Hello, and welcome to Nadi Abdi’s blog on Writing, Reading, and Politics. I’m your hostess, Nadi Abdi, author of Power of the People: The Demon Cleaner book one.

Today, we’re discussing this quote: A story is never done, only due. 

Boy! Is this true! It’s the truest truth to ever come out of Truthland. I’m hitting this truth HARD in book 2. Part of what’s taking so long to write it (besides an inconsistent writing schedule,) is trying to correct all the mistakes I made in book one and constantly thinking of ways to make book 2 better. It’s more fun, it has more personality which allows me to show the characters’ personalities more. The writing style is still the same because it’s still me, but the elements are better. 

I heard Rick Riordan say this quote years ago at a comic con in KCMO. I ain’t been the same since. He said it, and I don’t know if the whole room froze, but I did. I felt that deep in my bones. I’m an indie author with a self-imposed deadline and almost no following because I’m bad at marketing. I’ve got time to add and edit ideas until the Lord sends for me. I don’t want to live like that, but the fact remains…

A writer with no industry pressure or accountability of any kind is just rogue. 

I realized a couple months ago that what I thought was book 2 was actually books 2 and 3. That’s the only way to negotiate with the elements so they make sense. Now, what I thought was going to be a nine-book series could possibly have been extended. Shit is wild out here. 

Meanwhile, I still gotta work, still gotta write and read for three blogs/ publications. Still working on smaller books and short stories. Still gotta eat, sleep, keep my house clean, step outside occasionally. I’m currently editing book 2, trying to fill-in these plot holes that are more like blackholes. Trying to make sure everything matches what went down in book 1. Linked up with a cover artist. There’s so much “gotta” surrounding this book. My only solace is that book 3 is practically done so it should be pretty easy to release it next year, (I have no idea what I’m doing for book 4. Blessings to us all.)

I haven’t even talked about all the voice work that’s in the work. 

Meanwhile, between all this, I’m still getting ideas for book 2, still thinking of dialog and ways to make it better, still hitting them corners in them low lows. 

Book 2 will definitely be out this year because I’m too close to finishing it and ready to move on with the series. But my God!!! I understand why there are later versions of a novel because the way our minds are set up, the “what ifs” never stop. 

I think this is where having an audience is important. Your audience is your people, your community. They want to see you thrive. They want to thrive with you. They’re the people you tell them what you need, they got you. 

And all they ask is you keep your fucking deadline!!!

Writers are so raggedy. 

That’s it for today. Thanks for reading. Come back next week. We’ll discuss more about writing, reading, publishing, and everything in between. I’m Nadi Abdi. See you then.

Read more by Nadi Abdi

The Demon Cleaner: Blog, Substack

Black Women in Fantasy: Blog, Substack

Nadi Abdi on Writing, Reading, and Politics: Blog, Substack