Author: jillewarner

When Life Goes Skeewampus… and So Very Write

Forgive the pun in the title, but since I last posted, it’s been a very busy and interesting time. Both on a global scale and in my personal and writing lives.

First, my husband got an unexpected job offer that was a big boost to his career, so my family and I very quickly packed up and moved halfway across the country on the leading edge of all the shutdowns of early 2020. We were blessed to find a beautiful home for a reasonable price before the market shot everything sky-high.

I spent the next several months putting together the house and trying to recover from the shell-shock of 2020, aaaand then got slammed with vertigo during the first trimester of pregnancy. (As far as we’re aware, that’s just coincidental and was caused by some nerve damage in my ear.) Baby Augustus* was born this summer and decided to shock everyone with really low oxygen levels the day we were planning on going home, so he had a brief stint in NICU. He’s doing much better now.

Anyway, early this year I started querying agents and publishers and got an offer from Covenant Communications on my early Victorian romance, Of Jasmine and Roses. The current release date is late 2023, but there’s a possibility of that moving. Now I’m working on all of the business-y end of stuff, doing on my evaluation edits, drafting my next project, and researching for book 3 (which I’m SUPER excited about, but soooo much research needs done before I can tackle that.)

This last weekend I went to my first writers retreat and met a bunch of local writers and authors. My favorite part was probably geeking out about Elizabeth Gaskell and our Victorian-era, Cranford-inspired cozy mysteries that another author and I are both wanting to work on (independently). We’ve agreed we’re going to be buddies rather than rivals since that’s one of the cool things about our preferred genres–there’s no such thing as competition since readers want it all!

I’m not entirely sure how frequently I’ll post here anymore, so if you’d like more consistent updates, subscribe to my newsletter or follow me on either Instagram or Facebook.

*I will not use my children’s real names on public forums so they each have a fun internet nickname.

A Belated Hello to 2020

Hi all,

It’s been an extremely busy fall/winter since I last posted. Honestly, I burnt myself out and took a step back from any non-essentials, including the blog, for a few weeks. Things have gradually been picking up again but I’m being more careful to prioritize my personal needs on top of all my obligations.

Which just means that I’m telling myself it’s ok to write before I do any critiques for other people or that it’s ok to not write at all and I can go paint or watch a movie instead.

So far 2020 is looking pretty good.

Writing-wise, my beta readers have my WIP and I’m planning on querying here in the next few months. I’m multi-researching for two more historical romances and a for-fun cozy mystery. One of those is more-or-less plotted out. I just need that last little bit of research before I can really flesh out my hero and get back to drafting. The other two are in various states of active brainstorming. (Let’s be real: I’ve got like 20 more stories that are percolating in the back of my brain. I can’t resist a good shiny idea.)

In my personal life I’m kept on my toes keeping my children alive. A couple of them are true dare-devils who delight in standing/jumping off the arms of my couch and the other one apparently can subsist only on dew drops and seaweed despite my attempts to feed him a more balanced/filling diet. Occasionally I can distract them by letting them destroy (muddy-up) my nice, clean water-color palette.

I will attempt to post at least once a month, but no guarantees. (I’ll probably be keeping my son from somersaulting over his smaller siblings.)

In the mean time, I usually post a little more frequently on Instagram @jillewarner.

Blog Tour! All Hearts Come Home for Christmas

All Hearts Come Home blogbanners.png

These four ladies are some of my favorite Regency romance authors, so when I learned that all four of them would be writing stories for this anthology, I basically died, then went looking for the pre-order button. *Hint hint* You should buy it too. (Or enter the giveaway via the link at the end of this post. Whatever floats your boat or doesn’t break your bank.)

First, about the stories.

Christmas at Falstone Castle – Sarah M. Eden – The Dowager Duchess of Kielder eagerly anticipates spending Christmas with her son and his family. Though their relationship has been strained, the duchess is determined to heal the chasm. Even with the help of the widowed local vicar, her plan will take a Christmas miracle. But during this magical season, anything is possible . . . even two second chances for love.

The Heart of Christmas – Anita Stansfield – When a chance meeting brings together a gentle seamstress and a widowed banker, each lonely soul finds a first hint of hope. As their lives become entwined, it will take Christmas spirit to guide a broken family to love and healing.

’Tis the Season to Be Daring – Esther Hatch – Elizabeth Davenport has had quite enough of the London Season. Determined to evade a parade of unsuitable suitors, she seeks help from the one gentleman who has no regard for Society’s rules. All of Society knows Lord Hawthorne is not interested in marriage, yet he cannot deny Miss Davenport’s unique charm. And as the Christmas season works its magic, their charade begins to feel less like playacting and more like love.

The Christmas Dress – Joanna Barker – Seamstress Nell Addington is thrilled when her childhood friend Jacob Hammond commissions a dress for his sister. But when Nell realizes her feelings for Jacob run far deeper than friendship, an unexpected snowstorm—and some holiday cheer—may convince them both that love is worth fighting for.

Second, my thoughts:

Sarah Eden’s “Christmas at Falstone Castle” didn’t disappoint, but I highly recommend that you read the other books in her Lancaster series first, especially Loving Lieutenant Lancaster, to avoid minor spoilers. That being said, the Duke of Kielder is as ornery as ever and Mother Harriet is just so sweet and uncertain about her relationship with her son and his family.

Anita Stansfield’s ” The Heart of Christmas” has some absolutely beautiful descriptions and is a touching story about healing and hope. I’d actually call this one more women’s fiction than romance since the romance itself took a backseat to some of the other relationships. But this one definitely had me looking around for snow, treats, and Christmas decorations while I read.

Esther Hatch’s ” ‘Tis the Season to be Daring” had me rolling. Seriously hilarious. The banter between Elizabeth and Lord H was so engaging and I sped through this story. I was a bit bummed when I reached the end since I’d been having so much fun. Fortunately you can get a little bit more of them in her book, Roses of Feldstone.

Joanna Barker’s “The Christmas Dress” was another touching romance. I enjoyed the exchanges between Nell, Jacob, and Alice and wished that I could spend more time with their tiny family. I firmly believe that a certain minor character gets a well-deserved snowball or two to the face.

Third, about the authors:

About Sarah M Eden:

Sarah M. Eden is a USA Today Bestselling author of witty and charming historical romances, including Foreword Review’s 2013 “IndieFab Book of the Year” gold medal winner for Best Romance, Longing for Home, as well as 2014 Whitney Award winner for “Best Novel of the Year,” Longing for Home: Hope Springs. Combining her obsession with history and affinity for tender love stories, Sarah loves crafting witty characters and heartfelt romances set against rich historical backdrops. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in research and happily spends hours perusing the reference shelves of her local library. Sarah lives with her husband, kids, and mischievous dog in the shadow of a snow-capped mountain she has never attempted to ski.

About Anita Stansfield:

Anita Stansfield has been the reigning queen of LDS romantic fiction for nearly two decades, although her general market releases have been among her readers favorites. Her work has shattered the stereotypes of romance novels with her trademark ability to combine great storytelling with intense psychological depth as she focuses on the emotional struggles of the human experience. Her novels cover a huge spectrum, from the eighteenth century to the present, from heart warming to heart stopping. Hundreds of thousands of readers agree: Anita Stansfield’s characters and the lives they lead are not easy to forget.

Anita is now also writing under the pseudonym Elizabeth D. Michaels.

About Esther Hatch:

Esther Hatch grew up on a cherry orchard in rural Utah. After high school, she alternated living in Russia to teach children English and attending Brigham Young University in order to get a degree in archaeology. She began writing when one of her favorite authors invited her to join a critique group. The only catch was she had to be a writer. Not one to be left out of an opportunity to socialize and try something new; she started on her first novel that week.

About Joanna Barker:

​Joanna Barker was born and raised in northern California. She discovered her love for historical fiction after visiting England as an eleven-year-old, and subsequently read every Jane Austen book she could get her hands on. After graduating Brigham Young University with a degree in English, she worked as an acquisitions editor before devoting herself full-time to writing. She enjoys music, chocolate, and reading everything from romance to science fiction. She lives in Utah and is just a little crazy about her husband and two wild-but-loveable boys.

And finally, THE GIVEAWAY!

Click link below to enter: 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

The story behind “People Like Us”

67402951_127330658574772_3050347179340135022_nI’m officially a published author!

My short story, a fantasy thriller titled “People Like Us” is out in the 2019 American Night Writers Association short story anthology Wards and Rumors of Wards, available on Amazon in both paperback and Kindle.

This is particularly special to me because I initially wrote this story to prove to myself that yes, I can actually complete something.

In middle school I hand-wrote my first complete book and started another one. Then right before high school, my family moved half-way across the country and I stopped writing, partly because I didn’t want to be the weird girl. I’m pretty certain I never mentioned my dreams of becoming an author or an editor to any of my high school friends because by the time I started college, I no longer thought of it as a possibility. It was something I wanted to do someday, whenever I was good enough.

Despite being an English major and an editing minor, I never wrote for fun. Then when I was interviewing for my first full-time position for after graduation, the man interviewing me asked if I liked to write. I very nervously tried to down-play it, but yes I did and I had even tried writing a book. He said “Great!” and wrote it down in his interview notes.

Turns out, the man who became my boss and several team members all wrote as well. Outside of work. Frequently we’d chat about writing and after a few months, I shared my writing with him. Then I went to a couple of writing conferences.

Fast forward a couple years and I somehow was accepted to Brandon Sanderson’s writing workshop and had my first baby. That was a rough semester. I had extreme impostor syndrome and was absolutely convinced that I would be kicked out as the fraud that I was. I was still working on that book I started as a 13- or 14-year-old AND I was taking care of a premie baby, so I wasn’t even making that much progress. But somehow I still managed to write more than I had prior to this class.

For a YEAR after the class ended, I felt awful about my writing. Something was broken with my story and I didn’t know how to fix it. I wrote only 1000 words in that time period, which made me feel even more pathetic.

Finally I told myself I was going to work on a short story for Camp NaNo. Something completely different, just to get me into a regular writing routine and to prove that yes, I could finish something and that *I* wasn’t broken.

I started writing about a narcoleptic martial arts instructor. But then the story changed on me. It became a story about a telekinetic and telepathic martial arts student who would save her instructor’s father in a world where telepathy and the like were illegal. Basically it was a world where the Mutant Registration Act (from the first X-Men movie) existed. Next, I dropped the plot with the instructor and his father and focused on the student.

Finally, the story became “People Like Us.”

Almost two years after I initially wrote the story, I made a couple tweaks to include a Marsha Ward character per the call for submissions from the American Night Writers Association (ANWA) and pushed submit.

This story is completely different than anything I’ve written and I can’t wait to share it with you.

Story blurb: Registered micro-kinetic Hannah Medina fought hard to be accepted into med school but Dr. Booth would kick her out in a heartbeat if she knew about Hannah’s secret power. When Dr. Booth’s life is threatened, Hannah can walk away to keep her secret safe, but doing so goes against everything she stands for.

 

Writer Chat with Anneka Walker

It occurred to me that I have a lot of fabulous friends who are published, so I thought it’d be fun to chat books and writing with some of them. Our first guest is Anneka Walker, a hybrid-published author. Currently she’s focusing on writing Regency-era romances (think Jane Austen). So without further ado, here’s Anneka.

71fm-fzhxblHey! I’m Anneka (Ann-eh-kah…yes that’s Ann with an E just like Anne of Green Gable except with a cough at the end). My parents named me after Darth Vader. Okay, they had no idea I’d marry a man with the last name Walker. I’m just super lucky.

I am first and foremost a romantic. I have a strong belief that there can never be too many love stories, because love is such an integral part of our existence and purpose on this earth. My family is my life! I have five kids ages 12-3. Motherhood fulfills me like nothing else does even though it’s a constant challenge. My husband works hard to support me…whether it’s in building me the playhouse I dreamed up for my kids, or in listening to me read ten different versions of every first chapter I write. Love in Disguise is my debut novel and I am thrilled for the opportunity to talk about it!

60192973_536420803556839_7003213225817472960_nLove in Disguise is a story of whirlwind courtship which leads to an even more complex engagement. William tests different women to see which one will fit best into his lifestyle. He picks the one girl who despises him—Marion. She is hoping to marry quickly because of her mother’s health and is desperate enough to give William a chance. But while love becomes an unexpected factor, there are plenty of obstacles keeping them apart. The wedding date is set, but both are left to wonder if there will actually be a ceremony.

Love in Disguise is your debut novel with a traditional publisher but you have some self-pubbed books too. Why did you decide to go with the hybrid approach?
Anneka: I spent years agonizing over which route of publishing would fit me best. I read so many opinions that pulled me back and forth between the two. It came down to my goals. I wanted to reach readers searching for clean, uplifting books. Covenant was a publisher I could trust with my material and with my covers. It was a perfect match!
Self-publishing allows me to put out more stories a year than would otherwise be possible. I use it to get my name out to hopefully help me market my traditional books. I also write across genres, so I know I’ll face this decision again when I’m ready to publish my fantasy books. That being said, I’ve only dipped my toes in both industries. I have so much to learn!

What does your “typical” writing routine look like?
My writing routine used to be naptime and bedtime like most young author moms. However, I’ve entered a new life phase of no naps and sports in the evening. Thank goodness for summer! I start my day with morning jobs (both for me and the kids), then an outing with my children, lunch, write while my kids fight or play with friends in the afternoon (words are typed frantically and sporadically), then stop for dinner. Occasionally, I sneak in some evening time. But come fall, all that will go out the window. I home school one of my children and will be teaching in a preschool co-op along with many other responsibilities. I’m a Christian writer so I believe if I do all the things the Lord asks of me first, then I will have time for myself. Doing things in this order has blessed me to writer better and faster over the years. Those little snippets of time end up being the most productive!

Do you have a favorite writing resource? (Either craft or historical)
The internet is my favorite resource! There are so many Austen fanatics and their research blogs are fantastic.

  • British listed buildings for manor houses.
  • Nancy Mayer at http://www.regencyresearcher.com/ for titles.
  • Save the Cat for plot structure.
  • What Jane Austen Ate and Charles Dickens knew (great for overall Regency and Victorian research)

What advice would you give a beginning writer?
Believe in yourself. Don’t overthink all the do’s and don’ts and write what you love. Then do all you can to learn your craft to tighten the beautiful story you created. Writing a book is a huge accomplishment and someone out there is going to love it as much as you do. I can’t say enough for writing groups, whether it’s critique groups or Facebook groups. People are so generous with their knowledge. Don’t reinvent the wheel! Drafting is a solitary exercise but being an author doesn’t have to be and shouldn’t.

What’s next for you?
I hope to learn as much as I can and keep writing! That might seem like an obvious goal, but it’s still a choice I have to make on tough days. I have a couple projects in the works with my publisher that I am really, really excited about. One I submitted the end of June and the other I’m two-thirds the way in. In the meantime, I have a short story releasing soon in an ANWA anthology. It’s a contemporary rom-com set in the Blue Mountains of Oregon. I might have laughed out loud while writing it, because I am that weird. I also have two novellas for my Regency Ever After series in the works. I have one of the covers already and the sassy girl on front is so perfect for my Lady Mary Contrary. I can’t wait to share it with the world!

If you want to learn more about Anneka, visit her Facebook page, or Instagram. And of course, check out her books! 

What I’ve Been Reading

Man oh man. The days are super long but the months go by way fast.

I went on vacation for a couple weeks in May (including the Storymakers conference), then we had family in town in June, so I’ve been trying to play catch-up and recover for the last month or so.

First, a quick update:

My entry in the Storymaker First Chapter contest placed 3rd in the romance category! I’m absolutely thrilled about that. One of my critique partners placed 1st in her category and another good friend won Grand Prize, which made the whole event that much more exciting.

I’ve also become a monthly contributor on the Historical Hussies blog. You can see my posts on the 3rd Friday of each month.

Now, on to the main topic of today’s post: Books and Reading.

Reading (and consequently) books, have been one of the most important things in my life, both as a writer and as a human being. In fact, one of my earliest memories is when I was in kindergarten or 1st grade, and the teacher was called out of the classroom for a few minutes (she had an aide, so we weren’t left unsupervised). Since it was reading time, she asked me to read “Chicka Chicka Boom Boom” to the rest of the class. I was thrilled. And the copy of the book was ginormous. Literally bigger than me (but then again, I was ultra petite as a 5/6 year-old.)

I digress.

Anyway.

Since Storymakers, I’ve had several friends release some fantastic books and I try to do a quick shout-out on Instagram for those, but I can’t always keep up. Also, I’m always on the look-out for recommendations. So right now here’s what I’m reading or is on call in my TBR pile.

For Fun:

Yours Truly, Thomas – Rachel Fordham

60192973_536420803556839_7003213225817472960_nThe Redgrave Murders – A. L. Sowards

The Captain’s Daughter – Jennifer Delamere

Eleanor – Martha Keyes

Love in Disguise – Anneka Walker

Rescuing Lord Inglewood – Sally Britton

 

For Research/Learning:

The Ramayana

Preston Cotton Martyrs

Georgette Heyer’s Regency World

I’m also hoping to start the occasional author chat on the blog since I love talking to all my friends about what they’re doing.

Life and Writing Update: Apr 2019

Thought I’d pop in for a quick status update.

Since my last post, Minerva’s arrived so most of my time and energy has gone to keeping her alive. Edgar and Bartholomew think she’s cute and they get to watch a lot more tv, so they’re more or less happy.

I can’t remember if I mentioned everything I’ve had going on in the writing world for me so far this year and I’m too lazy to look it up, so here’s a (potentially redundant) summary:

January – judging a contest took most of my time, but I read my manuscript and some research books. I also entered a first chapter contest.

February – worked on a beta read and some more research. I also worked on a short story.

March – more beta reading and short story stuff; reverse outlining; research; started contributing to the Historical Hussies blog. Look for my posts on the 3rd Friday of each month.

April – submitted a story for an anthology, a second beta read and currently working on a third beta read and revising my Anglo-Indian governess romance (see screenshot. IT ME.)

I’ve also been busy with the normal stuff– ANWA communications, critique groups, etc.

Next month I’ve got another conference I’m looking forward to. Ideally I’ll have this revision completed by then, but the end of the month or even June are looking most likely. Once that’s done, I’ll send it to some beta readers and go from there. Again, in an ideal world I’m hoping to start querying this summer, but we’ll see what happens.

Anyway, I’ll be back soon with another business and craft of writing post. Anything you’d like me to discuss?

The Business and Craft of Writing: The Importance of Accountability and Stickers

I wrote my first book back in middle school. I was in fifth or sixth grade when I first put down the story in my head into a spiral notebook. I made some occasional progress. Then in seventh grade, one of my teachers found out I was writing a book and asked me to read it to her English class. Suddenly everything I’d written over the last couple of years wasn’t enough. I had to pick up my writing pace or else I’d show up without anything to share.

Yikes.

I did finish that book, but then stopped writing stories for a long time.

After college and with my first job, I cautiously made my way back into writing stories. But honestly, I spent more time talking or thinking about wanting to write than I did actual writing.

Pro Tip: only dreaming about writing does not a writer make.

Once I found myself with a critique group and a commitment to *someone else* to bring in at least 1000 words each week, my writing output increased. But then, I moved away and that critique group fizzled out. I tried getting a couple friends together to do an online group, but nothing really stuck.

The year after that critique group, I think I wrote 1000 words in total. Double yikes.

I needed something to hold myself accountable.

Enter this video from Victoria/V.E. Schwab:

I admit, I was skeptical. I’m not really a sticker person.

BUT IT WORKED.

The first month I tried the stickers, I wrote a total of 7 days. I was both amazed and horrified. I had written more that month than I had in over a year. Wohoo! But also, I knew I wasn’t writing that often, but surely, surely, I was writing more often than that?

Pro Tip 2: The stickers do not lie, folks.

I kept going with the stickers and cheered as my numbers and my stickers went up.

At this point in time, the sticker calendar is the best thing I’ve found to keep myself accountable. Critique groups are amazing, wonderful things and the people who make up the groups I’m currently in are even more so, but people are more understanding than stickers.

I can fudge how much I’ve been writing when I talk to other people. I don’t realize that’s what I’m doing, but deep down, I don’t want to admit that I slacked for whatever reason on my writing, even if it was a completely, 100% totally valid excuse.

But when I look at the stickers on my calendar, I can see how much I actually did.

Pro Tip 3: If you want to be a writer, then you gotta write. It doesn’t have to be every day or all that much. But if you want to get *published,* then you gotta be accountable for your writing. Ain’t nobody who gonna hold you responsible for the rest of your life, except you.

If you find yourself in the same position I’ve found myself in multiple times, may I suggest you make your way down to the dollar store and buy a cheap set of stickers and a calendar?

Even if you decide not to keep going with that method, you’ll learn a lot about your personal writing method.

The Business and Craft of Writing: Show, Don’t Tell, Or Get the Reader Up Close and Personal

 

 

Something you might here frequently as a writer is “Show, don’t tell.” As a newer writer, I got so irritated hearing that. What does that even mean? HOW do you do that? And more importantly, how is that any different from what I’m trying to do right now?

every-vowel-show-me-jon@everyvowel.com-resized-for-web

As a slightly-less new writer, I think I’m starting to understand.

I had the most amazing opportunity to take Brandon Sanderson’s writing workshop a few years ago and part of that included getting personal feedback from him. One week while he was sitting in with my critique group, we got to this section of my then-current WIP:

Night was falling as they emerged from the swamp. They were exhausted.

“Do we keep going or do we stop for the night?” Dragony asked.

Shinabar looked down. Era hadn’t stirred yet and she was paler than normal. “Keep going and hope that we don’t run into my men.”

The ambassador looked at him. “Let’s stop for just a couple of minutes. You look like death warmed over.”

“I feel like it too, and I’m not the only one who feels that way,” he warned.

The ambassador nodded. “Give her to me then. We’ll be able to move faster.” Shinabar hesitated a second before relinquishing her. Immediately, they took off again.

~

Dawn was breaking. “He’s back!”

“Landon! He’s back!”

Landon sighed in relief. “Good. Now I can kill him.”

“It doesn’t look like you’ll have to.”

Dragony and Shinabar staggered into camp; each leaning on the other for support while holding Era.

Men rushed forward to catch them as they collapsed.

This was at the end of what should have been an intense fight-as-we-take-flight scene in a swamp.

Brandon looked at me and told me something along the lines of  “You need to show more here. You’re telling me they’re exhausted. I want to feel their exhaustion. I want to feel the mud clinging to their boots, making it difficult to walk. I want the mosquitoes buzzing around their heads. I want to feel the night getting colder as the sun goes down.”

Ok. Yeah, I can do that. Showing means adding more sensory details. Easy peasy.

Ha.

That wasn’t good enough. And for the few years, I’d turn in something *awesome* for critiques and get told,

“Yeah, you need to show more here.”

Seriously. I give up.

And then I took an amazing class on “Tell, Don’t Show” by Josi Kilpack at the American Night Writers Association conference last September.

Turns out, I had only the first part of show, don’t tell.

Part A of “Show, Don’t Tell” is to engage the senses, which is what Brandon taught me.

Part B is to “avoid reminding us these are the character’s senses (i.e.
filtering).”

Using the example Josi gave, the difference between what I was doing and showing is the difference between example 1 and example 2.

  1. He watched as the sun slipped behind the horizon, taking the
    last traces of warmth with the light.
  2. The sun slipped behind the horizon, taking the last traces of
    warmth with the light.

See the difference? Feel the difference?

In example 1, we’re being told what He is experiencing. We’re focused on him and what he’s doing (watching the sun).

In example 2, all of our attention is on the sunset. We’ve all experienced a sunset. (If you haven’t, I’m terribly sorry. Your first assignment is to look up when sunset is for your town and then to go outside 5 minutes before then.)

We know what it feels like to see the sun go down. We know what it feels like as it gets darker. We know what it feels like as it gradually gets colder.

The writer doesn’t have to spend a lot of time describing those sensations. We as readers have already experienced them. Simply shifting our focus from the character to what is happening changes our experience. We’re more intimately involved in the story.

Part C is knowing when to show and when to tell. Honestly, that depends on what your end-goal for the scene is. And I can’t help you with that.

Recharging the Well and Gearing up for 2019

Hi all!

I pseudo-won NaNoWriMo last month. Officially and technically, I lost since I didn’t write anywhere near 50,000 words. But I knew that it wasn’t possible. I’m just not capable of that at this point in time–both creatively and with my personal life. (Toddlers and pregnancy will do that to you.)

But!

I did write the most words I’ve ever written in a single month and the most words in a single day. And I finished the first draft of my Victorian governess romance. Wohoo!

Those wins are way more important to me than NaNo right now. I mean, sure, I want to officially win NaNo. It’s even one of my writing bucket list items.

46518321_1895306920567203_6928529922550533232_n

But this was a major win for me because it’s the first time I completed a full novel from beginning to end since middle school, and it was in a completely new genre for me. I’ve done plenty of shorter pieces and gotten a decent-way into writing other books before deciding those pieces needed trunked for the time being.

This month I’ve taken off writing to catch up on a bunch of reading–both pleasure and research. And of course, I couldn’t stop myself from beginning another WIP (think North and South with broken families). Guess this means I really do enjoy writing historical romance?

Anyway, beginning in January I’m diving into revisions. Ideally I’ll go through a couple revisions and be able to submit this piece later in 2019, but we’ll see what happens with that.

Also in 2019, I’m planning on writing another short story (think Sherlock Holmes, except with a nosy Victorian grandma and her long-suffering grandson) and getting as far into the first draft of the new WIP. Since I’m more familiar with my writing process and have a bit more of a solid habit, I’m hoping that baby Minerva will let me retain enough brain cells to write this next one a little faster, even though I’m working on everything else.

While I’m on the topic of 2019 writing goals, what topics would you like to see covered in the Business and Craft of Writing series?