One of the things I've always loved when writing, is inserting what you may have heard called Easter eggs, what I call hidden gems. These are little nods to special people or places in my life, quirks of mine or someone I know that I'm fond of or find amusing or absolutely cannot stand.  

In the manuscript I'm currently working on, for example, the main character has a special ring tone for her best friend. When the Star Wars theme goes off, she knows to answer the phone, and fast. That's a ring tone I use as well.

In Carousel Beach, Maya listens to Chris Botti as she works. Trumpet is one of my absolute favorite instruments and Mr. Botti is my not very secret crush (you'll find me at every performance close to home).

Emma, the main character in The Distance Home, picks up a stone and slips it in her pocket as a reminder of the stable and better times. There's a stone on my desk that I picked up years ago that's the inspiration for the one in the book. 

I've slipped names of friends into every book but never attach characteristics that would be familiar (you know, gotta protect the guilty :-) ).

And every book I write has one character named Alex as a nod to my favorite person in the whole world.  

Most writers will tell you they either like the initial writing phase or the revision stage. I've yet to come across someone who says they love all of it.

Me: I like the initial brainstorming part when the ideas are still fresh and anything is possible. This is the period when I protect the story like a newborn. I'll read novels with similar concepts or research books and noodle plot threads. I'll troll Pinterest for pictures of locations and objects (never people though but that's another post). I love the possibility of the story at this stage.  

In my ideal writer world, though, I'd then be able to fast forward to revisions. Don't get me wrong, I love the act of writing. It never ceases to amaze me that I have these stories inside me. There are few things as rewarding as finding those perfect words to bring to life something or someone that only existed in my mind. 

But revisions, ahhhhh ... that's where the magic happens. That's when details pop out that I hadn't thought about before or another plot thread reveals itself. With each subsequent pass, the story becomes more nuanced. 

Sure, there are times I can't stand the idea of doing ONE. MORE. PASS. That's when -- time permitting -- I'll step away from the manuscript for a few days. And always, ALWAYS when I come back, I find another surprise that excites me.

On days like today, when I'm deep in revision number I-lost-count-three-revisions-ago and all I want to do is give up and move on, I take a few minutes to re-read some of the edits I've already completed. It's like that stolen moment or look with a loved one, the kind that reminds you why you fell in love with them in the first place. 

Anyone who's decided to make writing a career will attest to the fact that this isn't the easiest of choices. It's amazing, don't get me wrong, but easy it isn't. Every time I start a new project or get another rejection or read a published book that makes me question my own  abilities, I give myself a moment to fantasize about becoming a llama groomer.

But then I push that dream aside and get back to business. Why? Because of the two Ps. 

Patience.
This is the hardest of the two for me. Anyone who knows me well will attest to the fact that patience is not in my vocabulary. I get an idea and I want the book done, NOW. I get seriously twitchy waiting for answers on submissions. 

But rushing leads to mistakes and regrets. I know this. I can't always do it and I can't say I'm mellowing with age, but I'm learning.

Best advice I received: When you think you're done, give it a day or a week before declaring it "finished." Fresh eyes, not a twitchy trigger finger, are your friends.

Perseverance. 
There are, of course, exceptions but most writers I know didn't hit it out of the park with their first book and continue to hit the bestseller lists with every book. There are plenty of writers who have multiple manuscripts stuffed in a desk drawer (virtual or not) waiting for an opportunity to shine or enough rejection letters to line a city-sized aviary .

I had four completed manuscripts before I signed with my first agent. I approached each manuscript and query experience as a learning opportunity and I never lost sight of my end goal: to have a published book that I can hold in my hand and see on a shelf in a bookstore.

No, I'm not one of those exceptions. But I'm also not giving up because I believe in the stories I have to tell.

A few weeks ago I was chatting with a fellow writer, comparing TBR (to be read) lists and I mentioned the box of books that had just arrived that day. When the conversation shifted to our current projects, my friend was flabbergasted that all of the new books were, in some way, connected to my new story idea. She doesn't read anything that's even remotely similar to what she's working on.

I, on the other hand, have always searched out similar women's fiction titles. Seeing how other writers treat certain topics triggers ideas on new directions to take with my story. Beautiful storytelling inspires me to dig deeper. Creativity motivates me to push harder. The way my brain works and my writing style will never be like someone else's, so "copying" is never a concern for me. I'm not reading those books to compare theirs to mine, I'm reading to launch my own ideas, to find that little nugget of beauty that will send me on an exciting detour. 

With that in mind, here's part of my WIP TBR. And no, I won't be giving any spoilers. Not yet at least. For now, this story is still like a new relationship, one I want to nurture and enjoy before introducing it to friends and family. :-) 

If I had to put a one-word label on my writing from 2020 it would be Jumbled. I started out the year on a pretty solid path but it didn't take long for me to lose my footing. I spent a couple of frustrating months flip-flopping between self-doubt and determination. One week I was writing like a woman possessed, the next I was deleting more than I was putting down. And if that wasn't enough, I couldn't settle on what project to work on (but that's another post). 

We've all heard the advice to go for a walk in nature or manhandle exercise equipment or clean toilets or use all the hot water in the shower or whatever gives you the change of scenery and mental break when you're struggling with your manuscript. 

I've used exercise to jump-start ideas and I crochet when I'm stumped on a plot point. But the busy brain that took over this year was more than either of those could cure. What worked? Switching genres. I wrote a draft of a children's book and a short story. Here's why that helped ... 

When I write women's fiction, I have to be on a computer. I've tried writing longhand, nothing happens. The first draft is a messy collaboration between my brain and fingers. I don't stop to edit or reread. Editing, however, is done on paper but again, different post. 

I've learned over the years, though, that children's books flow from brain to pen. I have to write those out longhand and then edit on the computer. 

And the short story, well, that turned out to be a typed first draft and typed edit. Go figure! 

The switch in formats and genres, allowed my creative braincells to let loose while still working on the fundamentals that are consistent across all writing -- character development, story structure, conflict, plot, setting, etc.

Now for the fun part of seeing what -- if anything -- can become of those new projects. :-) 

Intuitive Editing by Tiffany Yates Martin.
​This book is a game changer! My copy has  sentences underlined, exclamation marks next to entire passages, and tons of flagged pages. Tiffany's approach is straight forward and, dare I say it, intuitive (groan, I know!). And, as an author herself, she understands the writer's mind.

This book is so much more than a "how-to edit" book though. Tiffany's strategies have not only helped with editing, but also with the brainstorming process on new projects. 

The Emotional Craft of Fiction by Donald Maass.
​I've loved all of Don's books (and his workshops; seriously folks, if you're lucky enough to attend a workshop with him, do it!!!!), but this particular book spoke to me the most. As a reader, I gravitate most to books that leave me raw and inspired from the emotional journey. 

I find myself going back to the Emotional Mastery Checklist in the back of the book on every manuscript to make sure I'm pushing myself to dig deeper. 

On Writing by Stephen King.
​This is just one of those books that every writer needs to own and read and reread when you're doubting why you ever thought writing a book was a good idea. 

I'm not a fan of horror, to be honest, but I am a fan of anyone who is this brilliant at telling a story. This book is inspiring and empowering and an absolute delight to read (and reread).

Rotten Reviews & Rejections edited by Bill Henderson & Andre Bernard.
As writers, we deal with rejection and harsh or just plain weird reviews all the time. It's part of the business that you can't escape. Though we never wish rejection or crap reviews for another writer, there's a comfort in knowing you're not alone. And sometimes, you need the reminder that even the best of the best received their fair share.

This isn't a how-to or even an inspirational book on writing. But it's a good reminder that we're in good company and that keeping a sense of humor is essential. 

Last week, I talked about setting and keeping boundaries, especially these days. But here's the thing, sometimes, not even boundaries help. Sometimes what you need is to chuck it all and take care of the most valuable resource you have: yourself. 

What I'm doing these days ... 

I'm reading.
I’m not reading heavy, literary, topic-based books. I’ve started and abandoned five different novels in the last few months. And I’ve resisted attempts at discussing what I’m reading. The novels that have kept my attention are ones that allowed me an hour or two of escape each day. I’m not looking for answers to profound questions or a grand “a-ha” moment. A fellow author suggested (with a not very subtle eye-roll) that I was being shallow, that as a writer I was supposed to be deeper than that. I won’t be swapping titles with that person again.

As a writer, I know just how hard it is to spin a story that transports someone to a different place, a different time. Why then should I feel guilty for enjoying and escaping into a world that someone else has lovingly created? The fact that someones hard work can give me an hour of peace in a day where I feel like my head is spinning like a cheesy horror movie, is brilliant. I'd be delighted to hear from readers that my books did that for them.

Maybe I’m not “learning” from an authors carefully honed craft. But I am honoring that carefully honed craft by letting her words transport me. I am escaping, I’m okay with that. And when I put the book down, I’m in a better place.

I'm learning.
In the last few months, I've devoured several MasterClass courses on writing (plus a couple on cooking and science because life isn't all about writing), and signed up for a few online workshops. I'm reading and re-reading books on writing and personal care. 

I've also been working on two projects that are outside of my regular genre and, for now at least, just for fun. What a fun exercise to stretch my creativity and re-discover the joy of writing for the sake of writing.

I'm watching TV.
I'm not usually a big TV watcher. Not because I have anything against it -- there are actually a lot of programs I really enjoy -- but because life gets too busy and by the evening, I'd rather sink into the tub with a book. But now that we're all home and the usual afternoon/evening mom-uber driving is down to a minimum, the evenings allow for more downtime.

It's been fun binge watching new or new-to-us series with the entire family. And I've even watched and rewatched a few feel-good movies.

I'm taking me time.
One positive that's come out of the last few months is that I'm relearning the importance of taking time for myself, whether that's half an hour to sit outside and read or an hour to listen to an audio book and crochet, or 10 minutes to just sit and breathe and let my brain settle. Yes, there are a million things to do but there are a million reasons to slow down as well.  

I'm not worrying about writing.
There are days I can whip through my word count like it’s a bag of gummy bears. Other days, I sit at my desk, open my manuscript then promptly close it.

I know the “write every day” rule. I don’t. I can’t, especially not lately. But whether I’m consciously thinking about them or not, my characters are always with me. And I find that when I’m not forcing myself to think about them, they’re more forthcoming with their secrets. Most of the time I can lose myself in the writing. But sometimes the anxiety of everything happening around me crowds out the words. Those days, I give in. And I don’t feel guilty because I know the stories are safe.

My one piece of advice to writers, especially as 2020 winds up: Do whatever you need to nurture yourself. And do it without guilt!

For me, fall has always been a time to hunker down with whatever project I'm working on. It's when summer schedules are finally filed in the memory boxes and routines are re-established. This year, however, is different. This year I'm sharing my space with my family. But more than that, this year has an overabundance of emotional and mental drains.

Writing can be challenging enough under perfect conditions. Add a healthy dose of 2020 to the mix and it can be downright impossible. It's more important than ever to enforce boundaries to protect our creative side.

Note: I wrote a similar post about protecting writing boundaries three years ago that still holds true. This post, however, is the 2020-version. :-) 

This can be hard when everyone in your family is at home, especially when you're used to having chunks of the day for yourself with only the cats (and brain squirrels) to interrupt your flow. I'm lucky that my son is older and doesn't need me to watch over him during  school hours. But his room is right next to my office and his class schedule includes downtime for homework. And even though my husband works in the basement, that's still another person who will, occasionally, ask a question.

​I've had to adjust expectations for my schedule. I no longer have the five uninterrupted hours to work plus the couple of hours in the evening while I waited at the climbing gym. I can't fiddle around the way I used to and still be able to fit in writing once I was ready to settle in. 

So I set boundaries -- for family and myself. I now get up earlier and write for an hour and half before everyone wakes up. And I write during my son's actual class time then allow for flexibility when he's on his break. The adjustment was tricky at first but I'm finding that having that set time helps my focus. Put your writing time in the family calendar so everyone knows that block of time is spoken for.

I'm also very selective about when I schedule calls or appointments. I'm most creative in the mornings so I've blocked off my calendar until 12:30 every day. I close out of social media and email and set my phone to allow messages and calls from only a couple of people (I don't want news headlines popping up for example).

With everyone needing space at home, we've spent much of the last few months shuffling and reshuffling, trying to accommodate everyones needs. There was even brief discussion about whether my office should be converted to my sons study and music space. But my office is my private sanctuary. I love (almost) everything about this little room and this is where I draw the line on sharing. 

Not everyone is lucky enough to have a dedicated room though. Even if you can only carve out a comfy chair in a corner of your house or time-share on your kitchen table, set clear expectations with the people around you that during your writing time, that space is off limits.

Story ideas and early drafts are, for me, like relationships in that beginning budding phase. I prefer not to introduce them to friends or family until I'm sure there's something there. I don't want someone else's opinion about my story or my characters clouding the initial creative process. That's not to say I don't brainstorm with friends, but I've learned to be selective about who I confide in and when.

​These days, though, I've had a harder time keeping my thoughts on track. With everything going on -- both inside and outside the home -- my brain has felt like a hamster cage with seriously over-caffeinated hamsters. No, that doesn't mean I'm cutting back on coffee (that wouldn't be good for anyone) but what it does mean, is that I don't engage in many conversations about the state-of-the-world/politics and when I do, it's with people I trust will have a constructive dialogue.

As writers, we need to leave enough breathing space for our characters and their stories. That's not to say we should be squirreling away and ignoring the world. But it does mean that you need to know yourself well enough to recognize when to keep ideas close and when to open up.

If you know me, then you know I'm the poster child for introverts (the whole stay-at-home directive wasn't a stretch for me). But staying put also means more time on social media, more time watching/reading news, more time to work because I'm not running around with errands or driving my boy around. All of those "mores" are draining. 

As part of protecting my writing time, I was already in the habit of closing out of email and social media for periods of time. But this weird new reality we're living had me slightly obsessed with watching news and monitoring social media. I found myself spending far too  much time focused on what everyone else was doing. 

I measured my progress, or lack of in many cases, against what others were posting and fretted over the debilitating news reports. And at the end of the day, I barely had the energy to deal with what to fix for dinner much less what to do with my writing.

Limiting the amount of time I spent on social media and news channels to the bare minimum helped the productivity (I wrote 2/3 of a manuscript and revised it twice) and it put me in a much better place mentally and emotionally. 

Early in my writing journey, my husband said: "If you don't take yourself seriously as a writer, why would anyone else?" He was right. This isn't such a stretch then ... In order to write, you have to protect your creative boundaries. 

Almost every author I've talked to has confessed that self-doubts and imposter syndrome is something they've gone through at least at some point in their career or something they go through with every new book. For some, it's almost debilitating, for others it's a temporary annoyance. 

Doubts come in all shapes and sizes and, over the years, I've learned how to deal with the majority of mine. That doesn't mean I don't still fight them on a regular basis or fall victim to their nagging sometimes, but for the most part, I've learned to recognize when those doubts are veering into curl-up-in-a-ball territory and gained the tools to steer them in a more positive direction. 

Several years ago when I was in the middle of revisions for Carousel Beach, I had a particularly nasty episode of why-did-I-think-I-could-do-this-itis (I even wrote a blog post about it for Writer's In The Storm). A dear friend told me to trust my gut. My gut hasn't always been the most trustworthy, so I was a bit (lot) skeptical. She pushed on, saying: "You didn't get where you are on accident. You know better than you think you do." 

Lately, I've been flopping around about what to write. My problem isn't one of ideas, I've got tons of those. My problem is not trusting that I can live up to those ideas. My problem is allowing the doubts to dictate my actions.

Earlier in the year, I completed a manuscript, revised, then started submitting it. I cleared off my desk and pulled out my ideas sheet. This is where I keep the "back cover copy" blurbs for the various story ideas. One idea in particular had been poking at me for some time. The tone of that story felt much different than my previous books and I thought it would be a nice change, a palette cleanser of sorts during a time when I really needed an escape. And I settled down to write.

I promptly feel in love with the characters and the story. Writing became fun. You know where this is going, right?

It was fun until rejections on the previous manuscript started popping in and shoved down my confidence like the bully self-doubt can be. Suddenly, I knew, just KNEW that the story I was now nurturing and loving wasn't going to have any more luck in the big bad world than the previous book baby.

I stopped writing. I picked up another work-in-progress. And stopped with that one, too. I switched to a different genre, and froze with that book as well. Every time a story started to come together, my uncooperative brain would poke at my decision. 

Yesterday, in a moment of despair-fueled decluttering, I came across a print of that graphic above with the wise words of my friend. This morning, with those words in my head, I revisited one of the projects I'd started noodling. Guess what? It's a good story and I can write it.

So I'm overruling my head and the self-doubts it keeps tossing at me like the acorns the squirrels were pelting me with on my walk earlier. For now, I'm going to trust my gut because, yeah, I didn't get here by accident.

Monday's post about the calendar flipping over to October, made me think about the different seasons and whether I have a go-to favorite for my books. Spoiler alert: I'm equal opportunity when it comes to using seasons in my books. 

We all connect with the seasons in different ways. A particular season may trigger certain memories or feelings, alter our moods or even our behavior. It’s not a new concept – acknowledgement of seasonal mood disorders dates back to the fourth century Greek philosopher Posidonius. 

For me, Fall has a comforting, safe feeling. Summer a lazy, relaxed one. Spring is fast-forward anticipation. Winter, well, I think I was meant to be a bear who hibernates during the winter. 

What does this have to do with writing? Everything, actually. 

The season (or seasons) in which you set your story can impact the tone of your story, as well as the behavior of your characters. 

Let’s take a look at each season and a few of the different feelings, smells, emotions they conjure.