Sawasdee kah from Thailand, my friends — these past two days have been as crazy as crazy can get, I fear, and it’s been pure chaos with packing, getting through airport security (and getting my favorite scissors confiscated because I stupidly put them in my backpack and also stupidly forgot I put in there), getting our rental car (I was ever so suspicious of the renters when they came, and so was the security guard, but it turned out alright and we did not get scammed or kidnapped, so yay! Now Charlotte is adamat on feigning to be a British spy due to the simple fact that our car is black, which in her mind is perfect for spies), sorting out the condo (staying up till 3 AM doing so!!! Technically 2 AM in Thailand, but my brain was still running on China’s time zone), buying all sorts of stuff for the condo (and me getting a bunch of goodies!!!), and having zero time to write at all.
(wheezes and gasps for air) That… was a long paragraph….
This post is in two parts. The part I really did not want to have to share and the part where I share a bunch of Thailand goodies I got!!!
My family and I were basically running from store to store trying to get stuff we needed, and along the way I could not help but go on a mini shopping spree…. I tried stop myself. I really really did. (I didn’t even get the adorable ceramic fox I found!) But I believe I may have failed at that. So, that’s why I now have two notebooks, 36 (yes, 36) glitter pens (what?? they came in a pack!), two gorgeous necklaces, a small lamp, an adorable basket, a decorative kitten….
Fuzzy Bee’s having a lovely time just cozying up in this basket.
(gestures awkwardly) So… you can see I did indeed fail at stopping myself from going on a shopping spree. By now, this might as well be a yearly tradition when I arrive at Thailand. :/
Bu there are two main things I absolutely had to get:
(tries to hold back excitement) Readers of the Enchantria series will no doubt understand. For those who haven’t read the Enchantria series, why haven’t you?? (shoos you off to Amazon to get them) They’re wonderful books!! I’m totally not very biased! The golden key necklace is just like the one the MC, Elenora, has in Enchantria (albeit, without the rhinestones), and the black gem necklace looks like something Ravena (the villain) would wear! I had a great time finding these and shall now keep them forever.
Twas both an incredibly fun and incredibly tiring day. But now that that’s out of the way, there’s something I do have to share. Something that I really, truly did not want to have to share. I really hoped it wouldn’t come to this, but…
I’m giving up on Island Keepers.
For now, at least.
For those who don’t know, Island Keepers is my WIP and has been since January. Y’all have heard me talk about it so many times on my blog, and I truly love this world. It has so much potential, so many wonderful ideas that I truly cannot deny are amazing and have wonderful potential.
But the past five months, Island Keepers has just not been working out.
I’ve truly tried. I’ve done multiple rewrites. Multiple drafts. Cut and added new characters. Tried to add depth to the main character. Have added so much depth to the world. I love this story so much, and I really had a lot of hope for this.
But as much as it hurts to say, I don’t think I can work on this anymore. It isn’t bringing me any joy, the thought of writing fills me with pure dread, and each time I try to find my way out of this murky fog, just…. nothing.
Maybe it’s because I’ve been squeezing this story so hard, putting so much pressure on it. I feel like that may be it. I’ve just been trying way too hard, wanting this story to be perfect, desperately needing to prove to myself that I could finish another story outside of the world of Enchantria, something I’ve struggled with for around a whole year now.
And now I am at a wall and truly do not see any way through, around, over, or under it.
So, for now at least, I fear it’s time. Time to set this project down. Start a new story. Sail on to new seas, I suppose.
I’ve started another MG fantasy, one I won’t share much about. Working title is currenlty… well, for now let’s just go with Unnamed, shall we? Because it is very much yet to be named.
I’m hesitant to share more about this, to be honest, just because I really do not want to put any more pressure on myself than I already have.
I really love Island Keepers, and I have tried a LOT to make this work, but I think it’s time for me to put down this project and start something new. I also apologize if I don’t post much this following month! I have some posts scheduled in advance, but chances are I will be busy exploring this “new” (this is my third time here, so does it still count as new???) country known as Thailand, trying to remember how to swim, and devouring Thai noodles and Thai milk tea while trying not to annoy my neighbors as I attempt to quietly play my tin whistle.
Till next time,
-Isabelle
P.S. On a happier note, I am now offering exclusive goodies for all who subscribe to my blog! 🙂 Including early access to exciting publishing news (and artwork!!!), and also a special deleted scene from one of my books…. So if any of y’all would like to subscribe and get all those special goodies, feel free to do so! And once we reach 50 subscribers, then I shall write a whole middle-grade fantasy novella just for y’all. XD Does that sound far-fetched? Kind of. But am I a crazy, insistent, stubborn person? Yes. Yes, I am. Plus I really want to write this novella. So who knows? Perhaps if we do get to 50 subscribers, I shall write said novella!
P.P.S. It may take a few days for said deleted scene to arrive in your inbox since I’m still polishing it up and correcting grammar mistakes, but rest assured that it shall sometime this week!
I love Island Keepers, but sometimes you just need to move on! I’m glad you can recogize that. And ooh, I love the necklaces! And the cute basket. I’m glad the bookstore wasn’t really closed.
Have a great time in Thailand! Send me pictures!
Thanks, Journey. I really really wish that Island Keepers would work out, but I suppose I’ve been in a major writing slump since finishing the Enchantria series.
Ooh, I’m glad you like the necklaces! (And the basket! I adore it!!!) Oh, yes, Thailand pictures!!!!!!!!! I completely forgot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (smacks forehead) I must send thee Thailand pictures!
Ahhh yes the problem with wanting to buy everything you see and somehow ending up with much more things then you intended to buy, I feel you, for this reason I should not be allowed to go shopping lol. It’s too bad that your having to put Islander Keepers on the side for now, but I also think its important to recognize when a project is no longer being fun, but instead being a constant dread in the back of your mind. So props to you for being able to recognize that and having the courage to act upon the realization.
Yep. XD Hey, at least I’m not the only one that struggles with this? But oh my gosh, that part about not being allowed to go shopping is so real though… There’s this really cool store here in Thailand, and each time I enter, I somehow exit with…. a lot of stuff I had not intended to buy.
And thanks. I fear that’s what Island Keepers has kind of become, which I really hate, because I so adored the characters and the world.
Hello!
First of-that kitty is so CUTE! 🙂 (I couldn’t have stopped myself from getting it I was in your shoes…)
I’m sorry that Island Keepers isn’t something that brings you joy anymore-I know that can be really hard. But I’m happy that you’ve found a new story, a new world to explore! 🙂
Hope you have a lovely day!
Aww, thanks! :)) Lol I’m glad you also like the kitty. I could not resist!!! I had to get it! And thank you for your words on Island Keepers. I really did love this story, but I suppose I need to step back and let it sit for a bit. Perhaps I shall return to it someday. (There still is a certain scene in Island Keepers that refuses to leave my mind!!!) I’ve honestly been bouncing around with projects a lot, so I don’t really have a main WIP right now. I’m mainly just exploring some more stories and seeing which one sticks, I suppose.
Oh! I guess I miss-read about the WIP! (Sorry!) I wish the the best of luck in finding a story that gives you joy and makes you squeal with excitement for you characters!
Haha, no you didn’t! I wrote this post a little bit earlier, and did indeed have a WIP in the works. However, since then, I’ve been on the search for other stories as well (mainly because I wasn’t feeling as passionate about that previous WIP). Thank you!! I hope to find a story soon!
Are you in Thailand for good? I may have missed something. Sounds like it’s a good time to file ISLAND KEEPERS away for now. I bet you’ll get back to it.
No, though I’m not quite sure when I shall return… (But I probably will be returning to China sometime this winter). And yes, I fear I may have just been putting too much pressure on myself over this WIP. 🙁 I do hope I shall get back it!