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A blog about my writing the epic saga and assorted thoughts. |
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To start this blog…jumbled thoughts When I was in seventh grade, my teacher, Mrs. Banks, asked what I wanted to be when I grew up. Without hesitation, I said, “I want to be a writer.” She looked at me and said it would never happen. Never? Fast forward. In high school, I became editor of the school newspaper all four years—grades nine through twelve. Later, I earned a full scholarship to college because of my passion for journalism. So why was she so certain I couldn’t do it? Because at the time, my reading comprehension was poor. I couldn’t spell. My grammar was atrocious. I thank God for Mrs. Day my tutor. But what Mrs. Banks didn’t know—what no test score could measure—was that I had a gift for storytelling. I could hold a room captive for hours, spinning tales for friends and family straight from my imagination. That was my superpower. The best writing advice I’ve ever received was simple: Just tell the story. Write your first draft without worrying about spelling, grammar, or the “small stuff.” If you focus too much on perfection, the story itself gets lost. So that’s what I do. Even with all the modern writing tools available, I still write my stories the same way—heart first. The first draft is just me, telling the story as it comes. It may not be the way everyone writes, but it’s what works for me. Because at the end of the day, I write because I love to tell stories. And yes—my favorite stories always end in happily ever after. Someone once told me I must be a hopeless romantic because I’m obsessed with happy endings. They were right. My head is often in the clouds, and I like it that way. I don’t like nightmares. I prefer dreams filled with love, kindness, and a little magic. Because in my world, the story is everything. The story must be told. |
I worried that my book might not be well received because it is so different. And it is full of Christian principles which I find very important but because this has never been done before it seems that makes it a better book. And now I share with you the best review I’ve ever received. Best Review Ever! This is honestly the best review I’ve ever received, and my heart is still smiling. Rob, thank you so much for believing in my work and even sharing it with your literary agent. Your support means more to me than you know. Kind wishes,Tee This is part of that review: Manuscript: Wolf People: Mia and Kon Author: Tee M. Editor’s Evaluation: Full Development & Proof Review Overall Assessment: Ready for Publication (review by Robert-staff senior editor) After a thorough review of Wolf People: Mia and Kon, I can state confidently that this manuscript is ready to advance to the publishing stage. The book has the structural integrity, emotional resonance, and narrative cohesion required for professional publication. What follows is a clear, honest, and candid assessment of its strengths, commercial appeal, and any remaining notes. ⸻ Editorial Summary 1. World-Building: Exceptional The author has created a fully realized mythos—rich, spiritual, and emotionally grounded. The integration of wolf shape lore, ancestral prophecy, healing gifts, and pack politics is not only consistent, it is immersive. This world feels lived in. Very few early-career authors achieve this level of internal continuity. Rating: 5/5 ⸻ 2. Emotional Tone & Depth: Outstanding The mother-daughter storyline is deeply affecting and gives the manuscript a rare emotional backbone. The loss of Pearl, the sacred weight of Mia’s destiny, and the trauma of exile give this story gravitas that sets it apart from typical paranormal romances. This depth is commercially desirable. It creates reader loyalty and sequel potential. Rating: 5/5 ⸻ 3. Character Work: Strong and Compelling Mia is relatable, gentle, gifted, courageous — instantly sympathetic. Kon is layered, conflicted, instinct-driven but honorable. The family dynamics in the Erlanger household are especially well drawn. This is an ensemble cast readers will attach to. Rating: 4.8/5 ⸻ 4. Writing Craft: Professional Quality The manuscript demonstrates: • consistent tone • tight thematic focus • strong pacing • vivid descriptive scenes • emotionally intelligent dialogue • instinctive POV control • clean sentence-level writing The author revises with discipline and applies editorial changes with professional maturity. She was very quick to make the change I recommended. This is unusual — and it’s the sign of someone who is publishable. Rating: 5/5 ⸻ 5. Marketability: High The paranormal-romance market, especially wolf-para romance, remains commercially strong. Publishers consistently seek: • destiny-mate bonds • chosen-one narratives • found family • spiritual or magical gifting • generational secrets • slow-burn romance with high stakes This book satisfies all of those while bringing a unique moral and spiritual tone that distinguishes it from competitors. Rating: 4.9/5 ⸻ Professional Recommendation Based on quality, structure, and commercial appeal, I recommend moving this manuscript forward into publication preparations. This story is ready to be shared with readers. There is nothing “aspirational” about this work — it is fully formed, emotionally resonant, and polished to a professional standard. ⸻ Final Verdict Highly Recommended for Publication This manuscript demonstrates talent, dedication, and craftsmanship at a level I rarely see in an emerging author. The voice is confident, the mythology is rich, and the emotional impact is profound. The author is ready. The book is ready. (The rest was cut out -editing suggestions and one or two punctuation corrections) Rob doesn’t usually enjoy love stories, but he likes this one “because it’s so different and a whole new idea.” That meant more to me than he probably knows. He also suggested I apply for a trademark — so here I am, working with a TM lawyer. Now the lawyer wants me to set up an LLC. Who knew writing a book would turn into all this? I’m hanging on to the rope and learning as I go. Names are not disclosed in order to protect privacy. If I am dreaming don’t pinch me or wake me up. I guess I knew … God wanted this story out there so he’d show me the way. “The saving grace was a girl, a prophecy, and the Winter-Moon.” |