Writing Update

I’ve been neglecting my blog! Life has been a whirlwind for many, including me. In the last month I became a chick mom (so cute!) and a homeschool mom (so wild!). And in between those things, I’ve been reading and writing every chance I get (or make).

So, time for a writing update!

I spent the last few months immersed in writing a new stand-alone fantasy, but I also completely re-wrote my first fantasy book after some helpful suggestions from agents and help from my writing group. I’ve now gotten several requests for the full manuscript. Yay!

Whether it will lead anywhere or not, I don’t know, but I do feel that this is a sign my writing is improving. Moral of the story – keep working at it! I’ve learned so much during this process: how to improve my voice, how to tell vs. show, how to properly pace a novel. I have many more lessons to go, and I look forward to them.

I also set myself up a writing space, finally. It’s just a desk in a corner of my bedroom, nestled between two windows, one of which looks out on my yard, and the other on my garden, (which has also been totally neglected, to be honest). All of the wall space is dedicated to notes on my WIP. This includes a sticky-note plot board that I can move around, an outline developed from that board, notes on how to pace the different sections of the novel, a storyboard, and lots of world-building info. The chair, which I stole from my husband, is also super comfy.

Having the space, having my notes all around me as I’m working, makes a huge difference in my productivity. On the bookshelf behind me, I have all my reference books, a baby-name book to help with naming minor characters, a thesaurus, and my favorite fantasy novels. My goal is to make it a place of inspiration, and so far it’s working.

When I’m not writing or editing, I use this space to plan lessons or just to get stuff done that needs doing in peace and quiet.

My next month will be a month of transition, and I’m hoping to find a nice balance between family and writing. Maybe I will even finish my current novel! Until next time…