Writing Update: Progress of a Different Kind

What happened?

Last update, I reported I was almost to the midpoint. As I write this, I’m only just past the midpoint. Which means that technically, I’ve only rewritten a few chapters since April.

It hurts a little to admit that.

But only a little.

Because while I did not get as far into the next act as I’d hoped, I made progress of a different kind: another series of epiphanies, which set off a cascade of realizations, which all resulted in a much-needed refinement of character, theme, and plot.

So in addition to rewriting chapters, my time was split between:

• Refining arcs for the three supporting POV characters (including the love interest)

• Tying the supporting character arcs in with the main character arc

• Re-drafting the final sequence with all the arcs in mind

• Discovering the central theme of Echoes (or rather, realizing what I was trying to say all along)

• Landing on a new working title (I’m not ready to share this, but for now all I’ll say is that it still has the word Echoes)

I’ve had my fair share of frustrating days, but I’ve accepted those will never really go away. And I don’t want them to. Frustration is a sign that I’m doing a hard thing. That I’m learning. And I’ve noticed that my most frustrating days (sometimes weeks) result in my best ideas and solutions.

What’s next?

I will continue the rewrite, armed with my refined character, theme, and plot guidelines. Thanks to the recent hard-won epiphanies, I have a stronger sense of confidence and clarity about what this story truly means, both to me and to my readers. And with that comes a sense of excitement.  

Because guys, when it’s done, it’s going to be so good.

And I can’t wait for you to read it.