Everdal Update #9…

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Update #8 June 3, 2021

WORKING TITLE: Everdal
GENRE: YA/NA Fantasy
Status: First Draft Complete
Days in current Status: To Many
Days of actual writing: 25
Current Word Count: 64,223
Current Chapter Count Complete: 19
NEXT STEPS: Re-writes - Estimated completion date: unknown

The 1st draft is FINALLY done!

Well, its done.

I’m not going to lie, its an ugly first draft, but its done.

I think the story has great bones and the characters are fun… relatable… and likeable, for the most part. wink-wink…

I can’t wait to dig in and get started on the re-writes.

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Everdal Update #8…

Update #8 April 28, 2021

WORKING TITLE: Everdal
GENRE: YA/NA Fantasy
Status: Writing First Draft
Days in current Status: 93
Days of actual writing: 19
Current Word Count: 40,890
Current Chapter Count Complete: 16
NEXT STEPS: Complete first draft - Estimated completion date: 5/31/2021

What Happened?!?!

I haven't written a single word in two weeks...

My minds been muddled.
My mouth has gone dry.
My eyes can't see and my body aches.

Words come in overloading waterfalls.
Images crowd my vision.
Time passes to quickly and I can't catch up.

Tonight, I tell myself.
Tomorrow, I say.
14 days gone already, how many more can I chance?!
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Everdal Update #7…

Image by TanteTati from Pixabay 

Update #7 April 14, 2021

WORKING TITLE: Everdal
GENRE: YA/NA Fantasy
Status: Writing First Draft
Days in current Status: 79
Days of actual writing: 19
Current Word Count: 40,890
Current Chapter Count Complete: 16
NEXT STEPS: Complete first draft - Estimated completion date: 5/31/2021

The End…

I am usually a chronological writer. Meaning, I write from the beginning of a story to the end. Every now and then, a scene pops into my mind out of order and I quickly type it up so I don’t forget it, but usually I type my stories in order. So, you can imagine my surprise when I recently typed the final chapter of my latest work in progress… at least five chapters early. I’ve never known what was going to happen so soon into the writing process. To be perfectly honest, I’m excited and a bit weirded out. I’m not sure I want to know the ending so soon… I’m not sure how I feel about it, other than to know that it is the right ending for this particular book. I don’t even know how we get there yet. But, I have a feeling its going to be a crazy, exciting, and bumpy ride. I can’t wait to share this adventure with all of you.


Everdal Update #6…

Update #6 March 31, 2021

WORKING TITLE: Everdal
GENRE: YA/NA Fantasy
Status: Writing First Draft
Days in current Status: 65
Days of actual writing: 14
Current Word Count: 33,560
Current Chapter Count Complete: 15
NEXT STEPS: Complete first draft - Estimated completion date: 5/31/2021

A Month of Excuses!

If I had a dollar for every excuse I made not to write over the past month… Well, I’d have a lot of dollars.

  • Work Deadlines
  • Kid Commitments
  • Home Owner Obligations
  • Wifely Responsibilities
  • To Tired
  • I Need to Exercise
  • To Much Computer Time
  • I Have to Cook
  • THE LIST GOES ON

No More Excuses!

They say that you are more likely to reach your goals if you write them down and share them with others. Unfortunately, that didn’t work for me… I missed my writing deadline of March 31st (today). But, I don’t give up so easily. I’m setting a new deadline and this time it will stick. Come hell or high water! I will have the first draft of Everdal done by May 31, 2021. I hope each and every one of you reading this, will hold me to it. Comment below… message me… email me (ninasodenbooks@gmail.com)… Tweet me @Nina_Soden… tag me on Instagram Nina_Soden… just find a way to let me know you are pushing me to reach this goal. Sometimes it takes outside inspiration and motivation. Sometimes it just takes finding an extra thirty minutes in a day. I think I need a little of both. Ok, no more slaking… I’m going to go put in an hour of writing and try to get another 1,000 words in before I stop for the night.


Everdal Update #5…

Image by MattHrusc from Pixabay.

Update #5 March 17, 2021

WORKING TITLE: Everdal
GENRE: YA/NA Fantasy
Status: Writing First Draft
Days in current Status: 51
Days of actual writing: 13
Current Word Count: 30,891
Current Chapter Count Complete: 15
NEXT STEPS: Complete first draft - Estimated completion date: 3/31/2021

I’M BEHIND!!!

Ever feel like time is running out? Yeah, me too!

The good thing is, I created my own deadline for this project. Sure, I still want to reach the goal of having my first draft written by March 31st, but if I don’t reach it… I can always push the deadline date.

A glimpse into the life of Celeste Amora Stevenson Dupont

When your life has been turned upside down, but prom is just around the corner, you sneak away to find the perfect dress… one fit for a princess!


Everdal Update #4…

Update #4 February 27, 2021

WORKING TITLE: Everdal
GENRE: YA/NA Fantasy
Status: Writing First Draft
Days in current Status: 34
Days of actual writing: 10
Current Word Count: 26,519
Current Chapter Count Complete: 14
NEXT STEPS: Complete first draft - Estimated completion date: 3/31/2021

I’m not going to lie, I didn’t get nearly as much done as I had hoped I would since the last update, but the crazy winter storm that hit the Texas, Alabama, Georgia, and who knows were else kind of made it hard. My family and I went to California for a four day weekend and ended up getting stuck in San Diego for a full week, unable to get a flight home. I wrote a total of ZERO WORDS while I was gone. I decided the enjoy the family time instead of worrying about my word count. But, I am back on track and I am still aiming for March 31st as a first draft due date. Keep me in your prayers.

In the meantime, check out the fun photos from my trip!


Everdal Update #3…

Update #3 February 11, 2021

WORKING TITLE: Everdal
GENRE: YA/NA Fantasy
Status: Writing First Draft
Days in current Status: 17
Current Word Count: 22,755
Current Chapter Count Complete: 13.5
NEXT STEPS: Complete first draft - Estimated completion date: 3/31/2021

This week was a slow week. I was only able to write 2 days since my last update. My goal short term goal: reach 25,000 words by Wednesday, February 17th. Wish me luck!!! 
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Meet Ethan Knight…

Celeste had known Ethan since the 3rd grade when his family moved in down the road. However, it wasn’t until the eleventh grade that they became real friends. It wasn’t until their senior year, when her world was about to turn upside down, that they finally expressed how they felt about each other.

Will it be to late?


Everdal Update #2…

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Update #2 February 3, 2021

WORKING TITLE: Everdal
GENRE: YA/NA Fantasy
Status: Writing First Draft
Days in current Status: 8
Current Word Count: 18,670 (Average of 2,333.75 words per day)
Current Chapter Count Complete: 11
NEXT STEPS: Complete first draft - Estimated completion date: 3/31/2021

Celeste, Sydney, and Ellah have been best friends since 3rd grade. Boys have never come between them, but can their friendship remain when they are pulled worlds apart?