Writer's moments
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Don’t Be Skeered…It’s Just Me
Not long ago, I had Son update my website and put my blog back on the Home page, so it’s the first thing anyone who visits sees. I did this on purpose because I need writing motivation and I’m hope that knowing how tacky an out-of-date blog is will make me write at least something each day. My thirty days of blogging in April was good for me, but as soon as that challenge ended, I slid back into letting life take precedence over writing—any kind of writing. Here’s the thing. I want to write. I want to finish novels 4 and 5 of the Women of Willow Bay and…
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Thursday at the Lake
Yeah, we’re at the lake–and you know, it’s amazing how much more relaxed I am here, how much more relaxed we both are here. I woke up early and we had a leisurely breakfast and then I went to the grocery since we got in too late last night to hit the store. I took my time and wandered some, mostly to get in steps, but also because I felt no urgency. And that’s the beauty of the lake–no urgency. Seriously. we are so laid back here. We did some yard work and Husband painted the deck, which really needed to be done, but he took it slow and easy.…
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Nan In Search of Clarity–Day 30
Well, how typical! My last blog in this adventure and I’m 42 minutes late with it. Are we even surprised? Although, I actually have a good reason for not getting here until 12:42–I was writing. A scene for the new WOWB book has been nudging me and I just needed to get it down, so I started writing right after I talked to Husband around ten p.m. or so and just closed the file on 3,769 words. It felt good–damn good! Today’s picture is from 2005, when Son got his Master’s degree. We had a party for him and Kate was there–this is her with our niece’s little boy. Isn’t…
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Nan In Search of Clarity–Day 28
Another good day–how lovely that they’re more frequent and I kinda think that writing is helping that happen. Another thing that’s happening is that the people in my head are talking to me again. Ideas are spinning round and I’m plotting and dialoguing and building characters. I’m in Discovery–which, according to my wondrous editor Lani involves not just thinking about my book, but also absorbing narrative with books and movies and TV. I didn’t do a soundtrack for my last book, but this one, I think, needs a soundtrack, so I’ve started listening to music on my iPod and figuring out which songs will work for this story. And I’m…
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Nan In Search of Clarity–Day 20
I’ve been thinking a lot about the new book, well, books. Truthfully, I thought I was tired of Willow Bay, but now, I’m wondering if maybe I was just tired in general because ideas are popping. Saturday’s Making Magic miniconference helped stoke my creative fire and Lani Diane Rich’s words helped me more than I can say. She reminded me that what I do is important work–it’s bringing joy and escape and love to people’s lives. Confession? I often feel the need to apologize for my books. How dumb is that? Kate would probably smack me upside the head if she were here. Hell, she was the one who went…
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Nan In Search of Clarity–Day 18
I spent the whole day at the IRWA Making Magic Miniconference and frankly, I’m too tired to think, let alone write. It was a great event and seeing Lani and Alastair again was fantastic! They were inspiring and I think there’s a chance I may be ready to start work on the new book again… Thanks to the conference committee who did a wonderful job with planning, decorations, and food–everything went off without a hitch. Jillian Jacobs, Tia Catalina, Mellanie Szereto, and Tippi Hickey put together a fantastic event! Five Things I’m Grateful for Today, Spending two days with Liz Spending time with Lani and Alastair Making Magic was truly…
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Nan in Search of Clarity–Day 15
So…yeah…I’m about six hours and fifty minutes late with this post. I’d love to tell you that I was so deliriously happy yesterday that I completely forgot about posting and that life is grand and I’ve totally resolved all my issues and no need to remain committed to my thirty days of blogging. Yeah, wouldn’t that be nice? Well, not so much…fact is, I plain forgot. We cleaned the carpet at the lake and scooted home. The drive back was mine this time and I came as close to falling asleep while driving as I’ve ever come. Seriously–if Husband hadn’t been there to keep me talking, I’d probably be snoring…
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Chasing Summer
It’s November 2 and it’s chilly and breezy here at the lake—like wintertime chilly. The sun is shining today, but on Halloween–just two days ago–it snowed! Snow on Halloween! Sheesh! We just walked down to the dock to take a look at the lake, and the wind nipped at my nose so bad, I had to wrap my scarf around my face. Now, as I sit by the window, working and watching the wind scatter our tidy piles of raked leaves back across the yard, I’m wondering what the hell happened to summer? I know summer was here—after all the cottage is still open (although we’re closing up next weekend).…
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Hi, It’s Me…
I promised myself that I would blog again once this book was done and guess what? It’s done! Clap hands!! Of course, I realize that this is only a first draft and once my betas and my editor have been through it, there will be more work to do, but for now, Book 3 of the Women of Willow Bay series is officially finished! I’m so happy, I’ve been Snoopy-dancing all day long. I’m not sure why the book took so long. Actually, most of was written several months ago. But I changed it up—a lot—and suddenly it got bigger than anything I’d planned. I confess, it’s my own fault.…
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8-Sentence Sunday
Eight sentences are up from The Summer of Second Chances and Sophie and Ben just cannot catch a break. That delicious kiss intensifies when suddenly… “Sophie.” Ben pulled back and reached down to grasp her hands, “Soph… somebody’s at the door.” Squinting up into his passion-dark eyes, almost navy in the lamplight from the living room, she blinked in confusion before she finally heard the knocking from the utility room. Someone was rattling the hook on the screen door. He touched her lips with one finger, a gentle caress as he set her away from him. “Sheesh, this place is Grand Central Station tonight.” His breath came fast and shallow.…