Writing a book or a series of books is a strange business. Each time the same pattern emerges. Stage one - the original idea seems so compelling and exciting that the author cannot wait to start writing, often abandoning half-finished projects to do so. Stage two - the first few pages are written and you are pleased with some of the evocative descriptions you've managed to include. Stage three - about 30,000 words into the first draft all your ideas dry up and you stare at the accusing screen with tears in your eyes. Stage four - you manage to finish the first draft although it feels like pulling teeth at times. You celebrate. Stage four - you think about the story and know that it's boring, says nothing new and you're a fool for ever believing you could create something worthwhile. Stage five - you read through the first draft and apart from some howling errors that make you cringe you realise it's much better than you feared.
It's a bit like childbirth. After my first kid I forgot how terrifying and painful the process of giving birth was until I was pregnant again. Each time the pattern emerges it feels like the first time. Only when you pass those moments of crippling self doubt can you shrug and understand that it's part of the process.
Two days ago I though my latest novel, Ribbons, was absolute crap. Today, reading through and tidying it up I realise it is much better than I feared. When I've finished editing and rewriting I'll be ready to present it in trembling hands to my publisher hoping they like it as much as I do and can understand what I'm trying to say.
Every time.
To cheer myself up, because I'm a masochist, I wrote a blurb (or at least a draft blurb) for the fourth book in the Starblood series. Because I have no shame I shall share it (and the other three blurbs) with you now.
Starblood blurb - Star craves freedom, but her lover, Satori, refuses to let her go. He casts a spell to make her love him again, opening a gateway through which Lilith, mother of demons, enters their lives. Lilith serves no man. Instead she seduces Star, assuring her that there is no shame in love, only completion. Thus begins a strange and terrible love triangle that leads them to Scotland and the Cairngorm mountains.
Psychonaut blurb - Satori has promised Star he will save her and he isn’t about to let her death stand in his way. He battles demons, travels worlds and faces the wrath of human law, but he refuses to give in. Meanwhile Star is in another world, being tortured by a goddess and a demon baby. She doesn’t have time to wait around to be saved.
Black Sun blurb - Murder, magic and obsession tear the heroes from the bliss they deserve. Star and Satori are being hunted; something is playing with their lives. Star found her power in another world, but will that be enough to save them? In a game of revenge, lovers and friends are moved around a cosmic chess board; death and madness are the final penalties for defeat. Who can judge whether the self-destructive human psyche or obsessed demon-child is the more dangerous force?
Ribbons blurb - When the rain stops falling those who are left are forced to reevaluate their lives. Edensun, The Bringer of Chaos, and Freya’s paths are destined to cross, but when they come face to face who will be the hero and who the villain? Star is dead again, but many are understandably sceptical whether this means she is gone forever. The Morrigu gather together; they are told their fate is to save the world from Chaos, but they worship a goddess of war whose intentions are dubious. Only the witch in the tower block seems to know the truth and she is unwilling to share.