Writing Update - Jan 24th, 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.

Primary Novel Update:

Book one — Mercy: Tears of the Fallen

Editing Progress: Chapter 35/48

13 chapters to go in 5 days. Jan. 28th remains my personal deadline to send off to the copy editor and I cannnnnnot wait.

Current word count: 195,431 words down from the ~202,500 from the initial start of this round of edits!

A line I loved in particular as I was going through edits.

“His eyes opened, the blue sky above peeking through the branches and green and orange leaves rustling like flowers on an open plain.”

Don’t know why—but seeing that it felt like it wasn’t even me who wrote it. The scene itself does get pretty dark, so it’s nice it starts in such a peaceful place.

As a reminder, the draft I sent to Dave had ~235,000 words. So we’ve made a bunch of progress.

I’m working at a slower pace this past week, but fortunately was able to get a lot of work done while at Marscon!

Getting this manuscript leaner is making the story feel so much more alive. And as a writer, I’m learning so much during this process. I feel going into more drafts of following books will be a lot different with this first book behind me.

Book Two — Mercy: (Title to be announced) — is sitting idly by with the first draft complete.

Current Word Count: 187,015

(Really looking forward to diving back into this one)

I did picture scenes from this book writing the subway this week and got emotional…. So idk what that means but I’m just so excited to get back into book two and all that comes with it.

(Copy pasted from last week)

Come February, as Book One is in the hands of a copy editor, I will be diving back into book two! I cannot express how excited I am to do this.

Drafting it was an emotional rollercoaster because of all the takes place. From sad, cathartic moments to ones where I finished writing and jumped out of my chair pumping my fists in the air. This book is something special to me. And I hope when it sees the light of day, it has a similar effect.

Novellas:

Mercy: During Reckoning Collection

The timeline for my Web-Serial Novella ‘Snow Mane’ is looking to be coming together.

After I get my first round of edits/rewrites of book 2 done, I will start putting more time into this project so you guys can get a chapter a week of Halvayne’s at the start of the Reckoning.

I have another Novella idea I’ve gotta some inspiration for recently I really can’t wait to dive into. Might put some time once/week into this puppy to feed that inspiration. I’ll keep you updated.

May end up becoming a novel length story, depending. But it is tentatively titled ‘The Dawn Son’.

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:

I’m working on another art commission currently to bring the opening scene of Book One to life!

A map done by Jack Shepherd is currently being worked on! We will see some drafts I believe in February—cannot wait to share it with you guys.

(Copy pasted Cover update for book two)

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