Hey friends,
April was a great month in writing. I made significant progress on my manuscript, starting with a 42K word count and ending with a 60K word count. That is A LOT for me. But, admittedly, this kept me from spending as much on the home front or in my reading list. But that’s okay. My fellow writers will understand that when writing is flowing, those other things tend to fall by the wayside. I’ve learned that in the months when writing slows down, I usually make up for it in other areas. It’s always a balancing act.
On the Blog This Month
This month I wrote several substack pieces. In case you missed them…
Book Blurbs
A reflection on writing a back of the book blurbWroteByMe, Focus On Words, and Other Snake Oil
Watch out for this scam “publishing” serviceSorry Writers, Readers Are Skipping Your Prologue
How to Write a Compelling Prologue Readers Won’t Skip
Conduit Books and the Illusion of Marginalized Men in Publishing
I ALSO WROTE….
I’ve added tabs to my Substack homepage.
If you're using the app, you can now find all my newsletters organized in one place. And if you subscribe to the paid tier, you’ll get early access to my novel Godspoken. A new chapter will be released each month, with ongoing updates as the book is revised and edited—so you’ll always have the most current version.
Writing Progress
This month in writing I am making fast progress on draft two. As I mentioned, I’m sitting around 60K words (with a goal of 100k by September). This draft, much like the last, is feeling like a dumpster fire, but I am fully embracing the art of the trash draft knowing it will come together in draft 3. Stopping to make these needed structural changes was always the right choice, and now I have a solid outline that will lead me to the finish line.
If all goes according to plan, I’ll be editing the manuscript between September and the new year and I’ll be seeking beta readers (early draft readers) to tear it apart in 2026. That seems SOOOO far away, but I know it’ll be here in no time at all.
Speaking of beta readers, I wanted to share that I have a handful of excellent alpha readers (people who read the ugly first draft) who are giving me just… phenomenal feedback. Huge shout out my husband Aaron, and friends Zelda and Nick for dropping absolute golden advice on draft one. I seriously could not do this project right without help from Nick especially, who has graciously offered his military knowledge to help me make that part of the book as realistic as possible.
Meet the Characters of My Upcoming Novel
This month, I wanted to introduce you to some of the people who’ve been living rent-free in my head—and on the page—for the last few years. These are the characters at the heart of my contemporary fantasy: flawed, fierce, and (hopefully) unforgettable.
Naya
At the center of the story is Naya, the low queen (you can think of this as similar to a princess) raised in a court where duty is taken seriously. She's a hard working royal dedicated to her country. But what makes Naya compelling isn't just her strength—it's her secrets. She’s hiding something even her closest allies don’t know, and when that truth finally comes out, it’ll be electric.
Kai
Kai has been in Naya’s circle since they were children— bodyguard to the queen, this steady, knight in shining armor’s devotion runs deep. He believes in honor, even when the people around him don’t. But as Naya’s choices grow more questionable, Kai is forced to ask himself where the line is between protecting her… and enabling her.
Ven
Prince Imperial of the neighboring empire, Ven has been betrothed to Naya for a decade. The problem is… he’s a notorious rake. Charming, evasive, and far too familiar with the pleasures of court, Ven’s reputation precedes him— and not in a way that does Naya any favors.
Love him, hate him, say what you want about him…
Books I Read This Month
This month in reading… it was difficult to stick with anything. As I mentioned, this month was writing-centric. I picked up a lot of books I’d like to start but have been surprisingly bogged down reading a book I refuse to DNF, The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab. I thought this book, which as been on my TBR forever, would be a home run, but I’m finding myself really struggling to continue. And until I finish it, all the other shiny opportunities on my bookshelf will continue to sit taunting me.
For my old ladies book club we’re reading The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods. It’s giving cozy lit fic which isn’t my favorite, but it’s important to read outside your comfort zone.As with everything I read, I am closely studying the author’s craft and I’m hoping to learn from The Lost Bookshop.
In Addie LaRue, I am picking up her artful use of flashbacks and even got inspired to write flashbacks in my own manuscript. This has felt like a game changer and is making my story feel more free flowing than trying to info dump for the reader.
Thank you for being here. Truly. Every time you open one of these emails, it means more to me than you probably realize. I see the numbers afterward—the opens, the clicks—but behind every one of those is a real person choosing to spend a few moments of their day with my words. That kind of support isn’t just appreciated—it’s deeply felt. So thank you, sincerely, for reading.
Until next time,
Ash Wren