to report on my contemporary YA novel Holding Up the Sky this month. No luck with the few submissions I’ve made so far, but I have been conducting research into who I plan to query next! I also made the executive decision to participate in #PitMad in early June, so I’ve spent a bit of time reading up on that event and preparing my Twitter pitches. I’m looking forward to it!!
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: Not a whole lot happened this May to progress Blood of Old, the first book in my fantasy series Graceborn. Beta reading is still ongoing, which may seem like it’s been going on for ages, but this is a long book and COVID-19 happened! My feeling at the moment is that I’ll probably spend the most of 2020 processing beta feedback and determining edits, before putting together the third draft in early 2021. We’ll see!!
First the Song (Graceborn #2)
The story continues…
Status: Writing 1st draft
Word count: 64,661 (28.1%)
What’s new: Woohoo! This month, I wrote approximately 22k words in the draft of First the Song, the second book in the Graceborn series, and thus finished Part One! I felt like I was on a massive roll, but I still forced myself to take a week off before launching into Part Two. This book is a marathon, not a sprint! I’m happy with how it’s shaping up, though I know there will be extensive edits to come. Trying not to think about that right now though… 😂
<Top secret project>
A brand new WIP!
Status: Plotting
Word count: 0
What’s new: This May, I finally started plotting my new contemporary YA standalone WIP, which will be my project for NaNoWriMo 2020. I wanted to try something a little different, so I am using the program Scapple to develop a virtual plotboard where I can brainstorm all my ideas. No doubt I’ll blog more about this down the track, but for now, all you need to know is that plotting is coming along nicely and I’m getting really excited about this project!!
During May, I read a total of 6 books, each very different but thoroughly enjoyable! I also did a bit of work updating my Goodreads account, and adding the mini reviews that I’ve been posting on Instagram. The titles I finished this month were:
What have you been up to this May? How is the writing and/or reading going? Are restrictions easing where you live?
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
Don’t worry about your beta stage taking long… mine took 2,5 years. And if you learn something from it, it helps for the future books.
For me, May was quite the opposite – I felt like it was gone really fast despite nothing happening.
Rebecca Alasdair
For sure! I’m not worried at all, and there have definitely been more important things in everyone’s lives over the past few months!
And I suppose that means it’s a good that that nothing much happened in your May…? 😊
Tomas
Yes, things are calming down here so it’s close to normal life. And, as I say, absence of bad news – or any news, for that matter – is good news.
Rebecca Alasdair
Very true. Glad to hear things are looking up!! 😊
Andrew McDowell
Best of luck with everything!
Rebecca Alasdair
Thanks!! And to you 😊
Andrew McDowell
You’re welcome, and thank you!
Ari
Sounds like a very full month and good job on the blog posts, I know how it can be when the motivation is low. You did awesome!! Thank you so much for including my blog post and for giving From Ashes To Magic a read! *HUGS*
I always love your wrap up posts, they are a nice insight into how things are going. Also, awesome job with Insta, I am naff with Insta and have been working on a new strategy but then got side-tracked. *sigh*
Rebecca Alasdair
Thanks Ari! I’m glad you like the wrap-up posts. I’ve found they’re a great way for me to reflect on what I’ve achieved!! Insta can be quite frustrating when it comes to engagement. Something about the algorithms, I think? 🤔
Ari
I think ever since Facebook took over Insta, they have constantly messed with the algorithm, just like they did with their own Facebook one
Rebecca Alasdair
It wouldn’t surprise me!! 😂
K.M. Allan
Thanks for including my post, Rebecca! Can’t wait to see your new co-worker pictures, and good luck with the Twitter pitches. I’ll be sure to retweet when the time comes 😊.
Rebecca Alasdair
Thanks so much!! And I always enjoy your blog posts so no worries at all. Puppy pickup date has been set for 11 June and I will DEFINITELY bombard the world with pictures!! 😍
K.M. Allan
😀
Lorraine Ambers
Aww, I can’t wait for puppy pictures. And if you discover the secret to Instagram please share it, although I suspect it’s constant posting of fantastic pictures. You’ve nailed that, and deserve the influx of followers.
Rebecca Alasdair
Thank you for your kind comment!! Instagram sure is a battle. It seems like you gain a few followers, then go through months of gain one lose two until you’re back where you started!! 😅