The Witches of Selene
(Formerly titled TWINSPELL. Before that, THE KEY TO SELENE. Before that, THE BLACK CITY.)
One month before her sixteenth birthday, Amalia’s only desire is to become a Companion—a “wife” to the Dolces, the old male witches who rule her non-violent coven. Because male witch infants haven’t survived since the Caust virus destroyed most of Witch and Humankind seventy years ago, it is considered an honor to mate with the Dolces and continue the pure lines of Witchkind.
But as soon as Amalia is chosen to be a Companion, her mother tells her a shocking secret: Amalia has a twin brother, smuggled from the city-coven and into the nearby Black City when he was only one day old. Witch twins need each other to survive past age sixteen, so Amalia must sneak out of her city-coven to find him.
Amidst the Black City’s populace of mixed-breed thieves, dark creatures, and flesh-traders, Amalia has one month to restore the powerful twin magic fueled only by their connection. If she fails they will not only lose their powers, but their freedom, and ultimately, their lives.
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Below are some notes I took while writing and revising.
The plot outline, characters, and everything else are in the notebook on the left. The first half of the first draft is in the notebook on the right. What I can tell you now: It’s an apocalyptic fantasy involving witches, and the characters and setting were inspired by a dream.
Update 10/2/2010: The first draft is finished! In Ann Lamott’s words, it is a “shitty first draft.” I have a big job ahead of me with revisions, but I’m actually looking forward to this.
Oh yeah, and now I have to type it up. Ughhhhh.
Update 12/1/2010: Type-type-typing away. Page 117. 32,000 words. I have no idea how long this monster will be, but for the first time in my life I’m worried about writing too much. Guess we’ll see.
Update 2/10/2011: All typed up, printed out. 282 pages, 75,600 words. Currently revising and making edits on the paper copy. I’m really looking forward to sharing this with my critique partners!
Update 9/23/2011: The story is there, and now I’m just prettifying it. And trying to make it shorter. 103,541 words right now, and my goal is 90,000. It might not happen.
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Update 6/6/2012: I’ve queried the manuscript and found an agent to represent me! Brandi Bowles, of Foundry Literary + Media, is going to work with me to polish this book over the summer!
