I’ve been baking a lot of bread lately. One or two loaves a week, just something quick. It’s an easy form of breakfast: just a chunk of bread with coffee, maybe a little butter and honey or a hard-boiled egg, and I don’t need to stop and cook when I’ve got work emails to catch up with. And it’s easier than going out to every week to stock up on things I’ll eat in a couple of days (I swear cereal used to last longer), especially now that I livestream on my spare nights, and I’ve got less and less daylight to use for walking to the store I like.
So I make bread, and it lasts me a few days. And if there’s one thing that bread has taught me, it’s that good things come to those who are patient. You need time to knead it, to let it rise, to have it bake, but at the end, you come out with something that keeps you going through hard, gray mornings.
The month started off rougher than I’d seen for a while. If you’ve been following me elsewhere, you know how hard it’s been. But the funny thing is, as it went on, things got better. All things do, eventually, as everyone told me. But you have to work on it and wait for your bread to rise. Metaphorically. If you catch my drift.
Writing Update
So needless to say, the first week of the month had been obliterated. Not exactly because of the election; if anything, the grand irony is that once the election happened, I made the conscious decision to claw my way back up, come hell or high water. But the point is that things were bad for a bit back there, and the month started off slow.
Which is to say, I basically gave up on any challenge I’d issued myself at the start of the month, the 30 Days, 30 Lines Challenge included. I still did my best to cheer folks on, but sometimes, it’s just not the right time for you to do something like that, you know? And moreover, truth be told, as of this writing, I only managed three chapters this month.
On the other hand, there are only have three and a half left to rewrite, and things are picking back up. What’s more, I’m on track to make it to my target word count (125k or less) without any further cuts. TNS is, overall, shaping up to be a much stronger story than the previous pass, and I feel a lot more confident in querying it next year. Maybe even doing so before I have the strongest manuscript I could possibly have—though I still plan on doing one more pass, with more cuts.
Additionally, I’m planning on heading west to see family for the holidays at the end of the month. You’d think this would stop me in my tracks, but in actuality, I plan on unplugging and writing out those last three chapters (or whatever’s left) in quick succession, whenever there’s downtime.
As for the beta, I’d like to get at least two more chapters done before I start considering it. I know I keep saying I’ll have the forms open by the next newsletter, but this time around, I’m aiming to open up the form mid-month. I’ll be sending out a special newsletter in the middle of December, so keep an eye on your inbox for further news.
Looking Forward
December
As mentioned above, we’re finishing those last three chapters by way of miniature writing retreat. Betas will open up mid-month. If there’s any spare time, I’ll be continuing to develop a plan for The Dragons’ Valse.
January
Starting Off Write happens here, which also means work begins in earnest on The Dragons’ Valse (draft zero, specifically).
February
Taking a writing break to assemble a query packet for TNS and setting up an author’s website. If spoons are a thing that I have at the end of these two things, I’ll begin working on revising TNS, thus entering its final pass before querying happens.
March
Very likely, betas will still be going on, but I’ll also be doing research and potentially preparing to send out my very first queries.
April
Beta will close around this time, and work on the final draft of TNS will commence. Reoutlining of its sequel will likely occur here, as well as a test chapter/drafting of the first chapter of the first draft.
Line of the Month
From a rewrite of chapter 11:
Lava geysered into his head and filled his brain with music. Haunting, echoing, the voice of the wayward figure in the distance, speaking to him in that strange not-language his brain refused to translate. Yet it understood now. The song spoke of the stars and the spaces between them. The earth and the sky and all the oceans. The beginning of time and the end of it all at once. And the seconds that came before and the ones that would come after.
Lore of the Month
On the gods:
Gods in the world of The Nameless Song are complicated. Each culture has its own set of gods, but whether or not they exist, whether or not they’re gods and not merely significantly powerful mages, is a question with no clear answer.
But devotees know, for certain, that their gods exist, and that holds true in Eldana as well.
Not everyone in Eldana follows the twelve Dawnlit Gods, but given that the royal family is said to be divinely chosen—in a literal, divine champion sense—by the queen of the Dawnlit, it shouldn’t be entirely surprising that the Church of the Dawnlit and its pantheon holds great importance in the kingdom.
Which is to say, it’s generally understood that if you believe in any other god, it’s best to keep it quiet while you’re within the kingdom’s borders.
Sects, on the other hand, are completely fine. In fact, while all adherents to the Church of the Dawnlit Gods agree that Elda is the High Queen and supreme among gods, many will worship one of the remaining eleven as their own preferred god above the other Dawnlit. For example, earth mages like the Martin family often worship Ordnir, god of earth magic, alongside or even above Elda. By contrast, heart mages like the d’Étoiliers might worship Kaedra. Alternatively, someone might choose a god that differs from their own native element, if they prefer that god or wish to win their favor.
Ultimately, it’s less about which god is thought to be better according to scripture and more about which god an individual chooses to favor; the story of the Dawnlit remains the same no matter who among the pantheon a devotee worships.
Thus, the twelve Dawnlit and their domains:
Elda, the Queen (she/her)
The supreme goddess; the High Queen; goddess of fire magic, the sun, and creation; patron goddess of Eldana and the Eldanan crown. Some say that it was Elda who first sang the song of creation (that is, the nameless song) to bring the world into being, and that her companions had either joined her in choir or protected her as she wove the universe. Everyone knows the Dawnlit Gods fall in line behind her.
Ophina, the Architect (she/her)
The Right Hand of the High Queen; goddess of light magic, commerce, law, war, justice, and truth; patron goddess of soldiers, courts, and merchants. It’s generally understood that where Elda goes, so does Ophina, as Ophina is Elda’s loyal bodyguard and advisor—some even say consort, though Ophina’s own devotees would call this blasphemy. Though she is technically the goddess of money, it is said that one should never invoke her name when they wish to be rich, as Ophina favors honor and integrity above everything; as such, she will strike down anyone who calls on her purely for money, deeming them to be unworthy of her good graces. (Thus, merchants often invoke her for protection, which she is far more eager to give.)
Yzara, the Magician (they/them)
Deity of time magic, secrets, fate, and death; one of two gatekeepers to the doors to the Sunless Road (the other being Zelisek); patron god of oracles. Yzara does not have many followers (native time users are rare, and people who choose to follow Yzara are rarer), and very little is known about Yzara themselves.
Fennyk, the Sailor (he/him)
God of water magic and the sea; patron god of sailors and fishermen. Though Ophina is technically the god of war, many also pray to Fennyk for bravery and courage, as Fennyk himself is said to favor and encourage the bold. Often seen as second most loyal god to Elda, whose devotion is only eclipsed by Ophina’s due to his headstrong and fickle nature.
Zelisek, the Soldier (he/him)
God of space magic and death; one of two gatekeepers to the doors to the Sunless Road. It’s said that Zelisek meets the souls of the newly dead and guides them to the afterlife (the Sunless Road, which all souls walk before the lumina that composes them is dissipated back into the universe). Like Yzara, Zelisek doesn’t have many followers, though this is largely because devotees of the Church believe Zelisek to be an aloof god who only graces the presence of mortals at the end of their lives. As such, space mages are more prone to choose whichever god they prefer over Zelisek.
Faelen, the Huntress (she/her)
Goddess of shadow magic, the hunt, the night, dreams and illusions, animals, and the moon; patron goddess of hunters, thieves, and the fae. While most of the Dawnlit Gods are said to live in the Fount, home of the gods, Faelen is said to claim forests as her home—most notably Faelen Woods, the forest that separates the Southern Reach from the rest of Eldana. As such, the fae who worship her also claim these forests as their home, and Faelen herself is said to prefer the company of her devoted fae over any other being, mortal or immortal.
Ordnir, the Farmer (they/them)
The Patient Mother and Steadfast Father; deity of earth magic, the seasons, the harvest, mountains, fields, fertility, and wisdom; patron deity of craftspeople, tradesmen, and farmers. Wisest and oldest of all gods, Ordnir is said to shepherd the seasons and watch over the Dawnlit Gods’ children outside of the protection of the capital. That is to say, Ordnir is a popular god in rural Eldana, especially in the Southern Reach, and is often worshiped alongside Elda and an individual’s additional god of choice. Additionally, Ordnir is known as “the Patient Mother and Steadfast Father,” as they take on both male and female aspects, depending on the time of year (female as crops are growing; male between harvest and planting).
Alphin, the Poet (he/him)
God of wood magic, flowers, the arts, inspiration, revelry, and beer and wine; patron god of musicians, artists, poets, and actors; consort of Kaedra the Lover (and, less well-known, Alistair the Bard). Alphin tends be a popular god among city centers, as these often have the money to pay for cultural centers (i.e., theaters, art galleries, and so on). He is also said to be a particularly generous god, eager to shower new followers with blessings and inspiration—hence why many who wish to pursue a career in the arts will often convert to Alphin. His name is typically invoked at the start of all performances and festivals, regardless of who either is actually dedicated to.
Iona, the Healer (she/her)
Goddess of blood magic and medicine; patron goddess of hospitals, doctors, and chirugiens (i.e., specifically magical doctors). Unlike the other Dawnlit Gods, Iona has no temples of her own. Rather, a shrine to her exists in every hospital and medical office in Eldana, and from there, both her direct devotees and devotees of any other god can invoke her blessing for healing and good health. She is, in other words, a working goddess—and notoriously blunt about this, according to scripture.
Yalda, the Traveler (she/her)
Goddess of wind magic, navigation, discovery, and travel; patron goddess of travelers and adventurers. Though adventurers may leave home at any time, many choose to do so during her yearly festival, to invoke her blessing for safe travels. Yalda is also a fickle goddess, known for wandering beyond the boundaries of Eldana. In fact, it’s said that the hrimurrs’ patron goddess—a mysterious feline traveler from distant lands who favors bold explorers—is actually Yalda in disguise. (And as such, and because the hrimurr generally don’t proselytize, the hrimurr are among the few allowed to openly worship their goddess within Eldana’s borders.)
Valfnir, the Scientist (they/them)
Deity of lightning magic, invention, innovation, science and technology, academics, and communication; messenger of the gods; patron god of inventors and scholars. Valfnir’s statue is commonly seen on college and school campuses, and oftentimes, students will invoke Valfnir’s name before particularly difficult exams. Valfnir’s name is also commonly invoked among tinkers and scientists desperate for a breakthrough; Valfnir is said to find these people most relatable.
Kaedra, the Lover (she/her)
Goddess of heart magic, love, passion, and compassion; second youngest of the Dawnlit Gods (besides Zelisek) and consort of Alphin (and Alistair). Said to be the kindest of gods, Kaedra favors those who help others, and thus, her churches are open to the poor and desperate, and her clerics’ duties often center around charity. She is most often invoked when one needs comfort and kindness in their lives, though young lovers do indeed also seek her help (as she is also a bit of a romantic, and love is her domain).
Note: In cases where one is at rock bottom, it’s often more common to invoke one of her consorts, Alistair Merriweather. This is not common knowledge; rather, it seems to be a known thing among only Kaedra’s most devoted: barkeeps, of all people.