The Lost Dragon (Camp NovMo 2026)

The Goal

I keep saying "this will be the last rewrite!" Well, here's to hoping this is truly the last. Let's consider this a third completed draft. Technically, there are two others that never saw completion, but this one I'm gunning for done and done.

That doesn't mean editing, revising, and fixes won't be due. I'm just hoping this is the last huge overhaul/rewrite, and that I can feel confident enough to start pitching it to publishers.

Right now I have 50k, and I'm a little over halfway through the outline. Act 1 is complete, Act 2 is half done, and Act 3 is outlined in hard strokes -- only details need to be filled out, but I'm finding in this draft that for the first time, things have been falling into place. It's nice when I feel I understand the story and characters enough that the story has begun to write itself.


The Vibes

One thing that sets this story apart is that it will be like a graphic novel and a novel had a baby: there will be around 50+ comic pages used as a literary device to depict flashbacks visually, meaning you will get to see art of the characters. I also plan (eventually) on adding character portraits for the front of the book, title illustrations for every Act, and potentially, some splash illustrations here and there.


Have you ever had to rebuild everything you know and believe from scratch? Have you ever faced the consequences of your actions and realized you aren't the hero everyone said you were? Have you ever had to reinvent yourself while everyone else is trying to shape you into their own image? Then maybe you'll be able to empathize with the main character, James Hawke, who's struggling to do the same. The stakes are high. James has already made history once: the question is if he's willing to make it again.

Interested in beta reading?
I'm looking for beta readers who can sincerely devote time to reading and giving feedback to the full story. If the premise interests you, DM me!

Art Goals

Ordered by priority. The first one I aim to complete for certain, the second might have to wait until May.

- Title Illustrations: Finish the Title Illustration for Act 2: Polarize.
- Character Portraits: Complete portrait drawings for every named character. To be listed at the start of the story.
- Book Cover: Complete a book cover illustration (or at least proof of concept).
- Comic Pages: Finish and polish comic pages, as they are currently only in draft/thumbnail form. I don't expect to finish this in April, but maybe May/June/July.
- Concept/Reference Art: Collect concept art in an "art book" for myself, namely for personal reference. Create official outfit references for each main character. This will also include maps.

Feedback Goals + Querying

I'd like to have completed feedback from at least 5 beta readers by the end of the summer so I can polish this draft, finish the comic pages, and start focusing on querying to publishers by the fall. Ambitious? Perhaps. But it's good to have something set ahead of me.

I'm still lowkey considering -- if this proves unpublishable -- buying my own domain, making a website, and publishing it there as the mangled novel/webcomic beast it is. It would be a way to own all of it for myself, maintain some control, and would also give me a place to publish Book 2, when it comes around.

That said, "they" suggest authors have their own websites anyway... so that's another goal worth looking into. Anyone know someone who knows how to code that I could pay to help? LMAO.

Early progress: Chapter 19 complete, at 3.1k

Chapter 20 on the docket, and I intend for it to be a doozy! Yay.

Edit: Shaved CH 19 down to 2.8k! (A good thing!) But wrote about 350 for Ch 20 so it levels out. Hah

I know a bit about building/hosting websites if you want to poke me with questions! :3

Loooove that there will be character portraits at the beginning!

I remember this!!! It looks so cool!

@Wolfi >_> When my draft is done and brain space becomes available I might give you a poke.

@Snoink AAA Thank you! :^)

UPDATE: Chapter 20 is done! This one was a little easier because parts of it were recycled from the last draft -- but this chapter is longer. Most chapters are between 2-3.5k, this one's on the longer side with 3.1, but it ALSO has TWO four-page flashback sequences that I love being back to back now. But also, it's pretty brutal.

Current Total WC: 56480
Current Comic Page Total: 49

(Other pages are already drawn, but are awaiting their chapters.)

UPDATED TOTAL WC: 61782

Did I do three chapters in one night? Yes. Did I lock in too hard and will I want to go back and edit? Yes. But here we are

CURRENT TOTAL WC: 64k

I wrote a 4k, split it into two chapters, and now I'm done with part 2 because it felt like the right note to end on.

That leaves Part 1 at 31k and Part 2 at 33k.

ONWARD TO PART 3! I think as far as WC goes, I'm doing great? Huzzah? If part 3 is around 30k I'm in the green (in that shaving WC after that point shouldn't be too hard).

This sounds awesome, especially the mix of novel and comic! Best of luck accomplishing your goals!

you're killing it so far! love seeing your progress

New Total WC: 69115

Wrote about 4k today - need to draw 2 or 3 comic pages to finish this chapter. Split this chapter in 2 but note sure if it was needed? Eh. Will wait. One is just under 2k, the other a lil longer.

Part 3 now has 2/11 chapters!

4k in one day @_@ thats impressive. Way to go!

Alright! Got chapter 27 done, 28 almost there, and a total of 4/11 chapters complete.

Wrote about 4.6k the past 2 days?

TOTAL WC SO FAR: 71,646

EEP! Inching up there. With 7 unwritten chapters left, let's see how I do. I'm excited for the next two-three chapters though, because things just came together and now I'm gonna throw a wrench into all the plans <3 I love ruining character's plans <3

Make James's life harder!

Chapter 28+29+30 Complete. I have one comic to draw for Chapter 28 but I'm putting it off for the moment b/c I'm in a writing headspace tonight.

TOTAL WC SO FAR: 80k

With 5 chapters left!

New total wc: 82k

I may not be normal in that I pumped out another 2k and now have 4 pages I need to draw. But it's fine. It's fiiiiiine.....

4 chapters left