[sidles through the door] Hello!!
We've not talked before I don't think, or at least, not in detail, so hi, I'm Low! I bring cookies and some sunshine to banish the brain gremlins and some comfy chairs by a campfire to talk about writing and offer distraction 💛
My current project is called Grey Blinds and Sunflowers. It's a largely sci fi/dystopia/speculative fiction sort of thing (I'm not great at defining genres in my own work, I have a tendency to get a little experimental) with fantasy, new adult and crime fic vibes sprinkled on top like hundreds and thousands. It features a diverse cast of characters who are all usually Very Hot on Communication (because I loathe miscommunication plots) and also all my baby childs!
Basically, it's set in Blackpool, but not Blackpool as we know it. People can only see in black and white unless they are looking at a screen, apart from a handful of people called Dusties. They used to be heralded as celebrities, but between a bunch of bad stuff that comes with celebrity, propaganda put out by the Giver and the Company (who monopolise the country's economy in every way) and some terrorist attacks, they're now summarily disliked by most of society. The Company use their security force, the Hawks, to pull them in for questioning or get them on trumped up charges, and most of them don't come back out.
One such Dustie is Liesl. She's a detective for the Sneak Peak (the only organisation in the country pretty much that still exists without being controlled by the Company, publishes newspapers and works as a sort of private detective service, largely for a forgotten and ignored part of the city known as Ginnelsway) and she's mortally afraid of the Hawks. She keeps her head down, doesn't get involved in cases involving them, and tries to keep her family safe.
But when a case comes up which involves someone called Chloe who had previously Gone Grey becoming a Dustie through encountering a creature Liesl remembers encountering (though until now she thought it was a dream), she can't help but get involved, if only to help teach Chloe that she can't go spreading that information everywhere. And while she's interviewing Chloe, a Hawk bursts into the room and takes Chloe away.
Later, while thinking about it, Liesl recognises the Hawk as someone she used to know -- and someone who is supposed to be dead -- and is convinced to continue the case despite the danger. But as it destroys the Sneak Peak, forces her and her family into hiding, and nearly drives them as a group and them and their friends apart, will Liesl finally decide to take a stand? Or will she cave and go back into hiding?
I'm currently working on my third draft of this thing! It was my first NaNoWriMo win in 2020, then I edited it gradually over late 2021, and now I'm running a full rewrite for the third draft. And surprising myself! Generally, I absolutely loathe editing and rewriting, because I'm a pantser at heart and I get Really bored when I know what's happening and what's coming. But this time, I'm absolutely LOVING it. I'm also overwriting, which is INCREDIBLY rare, and just generally having the Time Of My Life with it!!
I'm hoping to get it out for its third (and maybe??? Depending on how it goes??? Final???) round of beta reading in August-October ish, before editing and possibly persuing tradpub depending on how I feel and how things go!
Feel free to ramble about your stuff and introduce yourself and things! I'm always looking to make new friends 👀 also sorry this got long!
hello there! thank you so much for the message; sorry it took a couple days to respond. those dang brain gremlins
you sound like you have a lot planned for this story! that's so awesome! and third draft, that's awesome too! and maybe final beta read? August-October is pretty soon, you're almost there! :D you've done so much! I love mysteries when combined with other genres, like romance, scifi, fantasy, whatever. *Marge Simpson voice* I just think they're neat!
I love the idea of a mystery in a dystopian setting. I'm sure there are LOTS of things to investigate in such a place. and I like that she's hesitant to get involved, because in most mysteries I've read the detective is immediately on the case. it adds a little suspense :3
I look forward to reading it, however you plan to share it! and I'd love you to tag me if you have a taglist for it :D