Is there any word more quietly crippling than “enough?” How many stories will never see the light of day because their creators worry they’re not good enough? How many times do we agonize over revisions, wondering if we’ve done enough work, edited the book enough times? How often do we wonder, in a general, all-encompassing way, if we will ever be enough, implying that we aren’t yet?
Typically, I sit at my computer on the last day of each month to write this newsletter without a plan (which is very unlike my plotter self). I reflect and let my feelings pour out. But this January, that smooth, cathartic release did not happen. I almost didn’t write this newsletter at all (my sincere apologies for the delay) because I didn’t think I had enough to say.
I believe the most harmful thing about “enough” comes from a disconnect between expectation and ability. The two should work in tandem to create attainable goals. I had an idea for what I wanted this newsletter to contain, and when I couldn’t include it yet, the resulting disappointment made me feel like this letter wouldn’t be good enough. But when I pressed pause and took a step back, I realized I still had plenty to share with you about January, even if it wasn’t what I’d been hoping to share.
- BookCon 2020: A few lovely members of our IG writing community have plans to meet up during this year’s BookCon (May 30-31 in New York City)! We’re keeping it casual; wandering the Con floor, attending panels, grabbing meals together. If you’re going to BookCon and would like to join us, whether at the same hotel, for a dinner reservation, or simply to meet up at the Con and say hi, please let me know! We’d be thrilled to see you there. 🥰
- #FantasyQueensLove: The #FantasyQueens short story contest founded by @lina_amarego_writes is back in time for Valentine’s Day! The theme is love and magic spells, so of course, it’s being hosted by our very own Queen of Romance, @penningfate. I’m honored to once again be on the judge’s panel. Click the image below if you missed the announcement and want to learn more:
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Writing Update
My intention for January was to hustle as hard as I could in the writing department while balancing my family responsibilities. I wasn’t able to keep it up for more than the first two weeks, because I felt like a candle being burnt at both ends; stressed from my SAHM responsibilities, and then stressed from my full-throttle editing, with no time in between to decompress. So, while I definitely got more done this month than in the previous few, it still wasn’t as much as I’d hoped.
- Pre-Beta Stage: My tentative goal is to look for beta readers who are able to read my book this April into May. I plan to first reach out to those who’ve expressed consistent interest in being a beta (which has been the absolute greatest compliment). I'll be releasing far more details about my book and what the beta process will entail in the coming months, but if you’re already interested, then first, thank you from the bottom of my heart, and second, reply to this email or DM me, so I can make sure you’re on the list of people whom I will personally send a beta reader application survey to once it’s ready!
If all goes well with my February self-edits, I will also include that survey in next month’s newsletter before I share it publicly in March. 🤞
- Novel Status Report: My WIP is another 5k words shorter this month, down to about 290k words total. I have 10 chapters left to edit. 83 pages. Despite all my past experience implying I won’t get through them in one month, I have this strange hope that I can do it.
- Map Prize: Last November, I won a free fantasy map commission from the talented @talesfromfarcliff! After plenty of back and forth emails (in which I bothered him with too much feedback and yet he graciously went above and beyond, delivering me a series of drafts), I received the final product. I’m so incredibly pleased to have my first-ever representation of the isolated nation Book 1 takes place within, Home:
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*(Click the map to see an enlarged, full resolution image in a new window, where you can zoom in to read the text/see more details).*
While I love this map, it is not necessarily the final version that will be printed in my books. I plan to commission multiple maps of Home from different artists before choosing one for publication.
Regardless, it is the first accompaniment anyone has designed for my novel, and will forever hold an irrevocably special place in my heart. Thank you for the eighty millionth time, Tom. Not only is he a skilled fantasy cartographer, but Tom is wonderfully kind, and an absolute pleasure to collaborate with.
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January Reads
I haven’t completed any books this month, which sadly, is nothing new. However, I picked back up the last published book I started exactly 1 year ago. 😬 I can’t tell you how embarrassed I am to admit that, because I’m the first person to sing from the rooftops that if you can’t make time for reading, you’re doing your writing a disservice. It’s time to kick myself back into the habit in 2020. And I’m starting it off with Godsgrave by Jay Kristoff, which I will finish this February. I should have a mini review for it in my next newsletter, so help me. 🙈
I also completed some beta reading for the lovely @author_kathrynmarie’s Midnight Maiden. She's beyond inspiring to follow as she dives, headfirst and fearlessly, into her edits (and her outline boards are works of art). It was wonderful to be a small part of her journey, and I can’t wait to see the book in its final form!
Currently, I'm alpha reading for two wonderful indie writers. I’ll be finishing one of those projects in February, so expect gushing over @benetstoen’s incredible WIP, The Heir, in my next newsletter. 😍
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Thank you, as always, for taking the time to read this email. I am so grateful for all of your love and support as I forge my own rocky, forked path toward publication. My inbox, DMs, P.O. box, etc. are always open to each of you.
💖Always,
Danielle
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Upcoming fantasy author, new mom, D&D addict, Gemini, Slytherclaw, lover of raw dough, wants to be your friend. 💕
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