You'd Better Believe It!

Okay, so posts of late have been lacking, but that doesn't mean I haven't been working.

My second book in the "I Walked With Jesus" series takes takes place at the time of Acts. The book is almost completed. I should have it ready for sale in January or February of next year. Yes, that's later than I promised - it won't be out for Christmas - but it will definitely be out in the next few months.

I want to make sure the book is the best it can be, and that means the stories chosen will have the most impact on you the reader. I figure I need to add at least three more stories before the book is ready for beta readers. And then there's the cover to decide on and so on.

I have a short story in the works which I am trying to decide if it fits into the picture book or magazine category. The idea was sudden. I was sitting in church when it happened. The next day, I sat down to write "The Perfect Dress." Perhaps I need to post the story here first. I will let you know.

It snowed again this morning. This time I have icy snow stuck to my car's windshield. Have "cool" day!

Photo https://unsplash.com/@damianmccoig

Snowy day!

We received 12 inches of snow! 

How long did it take you to shovel your driveway this morning?

Are your trees doing this?

 

When it snows...

This is how it looks out my office window today. 

I love it when you can look out the window and enjoy the white fluffiness without having to venture out. I love it when there's more time to write and reflect, more time just to stop, look, and take it all in.

I have been thinking a lot about my writing lately, but mostly about what I haven't been doing. After my latest book came out towards the end of last year, I sort of stopped writing for a while. 

But you know how the tug is...

I already have the cover ready for the second book in the Space Adventures of Aaden Prescott series. So today I think I'll begin going over the second draft of the manuscript. The manuscript has sat long enough that I believe I can return to it with fresh eyes.

Have you ever had a period of a few months where writing was left out in the cold? I would love to hear about it.

Happy Writing!

Kathryn

March Mood-swings

Yesterday, I had an interesting conversation with my daughter who lives in Texas.

Evidently it was 85 degrees yesterday. The kids were out swimming.

As the snow melted like crazy on my front and back lawns, I thought about the mowing I'd had to give my lawn just the week before (yes, it was long) and the weeding and otherwise pruning that had already taken place and that covered with - snow.



Isn't spring amazing?

Even in Texas, they're still getting rain to cool things off, and then right back to the 80's again.

Sometimes writing is a bit like spring weather. One day, the ideas are just cruising from your fingertips like a hot rod, the next, the hot rod appears hidden beneath layers of snow.

And I guess that's okay.

We all have mood swings - and so can March.

Snow? It's about time...

I don't know about you, but I was ready for snow.

Don't get me wrong. I don't ski, snowmobile, or do any other of those outdoor sports. What I do like is looking out my window and watching the white fluffs come down.

No, I don't like to shovel.

I don't like to drive in snowy weather.

But I do like the looks of it.

And you know, it's kind of like putting out that first book. You slave over the thing; probably go over it a hundred times still finding real or imagined "mistakes." You may wonder if a publisher will ever pick it up. You may even wonder, like I did, if it just wouldn't save some headache if you did it yourself.

The weather when your writing, metaphorically speaking, may be a difficult shovel. You may even have difficult times driving in it, but in the long run, you'll more than likely be pleased with the results.

Kind of like sitting in your office watching the fluff come down.

Headaches and White Stuff

No, I'm not talking about dandruff, but I'll have you know that Bountiful, Utah has plenty of it right now. Snow that is.

Lately I've been balancing shoveling with doing my Just Dance workout. It doesn't make sense for me to do both and I figure one or the other will fill in the exercising niche for the day. Unless it snows more than once in a day...

I'm not usually one to complain, but...I've had it. I'm tired. This morning, after I shoveled, my body ached in places I didn't even know there were muscles. Anyway, I'm here now, working my brain a bit as I tell you my woe's.

Photo by pixie tart, courtesy of Flickr

Isn't it incredible how amazingly 'winter' it has been this year? Yes, I told you in an earlier post that I was trying to live in the moment, enjoying what is here and even use what is here now in my writing.

But today...

Photo by: El Frito, courtesy of Flickr

Nope.

I just want spring to come. I want the shoveling to end, and the cold, and the inversion (they should call it aversion) and everything having to do with winter: hats, coats, gloves, boots, scarves...

I get headaches too in winter as you probably guessed by the headline. I think this is because of the crummy air. This is the third day straight I've had to 'dope up' on pain killers so that I can get through the day.

Sick of me yet? I apologize for complaining. But now that it's out I can get back to work.

Feeling the same way?

You know what to do.

Kathryn

When It Just Keeps Snowing

I don't know about you, but the last few days has included multiple driveway shovelings. The driveway is cleared, and I breathe a sigh of relief, only to look out the window a few minutes later and see it snowing again.

Yes, another snow shoveling today means more workout for the bod and plenty of muscles moaning in surprise. I just don't know how I'm going to gear up for another removal, but I will.

Photo by: pmsyyz, courtesy of Flickr

For those of you who haven't been to my house, the driveway is steep enough that without a sufficient clearing, the car merely slides down when you're trying to drive up. I hate to say it but my husband and I have had many episodes where we've have to race the car up the driveway from the main street just to make it up to the top.

What does this have to do with writing?

Well, let me tell you.

Sometimes in the feverishness of trying to get our writing work finished and out to the public, we don't take time to clear the driveway; i.e. to do our homework, so to speak. This homework always includes editing.

I am the first one to admit that I've published my books with errors in them. And this is after I've had my work edited. What I've learned is that it's better to let your work sit for a few days, even a month, and then to go back to the edited version of your manuscript before calling it good. Your manuscript might make it 3/4 the way up the driveway, only to return to the starting point with some readers because of some missed errors.

Photo by Jake Sutton, courtesy of Flickr

And it will happen, even with a good editor or editors.

If you're like me, you'll never give up with your writing even after you've made a few mistakes. And keeping up without giving up is a bit like snow too, I think.

Snow!

First snow storm of the year. I can't help it. Christmas is suddenly funneling through my veins.

Photo by HerryLawford, courtesy of Flickr

This morning my husband and I brought in the his and hers swing, some plants, a small children's table, and outside toys--all of them a mucky mess. My patio looks suddenly empty and larger than I remember it. And I am hoping to keep my spirits up as the days darken and cold enters through the cracks of my home.

But I do have a fireplace, lots of warm mittens and blankets stored up for just such an occasion.

And I have books.

I read more during the winter, don't you? The fall and winter seasons lend themselves to cuddling up with a favorite book and blanket. I often reread some of my favorites:

The Tao of Pooh
Gift from the Sea
The Power of Intention

Along with my favorites I like to pick up new books from the library and wander through bookstores like Barnes & Noble to their discount tables.

It's easy for the day to simply go by when it's snowing like today.

Perhaps I will begin anew an old read.