#indieauthorupdate

[authorkrysejay]

Indie Author Update #17

Good news! I got accepted into my local university for Creative Writing and I'll be starting in September. I'm really excited to go back to school and explore classes that will help fine tune my craft.

Writing is a skill that consistently changes in the sense that you're constantly getting better at it.

Oh! And I also tried my hand at drawing my own reel with very basic animation. I'm really proud of how it turned out and now I'm contemplating if I should make more like it.

I am on chapter 24 of book three, still in Act One but I'm giving myself some leeway with the unexpected university prepping. Fingers crossed I actually finish it this week. I only have the climax of Act one to write, so it should go fast.

I really need to get book 3 completed before university begins as my plan is to release it early to mid 2025. But that is probably going to change as I get used to juggling classes as well as writing on the side. I haven't even made a cover yet but I do have ideas.

Thankfully Book 2 is all set up and ready to go for fall. Woot Woot.

[authorkrysejay]

Indie Author Progress #6

The paperback and hardcover versions of Phoenix Awakening are finally on their way to me! I ordered my proofs and they should be arriving around/ during the holidays. I do have a few paperback proofs from Amazon when I was still deciding on which cover, from those I created, to use as well as paper color and book sizes. But those are completely outdated.

All that being said, the physical copies of my book should be available for pre-order in January.

Writing wise, I've been slowly making progress on book 3's 3rd edit. I've been removing and moving scenes around to make more sense with how Moira had evolved as a character in books one and two. As well as changes to the pacing. My last draft had 62 chapters and about 120k words. So far I'm on chapter 9. My goal is to complete this draft sometime next year before book 2's release. I'd like to release book 3 in 2025 but I don't want to rush it's quality.

[authorkrysejay]

Indie Author Update #32

Act two is completed! Finally!!! I gave myself a three day break from writing as a small reward and outlined the main scenes for act 3. I'm a bit worried about the word count, and nervous for the trauma Moira has to endure for the sake of the story but I've gotta get through it with her.

I began writing act three yesterday, with a solid start at 435 words. Its hard to get into the mind set while keeping a distance. It was easier when I had already done the work for act 2 and was able to do minor edits on chapters already completed. Every time I've reached this point in my other drafts, I couldn't continue. But I no longer have the option of going back to book 1 or 2 for revisions.

Also the massive heat wave is not helping my already weakened motivation. Its going up to 40C or over 100F today, which is going to be the worst of it. My small vegetable and herb garden is not happy with the high temperatures. My oregano and basil are already growing flowers, which apparently plants do earlier in the season due to stress.

I also haven't been very active on instagram or tumblr cause I've been focusing on writing and my brain is not co-operating on creating anything outside of book 3. Relying solely on myself for everything is both a blessing and a pain in the butt.

This coming week, I need to make more material for socials and continue writing act three. I need to get that finished by the end of August before I begin university. After that begins, I don't know how much time I'll have to devote to writing.

[authorkrysejay]

Indie Author Update #21

I got my hardcover proof copy of book 2 in the mail last week and decided to do one more read through. Thank goodness I did because I found so many issues. I don't know how I missed them. But its much easier to spot them when reading an actual book than staring at a bright screen.

Some of the issues were Mantle vs Mantel, Gray vs Grey, and sentences that had missing words that my mind filled in but weren't actually on the page. So all the files have been updated and uploaded for pre-orders. But I'll only begin that at the end of this month after the cover reveal.

Needless to say, I did not write much on book 3. I've been so busy editing and making small changes to the covers that I haven't had the time or mental energy. I also planned out all of my classes for my first year for uni, which I'm really excited about.

Today I'm going to take a break day and tomorrow, begin rereading book 3 from act one to make some changes with things I'd forgotten about in book 2 when I wrote it. Then continue on where I left off.

[authorkrysejay]

Indie Author Update #20

Writing a novel is a marathon not a sprint. Even after finishing two books, I constantly have to remind myself that it takes time to write, more time than it takes to read. I've been feeling a bit burnt out with writing everyday and trying to create posts for Instagram but such is the life of an indie author.

I was able to approve and order my first proof copies of book 2, so I'll be able to look them over and show them off by the end of April. Fingers crossed book two will be available for pre-order by May.

The weather has also been giving me whiplash. Spring has been teasing at warmer weather with sunnier and longer days but the snow fall and cold winds are clinging remnants of winter. Oh, and sleep. I haven't been getting much of that.

For the upcoming week, I need to sleep a solid 8 hrs per night and continue writing Act 2 of Book 3 regardless of how much I don't want to. Honestly if I miraculously got a genie to grant me wishes, I'd ask for my stories to write themselves.

[authorkrysejay]

Indie Author Update #29

Welp, did not finish act 2. That was overly ambitious. Lots of rewrites of previous chapters not as much just copy and pasting. But I am entering the last few plot points until act 2's climax. Woot woot. As long as I force myself to sit down and not get distracted by youtube, I should be able to finish three more chapters by next week. Its a lot of heavier issues and a part of myself doesn't want to get into that head space or linger there for long.

I spent a few days working on my first ever garden, planting veggies and herbs. I don't have a lot of room to work with but I'm really excited to have a herb garden. It's been a dream of mine for a while but I never got around to it.

Finally getting my witchy vibes on.

Next week gotta work towards finishing act 2, spend time with my furbabies, make sure I remain in a good head space and take care of my growing garden.

[authorkrysejay]

Indie Author Update#26

Honestly this week I hit a wall, figuratively at least. It has been deary and rainy which hasn't helped my mental mind set, so I took a break from posting on Instagram. But today of all days, with the sun out to stay and weather warm enough to dust off my favorite summer dress, I was able to make a break through.

None of my characters wanted to continue the scene they made me continue to write, so I decided to just end the chapter there and move on. Lol. Sometimes the easiest thing to do is the hardest to think of.

Basking in the sun this morning on my balcony, I was also able to brainstorm some new reel ideas and more posts for Instagram. Fingers crossed I sit down tomorrow and actually make them. But for today, I'm going to make the most of the nice weather and continue on writing book 3.

Next week is more of the same, write, write, write, and create content to post. The cycle is never ending.

[authorkrysejay]

Indie Author Update #25

Last week was a productive one! I got to chapter 34. And each time I've tried to find a point to have a time skip, plot points keep popping up. Fingers crossed chapter 34 is the last sequence of events before I'm able to give the characters and myself a break from the heavy stuff and settle into a new normal.

I made a loose timeline building up to book 2's release/ARCs and marketing as well as doing some mental health activities, like embroidery and only posting every other day on Instagram instead of daily.

I'm hoping to write two more chapters for next week and begin the next rising arc.

[authorkrysejay]

Indie Author Update #24

Onto chapter 32! Its the final chapter of the arc between act 1 to act 2 transition before things settle and move onto the next arc. I'm not a huge fan of reading 500 + page novels that only have one over reaching arc. So book 2 and 3, though larger in length are split into parts. Each part builds on to the last with higher stakes and choices Moira has to make.

Helplessness and isolation are major aspects of what makes Moira break. Her corruption throughout the series is driven by injustice and the manipulations of the main antagonist. He is the villain for a reason. But on the plus side, once he's fulfilled his purpose, he will get his dues. Book 4 is the revenge book. Muhahahaha!

I really need to stop staying up past 11 pm reading and scrolling socials cause, tho I love my furbabies, they have been waking me up at 4am to feed them. Yowling, attacking one another, racing throughout the house. It's been driving me nuts. And yes one attacks the other so I come out of my room to separate them. But the moment I do, they both race to their food bowls. Tisk.

Next week I gotta get my ass into gear going to sleep earlier, finish 2x chapters for next week and go for walks on sunny days just to get out of the house.

[authorkrysejay]

Indie Author Update #23

I've been writing pretty consistently, about 500 words per day. And I'm on chapter 31. Woot woot. The only issue is that I decided to put together several events into one cluster, and a lot of the characters are overwhelmed, so it's hard to stay in their heads or play out their actions. Yesterday I only managed to pump out like 300 words after about 4 hours of playing through scenarios.

I was able to do a nice photoshoot on Monday for posts and reels. Oh! And one of my artist friends finished my commission for the ballroom scene between Moira and her mysterious suitor in Phoenix Awakening.

I honestly can't wait to say his name, which is only revealed in the second book. I had debated changing it once a well known author came out with their new series, and named their FMC the same. But it is what it is. And in my mind, I chose the name first.

Next week, is more of the same. Writing, posting, sleeping and hanging out with my furbabies. I've been having trouble finding good books to read on my down time. I'm more of a mood reader. But I'm pretty sure I'm just burnt out. My brain is tired and empty lol. Going to take a break day today and hopefully I get back on track tomorrow.

[authorkrysejay]

Indie Author Update #22

After rereading act one and realizing it was actually pretty good, I finally got to writing yesterday. I don't know if it was the eclipse or simply that it was sunny, but the words finally got flowing. I was also able to make a break through with the rest of the plot and how to weave everything together. The pace is going to continue to speed up as shit continues to hit the fan. Muhhahaha!

I also finally decided to record several reels for instagram wearing the wig I bought for my Moira cosplay and finally show my face, since I've run out of all other ideas.

Fingers crossed I'm able to finish act 2 by the end of April, as most of the scenes I'll be able to frankinstein together from my last draft and some new stuff.

Labor by Paris Paloma, the cacophany version, has been book 3's mantra. As well as some of her other songs, like Drywall and Fruits. Kind of a spoiler/sneak peak into the main conflict and tone.

Next week, I gotta get back into the flow of writing everyday, catch up on sleep and enjoy the sunny days.

[authorkrysejay]

Indie Author Update #16

The weather deeply affects my ability to write. The drab grey cloud covered days we're been having drain my motivation. But yesterday it felt like spring finally, and after a brainstorming session with a few of my writing friends, I was able to finally get another chapter done. Now all I have left is the climax of Act One with the villain's return. Woot woot. Finally.

Sadly the local libraries in my area are not as accommodating to indie authors as I had hoped they'd be. I've tried to get into contact with the local head librarians but they have yet to get back to me about making my book available to loan as well as whether I can leave some of my bookmarks at their receptions. I wish I had more of a local support but other than online communities, there isn't one.

With the nice weather yesterday, I was able to do some more nice marketing photoshoots with my novel. And for the upcoming week, I'm planning on finishing up Act One and moving on to Act Two, while posting more often on socials.

[authorkrysejay]

Indie Author Update #15

Honestly its the small things that help. I've been stuck on every new chapter I begin working on and the stress to make it perfect makes my writers block ten times worse. But yesterday, I wrote down the intentions of the two characters (Moira and her mysterious suitor) and viola the scene began to flow.

Music is also an essential. If the vibes of the song don't match with the vibes of the scene, the movie in my mind doesn't play. The scene in question required a mix of two songs; Run to You by Alicia Moffet and Never Let Me Go by Florance and the Machines.

The romance in Hiraeth Song is a slow burn in the sense that Moira and the MMC walk a fine line between choosing duty and love. They get together physically in a no strings attached arrangement in book 2 but neither of them confront the growing feelings until book 3. The MMC honestly surprised me in his decisions and I'm kind of excited to see how the ripples affect the rest of the story.

Oh! I also finalized book 2. So the cover, synopsis and story are completed. But I'm going to wait on revealing any more information until April. So all of my focus and energy can go back into marketing and book 3.

Tomorrow I'm heading to the local libraries again, to give them my bookmarks and see if I'd be able to arrange a local meet and greet or something along those lines.

I wish I had more writing progress. But there is always the upcoming week to finally finish Act One. I'm also reluctant because I know what needs to happen and it's not pretty.

[authorkrysejay]

Indie Author Update # 13

The first week after Phoenix Awakening released has been interesting. I went to my local library to try and see if I could set up a meet and greet/ book signing but I haven't heard back. Fingers crossed I get a yes or no soon.

I have some family and friends waiting for their paperback copy of my book which is disappointing as they ordered it before the release date. And it is either coming two weeks after the fact or not updated at all. I have no control over shipping and distribution and the responses from the large companies that do are frustrating.

On a better note, I'm on chapter 20 of book 3. Woot Woot. Trying to tie up all the loose ends in act one before the major plot point shift. It been a lot of second guessing on my part as well as loving the sections I wrote before but unable to use them. But I only have roughly five more chapters to go before act 2.

My goals for this week are to begin another book 2 edit, look at book 2's cover (see if i want to change it again), rewrite book 2's synopsis, continue book 3's edit, order my bookmarks, create reels and posts for insta and scream into the void hoping something answers.

[authorkrysejay]

Indie Author Update #10

I finally got back into writing book 3! Woot woot! It's been slow moving but I'm making progress. I know what has to happen, I just have to decide when they do and how they interact/ affect each other in the sequence.

I'm waiting on approving my hardcover version, fingers crossed it will be the last one I'll have to make, and order myself another copy. And I've been creating more stuff for insta posts.

Its been snowing nonstop for the past week, including today which is oddly helping me get into book 3's mindset.

All in all looking forward to sending out my arc's for Phoenix Awakening on Friday. There's still time to sign up!

[authorkrysejay]

Indie Author Progress #8

Happy Holidays!

I spent last week working on editing book 2 again since, its mostly a grammar and spelling sweep rather than adding anything new. I'm nearly done act 1 out of 3. It's kind of funny that last year around this time, I was also struggling to write book 3's 2nd draft and now I'm struggling to write the 3rd draft. But the winter blues and the darker content makes it hard to focus and gain motivation.

In other news, I enabled my paperback for distribution on ingramsparks but my hardcover is only now printing so fingers crossed I get it sometime next week. And booksirens rejected Phoenix Awakening for an arc so I have to figure out how to send out arcs/ ask for arc readers. But I'm leaving that stress for next week.

I decided not to post much on my Instagram just to give myself a break with creating posts and content. All in all slowing down for the holidays to just enjoy them.