Greetings, Darklanders!
If you’re wondering where I’ve been, or if I’m ever going to publish my next book, well let me take this opportunity to reassure you that I most certainly will be publishing the fourth (and final) book in the Introductions to the Darklands series. The bad news is that it will be a while.
Why?
I’m glad you asked. Let’s get into it.
As I’m sure you’ve realized I’m committed to growing my writing abilities so that I can bring you ever-better works. My first published book Built to Last was a proud achievement at the time it came out. However, I feel like each book I’ve published since that first one has been better than the book(s) which preceded it. Looking back, I can see my own growth as a writer as first The Liberation Paradox and then Conflagration each outshines its predecessor(s).
However, most of my knowledge about writing is self-taught. I’ve learned by reading, writing, googling, and experimenting. Autodidactic learning is a very good way to learn, but I understand that no writer can ever truly reach their full potential on their own. Eventually, everybody needs to either ask for help or risk stagnation. Adapt or die. Conflagration is a phenomenal book, but I feel like it represents the apex of how far I can go on my own. To that end, I’ve begun taking formal writing classes at my local community college. Shout out to Dr. C., my phenomenal English Comp. professor!
I may have gone dark on here for a while, but rest assured; I am still writing. I’m taking a little time to grow as a writer so that I can bring you even better stories in the future. What I’m writing now are short essays (less than 1000 words) for my classes. They’re all written in either MLA or APA style—not my trusty ol’ DLS style, the official stylesheet of the Darklands. Consequently, these class essays are a little more formal than what I usually write. I’m considering publishing my school papers on here. Let me know if you’d like to read my essays by sending me an email at Sarah@darklandschronicles.com.
Also, I mentioned my DLS stylesheet. It occurs to me that I should probably publish that on here as well. DLS is a document which explains the official rules of grammar, spelling, punctuation, and formatting to be used in the books and short stories I write. The DLS is an .rtf document I use as a quick reference when I’m writing. Many of the rules in the DLS differ from the more formal rules outlined in MLA, APA, and other prescriptive stylesheets. Astute readers may have noticed that I consistently do use formatting or punctuation which differs from the way they may have been taught. These consistent variances aren’t typos; they’re my grammar rules, and they exist for good reasons. Those good reasons usually relate to either making sure the words look nice on the page or making the flow of my sentences clear for the reader. Some rules, however, are just my personal preference.
So what do you guys think about me publishing my stylesheet? Anybody want to see how the sausage is made? It might prove to be an interesting insight for you on how my mind works. Please email me at Sarah@darklandschronicles.com to let me know if you’d like to see the DLS.
Well that’s about it for today, Darklanders. As always, fly dangerous and don’t get caught.
Love,
Sarah
she/her