Writer Update Wednesday: 4/26/23

I had high hopes that I would publish the first in an urban fantasy series this May, that is, until I realized the story I’m telling is more of a paranormal women’s fiction than urban fantasy. Looking back on earlier drafts, I feel like I was trying hard to fit together a few things that frankly didn’t belong together.

First, I wrote a small town modern-day fantasy novel with a romance subplot, which doesn’t scream urban fantasy, does it?

Second, this is a lighthearted vampire novel about a baker-turned-vampire, which also doesn’t scream urban fantasy, does it?

So, I’ve headed back to the drawing board, and I’m reworking some key pieces of this novel.

I’m making sure it hits the genre expectations for paranormal women’s fiction instead of urban fantasy. I’m rewriting the book blurb. And I’m bringing forth more lighthearted plotting instead of some bits that were turning more serious in the second half of the book.

I’ve found that this is what I prefer to write: more lighthearted stories. I know dark fantasy is what’s popular right now, but it’s not for me. When I’m choosing books to read, I rarely opt for dark fantasy, so I wouldn’t have the slightest clue how to write it effectively.

My favorite books to read are quick, fun, and lighthearted, which is exactly what I set out to write. Sometimes the themes may touch on dark topics, but with more hope than fear.

All that said, I’ve spent the last week reworking a book that’s further from the finish line than I thought, but which I still plan to publish later this year. For now, I’ve pushed the release date to 6/22. If it turns out that this book needs more time, I won’t hesitate to give it what it needs—my focus is on writing a great book above all else.

What are you working on this week?