Once you’ve written a book, it’s easy to assume you can do it again. Surely you just sit your ass down, pound out some words, and hey presto, another shiny book-baby.
Not so much people, not so much.
I’ve written more than one book, but Victor was my second fiction book. That seemed to make a difference.
Victor was SO much harder to write than Keepers. I’ve heard that ‘second-book-syndrome’ is a real thing. I mean, I’m not a debut author anymore, but likewise, I’m not a seasoned pro yet either. In true YA fashion, imma go right ahead and think of myself as a sophomore!
It meant that starting this book, I knew how the process of writing and editing would work, I knew the graft would be hard grueling and yet, I had the delightful bonus pressure of ensuring Victor was as good as (although preferably better) than Keepers.
But of course, I’m only a sophomore, so the ‘process’ I’d so arrogantly predicted I’d use, didn’t go anything like to plan. My beautiful, glorious ‘plan’ got hoovered into a freaking hurricane of doubt, pressure, and paralysis.
I wrote Keepers in a chronological order. I’d assumed Victor would go the same way. Victor wasn’t playing ball. Knowing the character, I should have expected trouble. He’s a right bastard that one.
Anyway.
Book two means more. MORE everything.
I needed to make sure the characters were consistent, I picked up all the storylines, the world building details weren’t cocked up by a slip of my perpetually senile memory. And all while, I was trying to develop and grow my writing craft.
I’ll be honest, Mt Everest felt like a walk in the park compared to this book, and I should know, I’ve trekked to base camp. For the first time in my life, I wasn’t sure I could reach my goal. I haven’t talked about this anywhere really, but it’s launch day, so I clearly defeated the beast, which is why I feel comfortable sharing this with you.
I stalled partway through writing Victor.
And we’re not talking a minor stumble and oops-a-daisy. We’re talking titana-berg levels of sinking fuck up.
In five years, I haven’t gone more than a couple of (a few at most) days without penning words. But smack in the middle of writing Victor I knew something was wrong with the story, and I car crashed HARD. For THREE excruciatingly long weeks. I thought I’d never write again. No words were coming to me. My mind was a literal black hole and Victor had bumbled his difficult ass right into it. I convinced myself I was a one-hit wonder.
But then my amazing beta reader made a comment about one particular location in the book, and BOOM. I immediately knew what was wrong and how to fix it. I tore up the opening chapters and rewrote them, from scratch. After that, it was a sprint to the finish.
Why am I sharing this?
Because I think it’s important to be real. To share not just the highs but the blisteringly painful obstacles we face on our roads. Life IS a journey and no journey is a straight road. Too often I forget that the beauty is in the journey itself. Once you reach your goal it’s all over.
I’m also sharing this because if anything, I’m even MORE proud of publishing Victor than Keepers. Yes, it was harder, but that’s made the completion all the sweeter.
Last, I’m sharing this because if it inspires just one person to keep going when their goal gets tough, then it was worth writing. Remember, only the persistent win. Just keep typing.
When Eden East kills someone, she expects them to stay dead. It’s only polite, after all.
Exhausted from battle and finally bound to her soulmate, all Eden wants to do is attend university and spend time with Trey. When her demon-ex, Victor, suddenly returns from the afterlife, Eden’s convinced he’s out for revenge. The last thing she expects is for him to ask for help, especially when he’s being controlled by evil forces.
But when an enchanted lock and key go missing, she’s no longer sure who she can trust. If Eden can’t find them in time, not only will her life, and her heart, be torn apart, the very world she lives in could be destroyed – forever.
Victor will transport fans of The Red Queen, The Young Elites, and The Lunar Chronicles to a world unlike any other…
Congrats on finishing, Sacha… and don’t worry about keeping it real, for you could be more real if you tried!
Haha that is a really big compliment thank you 💜😍 hope you’re both well xx
Not bad, if you ignore the arthritis! Don’t get old, Sacha!
Huge congrats – I know how hard you’ve worked on this, particularly when times have been difficult, and I’m really proud of you for kicking ass…
Awwww thank you dude I couldn’t have done it without your support xx
You know I have it! And I will finish my redrafting soon .. promise!!!
Great post, Sacha! 🙂 Congratulations on the launching of Victor <3 x Best wishes, Lita
Thanks Lita – I didn’t realise your blog name was Evadene? Anyway, thank you for the support. xx
Great post, Sacha, thanks for sharing the dark with the light – and many congratulations on the launching of Victor! Best wishes, Lita 🙂 x
Bravo! Bravo! Take a bow! 😀
You’re unstoppable, Sacha!
Thanks Sean <3
I know exactly what you mean! I’m currently writing the second book in The series The Curse of Time and it’s definitely a Mount Everest moment. Wishing you the best of luck with Victor. 🙂
Congratulations, Sacha, well done. All the luck in the world for you. <3
Congratulations, Sacha! Once the characters are real, you only have to push them in the right direction 🙂
Well done you – you’re a real trooper and inspiring. I better make sure I read these 🙂
Congrats on the release, Sacha. Despite the second book syndrome, you did it! Best of luck!
Thanks so much Diana – apologies I’ve been wildly absent on the blog so only just come to approve comments <3
I hope your absence is due to writing up a storm!
Ish. I think I had major burn out for about 6 months because my productivity fell through the floor despite continuing to work! I’ve pulled myself out of it now though and now I am writing up a storm. So fingers crossed for the tail end of the year. 🙂
Huge congrats Sacha! Isn’t just funny how much we are always learning? Welcome to the club. And I know very well what you mean about some books easy to write chronologically and others where you’re tearing apart chapters like a jigsaw puzzle! So proud of you!!! <3