Book Editing

Hello, wonderful readers!

I've missed you all, but I've been immersed in something incredibly exciting. I'm thrilled to announce that I'm hard at work on the third installment of the Thornwood Series!

In Thornwood, we followed Annabelle as she ventured beyond the confines of her home, uncovering a world brimming with magic and mystery. Eastville took us deeper into the shadows of the school's enigmatic past, where secrets whispered through the hallways. And now, in Vernonia, we'll peel back the layers to reveal how it all began, and watch as Annabelle and Leigh transform from awkward teens into full-fledged superheroes.

The writing phase is complete, and I'm now diving into the meticulous process of editing. For those curious about how the magic happens, I'm pulling back the curtain to give you a sneak peek into my creative journey.

Here’s a raw, unpolished snippet of the new book.

“Dad, can we talk?” Leigh wasn't stopped at the staff's entrance anymore. He could come and go as he pleased (most times with treats). 

“In a minute, son.” William was finishing packing lunch for Mr. Montgomery, who was standing next to the counter. “There you go.”

“William, I have to say your cooking is marvelous. Thank you.” 

“Anytime.” 

On his way out, the professor stopped before him, looking intimidating for a fraction of a second before breaking into a grin. 

“If you're half as talented as your father, you will make an excellent chef.”

“Thank you… I'm considering it.”

“Don't be ridiculous,” he brushed past him on the way out. “You have superpowers, you make money out of it.”

“So…” William washed his hands before returning to Leigh. 

“So… this is about that text... Which you never answered.” 

Obviously, his father wanted to live in blissful ignorance for the rest of his life. If the exasperated grumble he made was any indication, the immediate digging into his work served as a diversion. 

“I’m busy,” He tried to say, but Leigh wouldn’t have any of it. The bowl, flour, and milk flew him his hands and started making themselves in the air. 

“Croissants, right?” Leigh asked nonchalantly, with his elbows on the table. “Sit, Dad, please. I need to know the truth. The whole of it.”

The man, realizing that he was cornered, pinched the bridge of his nose and sat down. 

“How many eggs?”

“Two.” And the eggs broke themselves in the air while the mixer kept stirring the dough. 

“Anyway, Vernonia?” Leigh pressed. 

“Yes, we lived there,” William replied, tense. 

Unfamiliar dread crawled from within his stomach. It was a crazy supposition so far because Leigh had no memories of it at all. To be fair, he just posed the question to answer Annabelle with a clear conscious. But… to think that he might - for real - be her lost childhood friend, felt like he had skipped into an alternative reality. 

In pure consternation, the young blond boy almost dropped the bowl.

“Keep stirring,” his father replied before returning his attention to him. “It was precipitated moving there. As reckless as showing your powers around, I must add.” The dough started to get firm. It poured itself down into a tray and entered the oven, adjusting the temperature on the way in. “I had no idea it would become so natural to you.”

William had struggled for years with bruises and cuts whenever he tried to use his powers, but unlike his son, he was never successful. His body fought the enhancing serum like an infection and as it spread through his blood, his health deteriorated. The display of such fluid abilities got a sign out of him. Like an old man who realized he wasted his life pursuing a dream that would never be accomplished. 

“I looked at your journals, I tried to read them… but I’m still in the dark.” Leigh took the opportunity to get more information out of his father since he looked like he was willing to speak. “Can you tell me everything? From the beginning?”

“The beginning?” William scoffed, “The beginning was in this very table. Alexander was my dear classmate and we talked a lot, we even challenged each other to go out and see who dated more girls by the end of the year.”

Leigh refrained from saying how inappropriate it was, but it was the lightest part of the story because, as William continued, things took a creepy turn. That is… creepier than he had suspected all along.

Alexander had been as popular as royalty could be in school and William had always kept his distance from his classmate. After all, even though he studied there, he only did so because his father was an employee. But it looked like William was blessed with social graces that Alexander had not, and both boys ended up being friends. One approached intending to be part of a group, and the other to explore a high-class network hoping for a life-changing opportunity.

But friendship grew deeper and William was horrified when one day, he was doing his homework at the kitchen table and butlers stormed in, carrying a prince who could barely catch his breath. 

“He fell out of nowhere.” One had said.

“He was just walking and dropped on the floor.” Another continued. 

The Headmaster at that time arrived with Peter Baker, his intern, and Thornwood graduate. Rumors swirled around—poisoning, hidden diseases, and various speculations, until the family doctor disclosed that Alexander would be another Vernonia prince who wouldn't make it to adulthood.

"Terrible health problems, for generations. The monarchy will end for lack of heirs at this rate. The Queen provided the best doctors and promised a substantial fortune to whoever figured out what was wrong with her child."

Unintentionally, the doctor planted an idea in the Headmaster’s mind. The money would always be welcomed, and the investment could place Thornwood Institution in the Hall of Fame of Scientific Research. Phone calls were made, the Vernonia Army provided a top secret operation, high-tech equipment, and a pharmaceutical industry from one of the students volunteered to supervise the medicine they wanted to develop.

Ethical trials typically followed strict guidelines to ensure the safety and well-being of participants. In that case, however, Thornwood, the Army, and Medicorp ignored moral aspects and opted to test the medicine on unsuspecting children. The pursuit of a cure for the royal family's health issues blinded them.

The initial subject underwent continuous tests over several weeks. He was known as S1 - a prisoner that had been in Vernonia’s military grasp for years. No family, no friends. Perfect for clandestine testing.

Scientists assessed his mental faculties, reflexes, and his peculiar ability to manifest his intentions, creating a mix of awe and anticipation among the researchers. To maintain secrecy and streamline logistics, the test subject was relocated to a concealed facility within the school. The serum was then developed from studying his blood, with the goal of replicating his unique metabolic capabilities.

William was promised financial compensation when he volunteered. The rumors echoing in the kitchen were heard and he didn’t hesitate to go straight to the doctors, ignoring the Headmaster. He genuinely wanted to save his friend, but the money would be a great help.

For nearly six months, William experienced no discernible consequences from the trials. Meanwhile, Alexander not only recovered but also achieved remarkable success, winning a riding competition and defying the odds. It seemed nothing short of a miracle.

Then, one day, William got enraged with Alexander - some stupid argument over a girl - and, in his outburst, a chair flew in the air, almost hitting four of their classmates. William had to undergo endless tests and had his supernatural powers confirmed. Witnessing this, their intrigued classmates readily volunteered to try the serum as well and the curiosity-driven Army of Vernonia financed more trials.

Remarkably, the results were astonishingly diverse. One of them discovered the ability to shape-shift, while another could manipulate matter with their mind. Someone achieved extraordinary speed, breaking all Olympic records, and another gained the capability to breathe underwater. Yet another became incredibly strong, with their muscles tearing through shirts with a simple yawn.

Inspired by their newfound powers, these students formed a close-knit group, focusing on mastering their abilities and one by one they eventually brought several trophies to Thornwood in different areas, giving the school the prestige it was seeking for decades. 

They even had superhero aspirations, designing costumes and capturing images of themselves to present their abilities to the newspapers and the world at large. 

But the implications of coming out at that time were far too menacing. Stratton was an ambitious lieutenant at the time and he built his career to the top by monitoring the teens, always trying to convince his superiors the great army they could built with enhanced soldiers. Days in the battlefield without eating, tirelessly fighting, surviving missiles… 

But one by one they were gone. 

William and Subject One grew close as they spent their monitoring hours speaking. Not that William completely understood what his colleague spoke, because it sounded like riddles most of the times. The man even caught his journals to read the recipes and never returned them, saying he buried it around the cabin to play hide-and-seek.

A rift opened in their cooperation with the army once they were of age. Alexander ascended the throne and William got married. 

“When you were born Stratton wanted to run tests,” William explained. “So I took you and ran. Alexander offered shelter - a job at the palace's kitchen under a different identity - but we were found and we had to move again, and again.” 

The smell of freshly baked croissants invaded the kitchen. The clock ticked dangerously close to curfew. 

“Peter said we’re safe here,” William shook his head. “But I don’t trust that girl.”

William still hadn’t explained why he didn’t like Alexander, once worth risking his life for a kind of friend. But Leigh decided not to press the subject. 

It was still unbelievable that Subkect One had been the one to bury the journals as a prank. So, aside from recipes, probably there was nothing important there after all.

“Annabelle is one of my closest friends,” Leigh stood up. The oven opened and six croissants adjusted themselves in a small pack. “She never met her father. You have nothing to worry about.” The pack floated by his side, following Leigh as he made his way through the door. “You should thank her, by the way. She’s the one who saved your life.”

Now, this is the polished part that will make it to the book:

“Dad, can we talk?” Leigh wasn't stopped at the staff's entrance anymore. He could come and go as he pleased (most times with treats). 

“In a minute, son.” William was finishing packing lunch for Mr. Montgomery, who was standing next to the counter. “There you go.”

“William, I have to say your cooking is marvelous. Thank you.” 

“Anytime.” 

On his way out, the professor stopped before him, looking intimidating for a fraction of a second before breaking into a grin. 

“If you're half as talented as your father, you will make an excellent chef.”

“Thank you… I'm considering it.”

“Don't be ridiculous,” he brushed past him on the way out. “You have superpowers, you make money out of it.”

“So…” William washed his hands before returning to Leigh. 

“So… this is about that text... Which you never answered.” 

Obviously, his father wanted to live in blissful ignorance for the rest of his life. If the exasperated grumble he made was any indication, the immediate digging into his work served as a diversion. 

“I’m busy,” He tried to say, but Leigh wouldn’t have any of it. The bowl, flour, and milk flew him his hands and started making themselves in the air. 

“Croissants, right?” Leigh asked nonchalantly, with his elbows on the table. “Sit, Dad, please. I need to know the truth. The whole of it.”

The man, realizing that he was cornered, pinched the bridge of his nose and sat down. 

“How many eggs?”

“Two.” And the eggs broke themselves in the air while the mixer kept stirring the dough. 

“Anyway, Vernonia?” Leigh pressed. 

“Yes, we lived there,” William replied, tense. 

Unfamiliar dread crawled from within his stomach. It was a crazy supposition so far because Leigh had no memories of it at all. To be fair, he just posed the question to answer Annabelle with a clear conscious. But… to think that he might - for real - be her lost childhood friend, felt like he had skipped into an alternative reality. 

In pure consternation, the young blond boy almost dropped the bowl.

“Keep stirring,” his father replied before returning his attention to him. “It was precipitated moving there. As reckless as showing your powers around, I must add.” The dough started to get firm. It poured itself down into a tray and entered the oven, adjusting the temperature on the way in. “I had no idea it would become so natural to you.”

William had struggled for years with bruises and cuts whenever he tried to use his powers, but unlike his son, he was never successful. His body fought the enhancing serum like an infection and as it spread through his blood, his health deteriorated. The display of such fluid abilities got a sign out of him. Like an old man who realized he wasted his life pursuing a dream that would never be accomplished. 

“I looked at your journals, I tried to read them… but I’m still in the dark.” Leigh took the opportunity to get more information out of his father since he looked like he was willing to speak. “Can you tell me everything? From the beginning?”

“The beginning?” William scoffed, “The beginning was in this very table. "Alexander was my dear classmate," he said with a touch of nostalgia. "We even had a competition to see who could date more girls by the end of the year."

Leigh listened quietly, sensing that William's story was about to take a darker turn. William explained that although Alexander was popular due to his royal status, he had always kept his distance. Unlike Alexander, William was at Thornwood because his father worked there, but they eventually became friends. One sought to be part of a group, while the other hoped for a life-changing opportunity.

Their friendship deepened, and one day, while William was doing his homework at the kitchen table, a commotion erupted. Butlers rushed in, carrying a barely breathing Prince Alexander. 

“He fell out of nowhere.” One had said.

“He was just walking and dropped on the floor.” Another continued. 

The Headmaster at that time arrived with Peter Baker, his intern, and Thornwood graduate. Rumors swirled around—poisoning, hidden diseases, and various speculations, until the family doctor disclosed that Alexander would be another Vernonia prince who wouldn't make it to adulthood.

"Terrible health problems, for generations. The monarchy would end for lack of heirs at this rate. The Queen provided the best doctors and promised a substantial fortune to whoever figured out what was wrong with her child."

Unintentionally, the doctor planted an idea in the Headmaster’s mind. The money would always be welcomed, and the investment could place Thornwood Institution in the Hall of Fame of Scientific Research. A title they had been seeking for years. Phone calls were made, the Vernonia Army provided a top secret operation, high-tech equipment, and a pharmaceutical industry that belonged to one of our colleagues volunteered to supervise the medicine they wanted to develop.

Ethical trials typically followed strict guidelines to ensure the safety and well-being of participants. In that case, however, Thornwood, the Army, and Medicorp ignored moral aspects and opted to test the medicine anyway. The pursuit of a cure for the royal family's health issues blinded them.

The initial subject underwent continuous tests over several weeks. He was known as S1 - a prisoner that had been in Vernonia’s military grasp for years. No family, no friends. Perfect for clandestine testing.

Scientists conducted numerous tests on him, observing his mental faculties, reflexes, and peculiar abilities. To maintain secrecy, they moved him to a hidden facility within the school. The serum was developed from his blood, aiming to replicate his unique metabolism.

They had to test it on a ‘clean’ subject.

William was promised financial compensation when he volunteered. The rumors echoing in the kitchen were heard and he didn’t hesitate to go straight to the doctors, ignoring the Headmaster. He genuinely wanted to save his friend, but the money would be a great help as well.

For nearly six months, William experienced no discernible consequences from the trials. Meanwhile, Alexander not only recovered but also achieved remarkable success, winning a riding competition and defying the odds. It seemed a miracle.

However, one day, a heated argument between William and Alexander led to William accidentally making a chair fly across the room. This outburst revealed his newfound supernatural powers. Intrigued, other students volunteered for the serum, and the Vernonia Army funded more trials.

The results varied widely. Some gained abilities like shape-shiftingl, extraordinary speed, underwater breathing, and super strength. These students formed a close-knit group, mastering their powers and bringing trophies to Thornwood, giving the school the prestige it had long sought.

Despite their aspirations to become superheroes, the reality was dangerous. Stratton, an ambitious lieutenant, saw the potential for an enhanced army and monitored the teens closely, always trying to convince his superiors the great army they could built with enhanced soldiers. Days in the battlefield without eating, tirelessly fighting, surviving missiles… 

But one by one they were gone. 

William and Subject One grew close as they spent their monitoring hours talking to each other. Not that William completely understood what his colleague spoke, because it sounded like riddles most of the time. The man even caught his journals to read the recipes and never returned them, saying he buried it around the cabin to play hide-and-seek.

A rift opened in their cooperation with the army once they were of age. Alexander ascended the throne and William got married. 

“When you were born Stratton wanted to run tests,” William explained. “So I took you and ran from Thornwood. Alexander offered shelter - a job at the palace's kitchen under a different identity - but we were found and we had to move again, and again.” 

The smell of freshly baked croissants filled the kitchen as the clock ticked closer to curfew.

“Peter said we’re safe here,” William shook his head. “But I don’t trust that girl.”

William hadn’t explained why he no longer liked Alexander, once worth risking his life for. Leigh decided not to press the subject. It was still hard to believe that Subject One had buried the journals as a prank. Aside from recipes, Leigh figured there was nothing important there.

“Annabelle is one of my closest friends,” Leigh stood up. The oven opened and six croissants adjusted themselves in a small pack. “She never met her father. You have nothing to worry about.” The pack floated by his side, following Leigh as he made his way through the door. “You should thank her, by the way. She’s the one who saved your life.”

I chose a simpler approach here, aiming to avoid overwhelming you with details that aren't crucial at this moment in the story. It's all about striking the right balance and keeping the focus where it matters most.

What do you think? Are you ready to dive back into the world of Thornwood and uncover the next chapter in Annabelle and Leigh's journey?

Stay tuned, and thank you for your unwavering support!