Wild Spirits Update

Posted February 21, 2011 in Creative Writing / 12 Comments

As you may know, I’m currently working on a trilogy of paranormal fantasy novels called the Wild Spirits trilogy. Because the first two books are set in Africa I’ve been spending a lot of time researching the swahili language, african wildlife, shamanism and african traditions, rituals, dress, food, work and leisure pursuits. I have finally finished plotting the first in the series, Roar of the Blood, so I now know what is supposed to be happening in each scene (although when I’m writing I like to go wherever the inspiration takes me, so I may deviate from it). I also have swahili names and special abilities for all my characters. I’ve also written a rough outline for the sequels Roar of the Wild and Roar of the Crowd.

All this is fantastic, because it means I’m now fully prepared to start writing. But of course it now means I have to stop procrastinating and ‘researching’ and actually get down to the nitty-gritty business of writing. The writing is my favourite part (good job, or else I wouldn’t make a very good writer, would I?), but I always find it hard to take that first leap of faith and start writing. Sometimes the fear that what I write will be terrible, or worse, that nothing at all will come when I try to write, holds me back from actually beginning, so I keep putting it off by planning everything extensively.
But I know now I can’t put it off any longer. On my next day off (Thursday), I’m going to dive right in and start writing and try to ignore my inner editor. Wish me luck! 

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12 responses to “Wild Spirits Update

  1. Thanks Nicole. Yes I find Africa fascinating and hopefully I will get a chance to travel there one day to soak up the atmosphere and experience those subtleties that make a setting believable.

  2. Once you start, you won't want to stop, so just do it. And I don't believe I've seen anyone else use an African setting, so your books will be really unique.
    Thanks for joining the A to Z Challenge!

  3. Beth- Thanks but I don't know about being organised- I'm just good at procrastinating!

    Alex-Yeah you're right I am getting into it already. Yeah I certainly haven't heard of any paranormal/fantasy type books set in Africa. I'm trying to have the paranormal side of it backed up by African myths and ancient beliefs.

    Jen-Thanks for the good luck, I'll keep you updated. Most of my wardrobe is the same colour as this blog!

    Michelle-Thank you, I hashed together the graphic myself in Photoshop with pictures of my favourite things 🙂

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