The Rough Draft Is Done!

[image error]Over the weekend I was able to complete the rough draft of Prayer of the Handmaiden. (And there was much rejoicing!) This book has been such a very long  journey, so I don’t think the reality of finishing it has quite sunk in yet.  I’m going to spend the next couple of weeks doing a round of edits – there’s a character’s name that I’m thinking about changing, and some loose ends to weave back in, and the last few scenes need some polish. Then it’s off to my publisher for evaluation. If they like it, the editing process will begin in earnest.

This story is definitely a bigger adventure than Sword of the Guardian. The focus on the Goddess and priestesses of Ithyria allowed for a lot of epic, Hollywood-like special effects scenes that were awesome to write, and I hope readers will find them magical as well.

To celebrate, I took a break yesterday from writing in order to set up my 3D software on my girlfriend’s computer, which is faster than mine, and created a character image for Kadrian. (You can click on it for the larger version.) I may end up revising her expression a bit so she doesn’t look so angry ;) but I absolutely love the way her facial features turned out – they’re pretty much exactly how I imagine her.  I have one for Erinda in the works as well, and now that the rough draft is done, I plan to set up a new section of the site for the Ithyria series. Keep an eye out, because I’ll be posting the first chapter of the new book as a teaser, along with character bios, a playlist, and more detailed information on the world of Ithyria as it’s expanding.

There are plans in the works right now for the third book in the series. I really, really hope it doesn’t take so long to write!  I’m looking forward to getting started, because it’s taking place in the Outlands, and will give me a chance to really delve into the Outlanders’ culture. It promises to have a very different flavor from the first two books, since it takes us away from the palace and temples and into more wild surroundings.

But first… on to editing!