Hey you,
This is an update to tell you all that I have nothing to update. Naw, just kidding.
But seriously I’ve been putting off this “update” because I’m not sure how to state it succinctly. Writing books is messy.
Any writers out there?
I’m in my head at the moment, and it is a mess. There’s a story, but it’s a bit like I’m standing in the middle, looking up, and characters, scenes, places are swirling around me like a tornado.
I guess the good news is that it’s getting clearer.
So here’s the messy version: I am almost done with a big final edit on a new book. I don’t have a title, a release date, or a summary. I do, however, have a goal.
Here it is:
I will stand in the tornado of my mind until the story settles and this new book will be out into the world, God willing, before the end of the year. Goal-ish enough?
Here’s how it literally works:
- My hopeful publishing date is December 15th.
- I need a month after editing is done to complete changes, format, and upload November 15th.
- My sweet editor friend and colleague needs two weeks (at least) for her job, which means she needs my final copy by October 31.
- I need another month (about) to take thoughts from my lovely beta readers and make any needed changes. This step is hard. This is the time when someone else finally reads the story. While my readers are the sweetest to me, I still agonize over this part. I mean here’s this story that has solely existed in my mind and I finally hand over to someone else and say, “here, critique it.”
- Anyway, I like to give my beta readers a couple weeks which means that this book needs to be cleaned up and “done enough in my mind for someone else to read” by September 1.
I have a month. That’s my goal. ✔️
Until then, here’s a thought: I pray this every morning and over everything that I write. And then, I let go. Because I need help, I cannot do this on my own. I know that I’ve been called to write stories, the rest is up to Him. Thankfully.
One more thing: You might ask, how exactly do I finish a 500 page 130,000 word historical fiction novel and make it reader ready in one month (plus the year I’ve already been working on it)?
By making time, daily. Writing brings me joy, so it’s not hard. Being kind to myself on the days I’m not very good at it. And lots of coffee.
That’s it. Thanks for supporting me. Love to you all on this gloomy (at least in Buckley, WA), smoky (maybe?) Saturday morning.
Heidi xoxo ❤️
PS. okay, one more thing. Have you wanted to know more of Pauel’s story? Wondered how he got from Liverpool, England to Lyle in Washington Territory and where Rye came from? Do you remember Penny? How about Taymema? Kuruk? 😉
Don’t worry, you’ve got time.
But I don’t! 😱