If this is what you consider a rough draft...well, it doesn't read that way at all. I loved it. Perhaps a bit long for one chapter. Thanks for sharing. I hope you will continue with it as is. The plot may need tweaking, as you indicated, but the characters are strong as is the story.
This is great! I already want to find out more about this world and how the children will survive. I love how fleshed out it all feels already - it's raised so many questions that make me want to keep on reading and I'm excited to discover more about this society you've created. The main character is immediately likeable and seems pretty kickass, and there is a good mix of other characters to add to the intrigue, especially Arin and Echo's history with him. I found the writing style really refreshing; a perfect balance of inner thoughts, action, and description. I think it works well as YA but depending on later content maybe it could be new adult. Would love to read more!
I got ampersand way back when JUST to read this haha I love it. One of my favorite settings/genres, from my favorite author. Personally I love YA just as much as adult fantasy and whatever it ends up being, I know it’s going to be a great read <3
You've done an amazing job with world building and character creation. I fell right into another world. What a beautiful, heartbreaking first chapter. I hope you finish it. I think it'd fit nicely on my YA bookshelf 😊
I adored this on Ampersand and I have been WAITING to see if it is something that you one day hope to bring back. I am so excited that it is. I loved seeing all the little bits of you that poke out in the characters and I cannot wait to learn more about this new world!!
I love this first chapter! I want to read more, in whatever version it ends up. So many intriguing sprinkles of a bigger world, and a heartbreaking situation I want these characters to live through. **I'm so interested about why Echo has to keep her vision unfocused when upset.** If you want beta readers at any point, I am available. 😉
So happy to see Screechers again!! I remember reading this on Ampersand and immediately falling in love with the desert setting and all of the characters! Am I remembering correctly there was a priestess/princess character confined to a gated palace?—she was a particular fave! But Echo and Arin and their world are so richly engaging here right from the get-go! However you decide to revise or complete it, I hope we get to read it in full someday!!
I GOT TOTALLY SUCKED IN! When the excerpt ended I was confused about what was happening because I was so absorbed in the world and the characters, the fear and grief and anger. Thanks for sticking with it over these 13+ years and trusting the evolutions and timing. ❤️
A friend and I have both been working on novels (and reworking, and reworking 🙃) for this same time period, and we felt so seen when we read this newsletter! Thank you for your vulnerability sharing your work in progress and keep going!! Incredible world-building.
Thank you! And oh yes, working and reworking is my MO. So many books were worked and reworked before seeing the light of day--tho this one takes the cake for time 🥴
SCREECHERS, I remember this!! I love this version (not sure if it's different than the chapters you shared waaaaay back when) <3
If you read what was on Ampersand, then it's the same one! 🥰 And THANK YOU!
It's held up; I still love it! Would love to see this published so I can *screech* about it.
(I'll see myself out for that pun)
I remember reading this on Ampersand! I loved it then and I love it now! I really want you to finish it!!!
Ah, thank you!!! Maybe I shouldn't rewrite it, ha. And just let it be YA fantasy...
Yes! Let it be YA fantasy!
If this is what you consider a rough draft...well, it doesn't read that way at all. I loved it. Perhaps a bit long for one chapter. Thanks for sharing. I hope you will continue with it as is. The plot may need tweaking, as you indicated, but the characters are strong as is the story.
Thank you!
This is great! I already want to find out more about this world and how the children will survive. I love how fleshed out it all feels already - it's raised so many questions that make me want to keep on reading and I'm excited to discover more about this society you've created. The main character is immediately likeable and seems pretty kickass, and there is a good mix of other characters to add to the intrigue, especially Arin and Echo's history with him. I found the writing style really refreshing; a perfect balance of inner thoughts, action, and description. I think it works well as YA but depending on later content maybe it could be new adult. Would love to read more!
Wow, thank you so much, Sarah!! 🥰
I got ampersand way back when JUST to read this haha I love it. One of my favorite settings/genres, from my favorite author. Personally I love YA just as much as adult fantasy and whatever it ends up being, I know it’s going to be a great read <3
Ah, THANK YOU!!!! What a lovely thing to say!
Loved this! What a delight—immediately sucked me into reading. You can feel it's got a spark!
Oh, thank you! It does have a spark. Which is why it has stuck with me for so long!
You've done an amazing job with world building and character creation. I fell right into another world. What a beautiful, heartbreaking first chapter. I hope you finish it. I think it'd fit nicely on my YA bookshelf 😊
Ah, thank you!!
I adored this on Ampersand and I have been WAITING to see if it is something that you one day hope to bring back. I am so excited that it is. I loved seeing all the little bits of you that poke out in the characters and I cannot wait to learn more about this new world!!
Thank you, Kaite! Let's see where it takes me!
I love this first chapter! I want to read more, in whatever version it ends up. So many intriguing sprinkles of a bigger world, and a heartbreaking situation I want these characters to live through. **I'm so interested about why Echo has to keep her vision unfocused when upset.** If you want beta readers at any point, I am available. 😉
Aaah, thank you!! And haha, if I need beta readers, I'll definitely let you know. OR maybe I'll just make all of Substack my beta!
So happy to see Screechers again!! I remember reading this on Ampersand and immediately falling in love with the desert setting and all of the characters! Am I remembering correctly there was a priestess/princess character confined to a gated palace?—she was a particular fave! But Echo and Arin and their world are so richly engaging here right from the get-go! However you decide to revise or complete it, I hope we get to read it in full someday!!
Yes! The Empress Sun! She's coming up soon... Good memory! And thank you!
I love this version too! Please finish it (when....you have time 😂).
Aaah, thank you!! I am definitely feeling renewed energy to figure out the issues and take another stab at finishing!
Please please pleeeease finish this sooz! I want more!!!!
Haha, you will definitely be getting texts from me for brainstorming 😂
I GOT TOTALLY SUCKED IN! When the excerpt ended I was confused about what was happening because I was so absorbed in the world and the characters, the fear and grief and anger. Thanks for sticking with it over these 13+ years and trusting the evolutions and timing. ❤️
Aaaah, THANK YOU!! This makes me so happy!!
This is so great Sooz! I'd love to read more one day!
Gah, thank you, Belinda!
*This* is what you call a rough draft?! :0
I am in! And it's definitely YA (which I love). Adore the worldbuilding - it feels really "together".
Please finish it!
I mean, haha...it's not REALLY rough given how many times I've worked it and *over* worked it at this point. But thank you, Nicola!!
A friend and I have both been working on novels (and reworking, and reworking 🙃) for this same time period, and we felt so seen when we read this newsletter! Thank you for your vulnerability sharing your work in progress and keep going!! Incredible world-building.
Thank you! And oh yes, working and reworking is my MO. So many books were worked and reworked before seeing the light of day--tho this one takes the cake for time 🥴
Still, not giving up on it yet!