Before I format my books for audio, print, and e-book, I enlist the help of the one and only…
Lady Laura.
She gives all of my final drafts one last proofread to ensure no pesky errors have slipped through the net, which can happen despite rigorous rounds of editing.
Naturally, I don't share the plot or outline with her as I want her to read the book as you, the reader, would — without a squeak of knowledge.
And I can now say the results are in…
SHE LOVED IT.
In fact, we frequently messaged each other throughout the process as it was far simpler (and safer) to do, given how Master Liam likes to rough up his little brother when nobody is looking.
This was the first text I received from her:
"Amazing twist for—"
—Whoops, I almost gave that one away there!
What she was referring to was a BIG moment that happens in Chapter 2.
This was soon followed by:
"No! You better be joking about—"
—By the gods, I almost did it AGAIN!
This time, she was referring to a gut-wrenching twist at the end of Chapter 3.
I shall say no more on that.
Anyway, we often swap looking after the boy, and this time, I was on the hook while Laura scurried into the writer's corner to finish her proofreading.
That's when I received another text from her.
Only, it wasn't praise this time:
Laura: "Daniel!"
Me: "What have I done now?"
Laura: "There are no ducks in this house."
I had to do a double take for a second, but I quickly realised what she was accusing me of.
The culprit was standing right in front of me in a size 7 nappy, puffing his cheeks and then blowing the air out over and over and over again.
To the untrained ear, it can sound like one is passing a barrage of wind.
Horrified, I shot Laura back a stern reply…
Me: "That's Liam blowing his cheeks!"
Laura: "I won't apologise – you should read The Boy Who Cried Wolf."
🤣🤣🤣🤣
Touché, m'lady. Touché.
It's good to know she still hasn't forgotten the time I went vegan for 30 days, which wreaked all kinds of havoc on my body.
I shall spare you the details, only that I will never engage with such tomfoolery again.
That said, while she remains defiant in not apologising, I, too, remain steadfast in my pursuit of Book 6 of The Divided Region being released this July.
Yes, I did just say that.
I'm not going to divulge a date just yet as I've still got the audio production to get through, but come hell or high heavenly water, the long-awaited sequel is coming out this month.
And I promise it will be worth the wait.
I am acutely aware that it has been a year since The Great Betrayal was published, and I can assure you Book 7 (the concluding title of the series) will NOT take nearly as long.
That said, I would be remiss not to say that if — like me — your memory of things starts getting foggy after a week (let alone a year)…
There's still time to refresh yourself with The Divided Region before Book 6 drops.
And if you haven't read or listened to it yet?
You can do so here:
https://djjwatsonstore.com/products/TDR-Bundle
Have a crack-a-lacking weekend.
Stay classy out there, Legionnaire!
DJJW