Writing Update: June 2025

 Hello everyone!

   About two years ago (from the time of this post), my mom put the Louis L’Amour novel The Cherokee Trail on audible for my brothers and I to listen to. After listening to the book, I knew I wanted to write a western. I had two characters that I had been brainstorming, but hadn’t been able to fit into a scenario I liked, until now. I inserted them into a wild west setting, picked my favorite scenario, and started writing. 

   After a year of writing on and off, I finished my first ever novel-length rough draft. My parents read and edited my western, and I went through and began revising. My grandparents and aunt read and edited the next draft for me, and I did more revising. After multiple drafts and lots of time spent editing, I’m now on what I think is the second to final draft! 

   I have a few more line edits to do, and then am planning to send it to two beta readers to see what they think. After they read and send it back to me, I’ll do a few final edits. At the moment my plan is to self-publish through Amazon, Barns and Noble, and Lulu. My goal is to have my book published by the end of this year (2025)!

   By now, I hope you’re curious what this western is about! Allow me to share this exert from chapter three with you:

   

   Temple’s eyes flashed open. It was still dark out, and from the sound of the bugs and frogs he couldn’t have been asleep for more than a few hours. He levered himself up on one elbow, listening. Everything sounded normal, but something had woken him. Quietly, he worked himself to his feet.

   Grabbing his gun, a Colt Dragoon revolver, from under his pillow, Temple crossed to one of the windows and peered out. He didn’t see anything, but that didn’t mean there wasn’t something there. He checked out the other window, the one that looked out at the barn and corral. Nothing. 

   Temple frowned, focusing on the deeper spot of darkness near the barn. Was that movement? It might have just been the old tomcat Leo kept in the barn, but coyotes were common here. Horse thieves were too. Temple slowly drew back the hammer of his revolver. It clicked and he winced. The sound seemed to echo around the room. 

   It was only a matter of seconds before Leo hurried out of his room, shotgun in hand. He was still in his night shirt, and his wild white hair stuck out in all directions. Temple had to bite back a laugh.

   “What is it?” Leo asked in a barely audible whisper.

   “Not sure,” Temple breathed. He jerked his head towards the window and Leo silently crossed to peer out of it. His eyes searched the dark yard and corral for a moment before he turned away, shaking his head.

   There’s something—someone—there, Temple thought, frowning into the darkness. I can feel it. 

   The two men stood there, eyes searching the darkness, then Temple saw it. Movement in the shadow. He knew this time he had seen something.

   Before he could point it out to Leo, the thing moved again and emerged from the shadow to where the men could see it plainly. It was Leo’s barn cat.

   Leo gave a loud bark of laughter. “Why you fool, it was just the ca-”

   Crack! The gunshot cut him off as the window shattered. The bullet wizzing through the narrow space between their heads.

   

   Does this catch your attention? If it does, and if you would like to help support this project, would you consider 1) joining my email list, 2) forwarding this post to a friend, and 3) leaving a nice comment below? Words of encouragement are always appreciated! 

Until next time,

~Zella

P.S. If you sign up for my email list, you’ll receive a free note booking page hand drawn by yours truly!