Sorry readers, it’s been a while.
Writing this third Wintersea book has been an experience. It turns out there’s a lot of pressure in wrapping up multiple story lines into a hopefully satisfactory conclusion without disappointing readers or leaving anything unresolved. Add to that a job, kids, classes, and the general state of things, and combine that with a heavy dose of perfectionism, and you have the perfect storm to result in the slowest drafting process ever.
I learned a term “Crap Draft” a little while ago, which helped me a bit. As an editor, my desire to produce a sparkling first draft holds me back quite a bit and often paralyzes me. But CRAP DRAFT? It’s right in the title. It takes a long time to produce a first draft. But a Crap Draft? Much less pressure.
I am happy to say, I have now produced a Crap Draft of my third Wintersea book. Its the messiest first draft I’ve ever written, but it’s also better than I expected. This book has some grittiness to it, some intensity, but also love and hope. I’m excited to shape it into the ending these characters deserve.
I have also produced a second draft of the prequel, which takes place twenty years before the events of Wintersea.
I’m hoping to publish both of these books in 2026. Stay tuned!
Liz Highland 