That’s a wrap! September 2020
September 2020 has been one of those months that is both shockingly short and impossibly long! While life in lockdown continues, I’ve made some great writing progress and read 4 incredible books. Come check out the details and tell me what you’ve been up to!! →
September 2020 has been one of those months which has felt both shockingly short and impossibly long. I can hardly believe we’re now 3/4 of the way through the year…and what a year it’s been! While I don’t have anything too major to report, the key things of interest from the last several weeks are:
Life in lockdown. I continued living the lockdown life throughout September, with restrictions ongoing in my home city. Fortunately, we’ve seen remarkable progress in our case numbers, which means restrictions will starting easing over the next few weeks. Fellow Melbournians, please keep following all COVID-19 updates on the DHHS website. We’re so close!!
Spring has sprung. September marks the “official” start of the spring season in my part of the world, although as always it’s been a period of fluctuating weather. There have been a few warm and sunning days in recent weeks, which has made it hard to stay cooped up inside, but most of the time it still feels like winter! I’m looking forward to being able to enjoy the springtime!
Website updates. I’ve been hard at work this month updating some of the pages on this website following on from the migration in August. There’s still a bit of tinkering to be done, but I’m very pleased so far with my new Home, Books and Contact pages. Check them out and let me know what you think!!
Once again, I published 2 full blog posts this month, as per my goals for 2020. There continue to be a few issues with my WordPress.com followers receiving notifications of new posts, but until I get this rectified you can check out September’s content below!
I really need to get back into checking my WordPress.com Reader and keeping up to date with all the amazing blog posts out there! This is definitely one area where I have struggled these last few months. Nevertheless, if you’re after some awesome content then I recommend taking a look at these:
- Storytelling: Betrayals by Tomas K. “Grizzly”
- Brandon Sanderson lecture 2020 notes [archive] by Energyflux2012 @ Ethereal Seals
- 10 overused tropes that I’ll never get tired of by Margaret @ Weird Zeal
- 6 things writers need to consider when writing character emotions by M.L. Davis @ Uninspired Writers
- Writing the perfect pitch by Lorraine Ambers
- 4 things a writer can control by K.M. Allan
I made some good progress on my writing goals this September, keeping me (mostly) on track to meet my end-of-year targets. The current status of my three key writing projects that span four separate novels is as follows:
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’ve mentioned that my 2020 has really highlighted the importance of making your dreams a reality. These last few weeks, I’ve been thinking about what this means for my YA novel Holding Up the Sky and getting it out into the world! I could keep querying for a LOT longer, but I’m not sure that’s the right choice for me. It’s looking likely I’ll spend the next ~6 months submitting to publishers in Australia before I just go my own way!!
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: September has been a month of feedback and new ideas for Blood of Old, the first book in my fantasy series Graceborn. I’ve had the pleasure of working with the brilliant Ed White while we conducted a beta exchange, and his advice has been instrumental to helping me identify where more work needs to be done. Thanks so much Ed! I’m now very much looking forward to editing this novel in the new year!!
First the Song (Graceborn #2)
The story continues…
Status: Writing 1st draft
Word count: 134,591 (64.1%)
What’s new: My great achievement of the month was finishing Part Two in First the Song, the second book in the Graceborn series! There’s still a way to go until I finish this first draft; I’m getting there, though lot will have to be edited in later drafts given the changes I’m planning for book one. I’ll have a reduced-tempo month in October so I can rest before NaNoWriMo starts, then ramp up again in December.
<Top secret project>
A brand new WIP!
Status: Outlining
Word count: 0
What’s new: During September, I successfully completed the full outline of this year’s NaNoWriMo project. It was so much fun, and really helped me get to know my characters, their individual stories, and how they weave together. I’m raring to go for November, though I know I need to take a break over the next few weeks before NaNo begins. Keep your eyes peeled for my official introduction of this project, coming in mid-October!!
This September, I finished reading a total of 4 books and successfully reached my 2020 Goodreads challenge goal of 40 books! A part of me can’t believe I achieved this so early in the year, but I suppose that reading has been one of my coping mechanisms! I thoroughly enjoyed the titles I read this month, which are shown below:
What have you been up to this September? How was your writing and/or reading progress going? What is life currently like in your part of the world?
Rebecca Alasdair
I'm an Australian indie author who hoards books, loves dogs and coffee, and has a tendency of staying up all night!
14 Comments
K.M. Allan
The home page looks awesome, Rebecca. Love the feather/pen and bird details and the image of the redhead. It’s all very striking and the layout is nice and easy to scroll.
Rebecca Alasdair
Thank you!! I’m so glad to hear that! This redevelopment has given me the opportunity to use some licenced images I’d left sitting around; I was pleased with the result myself but it’s so much better to know someone else likes it too!! 😂
Andrew McDowell
Congrats on your accomplishments. I shared on my blog this month an interview I did about my book that came out at the end of August. Early this month I was invited to do an interview on a podcast, which I’m planning to share in my October blog post.
I’ve got poetry and short stories appearing in two anthologies scheduled to be released on Halloween, and Mystical Greenwood got two more good reviews.
Rebecca Alasdair
Thanks Andrew! It sounds like you’ve been busy! I just took a look at the article on your interview – a very interesting read. Congrats on the reviews and the upcoming publications. That’s so exciting!! 😊
Andrew McDowell
Thank you!
Energyflux2012
Good to see you’ve been busy. I’ve been working on Blade of Dragons and the sequel, Heart of Dragons. I haven’t read too many books, unfortunately, but I’d like to pick up again. Not sure if I’ll do NaNo or just use it to work on HoD.
Rebecca Alasdair
In the past, I’ve used NaNo to finish second or third drafts of books I was in the process of revising. I believe the challenge can be whatever you want it to be; it provides a little extra motivation and it’s hugely satisfying if you reach your goal…whatever that goal is!! All the best with your next steps!! 😀
Energyflux2012
Likewise. May the Aspects watch over you. 😛
Tomas
Thanks for the mention. I’m still trying to find some clues as for why the connection with WP Reader doesn’t seem to work and I’ll definitely let you know if I find out (unfrotunately, I did not have the time yet to contact support with all my other free time activitied asking for a lot of my time just now (more so with the pre-launch prep for my debut).
Your new website design looks great!
My biggest step in September was to finally have the cover for my book done, which lets me get to the final stage of pre-launch preparation – and I guess the level of stage fright will go through the roof very soon. I guess I should start stocking on chocolate.
Good luck with further betas. I hope they like your story as much as I did.
Rebecca Alasdair
Thanks Tomas! I did post in a WP forum myself and they’re doing another sync of my site. Interestingly, I’ve noticed the posts show up on my feed on the WP mobile app on my phone…but don’t appear to in the web browser… Thanks for your help with the troubleshooting, anyway!
That’s SO EXCITING about your book cover!! I can’t wait to see it. All the best with the pre-launch prep – I’m cheering for you!
Tomas
You can look at my monthly update post to see the cover. Or you can wait two weeks for your ARC copy 🙂
Rebecca Alasdair
I’ve just had a quick peek! Love the touch of purple on the cover! How exciting 😊
Lorraine Ambers
Thanks for mentioning my blog. There’s a few listed that I’m definitely going to check out.
Nothing beats spring time after a long winter. I’m sure it will be more appreciated after lockdown. I hope you come out soon. X
Rebecca Alasdair
You’re most welcome Lorraine!! I’m a fan of all seasons for different reasons (hehe that rhymes!), but this spring sure does feel extra special!! 😁