Back at it with the words!

Writing Wednesday Update for 11/5/2025

Helloo!

I know I haven’t written in a bit but I haven’t had anything exciting to report, really. But, this week, I have been writing. I’m typing up the few chapters that I handwrote in the latest New Witch on Campus draft. I decided to hand write for a while to sort of force myself to slow down and think about what I was writing. And, while that worked, I think it slowed me down a little too much to the point that I stopped and struggled to pull myself back.

Until this past Saturday night. I went to a Halloween party hosted by friends of mine from junior high. M and L always go all out with the decorations for Halloween and their parties are always very chill. Music playing, pot luck style munchies, maybe video games or trivia, usually beer pong and flip cup available as well because why not play like we’re still college kids.

So, as I’m catching up with a couple friends I hadn’t seen since 2 Halloweens ago, L comes and sits by me. “So, I finally got around to reading your book.” She and M had come to my signing in summer ‘24 at Barnes and Noble and bought a copy. “Yeah?” I asked, nervous. “I f***ing love it. I still have a chapter or two to go but I love it. The story, the character. I’m not sure about (character name hidden because spoilers,) though. There’s something about them I don’t like.”

I just grinned. 1) Because I have plots for that character later on and 2) I had been feeling really down about lack of book sales and starting to think what’s the point. But, when she begged to know when New Witch was coming out, I had to keep going. Because there really are people expecting the next part of the tale! And enthusiastically, too!

If I hadn’t gotten home at 1:30, I probably would have written a little that very night. But, instead, I hauled my giant binder to work with me and finished hand writing chapter 16. This week I’ve been typing up those chapters and streaming on Twitch! And feeling so good. My brain has been mush by the end of the day but it still feels good to know I’m closer to done.

Last word count check was 27,570 words typed as I was about to start chapter 16. I’d like to get my word count equal to, preferably exceeding, Welcome to Coolersville. But, I also don’t want to add filler and take away from the story. So, when I’m done, I’ll do one more pass to make sure story is good before I get down and dirty into line edits. And then the fun part of making the appearance of the book pretty. Interior format, cover, all that.

I’m going to get ISBNs next month. Only 10, though. Having to tighten the financial belt for a variety of reasons in recent weeks, I won’t have enough for the 100. But, that will get me through the next couple releases.

By next week, I’m hoping to have this whole draft done and making final revisions. That’ll be my goal the rest of the month.

Things are happening!!!