In varying degrees of intensity and work, I have three main projects currently on-going. Several more live in my head, but these are a little more than ideas. They have their own notebooks and everything. A sign of serious work, not a mere sign of hoarding notebooks. I promise
A few months ago, I put up some Pinterest mood boards of images I found that fit the aesthetic of each of my projects. Usually, I use my own artwork and I rarely dive into Pinterest with the great intensity I know some writers do. Many have been very vocal in their jealousy of the way my head is able to capture visual aspects of my world and characters pretty easily without much in the way of visual aid. What can I say? I have a vivid imagination and with an art skill (no matter how mediocre) I can usually make do on my own. This was just a bit of fun. A bit of fun that got me thinking about having a place where I talk about each one.
So, welcome to the world of my WIPs. (Work In Progress)
WIP: One
First is my main project. Nebula: Revival and extended works. A cyberpunk world that has lived in my head since beyond the days of Covid, if you can believe. This is a world where capitalism had gone mad, so mad there isn’t any sign of a governing body. Just gangs and big corporate names looking for money. I am currently querying Nebula: Revival and I have mentioned it is being queried as a standalone, however if the stars align, I have a series in mind.
In the post Wants and Wishes (Found here: https://danielledorman.co.uk/2025/01/12/wants-and-wishes/), I mention there is a second book already written for this series. I called this book Nebula: Separation. The events of which take place before and slightly during. Nebula: Revival’s protagonist is Alex a corporate suit on his heartless race up the corporate ladder only to uncover dark truths. Nebula: Separation’s protagonist is Nova a punk singing model who has lost a lot to the corporations and fears she has nothing left to lose. (More on each character is found on the post Alex and Nova facts: https://danielledorman.co.uk/2025/07/24/alex-and-nova-facts/)
The third and final book I would write for this series would be a dual perspective between the pair set years after the events of Nebula: Revival. This book has only had snippets, ideas and a brief outline worked on, so I am not quite ready to share the title yet, but I do have one. I hope all three hit the shelves, but publishing is a business and campaigning a standalone is less risk than a series.
I also have some interconnected stories planned for this world as there are whole other cities to explore and many, many people who hold their own stories. I have a few ideas for stories set in different places in the world and one set in the same city featuring an assassin and a hacker. The story gives strong Blade Runner: 2049 vibes.
WIP: Two
This is not a standalone. I could not campaign it as such as the story I have planned spreads across three books. I know the basics of what happens in all three. The first book is sitting with a full first draft. The second has some scenes written along with most of the outline. The third is a little vaguer as I am taking one step at a time.
It is fantasy. More specifically fantasy with a dash of horror, along with some romance. Not always the happy kind. I researched a LOT because this world is the biggest I have ever created. I mostly use Celtic regions as inspirations, but I branched out to other mythologies and folklore occassionally. I did have multiple countries to create, and I wanted it to feel diverse.
Unlike with my previous book, this holds multiple character perspectives. I’ve stated in other sections on my website, this story started out as a homebrew Dungeons and Dragons campaign. I felt multiple perspectives really sell the ‘ragtag’ bunch of characters that often comes in playing TTRPGs.
I’m not yet willing to share titles or character names, but I do expand more on my Fantasy webpage. (https://danielledorman.co.uk/fantasy-2/)
The main duo finds themselves with magic in a world magic is sparse, only to uncover a nightmarish foe unlike anything anybody has seen.
Also, the first book happens to be the longest book I have written. Yes, that terrifies me.
WIP: Three
I genuinely love this idea. I don’t have favourites and I’m not about to make a joke here, because really, I don’t. I just genuinely love this idea simply because it is unlike anything I have ever written.
Early readers of my work describe my writing as ‘bittersweet.’ I can see why. I like to play in a space with an undercurrent of melancholia. Yes, I let happy scenes feel happy. I just like the complexity of having scenes and beats convey more than one emotion. Especially if that second or third is hidden behind a layer of subtly that requires some thinking.
This book is just fun. A whole bunch of fun. Fun to write, fun to read. I haven’t finished a first draft yet, but I have multiple chapters done and an outline. So, what is it?
Well, it is science fiction fantasy as it features a space adventure that holds magic and fantastical elements like dragons., like a lot. Surprisingly more than my fantasy books.
The two main characters are vastly different. One is an alien who is deeply sheltered. She grew up on a tiny space station where nothing of note happens. She can’t say anything particularly exciting as ever really happened in her life, until she manages to meet our second character.
He is a human mercenary from Earth. Yes, you should know that planet. He owns his own ship, flies all over and to our alien main character, despite being a regular guy, she views him like a main character from the stories she adores. However, where she is wide-eyed and eager – he is found groaning, sighing and unwilling to accept any more excitement.
On a mission, with a few side quests on the way, they find a balance between them. I’ve labelled this as being a cross between Mass Effect and Disney’s Hercules. Why?
Because our female main character has never quite found the place she belongs. She has always felt like an outsider and after she makes a huge discovery about herself, it only enhances those feelings more. Behind her optimistic world view sits a person desperately trying to fit in.
Unlike any other, this is a standalone and holds lower stakes. Don’t get me wrong there is still action, shooting and a whole lot of adventure so I wouldn’t label it as cosy. Just don’t expect these two to be overturning anything or punching a god or something. This is also me, where there is fun I expect something sinister or dark to crop up somewhere.
There you have it! All three of my current projects. I don’t work on all of them simultaneously, that would be crazy even for me. They are all sitting in varied degrees of work. For instance, currently, my fantasy books have my main focus while I am querying Nebula: Revival and trying to find my perfect agent.
I’d love to hear which idea intrigues you the most. Hopefully one day they are words on a page that you can hold in your hand.
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Thank you so much for reading the ramblings of my creative mind!
Danielle Dorman 
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