Writer sharing the raw process of writing short form articles, crafting novels, and juggling work with passion projects from none to done.
Washington, USA
Joined February 2023
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I’m starting to edit some of the most exciting scenes in my book. Who doesn’t love a good power move? My main character puts all on the line and holds nothing back. Super exciting.
Today I’m cleaning up some major reveals to kick off the third act of my novel! A new piece of knowledge completely shifts the paradigm, raising the stakes and the tragedy. Can’t wait for the biggest reveal of all!
I’m finally at the cusp of editing the third act in my novel, and this is particularly exciting because I’m getting to the part where my main character & love interest start to realize they love each other, but that there’s no way that they can be together. Oh, sweet tragic love! 😍
Another fun article is in the books! I loved getting to meet cowboy Dale Brisby for a morning excursion. Read more on The Manual!
themanual.com/travel/dale-br…
My stay in Aruba was out of this world! Read more about my experience staying at the Ritz Carlton: themanual.com/travel/this-ho…
Last night I stayed awake way too late, my mind occupied with dreaming up a scene from the second book from my series (currently working on the first). It had me in such a strong hold that I had to write it down, despite needing to edit other chapters and write a few articles. Can’t just be me, right?
Today I worked on implementing some beta reader feedback that I knew needed to happen but wasn’t sure of how exactly to make it happen. I think it needed time to marinate, but after working on chapter 15 edits and then going back to chapter 1, I felt much more confident.
Now, both are complete and my manuscript is that much stronger.
Huge thanks to the @RitzCarlton Aruba for inviting me to review the hotel! My first article just published, and it covers all of the top food and beverage highlights, including a dessert so good that I licked my plate.
themanual.com/travel/this-ri…
Sometimes being a travel writer means that I can work on my manuscript in some of the most beautiful places on earth. This week, I’m reviewing a bucket list hotel.
I didn’t get any words down today, but you know what? I thought at great length about my book, and that counts as working on it.
New article alert! Can’t wait to share more about my time in Fort Worth with Dale Brisby and Can-Am, but here’s my feature covering PBR Rattler Days.
themanual.com/travel/this-gr…
Working on my novel isn’t the only kind of writing I do! Over the past couple of days, @CanAm invited me out to meet @dalebrisby and experience the Rattler Days @PBR event. All I can say for now is that I completely understand why bull riding is becoming more popular. Article to come on: themanual.com/users/sjoseph/
Finding breakthroughs in your manuscript is such a euphoric feeling. I’ve been struggling for at least a week trying to find a way to make one chapter work, and my friends, I do believe I have found it.
There’s no way through but through. But the view from the top is amazing.
Getting stuck on a scene is the worst, but it’s not impossible to push through and write. My best strategy for getting unstuck is to take a step back and breathe, try to approach things from a new way and analyze why a scene isn’t working. Only then, I can move forward.
Sometimes growing as a writer means taking a step back to go forward.
Instead of writing anything new last night, I reread the first 10 chapters of my manuscript and re-ignited my drive to finish editing chapter 15, which has been a bit of a struggle for me. I didn’t write the rough draft that long ago, but I’ve needed to change a lot. Some of the scenes are difficult too, so I’m needing to do a ton of research and upskill some technique at the same time.
Being able to write anywhere I am is very important to me, and technology is a huge reason why I’m able to do that. I have no idea how people managed with just a notepad and their imagination. Spellcheck and the Thesaurus app and Google all being on the same device…. Seems like I’m being spoiled.
There’s literally no excuse not to finish my novel.
I’m actually not that worried about AI. AI is just going to replace the mediocre writers who don’t really care about craft anyways. But the writers who are able to craft a compelling story in their own voice? That’s priceless, and there will always be a demand for it.
I got some more beta reader feedback today! Taking feedback is one of the hardest parts about writing. If you put your heart and soul into what you create, it can feel like a personal attack if someone points out a flaw…. Every time I hear up to dive in, I definitely have to remind myself of why I let people beta read in the first place. I want this book to be the best it can be, and I can’t do that without feedback.
One thing I’m deliberately avoiding in my novel is a love triangle.
Love triangles are great ways to create discourse surrounding a book, with readers choosing sides, but personally I’m tired of a female MC who can’t make up her own mind between two guys or a love interest who for some reason does not have the self respect to leave if it’s clear the girl is waffling.
What part of that is attractive? No, thank you.
An unexpected difficulty I’m having while writing my novel is making things go wrong. Maybe I’m just too close to the story, but it’s harder than people think to come up with a believable disaster. Here’s how I’m handling it:
1. Thinking from my villain’s perspective and trying to figure out what their most intelligent move could be.
2. Think about what situations my hero’s strength becomes a liability.
3. Have an earlier success create problems.