January 20, 2026: First day of drafting!!!!

We got hit with an ice storm in Tennessee this week and my husband and I got to stay in the hotel where he works, so I had plenty of time to write while he was working. I did a lot of prepping. I worked on an outline for my debut novel (I’m not going to tell you guys the name yet!) and a few other things living in my brain at the moment, and started a moodboard and playlist for the vibe of the story at each major plot point. It may sound extra, but it helps me immerse myself in the story while I'm writing. I also got started on the first draft, but given the inconsistency of our access to power, I didn’t get as much on the pages as I wanted to. But we shall persevere!

Bye for now,

K. McClendon

March 09, 2026: 3[ish] month update

It’s been a while since I updated the journal, but I’ve been doing a lot of worldbuilding and really making sure I understand the setting I’m creating and the story that I’m going to tell. Everything from the setting and characters to the politics and traditions will be fictional and dreamt up by yours truly, so I want to make sure it is as real to me as the sun and the moon so that I can make it as real for the readers (you guys!) as possible. Drafting wise, we’re up to chapter five! I’m having a hard time resisting the urge to go back and edit as I’m refreshing myself on the progress after breaks between writing sessions, but I’m continually trudging forward through my outline! 

That's all for now!

K. McClendon 

July 03, 2026: 6 month progress check!

Happily moving through the drafting process now. This story is really shaping up to be exactly what I dreamt of! We’re closing in on the end of Act I and heading into Act II, so I’m getting amped up every time I start thinking about where it’s going while I'm writing. My chiropractor says my shoulders are really tense, and if you ask me, that’s probably why. Finally started my author’s Instagram - @booksbyk.mcclendon

Maybe I’ll do a book name reveal soon… Let me know on Instagram if you might be interested in that!

See you in Act II!

K. McClendon