I mentioned at the start of August I was taking part in Camp NaNoWriMo where participants have the challenge to write a 50,000 word novel in a month. It was challenging, but I wrote, and wrote, and even when I didn’t know where the plot was going, I wrote! I had a five sentence outline, which was pretty much how it ended up, but the twists and turns inside it will need some editing! I expect it’ll come out at 40,000 words when it’s finished.
The story takes Humphrey’s departure from the Lost City (Prologue) as its starting point and develops from there. He journeys west, has a number of dangerous encounters on his own before joining up with other exiles as winter approaches. Circumstances see them inside a castle, wondering about settling there, when a terrorist attack forces them to flee, only for Humphrey to return the next day since the call of the castle is greater than the call of his new friends. Another attack leads Humphrey to discover that his special talents are in demand at this castle, and so begins his training as part of an elite squad. The attacks continue, and Humphrey forms part of the counter attack, which is forced to withdraw once it is clear that a stalemate has arisen. By now the kings and armies of the realms have become aware of the conflict, and it is they who intervene to settle things to an uneasy peace once more. As winter bites, Humphrey is glad to settle in the shelter of the castle with his friends, although the call of the westward journey still dwells deep within him.
I’m afraid I’ve succumbed to the temptation to put unnatural beings and superpowers in there, but we encounter vampires and werewolves in Hugo’s story, the Traveler in Black and White, and I suppose I’d better show they aren’t confined to the north of my country!
If Traveler comes out on schedule in November I suppose I’ll try to get this one out about six months later, so late spring or early summer.
You can read and comment on the raw story on my blog starting here. All comments really will be welcome!
