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Monthly McGruder Updates: April

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monthly mcgruder updates via wit and travesty

Yes, it’s time for updates. Thanks for sticking around and checking in on us. Do give us an update on your writing life in the comments or on social media!

Writing Updates & Goals

This upcoming month will be focused on formatting all the text! This should’ve been done in April but man, things got busy and tough for us socially and mentally. I did create the front and back matter; it just needs to look pretty before I start showing it off.

I also still can’t believe I’m still pulling off this Goodreads 50-book challenge. I read four books in April, which puts me at 17/50. Woof. I started SCARLET from the Lunar Chronicles, so I’ll likely finish that, as well as finish reading PRINCESS OF CESHELA by Teralyn Mitchell. After that, who knows? I have a whole bookshelf of books I’ve already bought and I’m eager to sift through.

Camp NaNoWriMo Came & Went

I barely squeaked by with my 10k wordcount and it wasn’t even novel stuff. Just some administrative stuff. Maybe we’ll try harder in July? I highly doubt it since I’ll be on pins and needles before the big release date and I can’t take on any more challenges or projects until THE NOVEL is out there in the world.

Travis gave it a good start but also discovered that other tasks and projects needed his time, so he didn’t end up finishing. Again, it’s hard to write for the sake of keeping up with the authorly Joneses and participate when you aren’t feeling it.

What We Wrote in April

We had some great blog posts for you! To recap, just click on them below:

We’ll be having a couple of exciting blog posts and book reviews in May, so subscribe via email, subscribe to our newsletter, or follow us on social media to be notified when they’re live.

What’s Coming in May?

To give you a sneak peak of what’s to come in April, here’s a quick list:

More Destiny Seeker Updates: I was going to tackle the book formatting stuff this month but I was personally feeling super stressed about it. I mean, “I used up all the characters in my Instagram caption” stressed. Luckily, my dear friend Emily Bates will help me get it done! Once she and I finish that step, I can then share more about the progress and what’s coming up! 

Blog posts: More intersectional feminism is coming your way whether you love it or not! I’ll also likely be sharing more insights on social media and mental health.

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That’s about it from us! We’ve been pretty busy and we know you have been, too. What have you been up to? Let us know and bask in your own glory in the comments section or via social media.

Weekend Writing Warriors: Snippet 2

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wewriwa

Time for another Weekend Writing Warriors snippet. Every Sunday, I will join a bunch of writers and post an 8-sentence snippet of my current project. You can click on the link to see what everyone else is up to.

This next section was a major plot twist. Even I didn’t see it coming until I wrote this. Kinda takes Ilsi in a completely different direction, but I like it. I don’t know if I can explain anymore without revealing too much—at least to the people who have read parts of my WIP.

“The people are awaiting her arrival,” the Elven general replied. “We will follow tradition once she and all the other fallen soldiers make it to our lands. For now, you may do or say what you think would be appropriate before we leave.”

“Most excellent,” Karachi replied. “We will say a few words to bid you and your company farewell.”

“The people have already decided,” she interjected, as if fearing the topic would soon change. “They wish to enact Ilsi of Dove as temporary leader of Ladala’s people until a new leader is selected.”

Hopefully next week will make sense!

 

Weekend Writing Warriors: Snippet 1

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wewriwa

Today marks my first post for the Weekend Writing Warriors! Basically, every Sunday, I will join a bunch of writers and post an 8-sentence snippet of my current project. You can click on the link to see what everyone else is up to.

This snippet is towards the end of my novel, Destiny Seeker. This weekend, my main character, Ilsi, and I have finally faced the enemy, Althod. Since I’m previewing something way towards the end, for setting’s sake, they are fighting a battle outside of a castle and they’re looking for a way to enter and find Althod and hopefully end him.

“We’ve got good information,” Fox said. “Sounds like your elf-lady pushed the fight into the main audience hall. That’ll give us lots of places to hide and back her up.”

“Okay, let’s all go and get this over with,” Ilsi said. As they all trooped into the castle, Ilsi hastily stuff her rings inside her mother’s book. She could hear the paper crackle, but it was the only thing she had to contain them on her person.

“You okay?” Tyk asked, when really he was eyeing Ilsi’s hands.

“It’s safer this way,” Ilsi said.

Keep a weathered eye out for more snippets!

TESTIMONIALS

I won a contest via Wit & Travesty in the summer of 2017. The prize was a professional edit of the first 100 pages of a WIP. My middle grade fantasy was only 90 pages, so she read the entire manuscript. She was communicative and positive about the project. Her edits markedly polished up my manuscript and were easy to understand.
Rachel Barnard
Whitney did a copy-edit on my third novel, Checkmate. She was a pleasure to work with, and helped me give my novel that final polish that it needed before publication. Put her on your list for editors that help your work shine!
Angelika Offenwanger
Whitney and I worked together in a writing feedback group some years ago and have remained in touch since then. From the beginning, I was struck by her absolute responsibility as an editor. Even in the capacity of a group member, not even being employed or contracted by me to edit my work, Whitney was unerringly punctual, thorough, and accurate with her feedback. Her advice is genuinely insightful and I believe the marketability of my work was noticeably increased due to her guidance. I so value her skills that I still turn to her as a resource after three years of working with her in-person have passed.
Jonathan Baker
Whitney helped me with two short projects written for children, and she was very pleasant to work with. She has an eye for detail, helping me with small grammar errors as well as insights about adding scenes that would enhance my story. Her turnaround time was extremely quick, which I really appreciated when on a deadline!
Brittany Olsen
Whitney McGruder has created a vast and imaginative world in Destiny Seeker with surprises to delight the reader at every turn. Readers can settle in to devour the diverse and ingenious magic Destiny Seeker has to offer. I highly recommend it.
Jessica Frazier
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