Writing A Book: Update #3

Okay so I'm aware that this post is long overdue as it's been over a month since my last update, however I had originally wanted to finish the first draft before posting this. Naturally life threw a spanner in the works and for the past couple of weeks or so, I've found myself totally and utterly unable to write. I'm going to get onto to more about that in a little bit, but I've got a couple of other things to discuss first. 

Firstly, if you haven't read either of my previous posts about writing my first novel I'll link the first one - which is all about falling back in love with fiction writing - here and the second - a general progress update plus the blurb and some cover designs here. I'd probably be tempted to read those first as otherwise you might be slightly confused by some of the things I'm talking about.

But now, back to why I've been experiencing writer's block. To be honest it's not even that I don't know where the story is going; I'm currently milling on 81,000 words and with just under 10K or so left to go until I reach the ending, I know exactly how the story will progress to reach that point. It's merely I've been lacking motivation somewhat. And I've said before (and the same goes for blogging) that if I feel as though I'm not enjoying something or simply doing it because I have to, then I will stop. I don't want to ever feel as though I have to write, as if I'm under obligation to continue for example. So I decided to take a little break and haven't written anything for two weeks. But I was at work the other day and suddenly found myself missing the characters and the process of writing, which hopefully means I'll be back up on my feet in no time!

Okay now onto the actual story. As it's been a little while since the last update I imagine most of you have probably forgotten the blurb I shared, so I thought I'd post it again. I've also been toying with the idea of posting an exert since a couple of people have expressed interest in reading it. Choosing which part to post however, was more difficult than I thought it would be. I didn't want to use the first chapter (chronologically) because to be honest it's not the most exciting or well written. I feel now may be the best time to point out that my work is currently in first draft status, therefore it's probably not as well written as it could be as it hasn't undergone any major editing yet. Though saying that, I'm pretty happy with the section that I'm going to post, so hopefully you guys will like it! 

The Blurb

Do you ever get that feeling you’re being followed? That spine tingling, hairs prickling, shiver down the back of your spine. 

Emilie did.

And confiding in a boy with whom she’d formed an uneasy acquaintance only proved to make her more paranoid. But nothing, not even her worries of secret small-town gangs, could have prepared her for what she discovered upon following him to the town boundaries. For hidden amongst rock crevices is an entrance to a world she’d never thought could truly exist.

But nothing can stay a secret forever, as Emilie is thrown into a world alight with tension, intrigue and danger. The Faerie Courts, a stone’s throw from being at war with one another, a kidnapped best friend and two brothers intent on causing havoc in each other’s lives.

How can one eighteen year old girl survive in a place she barely understands? 

When all she wants is to save her friend and go home, can anything make her stay?

The only thing she knows for sure is that none of it was supposed to happen but she’s fallen deep for a world she cannot expect to keep.

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Okay, so that was the blurb, if you've got any questions regarding my story please, please don't hesitate to ask! I'm now going to include the section of the book that I've chosen. It's not too long, and I'd love to know your thoughts on my writing or the characters (To be fair this section is mostly Emilie, the main character as I didn't want to do a huge information dump without any context!) or if there's anything you would change!

*

Read A Section From My Book:

Up ahead she saw Casper exit his vehicle, not bothering to check behind him. This was a godsend because if he had, he would have surely noticed her, lurking in undergrowth, body shivering from the chill. 

As silently as she could, Emilie eased open the car door, slipping out. Ignoring the sense of foreboding that was building within her, she clung to the darkest shadows and began following Casper into the night. 

It may have been the way the shadows enveloped him, but out here, in the middle of nowhere, he seemed different. His walk – more elegant, his stance – leaner. Like a trained dancer or an acrobat. But then again, it may just be the fast fading light, for down here she could barely see ten metres. 

She followed him, hardly daring to take breath for maybe a quarter of a mile, through rocky terrain and overgrown grasses. He clearly knew where he was going as he didn't stop once to check a map, or even take a glance behind him. Up ahead she could see a tall rock face looming out of the darkness like some great mythological creature. Underneath the many ridges and cutouts that lined the rocks edge was a cave entrance. If she’d thought it dark out here, in there the blackness seemed to swallow everything up. Pausing from behind a particularly dense bush she watched with growing incredulousness mixed with the painful tang of fear as Casper strolled towards the opening. He didn't seem scared or even curious, his stride made her think of someone who knew exactly what they were doing and why they were there. 

At the opening two figures loomed from the blackness. It was instinct that had Emilie drawing back into the shadows. Something had shifted in the air when the others arrived. Hardly daring to move she leaned around the leaves a little more. Casper was talking intently, gesturing something with his hands. The taller of the others said something back, and Casper nodded. Without another word he headed straight into the cave. 

Emilie was torn, did she follow him? Not whilst the others were there that’s for sure. If she had wandered in on some top secret gang meeting, she seriously didn't want to be caught. Glancing up, she noticed with a start that the figures had gone. Cursing herself for not paying closer attention she began to edge forward a little into the clearing.

However she barely made it five steps before a hand gripped her upper arm holding her still in it’s steely grip. She wanted to scream, to thrash about, but she couldn’t. She was utterly, completely paralysed with fear.

‘Tai. Over here.’ The thing grasping her arm had a voice, it was smooth, masculine. For some reason this was what had her snapping back to reality and she began fighting with all she had to free herself. But even with her thrashing around, the person holding her was far stronger. 

The sound of someone crashing through the undergrowth, pierced through the silence of the night and into her vision stepped the boy from the parking lot. There was a devious smile etched on his lips, as he ran his fingers through his wildly curly hair.

*

Okay! So that's officially the first part of my book ever to be published on the internet! I'm kind of excited but also kind of nervous right now. I'm sure anyone who's ever written, be it fiction or even blog writing - has experienced the slight fear of what people will think but hopefully you enjoyed it, though to be honest I'd welcome any kind of feedback!

And lastly before I go I did just want to say that I will be doing another writing update post when I eventually finish the first draft and if you'd like to see any more exerts, then please drop me a comment and I'll include another one!