Here's To Turning Up The Thermostat

I'm not a viral type blogger, it takes too much of my time and energy to be writing blogs everyday,but it is ridiculous that I haven't written anything yet this year. That it's almost July is scary enough. Does everyone else wake up six months into a year and also suddenly scream, "OMG, it's almost over. If time continues to go by this quickly."

With the group of ladies in rehab, that I lead in a storytelling workshop,  I try to emphasize that they should not let their days pass by in a blur, that it's essential to grab onto each day, each hour and consciously squeeze all the juice out of it. And here I am blurring through the months. Except for my new novel. That keeps me grounded to the hour, if not always to the day.

Almost 1/2 to 2/3 through the first draft and working with Linzi Glass, I may be able to only need one more edited draft after this one. The early 1900's is rich for research, full of problems, catastrophes, new allegiances, women speaking up, protesting and organizing, with a little romance thrown in for good measure. Such fun. As Janet Fitch, my first mentor always pushed, make your characters suffer, turn up the heat, always higher. Another quote I found from Catherine Mackenzie, "Write what makes you frightened, what sets you on fire."

Blaze on everybody, it's going to be a long, hot summer!