Fowl Play, the ninth Dewberry
Coming up for air
Hi, everyone, and thanks for being patient through my unplanned sabbatical. As much as I enjoy blogging, there are times when I just need to tune out the world for a bit and recenter. And finish those pesky manuscripts, of course! In the future, I’ll try to do better giving everyone a heads-up, and I thank you for understanding. Like many of you, I have a lot of balls in the air, and sometimes I have to put a few down for a while just to retain my sanity.
I have cut back a bit recently, though, and am consequently feeling rejuvenated, which is wonderful. The second werewolf book is done now, and I’m working on the third GWI; am hoping to have it done relatively quickly before turning back to the werewolves for the third of the TALES series. I got a fabulous quote from goddess MaryJanice Davidson the other day, by the way — I’ll post it on the web site soon. (Oh, and I love my new editor, Kate Collins, who fortunately also loves the ms I recently turned in. Whew.)
I’ll be back later on today catching up on comments… again, you guys are wonderful, and thanks for bearing with me!
K
Welcome back! I must admit, “fangs and fur” are not my thing (which is a shame, because it’s so popular and I feel kind of out of it), but I can’t wait for the new GWI book.
Glad to hear it’s just “balls in the air” and nothing more serious that’s kept you away. I keep meaning to head down your direction, since my god daughters live in Austin, but #$&$@ life keeps getting in the way!
Hey, Karen…I’ve been a bit concerned but then knew you were writing with both hands to get your ms finished and off. So, I’m glad you’re back among the Blogging. I started a cozy for NaNoWriMo, but have been struggling with it. It’s completely outlined, but I just feel unable to pull it together, so after 11,798 words I put it aside and began another novel today. I’m now 3,421 words into it. I wish I felt better about the cozy. Oh well…again glad you’re back.
Kayla —
I heard an author at the Edgars last year (I wish I could remember who it was) say that he’d once tried to outline a book. Once the outline was done, however, he couldn’t bring himself to write the thing–the exciting bit was done. Something to think about!
Thanks, Laura. That’s something to really consider. My first two novels were Christian fiction – chick lit, and I didn’t have this difficulty. This is my first stab at mystery and I’m having a very difficult time with planting red herrings and clues without giving too much away. Plus I’ve never written in 1st person before. I bought 9 books, 2 specifically on writing a mystery, but practical application is different. Maybe this was just too much to bite off for NaNoWriMo. Hopefully I’ll make the 50 K goal by the 30th. Again, thanks for the info.
To Kayla,
What is NaNoWriMo? I’ve heard of it but now it escapes me…
And welcome back, Karen! Can’t wait to read the new wolf book!
Judy W
Judy –
National Novel Writing Month. (My NaNoWriMo page: http://www.nanowrimo.org/user/256556 )
Basically, you pledge to write 50k words in November. It doesn’t always work out that way, but it’s a kick in the pants!
Kayla –
Is there some reason you feel you need to work in first person for the mystery? I know lots of people do, but plenty don’t…maybe it would be easier for you if you didn’t? I am having the opposite problem–my NaNoWriMo project is romantic suspense. I’m used to straight mystery, written in the first person, and RS is usually third person with more than one POV…it’s hard!
This makes my 3rd year doing NaNoWriMo and it is great knowing others from around the world are doing the same thing.
Laura, I stopped writing my cozy because there was just no joy in the process (at 11,798 words I was forcing myself to continue). I started a new novel yesterday, so I’m a bit under the gun to get to the 50K goal (which mine had orginally been 80K). But I think I’m OCD enough to get it done! Wish me luck!!!
Good luck! Oh, and if you know how to change the “thermometer” so I can put my actual goal (which is 80k words) in there, let me know. Do you have a NaNo page? We can be “buddies.”
I don’t have a website, but have added you to my buddy list at NaNoWriMo. I have found of no way to edit the green bar. I think it’s standard because that’s the site goal.
Good luck and hope to catch ya over there!
Enjoy the fact that you are busy with school age children. Before you know it they are gone and you face the empty nest. It is lonely and all of a sudden you have no one to take anywhere; no events to attend, etc.
I enjoyed looking over your site and reading the excerpts for the books. I haven’t read any yet but when I can get out of this cast on my foot, I’ll have to check into them. God bless.