While My Manuscript Gently Edits…
The Mereland Chronicles: The Crier is off to the editor. That moment brought a mix of excitement and nerves, but mostly a strong urge to finally get this book over the line and into readers’ hands.
There was no grand ritual when I hit send. It was just nice to know the endless cycle of reviewing, tweaking, and double-checking loose ends was finally over (hopefully). That’s not to say every thread is tied up. Some are left hanging on purpose, and a few questions won’t be answered until Book Two. You’ll see.
One scene that continues to resonate with me, even after letting the book go, is Henry’s desperate dash up to Claife Heights.
He’s reeling after a moment that changes everything.
It was painful and challenging to write, but important. That turning point reshapes how he perceives trust, love, and his place in the world. His journey to that moment is one of the emotional anchors of the story.
Now that the manuscript is out of my hands, there’s a creative gap where writing used to be. I’ve filled it by shifting focus to something I wouldn’t usually spend much time on: promotion. I’m busying myself with book trailers, teaser graphics, blog content, and social posts, and I’m really enjoying it. It’s been a new and surprisingly rewarding way to explore the story and the world of Mereland.
That said, it’s not always smooth sailing. The frustrating part is trying to get what’s in my head into a piece of media that actually works. Unfortunately, I’m no artist, graphic designer, or videographer. I’m just little old me with a phone camera, a few ideas, and some tools. It’s a struggle and a steep learning curve, but my fledgling experience editing photos for my stock sites has been useful.
Adding to the restlessness, I’ve been benched from running and hiking thanks to plantar fasciitis. So it’s tennis balls under my feet, ice packs, and enforced downtime. Not exactly my cup of tea. Walking, especially long hikes in remote places, has always been my best thinking time. It’s where the big ideas land. It’s how The Mereland Chronicles really took root: during trail runs and hikes into the wild, with a flask of tea and the space to imagine.
With less time on my feet, I’ve had more time to read. I finally got round to Sixty-Six Chances by Nick Buxton, a local author I met in a pub a couple of years ago. His book’s been on my list ever since, and I’m glad I made time for it. Think The Time Traveler’s Wife meets Back to the Future. I really enjoyed the story and highly recommend it. My latest read, The Hike by Lucy Clarke, is turning out to be another real page-turner.
Reading helps me stay sharp. I love seeing how other writers handle structure, character, tension, and pacing. I talked more about this in my post on Reading with the Writer’s Eye, if you’re curious.
Despite all this, in the background, something’s tugging at me. I drafted Book Two in the Mereland series nearly ten years ago. The Crier, being a prequel, took over in the meantime. But now that it’s nearly ready for launch, maybe it’s time to revisit that old draft. The Crier has laid the foundation, so perhaps it’s time to see where the narrative wants to lead next.
Before that, though, there’s promotion, the cover reveal, and formatting to focus on.
Let’s get this book finally launched!
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