Writing Update - Jan 10th, 2025

Hey guys!

As always, expect them every Friday at Noon EST along with a video talking about my reading and some other writing updates if that suits you better.

I segment writing updates into current drafting phases and refer to whatever projects I have in the works to be as transparent as possible. I’m excited for you all to be engaged with the world of Mercy—so here. we. go.

Novellas:

This is where you’ll notice the most change from last weeks, so I moved it to the top of the list.

Mercy: The Reckoning Collection

My newest update—as I wait for the second round of edits of the main novel back—is that I’m working through a during Reckoning Novella collection idea log I’ve been wanting to put to paper.

I’ve drafted 1,833 words this week (encompassing a single chapter) of a novella told in the first person by Alevist Lightseeker and his journey at the start of the Reckoning.

I would love to post these chapters after a very soft edit—so I’d love to hear what everyone thinks in that regard. Would you guys want to be a part of the process in seeing weekly chapters of this novella until it’s complete?

Are you okay with mostly getting raw writing of a story within Mercy? My biggest issue with drafting usually comes to worldbuilding and how much I’m saying at any given time (a weakness I’m growing fond of working on).

Let me know!

Snow Mane is still sitting around 3,000 words. To dive a bit more into the structure of this novella (as I did indeed spend a day working on it this past week):

Each chapter will be split up into a weekly account of our main character’s journey out on the water at the first contact of the Reckoning. He’s alone, sixteen years old, and performing his cultures birthright of sailing around the entire continent.

This story will definitely deal with some ethereal and cosmic presence—and will unwrap some of the mystery around deities (or at least how this particular character sees them) while also diving into aspects of self destruction and self-actualization.

The Dawn Son

Nothing new to really update on this one. I did get back into it to write a pre-battle war room interaction, but that’s all I can really say as this one is fun for me to play around with.

Primary Novel Update:

Nothing new here—so last week’s write up will be in this section!

Book one — Mercy: Tears of the Fallen — the cover has been released!

Current word count: 202,385 words

I spent the last 16 days going through the first round of edits to cut it down from 235,000 words.

Dave Butler (My editor) wants to see AT LEAST a 60k word cut, adding around 10k total words. Netting a loss of 50k. There’s still roughly about 10-15k I can lose on the next round of edits, and I’m looking forward to seeing the end result.

Book Two — Mercy: (Title to be announced) — is sitting idly by with the first draft complete. I’ll likely be picking this one back up for second and third round self-edits by February.

Current Word Count: 187,015

(Really looking forward to diving back into this one)

Short Stories:

Before Reckoning (Anthology Title)

The Blood Rebellion Short Story is available in the “Before Reckoning” collection! If you haven’t, check it out and let me know your thoughts—I’ve been very excited to share this one.

Artwork:

No updates here—so I’ll leave last week’s typing for yall!

I have a piece currently being worked on by MaxBeechCreative on Instagram! It’s the opening scene and I’m so excited to see what comes out of this.

In terms of a cover for book two, I’m penciled in with the same artist for Book one’s (Stuart Bache—who’s done Jacquelyn Haegen’s work and Ryan Cahill’s as well). I should be starting that process come July, so a book two cover will be ready to rock come August/September of this year!! I will later announce a date for book two once I dive back into rework the first draft.

Stay dangerous,

Chance