Improbable Things

I'm not podcasting as often but I have found a good way to get more writing done this past week. I'm also reading a LOT, including finally getting to a certain young adult dystopian trilogy, and I'm taking a close look at my priorities to see how I can make sure I'm doing what I value most.

I'm moving right along on rewriting, despite storms and power outages, but am frustrated at how often typos slip through several rounds of editing! Also, people think my characters are younger than they are, and I recently had to switch to audiobook on my current read for a very frustrating reason.

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.