It’s been a looong time coming, but I’m finally working on a first round of edits for the next novel, Starling’s Weave. This one is tentatively slated to drop in the springtime with Entangled Teen. This will be my fifth novel published with this scrappy and awesome American publisher. 

The manuscript was finished and in the press’s hands over a year ago, and in the meantime, I’ve  also just submitted another novel for publication (Yep, I’ve been busy): Ramble & Cross. I’m hopeful that one will come out before too long, as well. 

Starling’s Weave is exciting for me in that it represents a clear transition for me as a writer. In contrast to the previous four (in which — according to my kid, anyway — I mash together sci-fi and fantasy), this is the first fantasy novel I’ve penned in a while. It’s also the first full-on fantasy I’ve developed since actually knowing how to write a novel. When I published Pluto’s Gate (a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away) I would argue I still had a lot to learn about…everything to do with novel writing. Seventh novel’s a charm, I guess.

I am ‘that writer,’ the one who literally maps out whole religious systems, monetary and economic structures, terrains and what kind of ecosystems the land supports.

The fantasy genre plays to my strengths. I’m able to flex my substantial world-building muscles in fantasy and sci-fi, which for me is always a delight. I am ‘that writer,’ the one who literally maps out whole religious systems, monetary and economic structures, terrains and what kind of ecosystems the land supports. You should see the pile of crappy maps I drew (or did not draw, according to who has to look at my scribblings) while writing Starling’s Weave. I love documenting how characters, communities and societies adapt to and evolve within their environments.

I originally toyed with the idea of creating a duology or trilogy within this new world, so I was ‘extra deep’ in my excavations before writing. Sometimes, though, such detailed world-building leads to other problems. An author can overwhelm readers with complex worlds – even turn them off. It can become difficult to attach readers to the characters, rather than the world.

A good editor (like my current Entangled Teen editor, Hoda!!) can help steer a writer through these rocky shores. I’ve been very inspired by Hoda’s guidance, and she’s clearly laid a path to help me make the novel stronger. It’s a process of discovery and delight. 

Some writers don’t enjoy the editing process. I guess I’m one of the lucky ones. I find editing, by turns, thrilling and exhilarating. Can’t wait to tell you more, but in the meantime… I’m busy writing.