Improbable Things

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."

I reached an important writing goal yesterday, and other good writing-related things are happening lately, too! Also, I hot to see firsthand how kids can be influenced in small ways by stories, and I ponder gratuitous content in books and how you can explore complex topics in unusual ways.

I'm staying busy publishing, writing, and promoting, and still finding time to take my kids to the library! I'm also reading a lot, which gives me thoughts about grammar and punctuation, why they matter, and what it communicates if you don't use them.

Progress on the Firmament series marches on slowly but surely, including wrapping up the first draft of the next book. Meanwhile, we found a better section of library books, I'm continuing my journey through classic dystopias, and I am forced to face the real reason I don't actively market my books.

Continuing to publish on Kindle Vella, and starting to work on the paperback! Also, I have a lot more books in my home now than I did last week, which is good because my daughters appear to love books. Meanwhile, I'm reading Star Trek fiction and pondering what it means practically to be a writer.

My book is out! Sort of. I'm doing something a little different this time. My daughter also learned how to tell the difference between two of her colored pencils, and I ponder the reasons it's difficult to write and share about personal things.

My book is on track for publication, and I'm having great discussions with my editor about worldbuilding! Also, I'm announcing my secret reading goal for the year and considering the different aspects of storytelling and how we are drawn to different parts of the process.

Major update on editing and a much less happy update on libraries. Also, why do I use the word "slightly" too much? What do I admire about N. D. Wildon's writing? And as I look back on a decade of the Firmament Series, I ponder the purpose of it all.

Rewriting is going faster now, but it's hard to keep up with all the details from all the books in a series! Also, why are so many kids books so... weird? And what are we looking to get out of reading? Are spoilers good or bad?

Editing, as usual, has been slow but steady. There are a lot of details to be filled in in the story. Also, I need more bookshelves and I have thought on the new season of Stranger Things!

I'm doing official rewrites, and I love it! In this episode I talk about some ways I'm trying to improve the story, how much my daughter loves her pencil, what the show Angel has to teach me about the emotional ups and downs of a series, and more!

Editing is going well, but there is one major flaw my first drafts always have that I'm having to work on. I'm also reading Till We Have Faces and I have a few thoughts -- and I watched Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, which I have a lot of thoughts about!

I've found an unusual way to help motivate me to get my editing done, and I have a plan to finish my draft! I also talk about my first ever "book," problems with leaving large time gaps in a series, and how my perfectionism affects my writing process.

Trying to find new rhythms and routines for my writing and editing, and learning that part of that is allowing spaces for rest! Also, I'm realizing the series I'm reading had a big impact on the Firmament series, and I'm so happy seeing my kids already becoming story-lovers!

I'm editing the next Firmament book, but it's been a bit of a struggle lately. Also, my website is down, my daughter loves my red pencil, and I'm fascinated by how tone affects our perspective of a story!

I'm finishing up writing one book and about to start editing another! Meanwhile, my daughter wants to learn how to spell everything. I also started reading my first Stephen King book, and have thoughts about that and about good Hollywood stories.

Research can have an enormous impact on stories, at least for me -- which is currently what's happening with my work in progress. Also, I got a library card, am reading books I disagree with, and have the definitive answer on whether ebooks or hard copies are better.

Another Firmament writing and publishing update, along with a little of what makes me so excited about this book and about sci-fi in particular. Also, how is one supposed to choose what book to read next? And when if comes to realism in fiction, how much is too much? All thos and more on this week's Improbable Things.

Does writers block exist, and if so, do I have it? What exactly do I love about Star Trek, and how does that relate to the Firmament Series? And how in the world do you write a good ending, anyway? I discuss all this and more on this week's Improbable Things.

My writing and publishing are moving along well, but I do have certain struggles -- like writing descriptions. Also, I finished reading Allegiant, started the Beekeeper's Apprentice (again), and have been wondering, how far is too far when it comes to suspension of disbelief?

An update on both Eleftheria and Humanoid -- there's good news for both! Also, I talk about one of the struggles with writing a long series, and I question what it means to feel like someone was "making up a story as they went along."

I've finished outlining the next Firmament book, after many upset and downs! So how is the writing going? I'm also doing other things, like vacuuming the house when my kids wanted me to read to them. And what is the purpose of darkness and evil in our stories?

I've started work on the next Firmament book! I also took a listener's suggestion for what to read to my kids, and thinking about what makes a good children's book in general. And why do so many writers not get romance right?

What's next for the Firmament series? I have a couple of new goals. I'm also continuing my search for read-alouds for my small children and wondering -- are audiobooks real books? And why do people love reading dystopia so much?