Improbable Things

After a longer break than expected, I'm back to talk about finally building some momentum on getting my next book published, my new cover, and a possible future guest for the podcast. I'm also getting lots of notes from my kids, reading mysterious books, and thinking about how an author can reveal more about a character than the character knows about themselves.

I'm finally back on track with editing, and having to research things to make sure everything is right, from timelines to frozen rivers. Also, is book 3 really as bad as I thought it was? Also, my daughter has learned her letter sounds, I've discovered a new beloved author, and I'm glad to remember that you can't please everyone.

Struggling to write has led me to wake up earlier, and I'm trying to come up with more YouTube content. I'm also reading one of my all-time favorite series to my kids, I'm reading thrillers, and I'm thinking about how the way you reveal things in a story can pull you forward, and how many of those choices depend on the kind of story you're trying to tell.

Rewriting is progressing, but not as quickly as I'd like, partly due to physical injury. But I have been able to start recording a new audiobook and record a few videos. Also, my daughter loves spelling words, I'm reading a unique book on writing, and I've found an important piece of the puzzle when it comes to keeping myself motivated over time.

Editing is going slowly but smoothly, but I'm having complications with my latest audiobook. I do have book reviews up in a new place, however, and I've been watching sad Disney movies, reading good books, and thinking about the impact of titles that don't quite make sense at first.

I'm plugging away slowly at audiobook production and novel editing, while also wrapping up my current YouTube series! I also have thoughts about the different ways my girls think, the writing style of Connie Willis, and what kinds of romance I can actually enjoy.

I am FINISHED recording my next audiobook, and have big plans for the rest of the series! I'm also getting great reader feedback on my next book, working on thinking up new YouTube content, and taking my daughter on a special bookstore date. I also read too many bleak thrillers in a row, and post-workout soreness has me contemplating how it can be so much easier to continue than to restart.

I produced and posted an audiobook in less than 24 hours, and I've been working on several other projects as well. Moving my websites for one thing. Also, my baby loves reading, I'm reading a good book, and I'm thinking about what made me start loving fiction again last year.

There's a very particular reason I put off working on my current audiobook for many years, and it's weird returning to that point in the series while simultaneously working on my new book! I'm also starting to think about getting my tax stuff together, reading a book with some major red flags, and thinking about the difficulty of trying to run a creative business in a changing world.

I'm finding many, many things I need to fix in the first draft of my latest book, as always, and I'm having technical issues trying to record and edit audiobooks, also as always! I also got my daughter a special gift, I finally finished Nicholas Nickleby, and I have mixed feelings on the movie "Here."

I'm finally back, after a long holiday break! I have plans for the 2025, new routines to figure out, and lots and lots of reading to do. I also got a little help in encouraging my daughter to want to learn to read, I'm making good progress on the Radialloy audiobook, and trying to learn how to tell the difference between giving up on something and realizing when something really is not wor...

I didn't write much last month, but I have been busy--and I AM determined to finish my book before the end of the year! I'm also teaching a child to read, I tried out a new author, and I'm thinking ahead to what it will be like when I finish the very last book of the Firmament series...

After a two-week break, I did some writing again! But I have been busy in those two weeks, starting my new YouTube series, getting ready for Black Friday, and harshly judging childrens' books. Also, dies EVERY scene in a story really need conflict? If so, how do we make that happen?

For this special 100th podcast episode, I answer questions from listeners! How many books will be in the Firmament series? How do I name characters? How do I feel after a writing session? And have I ever collaborated with another author before?

I'm SO close to being finished with my first draft, and I have exciting news--and some less exciting news. I'm also about to re-read a book that I read many times in my childhood, and I'm contemplating the way so many well-told stories keep ALMOST letting their characters be happy and achieve victory--right before it all gets snatched away.

I'm finally finished getting all my podcast episodes on YouTube! I also don't get artsy movies, my daughter seems to have inherited my love of naming things, and my latest book club book has got me thinking--does a story need to have a meaning or a point? if not, what does it need?

I'm more than halfway through with my current work in progress, but I'm having to change things up a bit to stay motivated. Also, I am finishing up one audiobook and starting another, my daughter is obsessed with the Amazon toy catalog, and I recently read a charming, unusual story that has really got me thinking about fantasy and how much weird stuff is too much weird stuff.

My new book is selling well, and I've reached the halfway point on the next book! I'm also learning more about astronomy, just for fun, having mixed feelings about my reading, and thinking about sequels and how they can honor their source material while still setting themselves apart.

My latest book is now available on ebook and paperback! I'm also ready to share the synopsis for the next book with you all, and I have a new way of fitting writing into my schedule. I also took my daughter to my favorite bookstore, read a classic tale of romantic suspense, and got to have a fantastic real-world conversation about why Christians should be writing science fiction.

One book is formatted and almost ready for publication, and I've started writing the next one! I'm also trying new advertising strategies, which I hate, my girls are acting out their favorite books, and I'm finding that I seem to be transitioning to a season of reading, which may or may not correspond to the transitioning seasons of the year.

My book is ALMOST ready to be published, and I have been very busy getting content up on YouTube, including past episodes of this podcast! I also brought two big boxes of books into my home recently, my baby loves reading books, and I find too much comfort in how many successful books out there are so poorly written!

I'm rushing to get things done before my book is published, and at the same time churning out a first draft that is reminding me just how painful the writing process can be. I also read a book I didn't like for multiple reasons, my daughter loves writing letters, and I find it so inspiring to hear good teaching and instruction from accomplished authors.

I have a LOT of projects going on, including having to find a new way to record my podcast! I also bought a new shelf for someone particular in my household, I'm reading two very different books, and I'm changing the way I think about my book collection in general.

I have to break down my chapters multiple times in the editing and publishing process, and it can be a challenge! I also finally finished The Hunger Games trilogy, and I've been thinking about different types of sad stories and how they affect me.

I've got updates on my latest book, including cover art and approximate release date! I'm also on a new writing schedule, buying books for my daughter's birthday, and contemplating story structure and the different ways of approaching it.