Improbable Things

I've been doing a LOT of reading lately, and much of it has been outdoors. Delightful books and time-travel sci-fi have been among my reading fare, and I've been pondering the various types of story conflict and exactly what kind of natural enemy is the scariest.

How does one choose what to read when and when it's time to pause one book to read another? Also, I saw The Fall Guy, and my daily planner is really helping with my daily schedule and productivity in so many ways!

Moving right along with editing and recording, and it's been fun to see how the first book in my series holds up against the rest. I'm also keeping track of my reading in a new way, reading a very long book, and pondering quantity vs. quality yet again.

I'm back to both writing and podcasting after a long but helpful break, and I'm making exciting progress on my projects! I'm also telling stories to my kids, reading books in order, and learning one way reading so fast is a helpful tool.

Continuing to go over my latest work in progress and also trying some new things with audiobooks. My daughters love to read or "read" to me, and I've been doing some thinking on what makes me consider a book or movie a "great story."

I'm finding so many small-to-medium things I will need to fix as I go through my latest first draft, and I finally did a small thing that was a huge help for doing my taxes. I'm also trying go let go of reading aloud at the "perfect" time, and I'm slowly learning to not feel the guilt of "not doing enough."

In the internet age, unfortunately, you have to be willing to try new things and sometimes let go of old ones when it comes to promoting books. I'm also reading a thought-provoking (but kinda awful) book, and I had a sweet reminder of why I started writing YA sci-fi in the first place.

I'm very close to finishing the first draft of my next book, and am overall happy with how it's been going! I'm also thinking ahead to next month and reading a very thought-provoking book. Also, my husband and I saw Argylle and had VERY different reactions. Why is that?

I had to rethink the last half of my current work-in-progress, but that's still not as painful as revisiting old work! Also, we are reading books about airplanes, I'm reading a surprisingly good thriller, and I might be reading a bit too fast--or am I?

It looks like I'll be able to finish writing my next book this month, and I have a couple recommendations for learning how to outline a novel. Also, my daughter LOVES koalas, I'm reading Demon Copperhead, and I'm trying to be flexible when it comes to writing consistently with so many babies around!

I'm trying to step up my wordcount next month so I can get this book finished, and I'm thinking about my reading for the year. I also got a very sweet reminder of why I need to be flexible in my daily schedule. And which do you need more, motivation or willpower?

I got to one of those scenes in the Firmament series I've looked forward to writing for over a decade! I'm also not sure what I'll be bringing to my book club's "fight night," my daughter read me a whole book, and I've been thinking about how I'll read pretty much anything.

My novella is about to release, I have an unusual method for writing chapters, and my two-year-old loves routine. Also, is there a way to be consistent in working towards your goals without putting pressure on yourself and your family?

New year, new reading and writing goals! I have several projects going, I'm finally reading a book I've meant to get to for years, and my daughter's interest in reading had exploded. Also, is it possible to be 100% planner when it comes to writing?

I'm wrapping up my writing projects for the year, but somehow I find I always miss my characters as soon as I'm not working with them! I'm also having to speed through my current read, which is unexpectedly fun. And what is it that makes some books impact you even if they aren't your favorites?

I got to see my Wrapped podcasting stats and was encouraged! I'm also thinking ahead to what 2024 will look like for me as an author, and I'm reading a book I've meant to read for awhile. The book has me thinking--how do you balance letting tragedy happen in stories without taking it too far?

My newest book is OUT and I'm revealing the synopsis for the next book! I'm also fascinated by the sudden leaps of development and growth in my kids, and I just finished reading a book that has me thinking that the WAY you tell a story may matter more than the story itself...

I've had to start work on the next Firmament book already, even as I race to get the current one published! I'm also trying hard to figure out Amazon ads, thinking about what art truly is, and I saw the new Agatha Christie movie and was very confused--but not in the way you might think.

I'm finally back after months of maternity leave! What have I been working on, besides caring for an adorable baby? I have news about upcoming releases as well as updates about my daughter learning to read. Also, is love of reading something that can be imparted to our children?

I have a whole bunch of updates on my series, and we have a whole bunch of new books around our house! Also, I was not impressed by my first foray into the works of Wilkie Collins, and I discuss the concept of "drifting into" maternity leave and what that means for me.

My book will be released in two days, so I've been busy! Also, my daughter has found a creative way to express the alphabet, I'm learning a lot about cults, and I'm discovering how impossible it is to be perfectly consistent when writing a long series.

One of my current projects is forcing me to write poetry for the first time in years, our library is closing, and I'm reading a book about an octopus. Also, is there a difference between letting things slide and intentionally letting things go?

I have lots of news about my series, including the 3rd edition of book 1! Also, I'm reading an unusual book by C.S. Lewis, and watching Lost in Space has me thinking about how failure can be used for the good of a story.

I can see the light at the end of the tunnel of revisions on my series! Also, how exactly does one act like a Tweedle-Beetle? And what is the absolute BEST part about writing, reading, or watching a series?

Which is better for interesting readers, a summary or a sample scene? How can one get good audio recordings in a loud home? And is indie publishing really a better path than self-publishing?

I got to look over some of my VERY old writing this week, which can be both fun and embarrassing, my kids are starting to use their imaginations, and I had a great opportunity this week to think back over the past year and how I've grown and all that I've accomplished.

I have a release date for my next book! I also have an idea for sharing about how I get so much done with little kids around. Meanwhile, what do Shazam: Fury of the Gods and Ted Lasso have in common?

Work on my second editions is going slow but steady, and I finally attended a group I've intended to visit for the past 7 years! I'm also watching Charlotte's Web and reading a LOT of books, including The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. And I have thoughts.

Going back and revising my books for new editions is like taking a tour over the development of my writing style, for better or worse. I'm also teaching my daughter to read and immersing myself in Jane Austen. And how do I stay motivated when feelings and mental health fluctuate?

Revising my old works is making me see that my writing was really, really bad back then. I'm also deciding what to prioritize in my series, and of course reading more Jane Austen. And how can I use the approaching end of a project to motivate myself?

Still working on revising the early books in my series and it's been very revealing. Can word choice show a fear of commitment? Also, how do little bookworms behave at a Superbowl party? And why is C.S. Lewis's writing just SO good?

Revisiting and revising the early books in my series has been more bittersweet than I expected. I also always forget how much I dislike math until I have to do it, and I've been thinking a lot about how my writing can fit well into my life as a mom.

New month means time to break out the planner and keep track of those goals! Also, there are people in my life who ask questions during movies, I'm reading Jane Austen, and it turns out you do have to spend money to make money.

I've got a new story on Kindle Vella, new bookmarks, and news of a really awesome giveaway! Also, I'm learning HOW to read (I thought I already knew how) and am debating making a big change to my series.

My book is FINISHED and off with my editor, and podcast listeners get the first sneak peek of the synopsis! Also, I got my kids a CD player, I'm reading all the Jane Austen, and if I want to grow my business that means I need to change how I do things -- right?

Welcome to 2023! I'm making great progress on my work in progress, making plans for the new year, and making decisions about what projects to focus on. How does one find balance between personal passion and the business side of things, anyway?

I'm rewriting chapters, publishing a Christmas story, and gathering bookish fun facts. Also, I discovered this week what a difference your perspective makes when reading, and I'm thinking about my goals and hopes for 2023.

Editing is finally speeding up a little! I'm also still publishing short stories on Vella, and I posted my first TikTok. Plus, now that news of my pregnancy is out, I can share how that's been affecting my writing journey.

I checked what my lifetime sales and earnings for all my books are and it was fascinating! I'm also trying TikTok, against my better judgment, and am getting to beta-read the next book in a series I love. Also, what is the purpose of this podcast? What should it look like going forward?

Editing is going slowly but steadily, and I got a peek into one reader's journey through my series! I also got new bookshelves, plan to teach my daughter to read, and have been thinking about what an oasis of purity and joy a good story can be.

It's been a year since I started this podcast! I've written and published a lot since then, plus we now have our own back yard -- though I'm using it a bit differently than I intended. Also, how does my inability to visualize things impact my writing?

I finally received my copies of my latest book and I'm so pleased with them! I also voice my discomfort with the "everything you thought you knew about this character is a lie" trope, and I contemplate whether we will write in Heaven. If so, will we write fiction? What would perfect fiction look like?

I have major updates on all three of the stories I've been working on! I also bought a bunch of books over the weekend because one can never have enough, I'm reading quite a hefty book currently, and I have been pondering how to "kill your darlings" without losing what you love about your story.

Big things are afoot for the next three books in my series! I also have a cute story to tell about my baby, I love reading entertaining grammar books, and I'm learning to use procrastination as fuel for productivity.

I've had to completely rethink huge chunks of both stories I'm currently working on, I have a new project I'm releasing, and I'm wondering why I struggle with reading military and action-based stories. Also, which is more valuable when it comes to art -- quantity or quality?

I'm more than halfway finished with my work in progress, but I'm struggling with it. I'm also back to reviewing my 2021 reads, and I have a recommendation from my 2022 list as well! And can faithfulness in building habits actually bring, not only momentum, but joy?

I give updates on my works in progress, talk about my struggles with my newsletter, and explain why and how I'm thinking about learning sign language. Also, I finished Project Hail Mary, and it's kind of amazing how much I love writing and yet hate... well, writing.

I have exciting writing updates to share, plus I finally finished a show I've been watching off and on for half a decade! Also, do you know what narrative lensing is? I didn't, but now that I've learned about it I think it's going to help my writing a lot.

One story is publishing, I'm about to start editing the next, and I've started writing another! In the midst of all that, I have some thoughts about a children's book we enjoyed, a grown-up book I'm not enjoying so much, and how theme and point affect your protagonist.

News about writing, publishing, and my website! Also, my daughter is learning how she can use letter sounds to figure out words, I'm re-reading an old favorite, and I'm doing lots of thinking about the word "can't."