Three Updates and One Deleted Scene

At the beginning of January, I took an online writer’s course on editing a novel (never stop learning). I chose to work on edits for my YA contemporary novel, Nickie Dorrin Believes. I’d been sitting on that one for ages.

On the day the class began, my editor from The Wild Rose Press sent me the first round of edits for Book 4, Boge-Landia. That meant I reviewed and made corrections to that novel while I worked on “Nickie” for a month-long class, all while jotting down brainstorming ideas for Book 5, which will take place on Frama-13.

Update One

I don’t have a publication date for Boge-Landia yet, but things are moving at a brisk pace. Here’s the latest timeline:

January 7 – Received round one edits. And, I got to see the book cover.

January 19 – Returned my corrections to the editor.

February 4 – Received round two edits.

February 13 – Returned my corrections to the editor.

February 16 – Received round three edits. By now, there weren’t that many things to correct.

February 16 – Returned my corrections. That’s right, baby! Same day turnaround!

February 17 – Received the first galley. What?! I’d have to go back in time to see how fast this part of the publishing process goes. But I’m too lazy to do that.

Update Two

As a result of that month-long editing class, my other novel, Nickie Dorrin Believes, now has a logline, back-cover copy, and a query letter. There’s a writer’s conference coming up in May, and I’m scheduled to pitch my novel to an agent there. Please wish “Nickie” luck!

Update Three

Book 5, naturally, has no title. But that seems to be part of the writing process lately. I’ve got a rough draft of the first four chapters, and ideas swimming through my head.

Meantime, I remember promising ages ago that I’d post deleted scenes from Boge-Landia. Here comes one now.

First, a little background: Book four takes place back in Frama-12, the setting from the first book in the fantasy series. Because the characters have returned, the queen orders a big banquet to celebrate them. In the interest of saving time, Kip’s banquet attire is simply a navy-blue version of the uniforms Winnie and little Mikey wear, minus epaulets. But originally, I gave him one that went over the top. This deleted scene features 15-year-old Kip, 6-year-old Mikey, and the royal tailor, a little man named Nordin. Here we go:

One Deleted Scene from Boge-Landia

The tailor returned with an unusual assortment of material. “Since you’ve given up magic, I’ve made you a courtier’s suit. First, your hosiery. You’ll find them on top.”

The long bits of golden material dangling over the pile of clothing in the tailor’s arms resembled stockings. Sort of. When Kip put them on, they went all the way up his thighs.

The length seemed a bit much. He expected long dark trousers, possibly with a gold stripe running down the outside leg. He’d barely formed that image when Nordin handed him an item of clothing Kip could only define as bulging bloomers. He fought to hold in a grimace. After all, the little gent must have put a good bit of time into creating the item. “Couldn’t I go back to wearing what I had on?”

Nordin tutted. “All attendees at a formal banquet must be properly attired.”

Kip stepped into dark blue, bag-like breeches, decorated with dusty-gold strips of fabric that puffed out. The legs, if he could call them that, barely reached his mid-thigh. Now he understood the reasoning behind the hosiery’s length. That didn’t mean he liked it.

Next came a dark blue form-fitting jacket with embroidered decorative swirls in the same dusty-gold color as the strips on his embarrassingly puffy breeches. The jacket also sported dozens of tiny buttons. Nordin, using a footstool to reach, kindly fastened each one. Kip hoped that completed the ensemble, but the tailor added another coat-like layer, hip-length, sleeveless, and collarless. Kip began to sweat under the heavy material. “Is all this necessary?”

“I assure you, good sir, all the courtiers wear this.”

“What do the ordinary citizens wear?”

The tailor smiled. “You’re no ordinary citizen, sir. You will garner the utmost respect when others pass you in the corridor. And finally, the ruff.”

“The what?”

The tailor tied a stiff, white, accordion-pleated collar around Kip’s neck.

Thankfully, Mikey didn’t fall over himself laughing. He didn’t even snicker. He simply gave a respectful nod. Kip reached the mirror in two long strides. He studied his reflection from his neck, encircled in a ruff, to the puffy breeches, then to his knobby knees, thinly encased in gold material. He let out a horrified gasp and spun toward the tailor. “Nordin, with all due respect to your tailoring expertise, I cannot wear this costume. I look a right prat!”

Nordin let out a haughty sniff. “I believe you look quite fetching.”

“You look like you belong in the queen’s court,” Mikey announced.

Kip sighed. He could only hope Winnie wore something equally humiliating.

“Trust me, Master Wizard, you’ll grow to appreciate your new look. Meantime, you’re free to go about your business. I’ll have your home-world clothing as well as your new rain gear delivered to General Takka’s rooms. I understand you’ll be staying with him.”

As much as he enjoyed the lad’s company, he also appreciated his time away from him. “Why can’t I have me old room?”

♦   ♦   ♦

That’s all for now. I’ve got a galley to review.

Happy writing!