It’s June and I’m in the early stages of a few different projects. This week I thought I had decided to really focus on my multi-POV middle grade manuscript. Alas, after a gut check, I realized that’s not where my energy is.
My true home base project seems to be the one I’ll call ZONE on this blog.
I’ve nurtured this idea since 2024. Since then, I’ve conceived, written and edited my fourth middle grade novel and a proposal for a fifth. But ZONE has waited patiently in the wings.
Truth is, ZONE challenges everything I know at this point. It’s not a middle grade. It’s not a prose novel. And it’s not a straight contemporary story. Instead, it’s a young adult, graphic novel, portal fantasy. If I can figure all three of those things out, we’ll have something!
It’s all a bit daunting. The world building and plotting it requires feels complex and overwhelming, even though the foundation it’s based on is “simple.” Until now I’ve only had the logline, some quick character sketches, and random snatches of ideas.
The last couple of days, I reminded myself that going from a vague idea to a finished project takes serious effort and many (many) small steps along the journey to completion. And really, when I’m not allowing fear to take over, I really enjoy the process of cultivating and growing ideas.
So, diving in with a spirit of “brave and vigorous exertion,” It’s time to get into the ZONE.