Should you write your next book(s) in keeping with the latest trend? I’m not going to pretend that I fully understand the book market, nor would I ever presume to tell another writer what’s best for them. However, I know that sometimes it can be helpful, when trying to make a decision, to lay out the pros and cons of the situation in a simple, clear way. That way, you can put a plus or a minus in each column and that can sometimes help clarify what you want – or don’t want.
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At the time of the writing and publishing of this post, the official first day of autumn is still a week or so away. But where I live, fall has started: rainy days, chilly nights, and some of the trees are starting to turn their colors. I love the “–ber” months – September, October, November, December. I’m a cold weather lover; and even though I spend more time indoors in the summer (hiding from the sun and the heat), I have trouble focusing on my writing (because of said heat).
My brain wakes up in the autumn, and so far this month I’ve gotten more writing done that I did all of July and August combined. I’m on the home stretch (for real, finally) on the second book of The Light-Whisperers of Kalevala trilogy. I’m not sure if the book will be published by the end of the year, but I for sure will have at least finished the manuscript and be well into the editing and cover design phase. There will be some interior art (like in the first book); that’s already in process, so stay tuned to this blog and my social media for some sneak peaks sometime soon.
Continue readingIt’s been a while since I’ve done any sort of intro post (like, years), and since I’ve gained at least a few new followers in that time, I thought it might be time for another one. You know, just some quick tidbits about me, so you can better understand who you’re following and decide if this was such a wise choice after all.
You can check out some other posts to learn about my all-time favorite author (Beatrix Potter), or other random things about me. There is also this post from a few years ago about who I am vs who I want to be, and is just as true today as it was in 2022.
And now, here are five other quick trivia bits about me that you may or may not care to know:
Continue readingThis past year has not been a very productive one for me, as far as producing books goes. At this time last year, I’d hoped to have the second book in The Light-Whisperers of Kalevala trilogy published, or at the very least in the final stages of editing and formatting. As it stands now, I’m still wading through the first draft.
Book writing, and creativity in general, has been a challenge for me this year. The day after Christmas last year, my family moved my elderly father into a nursing home. His Alzheimer’s made it unsafe – for him and my mom – to care for him at home. While dealing with that transition, several other members of my family had various unrelated health challenges during the first part of the year. Then in the summer I put my house up for sale. Autumn brought more changes as my father passed away and I moved into a new place that, while safe and comfortable, wasn’t quite move-in ready and thus required some time-consuming work. Other smaller things also happened this year that were surprising drains on mental energy.
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While it’s good to practice thankfulness all the time, every day, during the month of November many people think of gratitude in a special way. It’s great to take time to focus on specific things you’re thankful for.
I have a lot to be thankful for. And in particular I’m very thankful for books.
