Heather C. Page's Blog: Heather Page's Blog

Book published

Elodie Black, Guardian of Dreams is now published and available to purchase via Amazon as both a paperback and an e-book.


At the heart of the old realm lies the home of magic, The Curiosity Bureau. It can be a daunting place, especially for a young girl who has never left her home village in the Northlands before, but Elodie Black soon begins to shine in her new role as apprentice guardian of dreams. Events quickly take a sinister turn when mistakes are made in the bureau’s magical defences against the coboli - the nastiest creatures in the realm - that could have deadly consequences. All fingers point to Elodie, but is she to blame, or is she being sabotaged? She embarks on a mission to uncover the truth and stumbles upon a secret that could change her fate forever.As she is thrown into a world of magic and mistrust, old bitter rivalries are unearthed. Can Elodie unlock the mysteries of the past and save the creatures of the old realm?

First draft completed

Hooray!
The first draft of my first novel is completed. It has taken me roughly a year and a half, having had to find the time to write it in between university study and working. Now it's onto the editing, before it's published in the new year.

Who is Elodie Black?

My first novel centres around 16 year old Elodie Black and her apprenticeship at The Curiosity Bureau. The MC is based (loosely) on myself and my own experiences in life.
Although Elodie's story is a coming of age tale based in a fantasy world with all manner of strange creatures, her journey is inspired by my journey to find my own path in life after over a decade of living in a place where I was not able to be myself or feel safe.
The world is a scary and confusing place when you don't know who you can trust, and especially when you feel as though you can't trust yourself. But there are ways to overcome fear if you believe in yourself just a little bit.
Writing Elodie's story has helped me to find my voice. I know who I am now, and that is a wonderful thing. I like who I am, and I can't wait to see what happens next in my story.

One year of writing

This week it is a year since I began to write my novel. I'm at the half way point now. It really doesn't seem like a year has passed since I sat staring at an empty word document, wondering what to do. I'm 131 pages and 30,000 words into the story, and I'm loving how it's still evolving as I write.
I am hoping to have the first draft completed by the end of the year, so that I can get on with editing etc in the new year.
Lately I have been thinking about ideas for my second novel. Originally I was going to turn Elodie Black into a series of books, but I think I might take a break from writing Elodie's story and venture into something a little different. My WIP is YA, and I'm thinking I would like to write some adult fiction. I'm thinking along the lines of historical fantasy.

Writing news

Well it looks as though taking time out from writing my novel has paid off! I've been put forward for a prestigious prize for my history dissertation - the Sid Chaplin Prize - ran by The North-East Labour History Society. I'm delighted to be in the running to win this amazing prize, which would see my work published in the societie's journal later this year if I were lucky enough to win.
My degree is now finished, so I am getting back to the task of completing my first YA fantasy novel - Elodie Black, Guardian of Dreams. I'm around a third of the way through and enjoying every minute of it. It's certainly less taxing than a 12,000 word dissertation with references and footnotes, That's what I love most about fiction; there are less rules and regulations to adhere to. If I want to turn my MC into a carrot for three chapters then I can. (That isn't going to happen by the way). Ah, the freedom of it!

20,000 words

I had tasked myself with finishing this novel over the summer. My research supervisor has given me the task of starting my postgraduate research plan over the summer... So I guess it's going to be a summer of juggling the two, and hope that I start my MLitt in September fully prepared (which I will worry about but end up ready by about July) and getting to the golden 60,000 word mark for my novel. I'm at roughly the 20,000 word mark now so hopefully I can manage to have it completed by September.
When I started writing it, I was immensely impatient about just getting to the end, but now I feel a lot more relaxed about it.

Writing Groups

Late last year I decided to join a writing group in my local area. I have found that even though I'm not working on my novel much lately due to having a 12,500 word dissertation and numerous essays to write for my degree, it has really helped to develop my writing. I've come up with some really good ideas for the novel by completing writing exercises and sharing ideas with the other members of the group.
March was a month filled with writing workshops and talks, thanks to the Sunderland Creative Writing Festival having taken place. It was a really good opportunity to meet other writers and engage in even more activities.
So although I have not written very much in the way of actual novel content, I have strengthened it somewhat by participating in these events, and I have to say, joining a writing group has been a great experience. I enjoy spending time with like minded people, having fun and learning at the same time.

Summer of writing

I will be finishing my degree in May, after three long years of studying. I'm planning on finishing my novel over the summer, and I'm really looking forward to it. It's going to make a nice change, as I'm used to writing academic articles and essays. I'm going to try and have the book completed over the summer break, as I am starting a post graduate research degree in September, and it's likely to take up most of my time for the next four years! Ouch!

Book cover poll

There is a poll going over on my Facebook page to see which of the two book cover designs is the most popular. Head over to https://www.facebook.com/booksbyheath... and cast your vote.

60 pages in.......

So i have made it all the way to chapter six (well, half way through chapter six) and I have hit the 60 page mark. I am really getting to know my world and characters now and I'm enjoying writing the book.
I am however, back at university, so I have had very little time to write Elodie's adventures at The Curiosity Bureau. This week I have written about 1,000 words, so I am happy with the progress. Although I have an essay to write so I may have to leave Elodie to her own devices again for a while!