Michele Venne's Blog, page 12

Writer’s Conference

Even before the pandemic, it had been a while since I attended a writing conference. Once all of my writing peers quit writing and the pandemic ended, I struggled with continuing the journey on my own. I’ve since found others to help with the steps of publication… but even this introvert likes to interact with people on occasion. When this conference came up, and only a couple of miles from home...

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Time Out

When do we notice that something mechanical doesn’t work? Usually when we need it. When is the worst time for an air conditioning unit to quit working in Phoenix? As the temps reach 116 with 35% humidity and a dew point of 65 degrees. As the unit on the roof tried pushing cold air (puffing out lukewarm air), I spent one day at home, then opted for a staycation at a nearby hotel for a couple of...

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Surreal

Surreal: something that is a bizarre mix of elements; jarring; seemingly nonsensical. This is how I would describe the space I’m in. I completed all my admin tasks (something I didn’t think would ever happen). I met my publishing deadline with The Secret Gift (available on all platforms, including my website www.michelevenne.com for $.99 until July 12). This coincides with my Tanner Trilogy...

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Moving Forward

When I plan my year, making (extremely) optimistic notes about book production and admin tasks, I don’t think about how I’ll feel when it all gets done. I’m driven more by offering stuff to readers and crossing off daily tasks than I am by celebrations. I know, I know… the little wins are important… it’s about the process, not the product… there’s more to life than just work… Half of 2023 is...

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Time Crunch

Sometimes wishes come true! I wished for more clients, and I got a lot of hours this week! I wished for Holly’s leg to heal, and after ten days, she’s doing really well! I wished for the beta reader to return my manuscript early, and she did! I wished for the narrator I really liked to return my email, and she did! What does this mean when everything comes together at once? A lot of tasks and not...

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Chasing Details

Ever had one of those days where something isn’t quite right, you can’t find answers on the Internet or the help page of the thing that’s a little wonky, so you send a message to customer service? And after a couple of days, they get back to you, but want all kinds of details? And you realize you don’t have most of those details? So then you’re back online searching for end arounds?

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Ready, Set…

Beginnings and endings roll after each other like waves on the ocean. I worked more on adding details to SG today. I did some research, which usually entails me losing a few hours chasing down specific facts. Names of roads, national forests, hierarchy of command, emblems, how snowmobiles work, etc. Am I satisfied with the story? Not really. I keep thinking of more details to add.

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New Release Coming Soon

It has been about ten months since my last fiction book was released. I have a publication date set for July 2023, for this novella. When I’m in the editing stage (where I’m at now), I vacillate between surprise at some really well-written sentences, and annoyance at some not so well-written sentences. Overall, I think The Secret Gift will fit in very well with my other romantic suspense titles.

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It’s Often Not What I Think It Is

I just finished typing The Secret Gift. While writing, I’m so immersed in the story that I’m rarely a good judge for what is showing up on the page. My myopic view of the story, one scene or one description or one dialogue conversation at a time, means I rarely have an overall view. If I’m rolling with the momentum, then I write until the story is done. I take no days off, as I’m driven to the...

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Rediscovered Joy

When I started writing, I was awed by the feeling of joy at being in the flow as the words spilled easily onto the page. Forty titles later, I can say that each project had its ups and downs. No two were the same. And at times, I didn’t feel the joy that comes with creativity. Being distracted by how things “should” be, what I “should” be concentrating on, what parts of the craft I “needed” to...

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