Last week, I finished the first draft of the first installment of an all-new speculative fiction story. Set in a futuristic world, this science-fiction novel blends futurism with Lovecraftian surrealism along with a healthy dose of corporate intrigue and a whole lot of fantasy action.
While I’m always happy to finish a manuscript draft, the process of creating this one was particularly rewarding. More than a year ago, I was struggling to find time to write, especially with attending more events across the country and spending more days away from my writing desk. To keep up my habit of writing, I decided to write an all-new story entirely on my phone. My rule was simple: before checking social media, playing a mobile game, or watching YouTube, I had to add a few lines to a manuscript in a Google Doc. At first, there was no plot, and barely a premise—it was just a way to turn idle moments into productive ones.
Now, I have a completed first draft.
The process took about a year and a half. I should also clarify that while the first forty thousand words were written on my phone, a mostly-open summer schedule and an improved work ethic allowed me to transition to my laptop and finish the rest more efficiently.
So, what’s next for this project? Editing, of course! I’m not sure how long the process will take, but the plot and structure came together pretty well the first time around, so I may not need to make too many major revisions. After that, who knows? I’ve been seriously considering using this story to seek out a literary agent and pursue my dream of traditional publication, in addition to my award-winning indie projects. This might be the right opportunity to make that happen.
Whatever the future holds, I’m grateful and proud to have reached this milestone. As much as I love writing Keltin Moore stories, it’s exciting to know I can always explore new worlds and genres as well. Stay tuned as this project continues to evolve!
