My confession

I have a confession, I jumped the gun a bit. I wasn't quite as close as I thought I was to publishing. I began to read the story out loud to my kids and found some flow issues. After discussing it with one of my best critics I elected to send it off to an editor for some help/guidance. 

That's where we are currently. Waiting to hear back from the editor. After I get the book back I will need to read it and check it's flow at least one more time before I am ready. Despite being excited to share with you, I also want to bring you a quality product that is fun to read.  

Some good news

I have heard back from one of my beta readers, As far as the plot line and story goes, I got a one thumb up from my oldest son. Despite the slightly apathetic response, Once I made it available to him, he didn't put it down and had a wide range of visual emotion. Already he is asking about the next book. I take that as a good sign.  

As far as the next book goes. Currently I am ten thousand words into Soulbound War. Using what I learned from Soulbound Alliance. I feel it has allowed me to make an even better story this time. I have reread what I have done each day before I start writing, and find myself frustrated there isn't more already on paper. Even though I have an idea about whats going to happen next, I still want to sit back, relax and read the story.  

Timeline

I am hoping to have a better idea on timelines by the middle of August. Things in my personal life should become a little less crazy and i'll know more about what I actually have left to do. 

Writing while working a full time job feels slow going. Since I have started chasing my dreams down and developing what my goals are, I think it might be cool to be an author full time. While I am not ready to quit my day job yet, its something to work towards. In the mean time, let me know if you have any questions.

Here is a sample to get you as excited as me.

Hey, I have spent the past two days not worrying about my book at all.

That's actually a lie, but I have been keeping myself busy trying to get multiple platforms up and running to help get the word out. It honestly feels a little bit on the silly side, trying to sell something that isn't even finished.  To help sell it I am going to include an excerpt that hopefully wont have too many spoilers. 

You're not here to read about me, You want to see whats coming, so here you go!

After coaxing a slow bruise to finish healing he turned his attention outwards. Benjamin looked up and saw the city. 

Big Ben's center had a giant tower that extended to the sky that skewered a floating island. The bottom of the rock shone a brilliant white that to match the sun at noon. Even at night the light continued to shine on the lower city. Despite this the tower remained black, like an empty void.

Above surrounding the tower was a golden palace with white walls. On each corner was an ever-burning fireball. The upper walls of the building and turrets were visible even from here. As a security measure, they remained well lit, even at night. It was rumored that royalty always slept with the light on. 

The floating land was shaped by ancestors that no record existed of. It was speculated that it started as a school of magic with each discipline of magic represented. 

Outside the walls of the palace is where the city nobles lived, dubbed the “pure district.” The streets would be clean to a level that would be considered compulsive, all the way to the edge of the island.  The island was surrounded by a wall, blackened from a battle fought decades ago that no amount of cleaning or repair had lightened. 

Every city in the kingdom he had visited had seen something similar to the pure district. The inability to separate and isolate the upper echelon of their cities always left them feeling sub-par to the upper class of Big Ben.

Benjamin shook his head to clear his thoughts. The goal was to make it to the palace and find information on the princess. It had been years since Benjamin had visited. 

The lower city is where the middle and lower class lived. Smart thieves could get into the upper level if they knew how, but crime up top was relatively low. This meant that it could be costly to gain access unnoticed. It also meant that he may have to bargain with some very unsavory people. He shuddered at the thought.

 While the upper city appeared pristine, the lower city had become more run down. Rather than rehabilitate old areas the people developed outside of the city's defenses. 

The people were now paying the price for convenience. Everything outside the lower wall was destroyed. Smoke rose from still smoldering buildings. From this distance the destroyed buildings appeared to be embers in a dying fire. 

The city's defenses were raised and in the distance retreating to the east, he saw dragons.

 Henry broke the silence. “I have some bad news”

 Benjamin spoke sorrowfully as he finished Henry’s sentence. “we’re too late.”