Welcome to my newest ad-hoc blog – my novel updates! A chance for me to document my progress on my ongoing novel edits. For those of who you have recently followed me (hi!), you can check out my novel page for more information on my WIP!
In previous monthly blogs, I’ve included a small section about my novel “Assassins 1”, whenever there was an update to warrant words being dedicated to it. I still haven’t chosen a title for it, but I have tentatively called the series The Akrion Cycle. For a story that has been ongoing for almost 2 and a half years, this is quite a monumental milestone in my process! I’ve finally nailed down the overall theme of my stories, especially the wider arc – Assassins is trilogy one of 3 trilogies that I’m planning for this world, and I needed a name which touches on aspects of all three trilogies not just the first one!
In terms of the first story in this series, “Assassins 1”, I’m in the middle of yet another editing round of section 1. Nailing characterisation is really important to me – before I can go through and overhaul the remaining ¾ of the book (some of which is still the origjanl draft from my nanowrimo 2018!) I need to understand who my characters are. In the last set of drafts, I’ve added a new MC, a new POV and aged everyone up by about 10 years. It’s shifted the tone of the story quite significantly, for the better but means another round of edits to the key opening sequence.
Beginnings are always tough, and I think series beginnings are even tougher. You’re not just setting up the book but the larger arcs that will go across the trilogy, or even further beyond that. A lot of my edits this month have been around shaping what I’m revealing in the key sequences, why, and how this impacts the characters during the rest of the story.
The goal for the next few months is to nail this section. I’m almost there, and hoping that I can finish that editing round before the start of June. Given the current state of the manuscript, it’ll be a bit of a push, but then I’m always up for a bit of a challenge!
Alex.J.Cobalt is a fantasy writer from the UK. When she’s not working away at her fantasy novel series, she posts free flash fictions on her website, along with regular blogs about writing.
Featured Image by Freddy Castro on Unsplash
More of my writing blogs:
- Starting the Realm of the Elderlings – Assassin’s Apprentice review
My introduction to the Realm of the Elderlings got off to a rocky start when I realised I started with the wrong book. Namely, the book that was the trilogy … More Starting the Realm of the Elderlings – Assassin’s Apprentice review - You write what you read
It’s been a while since I’ve done one of these updates about my fantasy novel The Akrion Cycle (Book 1). The last six months have not got much to show … More You write what you read - An summer’s evening thoughts
This time of year is always my favourite – before the full heat and intensity of summer has hit, but still warm enough to enjoy the outside. Whilst this month … More An summer’s evening thoughts - My Thoughts on An Echo of Things to Come
When I started An Echo of Things to Come by James Islington, I was certain of two things. Firstly, reading a huge fantasy story that I hadn’t read before on … More My Thoughts on An Echo of Things to Come - Why you need to go outside
If you are active on any kind of social media, you are likely to see photos of beautiful writing setups, cosy desks, achievements of those who have written ten thousand … More Why you need to go outside - Edits, Edits, Edits
In April 2020, I wrote 40,000 in one month on my novel. In April 2022, I’ve written…about 2,000. But you know what? I’ve still written more valuable words, because they … More Edits, Edits, Edits
Alex.J.Cobalt 