Manuscript Finally Finished

The manuscript I have been working on for more than a year is now in the capable hands of my editor. For the next few weeks, I will take a break from the editing and rewriting that has dominated my life.

The manuscript, the fourth book in the John Ross Boomer Lit Series, is 95k words. Over the course of a year, and 10 rewrites, it doubled in size. By the way, this is my 10th novel and 14th book. I may have to go out and celebrate when it's published and the pandemic is over. 

My goal was to finish by July 31. I did submit the manuscript on that date, but I must confess, that after sleeping on it, I resubmitted it this morning with a couple additions that tied together loose ends. I promised my editor she wouldn't be hearing from me with any changes, edits, and whatevers. The next move will be hers, when she returns it with edits, suggested edits, and whatnots. 

I was hoping this novel would see the light of day by the end of this year, but that's doubtful. It's my fault for dragging my butt for a few months. I'll keep you posted when I hear something from the publisher. 

Be sure and check out the August releases from Wings ePress including a new novel, Divine Rebel, from friend Tom Wallace as well as Thomas Fenske's Penumbra, and Peggy P. Parsons's Apitcote. 

The title of my new novel? I'll let you know once I sign a contract. 

Until the next time . . .

New Year Thoughts

Can you believe it's 2018? I know it's a cliché, but the older you get, the faster time flies. 

And time is the most important commodity you have as each year passes by and a new one begins. Health, financial security, and friendships certainly rank high, but time is the component that determines the degree of each.  Treasure each day. 

I'm not much on resolutions; I prefer to have goals as a writer.

So here's what I hope to accomplish over the next 365 days:

• Write the third installment to the "John Ross Boomer Lit Novel" series. That begins today.
• Complete the second volume of "Laments" short-story collection.
• Write more posts to this blog. I plan to write more music-related posts and add short author interviews. Reader beware!  
• Participate in more author-related activities, such as book signings, panel discussions, speaking engagements, and so on. I already have two radio interviews coming up this month and February (more details later). 
  

There will be more items that will be added to the list as time (that word again) goes on, but I'm not taking anything for granted. And I don't want to commit to more than I can handle because that can be frustrating, especially when you can't attain those goals. 

So I'm keeping it short and simple. Balance is key. That includes quality time with family and friends as well as reading, travel, and activities that interest and enrich me as a person.

Here's hoping that you have a enlightening and entertaining new year. 

Until the next time. . . . 

Life Happens

While I believe it’s important for a writer to write every day, there are times when it’s good to take a break.

Writers need to prioritize and not let writing intrude on other matters in life. Don’t misunderstand me, I think a writer should try to set aside some time to write every day, but there are events in life that should take precedence such as important family events, personal commitments to others, and unforeseen emergencies.  

So don’t feel guilty if you don’t put pen to paper, or fingers to keyboard, on those days. Life happens.  And from those life events, you’ll have memories to mine for your writing endeavors.

Conversely, I believe it can be more harmful to be so obsessed about writing as to get so caught up in the process of producing words that a writer will intentionally miss or purposely ignore other activities that make up life. Once something happens, it's gone. Forever.

Life enriches our writing when we experience the degrees of joy and sadness, and everything else we encounter along our daily journey.

Until the next time…