Hello, dear reader,

I hope everyone is doing well. Last year seemed to have flown in a blink of an eye, and this year looks no different.

Taking advantage of the creative muse visiting me, I am editing my second book in the Leelu the Little Witch series and finishing the third one. The editing is done so that it can be ready to send to the publishing house, which will, in turn, do its own developmental and line editing. I am also excited that the talented Sian sianripsart , the same artist who created the lovely illustrations for my first book, is preparing the illustrations.

Being a children’s book, the editing is not as deep as, for example, a mystery genre novel, but nevertheless, as important as writing for children is, following specific rules so that it is acceptable for your audience’s reading range is essential.

I like writing or working on my editing when the weather is cold, as it has been today. It’s not too cold but cold enough to make it cozy. My writing process always needs tea. I make a pot of black tea; I am out of my favorite now, so I am drinking my second favorite, Yorkshire Gold, loose tea. I ensure that I do not have any dishes on the drainboard, as I can’t concentrate when I have not finished my chores. I know it might seem strange, but each writer has little quirks. Mine is taking care of everything so I can write without worrying about undone chores or errands to run, etc.

I have my notebook ready, with all of my ideas written down, and I start typing away, adding new ideas, deleting some, and revising quickly as I write.

The takeaway of writing a series of books for a story is that you have a set of characters recurring in each story, your setting is in place, and even the world you have built around the characters is there. But! I must say that new characters can be added, and the world-building can continue as, eventually, the book’s adventures or storyline/plot might take them outside their original setting.

To go back to my current story about a little witch, I like what I am writing. Which is, of course, important. I like that I can create these fun stories, give them humor, add a sense of adventure and warmth, and see the story develop as I write it. Sometimes, you have a set idea in your head, but as you write, it becomes something different, which is fine if it does not wholly take you away from the seed of the idea you had, but I have to say, even if does, ask yourself, does it fit the storyline? Does it make sense in the overall sense of the book? Does it still have a message to impart to your audience if you are writing for children, let’s say.

I think, above all, that I have to enjoy the writing process; if it becomes another “chore,” then that means I am not enjoying it anymore. And yes! Writing, rewriting, and editing are a must if you want a well-rounded story, but as long as it is something you enjoy, that you know once you finish the first draft or second or third, you can sit back with a cuppa in one hand the manuscript in the other (I like printing out my drafts:)) ready to enjoy the read as if someone else wrote the story. Laugh at your humor, be touched by the warmth you have created, root for the heroes in your story, feel touched by the loyalty of friendship, and be awed at the magic of the story; if your story makes you think that way, then it is ready… for another edit, and another round of proofreading until that story is finally able to be sent out into the world of readers!

Until I write again!