Guardian of the Veil: Back from the Dead

I've been researching and collecting for about a year. Toying with different ideas. Writing down one-sentence thoughts that I think are great, but have no real fit yet. As I started going down a dark cryptid alley, I realized I just needed to start outlining it. The first book I completed went through five revisions and at least one genre change. I didn’t map out much (understatement). I gathered my characters, got to know them, and just started writing.

When my writing instructor got hold of it, I was asked whether I wanted a “commercially viable” work or a historical novel. At the time, I wasn’t sure why that mattered. I was busy killing off main characters in very dramatic ways. Years later, I totally get it. By the third complete revision, I had plotted out the formula. Girl meets boy. Girl dislikes boy. Boy wins her over. Something happens (usually a misunderstanding followed by a ridiculous lack of communication), and then they overcome it and live happily ever after. Gag. Yes, it turned into a historical romance. Following the formula to the letter.

So, back to reality and my current situation. I’ve gathered notes, thoughts, and any research I could find on cryptids. But my main characters from the shorts that were published want to come out and play. So now I’m trying to figure out a way to combine super scary cryptids and storm-chasing wiccans with a Voodoo God and a female vampire. What could go wrong?

Speaking of “going wrong”. I think in this iteration of my old buddy, Gerard, I’ll leave out the specific religion and maybe just make him a random god-like character who is connected to the veil and helping trapped souls cross it. Guardian of the Veil still seems like a good working title.

Hopefully I can avoid further admonishing comments from any other Vodou priestesses!