I finished writing my book...now what?

Introduction

Hey, fellow readers and dreamers alike! Today, I'm sharing with you all the rollercoaster ride that was completing the first draft of the rewrite for my YA portal fantasy novel, "The Winds of Destiny." What was supposed to be a quick sprint turned into a marathon, thanks to some unexpected life twists. Grab your favourite beverage, and let's dive into the tale of chaos, creativity, and triumph!

Unexpected Detours & New Rhythms

Remember that grand plan I had to breeze through the rewrite in a couple of months? Well, life had other ideas. Positive changes barged in, rearranged my schedule, and extended my timeline. But here's the kicker – every delay brought with it a fresh perspective and a burst of creative inspiration. So, no complaints here!

The past month has been a dance between adapting to a new full-time job and maintaining the fantasy flow. Balancing the 9-to-5 hustle with my late-night writing sessions felt like learning a new dance. There were stumbling steps, but eventually, I found the beat and started grooving.

A Decade in the Making

"The Winds of Destiny" has been my literary companion for nearly ten years. Can you believe it? Revisiting it wasn't just about patching up plot holes; it was about recognizing how much I've evolved as a storyteller since my first dive into this fantasy saga. The nostalgia hit hard, but the growth was undeniable. There's so much that I've learned about what makes a story and was able to apply to this draft. Now, I feel like I have a clearer vision and goal for this story, as well as for this trilogy as a whole.

There were so many moments when I wanted to give up on this story. But, each time I almost did, something aways drew me back. I'm convinced that there are always two stories going on when an author writes a book: one is the actual story they're spilling upon the blank page, and the second is the journey the writer goes through in writing that story. And mine, like so many others, is one of perseverance...

Completing the first draft of this rewrite feels like reaching the summit after a challenging hike. Looking back, I see the messiness and beauty of the journey – the unexpected delays, the hard-fought victories, and the invaluable lessons learned along the way. It's all part of the adventure, my friends!

2024: Big Plans, Big Dreams

As we kick off February, my ambitious goal for the year is to get both "The Winds of Destiny" and its sequel, "The Tides of Fate," polished and ready for publication. I can't make any promises as to when these books will be released to the world. There's a lot more work to be done, such as sketching out an outline for the final book in this trilogy (which I hope to start writing in 2025).

Reflecting on the Journey

So, here we are – the saga of "The Winds of Destiny" and the wild ride it took me on.

The first draft is officially in the bag, and I'm riding a wave of relief and excitement. I'm also SO excited to be getting into the revision stage of this project, which I honestly enjoy WAY more than drafting (unpopular opinion...I know).

I can't help but smile at the journey this has been so far.

Here's to chasing dreams, navigating life's whirlwinds, and rewriting our stories, one epic chapter at a time. Here's to the next adventure! ✨