Good evening, readers! Strap in, because this isn’t just another writing update—it’s the wild rollercoaster of my brain trying to turn spaceships and chocolate into a murder mystery. It’s been an adventure full of ebbs and flows, moments of inspiration and periods of doubt. But here I am, more enthusiastic than ever, and it feels like the right time to reflect on how far I’ve come with Aliki Martin and her world.
The Aliki story started with some wild ideas back in 2018—the kind of ideas that make you wonder if your brain took a wrong turn at "sensible." Even then, the concept of a woman running a used spaceship dealership had a firm grip on my imagination and wouldn’t let go. The idea seemed crazy enough to work, and I’ve always loved the thought of weaving a murder mystery into such a unique setting.
In 2019, I went through several iterations of QABN storytelling, always with Aliki as the heroine and sometimes with KC as her sidekick. That year, I had a breakthrough: I asked myself, What would happen if the shield came back on at the wrong time? That question led to the creation of the murder scene in March 2019. I had my inciting incident and the perfect hook for my mystery.
Later that year, I took another swing during NaNoWriMo, fueled by equal parts ambition and an alarming amount of coffee. I already had an outline and major conflicts figured out, so it seemed like a good time to give it a real push. I finished the contest with 50,000 words and a title: When Goblins Do Chocolate. It was a messy draft, but it felt great to hit that milestone. I thought I was done with Aliki, but she wasn’t done with me.
Fast forward to 2022: I decided to revisit Aliki’s story, partly because I’d purchased The Novel Factory software and wanted to see if it could turn my chaotic draft into something presentable—spoiler: it’s great at organizing, but even software can’t fix plot holes the size of a spaceship. That’s when I realized the story needed serious work. The original draft lacked tension, and the climax wasn’t as strong as it could be.
Still, I persisted. Goblins became reptilian aliens. The chocolate smuggling plot grew more intricate, with additional players and complications. KC took on a bigger role, and Aliki gained a new companion—a droid named Emmett. Figuring out Emmett was one of the most fun parts of this process.
Now, I can see the end of a real draft—one that feels satisfying to write and, I hope, just as satisfying to read. I’m so proud of this book. It’s been a learning experience, a journey of persistence and growth. Aliki and I have come a long way together, and I can’t wait to share her story with the world.
What’s next, you ask? Well, I already have the initial idea for Aliki’s second adventure. Think galactic cruise ships, where murder comes with a side of all-you-can-eat buffets and zero-gravity dance floors. This time, she’ll find herself involved in galactic espionage. KC and Mitch will return, of course, and Emmett—well, he’s far too entertaining to leave behind.
If you’ve been following along, thank you for joining me on this journey. I hope you’re enjoying it as much as I am, and I’m excited to keep creating and sharing these stories with you.
