The Spirit Binder isn’t bound in stone quite yet. Last week I wrote that I hoped to finish by the end of school… which was yesterday… but no joy.

It’s all right. The most critical resolution is written. Now I’m in the glide to the ending. There are a few more things to be wrapped up before I can say the first draft is complete. I’ll get it done soon.

I don’t know about other writers, but I always find myself over-explaining at the end of a story. Cleodora is being left with a lot on her plate. I just need her to be aware of the challenges ahead, not acting on them. This leaves the reader to think about how they might play out.

The first draft, as written, is pretty much a mess. I planned it as a middle grade novel between 30,000 and 40,000 words with Lucy D. Ford as the author. I haven’t done much with Lucy, and I wanted to change that. However, the current tale is about 80,000 words. That would be a good short novel… for YA or adults. If I want to keep it with Lucy, it would have to be split into two 40,000-word middle graders.

One big issue is Cleodora’s age. She’s 13, an age that naturally makes this a middle grade story. I wonder whether adult and YA readers would accept a younger main character. On the other hand, there is some content that may not be appropriate for middle grade readers. Taking it out would require a more substantial revision, which could mean The Spirit Binder doesn’t publish until spring of 2025. I was hoping for this November.

I want to take my time in deciding. I also need a break from Cleodora’s story. There are a couple of anthologies that I want to write stories for. After that change of pace, I can come back to her tale fresh, probably later in the summer.

Decisions, decisions. But they’re the good kind, so — Onward! Until I write “the end.”

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