2275 words of new Cadence Drake

I got up this morning and for the first time in a long time started writing a new novel that dragged me out of bed.

Chapter one of that novel, “Can’t Kill A Dead Guy,” is now finished in first draft.

It was like coming home. Cady’s voice was there. Not the bitter, dark voice at the end of book one, but the voice I hear when I write her—the voice I heard when I wrote her the first time, right up to the moment everything went bad for her.

She has her feet under her, she’s alone but dealing with everything much better than I thought she would be when I outlined the story, and the biggest fear I had reopening her world—that all I’d get writing Cady was Cady-in-hell—is gone.

It was like sitting down and talking to the best friend I lost fifteen years ago, that I just got back, and finding out she’s still a person I want to spend time with.

Nine books is a lot of time. Today told me it’s going to be time well-spent.

I have to do the other stuff I have to do now—student support and starting on the HTTS walkthrough and everything else.

But today I came home.

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By Holly

Novelist, writing teacher, on a mission to reprint my out-of-print books and indie-publish my new ones.

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Lee
Lee
11 years ago

I have tears in my eyes too! I know what it’s like to have to leave stories and characters aside for years, though for different reasons than yours. And it hurts. I’ve recently been letting myself revisit those old places. Some folks say you can never go home, but you know what? Those folks are wrong!

I’m totally psyched right now because I get to read Cady I and have Cady II to look forward to, too.

Welcome home, Holly!

A fan.

Elmi
11 years ago

Wow! That’s amazing, so happy for you!!

Lee Birdine
Lee Birdine
11 years ago

At the moment I am writing this I am actually writting. But I have this compulsive habit of checking my email on my droid even if I’m at the PC.

Seeing that post sent a tingle down my spine…

Realizing the Cady series was well underway was one of the ‘WOW’ moments for me.

Like moments of clarity I get when a particular scene gels…

Or the passage of a favorite song that gives you goosebumps…

But anyways, I am very happy for you and looking forward to the rest of the series as it comes out book by book đŸ™‚

Glynis Smy
11 years ago

It is good to see you are able to get writing again!

Margaret Fisk
11 years ago

Fantastic! That’s a great thing when a beloved voice comes back so clearly. Enjoy yourself :). Maybe you’ll start a resurgence of SF again :).

Prue
11 years ago

Wow Holly! I’m so pleased for you.
To feel you’ve come home sounds a Big Thing! If you love your characters like I’ve come to do, it must be such a relief to be with them again.
Good luck! Best wishes! And I’ll be with you all the way on HTTS Walkthrough.
Prue

Ed
Ed
11 years ago

Congratulations on the start of a new adventure, Holly! I can empathise with you because I recently began the rewrite of the series that pulled me into writing back when I was 14 (I’m 20 now) after following HTTS.

Even though I haven’t published anything yet, reading your post about starting your new novel practically brought tears to my eyes because I know that feeling of standing on a cliff overlooking the vast plain of your world and embarking on the quest to write it. I am very excited for you to reenter a world that is near and dear to you, and I am equally excited to be writing alongside you.

Best wishes on your new start, and take heart in the knowledge that so many of us are cheering and writing along with you!

RebeccaG
11 years ago

WOOHOO!! I am SOOOOO super-psyched! YAY!!

Stephanie M
11 years ago

Good for you Holly. I’m so glad the experience turned out better than you thought. I love when that happens.

I can’t wait to read the sequel to Corrigan’s Blood. Speaking of which, is Corrigan’s Blood available to purchase?

Craig
11 years ago

What a great feeling! Thanks for sharing this.

Aynslie
Aynslie
11 years ago

Wow. There’s healing in that experience. It gave me goosebumps just to read your experience of your reunion with Cady. Let the adventure begin!

Aynslie
Aynslie
Reply to  Holly
11 years ago

“There’s no place like home.”

Rob
Rob
11 years ago

Congrats, Holly. Very excited to reading your new Cadence Drake novel. Good luck on getting all your stuff to your readers more directly. Cutting out the Middle Man is a good thing.

Johanna
Johanna
11 years ago

This post kind of made me want to cry. It made me remember how much I loved Cady too, and how happy I am that I’ll get to read more about her.

Deb Salisbury
11 years ago

Yay! I’m glad the mojo is back!

The end of Corrigan’s Blood was dark enough I worried about Cady in the next one. I’m so happy she’s someone we can cheer for – and with.

Jessic@
Jessic@
11 years ago

I’m so excited for you and I can’t wait to read the next Cadence Drake novel. To see how happy you are writing it, I can only imagine how good it’ll be.

Happy writing,

Jess

Krista
11 years ago

I’m so happy for you.

deb
deb
11 years ago

I haven’t finished Corrigan’s Blood, simply because I DO NOT WANT IT TO END!!! I love the world, I love the characters. I’m looking forward to more of Tangerine in #2.

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