Hello fellow humans, there is much to say in this post . . . so let’s get started.
First of all — as I’ve stated in my socials — there’s been a major development with OHME . . . I split it into two books. Now, I didn’t want to do this initially, but, after a week of consideration, I knew there was no other avenue I could take safely. I’d intended to split the first book into two parts — each with their own arcs but obviously related — but that split was more severe than I realized. Part 1 (now book 1) is fast paced (it covers about a day) with several things happening simultaneously and POV characters that are physically close to one another in-universe, thus mingling their subplots. Whereas part 2 (now book 2) is slower, spanning several weeks or months, with several subplots that separate and unite the POV characters in completely different ways. The two are just so different that to keep them in the same book would create massive whiplash for the reader — to be honest, the only reason I didn’t notice this earlier is because of my hiatus in writing Evercrown when I buckled down on TSOC last year.
So, now Our Holy Mother is a four part series with Evercrown still being the name of book 1. For the moment, the second book is as yet unnamed and will just be referred to as OHM book 2 until I think of a working title.
As for everything else . . . my schedule has been invaded with busy weekends, which is fine in and of itself — I enjoy all the things I have to do — but it means my editing days are a little strained. To amend this issue I’ve decided to majorly screw with my system. Firstly, I wrote two chapters in PMH before Jan. 5 — the intended beginning of this cycle — and then wrote two more this week and have since edited them all to draft 2 status as of last night. Now, because of my head-start with PMH this month, I decided to prioritize it, which means — secondly, I will write the last two chapters in PMH for this cycle tomorrow after work and Tuesday. Then, thirdly, I’ll write two chapters in OMH book 2 followed by a short story in PA.
These changes aren’t directed at the content — that remains identical — instead focusing on the order of their development based on importance of completion (with Project Murder House leading the race, obviously). The real change to this cycle will be with my time spent in the ultimate week.
Because my seasonal job, The Hippo Events, demands my undivided attention from mid Feb. to mid March and I’m determined to get those six chapters of PMH in for Feb. AND March, I’ve scheduled every day before and after for writing. Which means there will only be two days to edit PMH chapters 13 - 18 to draft 3 (no problem — I do it in that time anyway) before I start in on 19 - 21 and follow it up with edits only to tackle 22 - 25 the same.
Feb.’s and March’s schedules are similar to my scheme for Jan., but extremely crunched to let me finish it in 2 1/2 weeks each month instead of four. However, this will not become my normal routine. God help me. I’ll fall right back into my lovely, evenly distributed 2 chapters of PMH a week with alternating a chapter in OMH book 2 and a short story. So, this quarter will be insanely busy, I’ll probably overwork and exhaust myself, but I want to get PMH done and this is how I can do it.
It’s harsh on myself, but I’m the only one who can write my books; and if I can’t motivate (or force, if I’m honest) myself to get the work done, how can I ever hope to be an author? Having the support of others can be crucial — validation and encouragement are fan-friggin-tastic — but the ability to be the harsh boss that puts you to the grind and makes sure you do the work even if you hate doing it? That’s what it takes to see a dream happen, sometimes, and that’s what I’ve got to do at the moment to ensure I don’t lag behind.
Alright, y’all, that’s it from me today. Big changes are ahead, but if we persevere, then we shall reap a bountiful harvest. I love y’all, and as always, keep writing, keep creating, keep striving to bring your dreams into reality.