Author Diary of StaceSteele
19th July 2025
Today, I've been working on setting up this blog for you all. Additionally, I set up an Excel document to create character templates. I'll create physical book versions of these templates over the coming months, as I develop the digital files. I'm also considering creating one for world building, which would provide the method beyond the madness - take your pick.
These files will be categorised by gender, specifically male/female, for quick reference. I currently have two books that are the same. I accidentally bought two at the same time on Temu (lol), but after thinking about it for the past week, the idea of the character templates came to me. That's when I realised that those books could be the start of those files in physical form; those two will be the 'his' and 'her' personality traits files. Something I can flip through and pick and choose the traits to build the first part of a whole person, I have ordered extras of other books that I bought one of to use them for the same purpose in different parts of the character-building process.
Current works in progress:
Blood & Betrayal 5-book series, Dreame Commission (Werewolf)
A Graystone Hidden Love Story Title is still in the works (Werewolf)
Wings of Betrayal is at the moment an 8-book series (Dragon)
Notes from the vault, also known as the boxes of novel notes, which are possibly 6 years old, had a name when I started writing them and before they got packed up to move. I don't remember it now, but it will get a new one, lol.
The two books that started off the Character template idea:
These are the two that will contain the 'his' and 'hers' personality traits. I'll add photos for the others once I have both versions and work out which one is for which task.
But first, we'll have to wait till that they arrive in the mail from Temu.
That's all for now, I'd better get back to writing stories that you all love. I'll update soon.
XX StaceSteele
20th July 2025,
Today I worked on these novel notes that didn't have a name. Then it hit me, maybe they might have been for a novel that I had been working on called the Crystal Pen, although it didn't matter, I had long passed where those notes would have once fit into the story; however, it gave birth to a second one, which has now gotten the name Montgomery Rose.
Later today, I pulled another one out of the vault and started working on that. Seven years ago, I called it 'The Doctor of Love,' but now, after working on it for so long, I'm no longer sure it's the right name for it. Guess only time will tell if the name stays or I change it completely.
Well, I've accomplished a lot today, considering I went to bed at 1 a.m. and didn't wake up until 7:34 a.m. Naughty me, I definitely won't be able to get away with that tonight. I have to return to the burger joint tomorrow for my normal day job.
However, this doesn't count in that I'm a mother of five so even when I'm working on writing special I still have to remember that I need to be there for them when they need me which is quite had some days when I'm in the zone or in my characters head which makes me feel guilty that I'm not always menallty there for them even when I'm in the same room.
In saying that, they are my driving force to keep pushing harder and keep writing, as this could easily mean that they would finally have a home that no landlord could turn around and request the keys back, so that they can ensure the kids' safety at any given time. Or the usual six-month rental revolving door of having to move all the time; it's not fair to have to unpack to just have to pack up again a few months later.
I just went back to the vault and pulled out another one to type up 'The Sovereign of War.' Time will tell if the name still fits this one once I start typing it up slowly.
I may or may not add an entry to this diary tomorrow, depending on how much I accomplish, or I'll include it in the Day Job Author Life Diary instead. I'll see how I feel.
Talk soon,
XX StaceSteele
21st July 2025,
I woke with a start this morning due to a cramp in my right leg at around 5:30 am, and it was no small one either. After it passed, I got up and set to work on one of my novels, also known as the 'Doctor of Love'. I eventually got ready for work at 8:30 am and set things up for my husband to go to his afternoon shift later today, while I worked on my novel before heading off to work on foot, as I walk to work.
Arrived at work at 10:40 am; please refer to the Day Job Author Diary for a detailed account of my workday.
Now that I'm back home, I'm going to get back to work on my novels. Their calling better go answer lol.
Talk soon,
XX StaceSteele
24th July 2025
Sorry, I've spent the last two days when not at work straight back into writing, only just caught, but my Day Job Diary today for the past three work days, sometimes my characters need me more than getting my head around how things happened at work that day. Thankfully, tomorrow is Friday and my last shift of the week, and then I'll get as much writing, editing and work on the character templates as possible over the weekend.
Managed to pick up one new cool name off of the online orders today. I look for interesting names to help bring my characters to life with interesting spellings and names that get used every day, rather than using AI or a baby book to spend hours going through till I find one that might work.
Anyway, it's getting late, and I want to get a bit more done before getting ready for bed.
Talk Soon,
XX StaceSteele
26 July 2025
Went to bed at 1:30 this morning after my mind would just settle from my writing, only to wake up afterwards at 6 am. The novel I've been working on lately is called CODENAME: OMG, That Nerd Is Really A Spy: Dreamweaver. It's been keeping me busy for the past three days now, with a total of around 88,000 words. Well, better get back to it.
Talk Soon
XX StaceSteele
27th July 2025
Started to get information into the Character profile I've been building in Excel, not doing the handwritten version until I make sure that I get it all set up correctly digitally, although I've gotten the order of the books that should have worked for my physical version however on of the ones I ordered didn't come in the same size as the other one I ordered going to have to use that for something else and reorder another one the same size as the first.
Not happy, more time to waste on getting this right.
Snippet of what I'm working on:
*The casual reference to a previous interdimensional incursion made Marcus's head spin. His perception of Coach, the gruff man who made them run laps and climb ropes, shifted dramatically as he realised the man had been fighting these threats for decades.
"We have less than twelve hours," Handler Harrison said, his voice cutting through the tactical discussions. "Echo Prime's anchor points suggest an accelerated timeline for the primary breach."
Twelve hours. The number echoed through Marcus's enhanced perception, triggering automatic stress responses his body was still learning to control. Half a day to prepare for something that I had been planning this incursion for months. His neural interface calculated the probability of successful defence, the numbers flowing through his consciousness in emerald streams that made his chest tight with anxiety.
"Teams Alpha through Delta will deploy to containment positions," Sue said, her commander's voice carrying none of the emotional vulnerability she'd displayed moments ago. "Sydney and Melbourne units will maintain perimeter security to prevent civilian interference."*
Now sitting at over 100k words, and still needs a lot of editing to do.
Today, my novel Fate of the Alpha's Orphaned Daughter reached 600 views on GoodNovel, getting there slowly.
Anyway, I just reordered another book that would probably work better for the physical disruptions of the characters, instead, and will allow the tab stickers I bought to sit in the ends of the sections better. I will probably use the other two mismatched-sized ones, although I will use the same colour for world-building instead.
A larger one for some basic outlines of places, although I'm thinking this could easily expand to needing more of both sizes and possibly even different colours of the same book.
Supernatural traits, his and hers, probably require different-coloured ones, too, depending on the species.
Names book only one so far, need to get a sound one, but may need more to cover supernatural names in different colours too. The first ones are just for his and her human names.
Talk Soon
XX StaceSteele
28th July 2025
Ok, got a small amount of writing done before work, since getting home, only got the blog post for the Day Job and the extended one on my Patreon that went live at 7:30 pm tonight, premium connect already being uploaded, check out the Happy to Announce post on the home page for the link. However, when I checked my Discord today, after days of non-stop writing around my day job, I found a DM from M. Williams asking, 'Are you, by any luck, an author?' I'm like, ok, not to be rude, but that's a weird thing to randomly DM someone, regardless of whether I'm an author or not, even though I just happen to be one.
M. Williams, if you're out there and reading this blog, I did try to reply; however, Discord wouldn't let me send my response. If you want to chat, feel free to accept my friend request on Discord. I'd be happy to chat with you.
Regardless, I'll keep you informed if M. Williams gets back to me. It's now 11:30 pm, and I've still gotta go back to the day job tomorrow. I'm a bit scared after what I found today.
Talk Soon
XX StaceSteele
29th July - 10th of Aug 2025
Ladies and gentlemen, this is going to be a long one, so bear with me. With the lack of internet, I've been trying to write but set up things for my writer's bag before I go on holiday in just over 2 months, till the date, as my annual leave starts on the 13th of Oct 2025.
Ok, now I've been struggling to work on CODENAME: OMG, that nerd is really a spy: Deamweaver, although now sitting at a nice 256k words, lucky I can type quickly before the internet drops out, but then have to hope that the information saved before it did, or I'd lose hours of hard work.
Sadly its been so bad that I can type sometimes up to three lines of content however the whole system stalls so my laptop stops trying to get the words to appear on the screen and this laptop isn't very old only 3 years really old but still doing well the one before this one lasted about 10 as it never got anything to overly taxing on it one of the reasons I use digital patforms to do my writing such as Sudowrite and Gammary. Sudowrite helps me to set out my novels. It does have an AI feature, but you don't have to use it if you don't want to. I use it for ideas when I get stuck, and it helps to push the story along.
Anyway, I have a feeling that one is going to need a lot of editing, ROLLS EYES at the thought, not what I wanted, but hey, here we are.
SNEAKY PEEK TIME: READY?
The observation hit Sue's enhanced consciousness with unexpected force. Four years of institutional conditioning had taught her to view civilian integration as tactical vulnerability requiring careful concealment. Yet here was a pathway to acceptance that utilised systems already in place—no dimensional manipulation required.
"I should review the Director's authorisation for these entertainment centres," she said, her commander's voice carrying the kind of measured efficiency that felt comfortable after the emotional turbulence of the day. "The tactical implications for civilian integration and recruitment potential are significant."
Mr. Reynolds chuckled, the sound registering through her enhanced hearing as genuine rather than mocking. "And that, right there, is why you'll need time to adjust to civilian life. Most teenagers would be excited about new gaming centres. You're calculating recruitment vectors."
Heat crept up Sue's neck as her golden signature responded to the gentle teasing. "Both considerations are valid," she said, though her enhanced perception registered the truth in his observation. Her analytical frameworks defaulted to tactical assessments even when civilian excitement would have been the more natural response.
"Both are valid," Zane agreed, his blue energy creating interference patterns that somehow made her enhanced consciousness feel less isolated despite the cognitive dissonance. "But maybe tonight we could just be excited about the possibility of kicking Simon's ass in capture the flag when the centers open."
Sue felt a laugh bubble up at Zane’s words, “Yeah, but we won’t be able to do any of our tricks, Zane, like our rift walking or shields over the flag.”
Zane grinned, his blue signature pulsing with mischief that made Sue's enhanced perception register patterns she recognised as competitive anticipation mixed with protective amusement. "That's what will make it interesting. We'll have to rely on actual strategy instead of dimensional manipulation."
Sue felt her golden energy respond to his challenge, creating interference patterns that made the kitchen lights flicker briefly. The mathematical precision of tactical competition, without enhanced capabilities, created probability vectors that her analytical mind couldn't help but calculate—pure strategic thinking applied to civilian entertainment parameters rather than operational necessity.
"You realise Simon has no idea what he's agreeing to compete against," she said, her commanding voice carrying frequencies that suggested the tactical assessment masked genuine excitement beneath institutional conditioning. "Even without dimensional abilities, our training gives us significant advantages."
Mrs. Reynolds shook her head, though her electromagnetic signature pulsed with patterns Sue's enhanced perception identified as maternal amusement rather than disapproval. "You two are going to terrorise those poor civilian players."
The observation hit Sue's enhanced consciousness with unexpected warmth. Not tactical concern about operational security or institutional protocols, but simple recognition that her capabilities might create unfair advantages in civilian competition. The distinction felt important in ways her analytical frameworks couldn't quantify through mathematical precision.
Her enhanced hearing detected Mr. Reynolds moving through the house, the subtle sounds of evening routines that belonged to a genuine family rather than an institutional facility. Lights are being turned off in unused rooms, doors are being checked, and the domestic security protocols that created safety through care rather than tactical positioning.
"We should probably get some rest," Sue said, calculating optimal sleep cycles for enhanced performance despite the electromagnetic turbulence still pulsing through her nervous system from the day's revelations. "Tomorrow requires tactical readiness for whatever social warfare Rachelle decides to implement."
Zane's blue signature wrapped around her golden energy protectively, creating those familiar patterns that somehow made the approaching civilian integration feel manageable rather than overwhelming. "Rachelle's going to be processing her own revelations tomorrow. She might be too confused to cause much trouble."
Sue felt her enhanced frameworks mapping probability vectors automatically—Rachelle's recruitment rather than memory modification created variables that existed beyond her tactical experience. The cheerleader would return to Lake Air High with full knowledge of enhanced capabilities, yet her loyalty remained an uncalculated factor in tomorrow's operational parameters.
Her golden signature steadied as she processed the weight of everything that had changed in a single day. Handler Harrison's removal, Viktor's humiliation, institutional acknowledgment of her Dreamweaver capabilities, and most importantly, the recognition that she finally had a home that felt like a sanctuary rather than a tactical assignment.
"Ready for bed?" Zane asked, his voice carrying frequencies her enhanced hearing identified as gentle certainty rather than tactical inquiry.
No more for now, that's enough. Can't give everything away, but then this is only part of the draft. Still some tweaks that need to be made; indie-publish this one. ;)
However I do use other forms of AI such as Claude AI to bounce ideas off and set up concepts such as this new one for Betrayal Across Two Kingdoms started last night from notes found in the vault while my internet had been the best it had been in days.
READY FOR A SNEAK PEEK AT THIS ONE?
As the documents were signed for Prince Jasper Blackthorn of the Southern Kingdom of Darkness, aged three years, to be intended to wed Princess Elara Whitestone of the Northern Kingdom of Light, aged newborn. This treaty would come into effect once the Princess turns 18, and after that, Prince Jasper would be expected to court her before their intended wedding that would follow two years later.
King Aldric set down his quill and flexed his fingers, the muscles in his hand cramped from the careful formation of each letter. The ink gleamed wet on the parchment, and he could smell its metallic tang mixing with the beeswax that sealed the document. This alliance would secure everything he had worked toward—the Northern Kingdom's fertile lands, their ancient bloodline, their strategic mountain passes.
He rolled his shoulders, feeling the familiar weight of his crown as he straightened. Across the great hall, the Northern delegation gathered their copies with reverent care, their pale blue ceremonial robes rustling like autumn leaves. Their king looked older than Aldric remembered, his beard now completely silver, his hands trembling slightly as he lifted the treaty.
A soft whimper drew Aldric's attention to the carved bassinet near the Northern throne. The infant princess—his future daughter-in-law—stirred beneath her swaddling clothes, one tiny fist escaping the blankets. Strange to think that this helpless creature would one day unite their kingdoms. He had seen newborns before, of course, but never one whose fate was so intertwined with his own ambitions.
Footsteps echoed behind him, and he turned to see his three-year-old son toddling across the polished marble floor, his small hands reaching toward the ornate table where the documents lay. Jasper's dark hair caught the light from the stained glass windows, and his blue eyes—so like his mother's—were wide with curiosity about all the ceremony and strange faces surrounding him.
"Papa," Jasper said, his voice carrying that particular petulance that meant he was tired and overwhelmed. "Want to go home now."
Aldric felt a familiar tightness in his chest as he looked down at his son. The boy had no understanding of what had just transpired, no comprehension that his future had been decided in the stroke of a pen.
"Yes, my son," Aldric said, placing a hand on Jasper's small shoulder. "We shall return to our kingdom soon."
Aldric knelt, bringing himself to eye level with the boy. How different Jasper looked from the Northern royal line with their fair features. His son was all Blackthorn—dark-haired and sharp-featured, even at this tender age. A momentary pang of regret for his late wife passed through him. She would have known how to explain the importance of this day to their child.
"You have met your future bride today," Aldric said, his voice lowered for Jasper's ears alone. "The little princess in the cradle."
Jasper wrinkled his nose. "She's just a baby."
A chuckle escaped Aldric's lips before he could stop it. "Indeed she is. But one day, she will grow, as will you."
The Northern King approached, his ceremonial robes whispering against the floor. Aldric rose quickly, squaring his shoulders. He never liked showing vulnerability, especially to potential rivals.
That's enough sneak peeks for now. I haven't done any work on Blood and Betrayal lately. I've had to put a pin in it until the internet is working correctly. I can't afford to lose any work, being a commissioned novel series. Sorry, Violeta, my editor from Dreame, I am working on it. We need to get this right the first time, not having to keep going back to fix it. My head is about to explode because this needs to be addressed.
Now for the update on the Author templates, slowly starting to add the names into the file from my little book alongside trying to keep up here, my Discord and on Patreon. I wanted to have Blood and Betrayal out long before I went away, but at the moment, that's starting to look unlikely. Not much I can do about it, I guess. Not that Violeta has asked, but I wanted to be able to show some progress on it by now. Even if that meant only getting the first five chapters out of each novel. Well, once I've got that, it will be going up as soon as possible.
Sadly, there aren't enough hours in the day when you still have a day job to go to. However, I might download and print what I have so far so that I can at least work on notes that can be typed up after this is all fixed, at least it's something, I guess.
Moving on, some of my items for the cover have arrived. I'll post them soon in the Items I bought to Use for Photos for Novel Covers page.
Additionally, I thought I had ordered the correct book for my Author template physical version. It's the same size as the small purple one for names, so I'll use that for Wolf names or something, being dark green. It's fixable, and I went back through my purchases to find the right one and ordered it alongside others to do other areas of the world building.
Currently working on what can be loaded at the moment, or can be done with only a small loss if something goes wrong.
Well, that's enough for now. I'll be back later to upload the photos of the new items for covers, but until then.
Talk Soon.
XX StaceSteele
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