The sixth draft for Book 4 of the Stormfall Chronicles is finally done. The text now stands at 122,000 words long, up from 118,000 at the end of the fifth draft.
It took longer than expected, with my two oldest daughters in college now. They're back for winter break this next week.
I'd like to give the text one more proof-read before cutting it loose for publication. Almost there.
The fifth draft to Book 4 of the Stormfall Chronicles is finally done. The text now stands at 118,000 words long, up from 114,000 at the end of the fourth draft.
My two oldest daughters are still wrapping up their spring semester, so it will be a couple more weeks before they can begin beta-reading the final text.
It's definitely getting closer to being publication-ready. Time to start thinking about cover designs as well.
While my oldest two daughters have been visiting over winter break, beta-reading the latest edits to the prequel to the series, I've been making use of my time editing Book 4 of the Stormfall Chronicles.
I've now completed the fourth draft of the book, with the text growing from 111,000 words at draft three, to 114,000 words at draft four. It's been good to see the story arcs of Lynette, Baxter and Eirlon (among others) finally drawing to their conclusion. It will still need another couple of rounds of edits - but it's getting close.
The prequel to the series, meanwhile, should be released on Vella later this month. Looking forward to it.
It's been great having all of my daughters at home over the break. Sharing stories, movies, and games again. I'll be sad to see them returning to their respective campuses at the end of this week.
I've completed editing the third draft to Book 4 of the Stormfall Chronicles. The total word count has grown from 106,000 under the second draft, to 111,000 words today.
For reference, I have attached a tracking chart, for visualizing my writing progress in comparison to the prior novels. Although the first two drafts for Book 4 took longer to write and edit than I would have anticipated, the third draft is in line with the turn-around time expected from the previous novels.
I've finally completed editing the second draft to Book 4 of the Stormfall Chronicles. Between the first and second draft, the total word count has grown from 78,000 to 106,000 words.
This is similar to the word count for Book 2 at this same point in the editing process, which went from 74,000 to 105,000 words between the first and second draft. Book 2 totaled some 121,000 words by the time the final draft was released. I'm hoping Book 4 is a little closer to its final form at this point, than was the case for Book 2.
The editing process has taken a lot longer than I had hoped it would, but at least this draft is done. My first draft usually forms a skeleton for the story, and I rely on the second draft to fill-in missing chapters and scenes.
Editing for Book 4 continues. I'm now a little more than two-thirds of the way through the second draft for the novel, with a total word count of 99,000 as of today. At the end of the first draft, it may be recalled, I was at 78,000 words.
For me, the first draft is always very rough. The second draft has to add a lot of scenes and material to fill in any gaps. Still much to do, but making progress.
https://www.thefaeriereview.com/2021/05/inside-the-mind-j-w-golan/
The editing process for Book 4 has been stretched out. Too many day-to-day demands on my time, it would seem.
I have begun editing the novel in the same way in which I began composing it: with the final chapters. I have now completed my first round of edits on the final quarter of the novel. The word count has climbed from 78,000 words at the end of the first draft to 90,000 words today. Hopefully the edit process for the earlier chapters will flow a little more quickly.
The first draft of Book 4 is finally complete. Like most of my first drafts, it's a messy thing. There are a lot of scenes which I'll need to go back and add, and a lot of refinement which needs to be done for each scene. At long last, however, the first draft is complete.
It took me a bit longer to pen this draft than it did for the prior novels. At 78,000 words in length, it has required some 19 weeks to complete, for an average writing pace of 580 words per day - as compared to 880 words per day for the first draft of Book 2 and 930 words per day for Book 3. I had to divert a certain amount of time and energy during the past few months towards tutoring my daughters in their classwork, so the slower pace is inevitable.
This first draft is slightly longer than the initial draft for Book 2 (74,000 words), but is shorter than the initial draft for Book 3 (98,000 words).
Looking forward to editing the novel and adding those missing details during the coming weeks.
I've exceeded 70,000 words into the first draft of Book 4 in the Stormfall Chronicles. Into the finale of the series now. A lot to juggle as the story arc closes in on its conclusion.
The first draft always takes longer than I plan for. Between my day job and family time commitments, it's always a challenge to find the hours needed to write. I'm grateful that I've had the opportunity to make it this far. I already have ideas floating in my mind for the cover design as well.
I've finally surpassed 60,000 words for the first draft of Book 4 in the Stormfall Chronicles. As I've hinted at before, this will be the final installment in the original story arc, following the experiences of Lynette, Baxter and others, as they face an epic battle for the future of their world.
As the final chapters in the first draft take shape, I can already begin to see beyond the original series. Possibilities run through my mind for spin-off stories, following some of the many characters who appear in the current series. The temptation to complete some of their miniature story arcs is becoming ever more irresistible as the epic story nears its closure.
If I do decide to write a follow-on novel or novels, however, I expect them to be structured as stand-alone novels - more narrowly focused on a single story arc and character. Juggling an epic fantasy has been an exciting undertaking, but has also absorbed more energy and time than a more conventional fantasy tale would require. Something for me to think on.
It's good to have a few days off. Time to spend with family and maybe make some progress on the next novel in the Stormfall Chronicles.
Book 4 is expected to wrap up the story arc of Lynette and Baxter. I'm currently at 22,000 words. Making progress, but much more to go.
Hope everyone has a wonderful holiday. Looking forward to 2021.
I'm currently 12,000 words into the first draft for Book 4 of the Stormfall Chronicles. If this draft turns out to be similar in length to the first draft for Book 3, it will probably be close to 100,000 words when complete.
From past experience, that places the completion for draft one of Book 4 at around mid-March. Not as close as I would have liked. Hopefully I can make better progress after my day-job lets out for the final week of December.
Writing is a marathon, I keep reminding myself.
It has been really exciting, following along with the release of the third novel in the Stormfall Chronicles this month. I've been playing around with a few different advertising strategies, including my first-ever ad on Facebook. This was also the first time Book 1 in the series was eligible for many of the promotional web services - which often have a ten-review minimum (ten reviews on the Amazon US website) before they'll consider promoting a title.
It nonetheless feels good, however, to have found time this past weekend to resume writing the fourth book in the Stormfall Chronicles. The fourth book is expected to conclude the story arc which began when Lynette left her small village and set out to attend the Fae Academy in Book 1. Being both the publisher as well as the marketer for the launch of Book 3 has had its own moments. But it's still nice to be writing again.
A world descending into war; a fabled healer who might be their last, best hope; and a princess, locked in a tower, guarded by a dragon.
Lynette sets out with Baxter and Eirlon in search of a healer: the fabled Medicine Man of Horru. It is a desperate gambit to revive the fae king and avert a larger war.
But the route they take will prove perilous. They risk losing everything, even each other, in a world gone mad with the stirrings of war. Armies have gathered on the borders of the Feyfell – lured by legends of fae wealth. With King Elyan poisoned and unconscious, the kingdom is visible, and vulnerable to outside invaders for the first time in centuries. And while the fae nobles debate rules of succession, Princess Elise remains missing.
Will it all be too much for Lynette to bear? Will she survive the loss of what she holds dear – and if she does, will she ever be the same? For who among them would dare descend into the realm of the undead, to retrieve a princess from a dragon-guarded tower?
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08CNNJBBDI'm expecting to have the Cover Reveal in September, which is when I'm also expecting to have ARC editions available.
