Jessica McCarty, Author

Champion's Sword , coming   this fall! At the end of July, I applied for my third  copyright! I'm in my first round of content edits, and so far, everything is going smoothly. I'll follow that up with a second round, zeroing in on individual sentences and paragraphs. Then it's spelling and grammar, cover design, and publication! Reading . . . My Lucky Charm by Courtney Walsh Christian Romance Here and Now by Henri J.M. Nouwen Nonfiction The Rule Book by Sarah Adams Romance *Sensitive readers: This book contains language and spice. The author kindly notes this at the beginning of the book. She also lets the reader know what part to skip if you'd like to avoid an open-door scene. Oh, how I wish more authors would do this! The Caged Queen  by Kristen Ciccarelli Iskari, Bk. 2 YA Fantasy I've read this once or twice before. It's just a really good romance and sister story. Loyally, Luke  by Pepper Basham Christian Romance This book reads like a light fantasy (set...

  Last week, on my birthday no less💙, I finished my draft for Champion's Sword . So, this week, I'm taking a bit of a writing break. My word count is just over 80,000 words, which is amazing! I'll be getting back into it soon, starting with listening to the entire draft on read aloud and taking notes. I can't tell you how hard it is to think, "Oh, I could/should [insert fix]," and not  implement it then and there. Perhaps, it's as difficult as having a new story idea that's been percolating for some time. I've been keeping a notebook for said idea and only permitting myself to add to it when a sentence or two hits me out of the blue. I've started a playlist as well. I add songs to it, but I do not  listen to it. Music makes the ideas flow, and pushing play on that ever-growing playlist would be absolute torture.😆      However, I decided that since I'm entering into the editing phase with Sword , it would be okay to dip my toe in with a fe...

  Quick writing update . . . If you follow me on Facebook, Instagram, or X, you probably know that I have only 5,800 words left until I reach my word count goal. Should I keep on track and maintain my weekly word count, I will finish my manuscript in roughly three weeks. So, what does this mean? As with any book, step two is content edits. I've tried to plot and outline more for this book than any other I've written. Hopefully, this will mean revisions will go quickly. After that I'll do line edits (grammar, spelling, etc.). Lastly is formatting, cover design, and all the other things that make a book something beautiful that you can hold in your hands. As always, I'll keep you all posted. I can't wait for Champion's Sword , the second and final book in the Champion of Realms duology, to be out in the world!⚔🌳 Reading . . . Quick note since I have an unusual number of books this month--actually, I could've added one more that I finished last night.😕Two of ...

 Well, I just spent the last hour and a half consolidating all my notes for Champion's Sword . And if that sounds like a long time, let me enlighten you. My desk often looks like a four-year-old got ahold of a pack of post-its and plastered them on every unclaimed spot on my desk. But not where my arms rest. That would be silly.😜 I'm winding down to the end of this first draft and, ironically, winding up to the last battle scene. If I can squeeze out eight or nine more chapters, I should reach my goal. Current word count: 62,678 Word count goal: 75,000 Reading . . . When in Rome  by Sarah Adams When in Rome, Bk. 1 Romance I never thought I'd be a romcom reader, but I genuinely love Sarah's books. They're sweet and funny and don't feel like a Hallmark movie. T hus far, while all of the ones that I've read have had spice, they've been closed or mostly closed-door, and those are hard to find! The Bodyguard  by Katherine Center Romance The Prisoner's Th...

  I don't know about you, but one thing I am really excited about is spring! Let's be honest, I'm basically a flower. Give me some water and sunshine and I perk right up.😉Here in north central Indiana, the weather is vacillating between unseasonably warm and then back to cold. Currently, it is just under forty degrees. Flowers have begun to bloom in our yard, and I just keep hoping that this cold snap doesn't do them in, especially the tulips. They're such delicate little things. I did go out on one of the warmer days and cut some grape hyacinth to bring inside. The flowers look like a bunch of tiny purple bubbles, and they make me so happy. Reading . . . Early Christian Writings  (edited by Andrew Louth) Nonfiction Savage Bred  by Victoria McCombs The Royal Rose Chronicles, Bk. 3 YA Fantasy I was surprised with how the story ended for each and every character in this series. Honestly, and quite shockingly, Landon's might be my favorite. A Curse for True Love  ...

Last week, I reached my highest weekly word count since January! I am quickly approaching the midpoint of this draft. While my goal is 95,000 words, I'm starting to give myself permission to have a lower total word count. I tend to overwrite then cut my draft down quite a bit. This time, however, I'm being much more methodical. So, I'm hoping it all works itself out in the end. This book is also different in that my chapters are way  shorter. And I'm writing from four POVs with a fifth popping in. One of these characters is my villain, the Shadow Master. I never thought I'd be writing from a villain's perspective, but here we are. Fenix has a flare for the dramatic, so I shouldn't be surprised that he's been demanding attention.😆I'm finding it oddly enjoyable. Reading . . . Tales From a Haunted Pineapple by Stephen Hillenburg SpongeBob Comics, Bk. 3 Children's Graphic Novel I always have trouble getting in that last book for our library's Wi...

Writing update . . . A few years ago, I read a book that included the villain's POV. I had to wonder, what would that be like? I tried to imagine writing from the villain's perspective, and I wasn't sure it was something I would ever do. But this week, my villain was begging for his own chapter. So today, I gave him that. I sat down at my laptop and let him say what he needed to. When I finished, I checked my word count. I was 12 words short of 40,000. Twelve! I can practically hear the Shadow Master laughing, because that's so like him, the bug-kisser. Oh well, I'll get it tomorrow. Reading . . . Brooke  by Ronie Kendig The Metcalfes, Bk. 4 Christian Fiction So don't dwell on it. Move on. Make better choices. A thoroughly enjoyable conclusion to this series! Ruthless Vows  by Rebecca Ross Letters of Enchantment, Bk. 2 YA Fantasy Iris set the sword down on her desk. In the mellow lamplight, the blade almost looked like it belonged next to the typewriter. I mean,...