Some of you might be very pleased to know that, as of last night, the completed first draft of Blood Dark is on my editor’s desk. Yay!!!

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

I’ve recently had a few conversations with readers eagerly awaiting their next installment of Blackthorn as well as querying why it takes so long between books. First of all, it’s flattering that it feels like such a long wait! Second of all, in truth, the turnaround with Blackthorn books is actually quite quick – especially considering their average 120K word count, and the complexity of the overarching story that runs through the series. Here’s a little of what happens:

START TO FINISH

It usually takes me around eight weeks to write the first draft of a Blackthorn book (bearing in mind all of the series is already plotted out). During that time, amidst copious amounts of note making, it’s head down and writing chapter after chapter. A first draft is all about getting the story down in its raw form – no rewriting or worrying about all the finer details, because that comes later. The first draft is so my editor can judge if the story that I originally intended has made it onto the page in a way that is structurally sound. They’ll look at everything from story arc to character development and journey, to pacing, and, in the case of Blackthorn, how it fits into the overarching plot too.

Aside from when the finished book goes out to reviewers for the first time, waiting for this initial feedback is definitely the most daunting part of the entire process.

SO CAN YOU NOW ANNOUNCE THE RELEASE DATE?

Despite being nagged to within an inch of my life to be more specific (you’re all so lovely), I can still only indicate ‘Summer’ for release. We do have a provisional month, but it doesn’t get shared until my editor decides how much structural work the book needs and, in liaison with my publisher, I agree to the timescales I believe I can work to based on the initial feedback. I’ll give you more information as soon as I can, I promise!

AFTER THAT…

After the structural edits are completed, I receive the line edits – the nitty-gritty of all those finer details. Once the line edits are completed and approved by me, a brand new set of eyes then come in with the copy edits to focus on the spelling, the grammar, the consistencies etc. Again, I make any necessary changes and then have to approve these too. After that, it heads off to the typesetter. Once I have approved the final version, the book is then distributed as an ARC (Author Review Copy) via my publisher to reviewers. That’s not taking into account all the other work my publisher does leading up to that point. This all happens before it gets anywhere near my readers.

WHAT HAPPENS BETWEEN EDITS?

Between edits is a vital time to catch up on all the things I don’t have time to do while actually writing. It is the perfect time for me to get blog posts written; to respond a little quicker to all my readers who get in touch; and, of course, make a start on the next Blackthorn book (I get withdrawal after about three days). It’s also the chance to clear up the copious amounts of post-it notes, notepads, scrap bits of paper (sometimes thoughts come when you least expect them), pencils, pens, mugs, and anything else in the writer trail I’ve left around the house whilst in “the zone” – only for it all to start again a couple of weeks later…

SO THANKS FOR BEING THERE

Writing has to be the best job ever. I love every minute of mine, and completing a first draft is one of the best feelings. But it’s not an easy job. Like any job, some days are really tough. It’s not the kind of thing we’re supposed to confess to but I think it’s good, particularly for aspiring authors (I know a few follow this blog), to know that none of us are immune to that wall of self-doubt that can hit at any time. If mine could have knocked me out cold these past couple of months, I think it would have – and, some days, it nearly did.

This is when I count myself very lucky to have you because, during the past couple of months while I’ve been working on Blood Dark, not more than two days have gone by without a reader emailing me, or messaging me, or tweeting me to share what they’ve enjoyed, tell me they’ve just discovered Blackthorn, or have now finished all four, or have asked when the next one is out… There is nothing quite like those intermittent boosts to fend off all those negative jabs that can really affect the writing process. So thank you, Team Blackthorn, as always, for every snippet of encouragement and support you continue to send my way. Blood Dark is now that one giant leap closer.

I’ll be back on the weekend with that blog post about Blood Deep’s Jessie and Eden that I’ve been promising you for ages. Until then, have a great week! <3