After one year and one month, I’ve finished the final draft of my current work in progress. This one is a supernatural horror/ psychological fiction novel, otherwise referred to by the working title of novel WIP#4. Title and cover to be revealed in mid 2022!
At 78,474 words, this one is looking to be a similar size, in paperback novel form, to both The Buddha’s Bone (355 pages) and Gods of Avalon Road (368 pages).
I must say that being feverish this week has strangely been good for my creativity. Since Tuesday I’ve been taking antibiotics for a strep throat infection. Over the last few weeks, my progress with the final few chapters of this novel draft had slowed down. This was mainly because I had needed to go back through the draft to check continuity, in order to make sure that the plot kept moving forward. It was a challenge making sure the suspension kept building instead of fizzling out as it neared the end. Normally being sick is a hindrance to my work, but in this case, fever dreams gave me the inspiration I needed – and the focus – to get my draft finished. I had many sleepless nights of pain, but I channelled my delirium into creativity. When life gives you fever dream lemons, you make lemonade!
So what now? Well, as I always do with my final drafts I have ordered a print copy from Lulu to read through for one final check. Once I’m happy with it I’ll get my editor to have a read through and give it the red pen treatment in the new year. If all goes as planned, it should be on my copy editor’s desk by spring 2022, with an aim to be ready for my ARC readers in the summertime ahead of an autumn publication date. Let’s see how 2022 unfolds.
Leilanie Stewart 