Hooray! The first draft of my third fiction novel is complete. Many of you know it was a struggle to get inspired for my third story. I think it’s because I put so much pressure on this one – being the last of the three-book promise I had made to myself back in 2011.
Recap: When I moved to Rome in 2011, I challenged myself to write a book. From there, my first book THE LOVE FOOL was born. During that writing process, I promised myself that if I can write one book, I will write three.
This third book was a struggle. In my plans, I knew I wanted one of my books to be set in Naples, but I pushed that setting off because I wasn’t ready. My first book, THE LOVE FOOL, was inspired by and set in Rome. My second book, A MISTAKE INCOMPLETE, I decided to pay homage to my time in Milan, by setting the story there. But one of these books was always going to be set down in the Campania region… I just wasn’t exactly sure where. Eventually, I decided on the city of Naples.
Research began a while ago, but actual writing started in November 2022 – with about 5000 words. As of April 25, 2023, I ended this story with roughly 73,000 words. This word count is for this first draft, though. I just printed the manuscript for my next step: reading and editing, adding, and adjusting the story for consistency and flow. Which would then lead me to my second draft, that I plan to share with my assigned beta-readers to read, review and provide their feedback notes.
Once I receive the beta-readers notes, I will go back into the manuscript and make any corrections or adjustments based on their feedback. Once that’s complete, I would be ready to share with an editor for grammar, spelling, and again consistency.
Note that while I wait for the beta-reader feedback, and then the editor’s notes, I work on marketing plans, distribution plans and, of course, cover design with an artist.
You can follow along on my social media, of course. At least until I have a page up on this website dedicated to the third book.
More information, title, and book cover reveal coming soon.
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