Hello, lovelies! It’s time for an update on my work-in-progress, and I have much to share! As always, this project has been full of twisty surprises (both good and bad). The project no longer is what I had intended it to be—since my time at the Writing with the Soul retreat last October, I’ve made some major changes and I’m feeling more excited about this story than ever!

A Blended Genre

I’d been pitching this WIP as a historical fantasy novel. Buuut, where I initially intended to set the novel in our own past (using real historical events and figures), I’ve meanwhile discovered that the story makes more sense as a second world fantasy with its own geography, history, timeline, culture, and magic system—though it’s still inspired by a real-world historical period (pre-revolutionary France).

Blend this with the adventure and kick-assery of a heist, and you’ve got whatever genre-mix this WIP is 😉 Think: a high-stakes target, intricate plans, an ensemble cast of morally gray characters, twists, betrayals, and double-crosses, a gritty setting, a dash of romance, and LOTS of banter!

New Log-line

I’ve been pitching this WIP as: Robin Hood meets Les Misérables by way of Ketterdam: A seventeen-year-old thief will do anything to find her brother—even robbing the brutal Auren Empire.

I’m now thinking of switching to: In a brutal empire inspired by Revolutionary France, a desperate thief and her crew of outcasts must pull off an impossible heist that could fulfill their wildest dreams—If they don’t destroy each other first.

Better, right? Right?! Maybe not…Ugh, log-lines are so hard!

Updated Blurb

I’ve also updated my blurb:

In a brutal empire inspired by Revolutionary France, steep taxes, witch hunts, and mine explosions trouble the residents of a defiant border town. As rebellion darkens the horizon and a mysterious man in a silver mask undermines the powers of the local Sheriff, seventeen-year-old Aster Falkena will do anything to find her brother—even robbing the Empire. But she can’t pull it off alone…⁠

🖤 A thief determined to find her long-lost brother. ⁠

🖤 A crippled soldier in search of redemption.⁠

🖤 A tribeless fortune-teller with a thirst for revenge.⁠

🖤 A disgraced priest destined to kill.⁠

🖤 A runaway witch with a privileged past.⁠

🖤 An orphan haunted by his heart’s desire.⁠

Together, they set out to steal the Empire’s silver—if they don’t destroy each other first.

A Stronger Beginning

My first chapter has undergone a SERIOUS transformation. Thanks to the incredible feedback I received during the retreat, I took a step back and really looked at how I was introducing the story. Some darlings had to be killed (RIP, my beloved but unnecessary friends😢). It was horribleee, but simplifying things has made the opening AND the story-as-a-whole so much stronger!

The Prologue Breakthrough

For the longest time, I debated whether I needed a prologue. Now, I have decided that I do! BAM!

My idea for the prologue neatly ties together the beginning and the ending, it clarifies my MC’s motivation, it introduces a super important character that won’t be on the page for a looong time (and makes the reader care about him), and adds an extra layer of intrigue right from the start.

I can’t believe I didn’t think of this sooner—but hey, sometimes the best ideas come when you least expect it.

Outlining Like a Pro

I’ve also taken a deep dive into my WIP’s story structure, using the Golden Fleece beat sheet from Save the Cat! I mapped out each chapter and matched each chapter to the required beats. This has given me a much clearer sense of what I want from the story and where the characters are headed.

That said, I’m still fine-tuning the finale. I hate writing endings—and I usually have no idea what will happen until I get there. Should I have it all figured out before moving forward? Maybe…but maybe not? For now, I’m trusting that the answers will come as I write!

Next Steps

With the first chapter reworked and the prologue idea in place, I’m ready to dive into my next big task: revising chapter two! The plan is to complete extensive revisions on Act One by the time I head to my next writer’s retreat in June. Fingers crossed!