Why am I writing about a little girl in a western post-apocalyptic wasteland? It’s the first book in my series that is based on a future where most of humanity has been wiped out and the survivors live in a world with domed cities and wild badlands. Because ninety percent of the human population died sixty years ago, a new culture has arisen from those not lucky enough or rich enough to live under the protected domes. These people who prowl the badlands are called Raiders, a brutal group who live under a King and have a huge slave population (as well as a nasty new religion). The story focuses on a child slave who grows up in a Raider household and claws her way to the top with the guidance of her mentor, a wise old woman with a huge secret.

I am using these writing exercises as a way to explore my main character, because I’ve been struggling with outlining the conflict the she has internally. Basically, I don’t know Zafira well yet, and I want to know her really well – whatever her fate may be. I’m attempting to step inside her skin and experience who she is from her eyes. Otherwise, how can I write her life story?

I want to warn you there WILL be spoilers in my short stories! I am exploring the mind of this character and throwing her into situations at the deep end to see what she will do. Sometimes that means skipping around her life and somewhat spoiling the plot for you. For that I deeply apologize.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading what I’ve written. If you liked it, I would love to hear from you (and if you didn’t like it, please be kind because I am a marshmellow and putting writing up that I crafted out into the world is super scary).

If you are interested in being a beta reader, please find more information on my About page.

If you’d like to sign up for my newsletter, Sand & Ink, to receive monthly updates on my work and short stories I’ve written (often based on the novels I’m working on), I promise to only send you stuff that I think you’ll like.

Here’s where you can read more about me: https://csdailey.net/about/