Writing Journey Update
the monthly update on what Tori's writing
Hello!
As the title of this post states, this is a writing journey update. I’m currently working on an article for my Substack that has nothing to do with writing, but I’m not quite satisfied with the structure of it all so it will have to wait until next time. For now, here’s where I’m at in my writing journey, as of May 2nd, 2025.
ROYAL GARDENERS
Draft 2 of Royal Gardeners is complete! I’ve sent the manuscript to a group of Alpha Readers. I don’t believe this story is quite finished, so that’s why I’ve brought in Alpha Readers. I’m looking for any development issues that might come up for readers.
While I wait, I’m hopping between 4 new-ish projects. These projects are all in the initial brainstorming/plotting/zero draft phase. I most likely will not move them out of this phase unless I think I’ll be at peace with stopping at any point.
These projects are (all titles are unofficial and more like project callsigns):
SPACE TIR NA NOG - an epic space fantasy with Treasure Island/Treasure Planet vibes, but with Irish mythology thrown into the mix. So far, I know there will be 4 main characters sent on a quest to find four treasure items to save their planet from an ancient enemy who has pursued their ancestors from their original home.
WOODLAND STEAMPUNK/MODERN WAR - a short story anthology focused on various woodland creatures and birds, inspired by the World War 2 combat theatres. Side note: This is not a retelling of WW2. Think Redwall meets Watership Down meets Steampunk. I got the idea after watching two mockingbirds engage in a dog fight over a bug or a branch, or something that mockingbirds like to fight over. I’m not sure how many short stories will be in this anthology but I’ve got the beginning ideas for at least 4 or 5.
VALWYNNE CHRONICLES BOOK 2 - This project is not new in concept, but platting/drafting Book 2 is. Valwynne B2 is part of my epic fantasy trilogy that launched, in a way, my writing journey back in 2019. It’s about 2 girls who find themselves the 2 sides of the same coin, destinies entangled with an ancient evil returned to destroy their world. This book 2 is to be The Empire Strikes Back of the trilogy, which feels like a lot of pressure. So I’ll be taking the time to ensure I do the plot and the characters justice.
ALYX AND CATH BOOK 2 - This project is my vampire witch detective series that I started in November 2022. It was my first dive into the mystery genre, but, of course, I had to put a fantastical/supernatural spin to it. My plan is to develop this into a Sherlock Holmes/Dr. Watson duo, eventually. My first adventure with my vampire/wtich was a murder mystery. Book 2 is all about a smuggling ring of pixie dust.
Like I said above, my plan is to rotate through these projects to prepare them for the Draft 1 phase. As I’m expecting our daughter (due in July), I needed writing projects where I could feel at peace with taking a pause while we made it through the 1 to 2 kids transition.
I’m excited about all four projects. I’m also excited about how open-ended this phase is. Organizing all of my imaginings into story ideas — that’s what I love most about writing, aside from the actual drafting process.
It is my hope to have an article about marking the seasons and the passage of time for next Friday. We’ll see if I can get my thoughts organized enough to present in written form.
That’s all for now. I hope you have a great weekend.
Tori
Two thumbs up Red.