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Out of Nowhere

A fantasy novel following a young scholar in over her head and a magic academy professor facing the return of one of his greatest students... turned murderer.

Story Overview

This fantasy novel follows a young scholar in over her head in the city of her dreams and a magic academy professor facing the return of one of his greatest students... turned murderer. Welcome to the drama and banter of 250-years-young legendary oligarchs, a city as perilous as it is full of promise, and characters who run as deep as their secrets.

The story explores themes of grief, betrayal, obsession, and control. But in Lucium, sometimes the best connections are found in the dark.

First Draft (Rewrite)

✓ Complete
134,675 words
112% complete (+14,675 words)Target exceeded!

The first draft totaled 138,000 words, and then I tore it apart over the course of a month. Tweaks didn't cut the grand image I had in mind, so I worked on a complete rewrite and ended up loving every moment.

I was knee-deep in balancing carefully planned character arcs, layered themes, immersive settings, and intimate emotions refined over years of dedication to this project. I'm in love, I'm obsessed, and this rewrite is the one.

Target Word Count
120,000
Started
May 2024

Developmental Editing

In Progress
Chapter 23 of 66
35% complete43 chapters remaining

I had never seriously edited a project before, so this was new ground. It's satisfying to imagine shaping a sculpture in the editing phase. I need to get the larger features right before the fine detail work and eventually the final polish.

I started by rereading the whole draft on my eReader and took notes as a reader. For each chapter, I recorded my impressions and my reactions/ideas, using pencil and paper. Switching up the medium helps me take off my critical editor hat who told me last time to throw the whole thing out and restart. I did not want to throw the whole thing out and restart again.

Huzzah! It wasn't bad! I expanded on some ideas, named and color-coded some plot threads I wanted to add or strengthen, and created broad notes for things I wanted to change in each chapter. At the same time, I struck out chapters and added new ones in this new outline.

So here I go! I'm also trying to cut a few tens of thousands of words. It can be really satisfying to cut, cut, cut — Hah! I don't have to edit you later because you're gone! But as nice as that is... I also really like to write. It's a balance.

Total Chapters
66
Started
July 2025