In-between books

The days in-between finishing a book and starting a new one inevitably leave me feeling very odd. I think it's the loss of an imperative. Most people get up and go to work because they have to. There's an outside force pushing them along. When I have a novel on the go it pushes me along. When it's finished I miss the impetus writing gives my daily life.

While admittedly in neutral right now, I'm still trying to keep focus on my work.

Last night my Goodreads Giveaway for 'Death of the Republic' ended. I'm hoping for some renewed interest (or rather any interest) in the series. The story is quite wild/fantastic but the characters and the relationships they form are really understandable – at least to me.

I'm almost halfway through reading the rough draft of my latest novel, 'Lost & Found'. So far, so good. Only found a few places that drag and need re-working. It's pretty soppy but as it is a romance I guess I've got to expect that! Next step will be test running it by some folks to get feedback, then hopefully in the fall cleaning it up and getting it published before the end of 2019.

Next up is adding to/revising/editing 'Redemption', the second book in the Meghan O'Byrne Chronicle. I have to admit I'm feeling a bit lost trying to get my head back into Meghan's story. The current draft as it stands needs a whole new front end that encompasses her entire recovery process, not just the final stages. I want to plunge into some net new writing but I'm not sure how to begin. I've written the opening lines in my head about ten times already. A couple of days ago I came up with a really promising approach I thought I could use but I didn't act on it and now it's gone. I wish I could remember. I plan to publish this book in late summer.

Anyway, I've digressed, what I really wanted to focus on is the in between periods where you've finished one story and need to get on with some new stuff. I know once I start, I get caught up in the process and the story takes over writing itself. I have touch points and a very good idea of where I expect it to go, but along the way there are surprises and that's what I like. And what I miss, I suppose, when I'm not doing it.

And being honest, when I'm not doing 'it' I also have no excuse for not doing other things I'm not so crazy about doing like marketing, and editing, and networking and household chores.

Maybe that's why I want to get 'creative' again?

But it's more than that and something I can't fully explain. It's like a compulsion. A story emerges from inside the mind but comes to life when it is told, not before. For better or worse, I love bringing stories to life. I only wish I had better skill to do them justice.