Project Dark - Writing Dark Romance Novels [Writer's Blog #13]

Hello everyone, hope you're doing well.

First Writer's Blog of 2023! This would have come sooner, but because of how swamped and unmotivated I felt back in January, I didn't start working on any writing outside of scripts for the channel until a few weeks ago. Anyway, we're back and here's my little tidbit on what I've been working on and a reflection to go along with it.

As I'm writing this, I'm working on the first draft of a story idea I've had for a little while now. The story/book itself has a different name, but this entire canon that I'm writing in will be known as "Project Dark" until I can think of a better name for it. The Project Dark canon has existed for the last 4 years, but the specific story I'm working on right now had only come into fruition recently.

I had no idea just how fun writing this story would be when I first started. It was a slow start, to be sure, but at least I don't have to look at a blank page every time I open the project. I'm writing completely out of my comfort zone as I'm used to writing scripts and screenplays, where the only thing of importance is the dialogue. However, in novel writing, everything matters. The descriptions, the character's commentary, the dialogue, even the tensing matters. This is the first time I've ever written in past tense as stage directions are always in present tense. It's completely and entirely different from what I'm used to and I'm absolutely loving it.

I had an epiphany a while ago and realized that I had way too many ideas floating in my head just waiting to be turned into books. If I waited around for any longer, then there would be no way for me to tell all the stories that I wanted to tell. The only thing that was stopping me from doing so was my lack of confidence and self doubt. Every time I tried to write a book in the past, it never went well, albeit the writing style, the word choice, or the lack of an organized, fully flushed out plot. The only way to get better at writing is to write. There are no clever tricks or caveats to dodge this fact. The only way to get better at writing is to write.

Thanks to all the writing I've done for scripts, I've been inadvertently honing my skills as a novel writer. Compared to the scripts I wrote at the beginning of this journey, it's safe to say that my writing has improved. I could not be more elated at my progress. There is always more to learn and there is always room for growth.

In any case, here are a few details I wanted to share with you all about Project Dark:

• YA Contemporary
• Dark Romance & Mystery
• Secret Identity
• Forbidden Love
• Dark Secret
• Emotional Scars
• Trauma and Healing
• Leading Lady: Arden
• Leading Gentleman: Adrian

I'm unsure as to when I'll be done with the first draft of this project, but I know for a fact that you all can catch me gushing about this story and the other stories in this canon on my Personal Twitter account. I'll also be talking about some of the other projects I'm working on over there as well. Working on this has genuinely rekindled my love for storytelling and writing and I'm really excited to share this and my other works with you soon!

Thank you so much for reading, take care.