Writing Retreat

I get lots of emails and FB ads offering fancy writing retreats in secluded exotic places... I'm not sure which writers can afford to do all of those? My writing retreat happens once a year, in PEI between shuttling my kids to camp.

My Middles, the Bobseys are in two camps this week; hockey and horseback riding. (Do I need to explain further why I can't afford exotic writing retreats?). I drop them off, then plant myself at Starbucks (or the rink lobby) and peck away at my computer.

There's something to be said about having dedicated time.

My mind feels calmer.

My body feels more still.

My energy feels full.

And I've written nearly 25K words!!! With that comes a new drive to finish this WIP and move onto the next stages, editing, covers, publication! I'm aiming for my favourite release date: February 28.

N

New!

So much NEW to tell you about!!!

Did you see my NEW website? I'm still working out the kinks but it sure looks awesome, no?

Aaaand NEW editions of Game Plan and Aptitude!!! Aptitude is now available :D Did you see the NEW deets to the cover? I love love love it. And when you open it up and re-read Aptitude, you'll find my favourite NEW touch, the notes Aubin and Hessa write are shown in their own handwriting! I'm absolutely tickled purple about that.

Game Plan will be re-released soooooon! I have my expert designer making the inside look awesome and then the cover will be done.

And that's not all that's NEW... Februrary brings out a NEW release! Take These Broken Wings will fly on February 28th! Of course there'll be a GoodReads Giveaway! Seems like a good way to weather the end of winter.

N

No Showers, no Flowers or Ducks.

That's a very vague title... and comes from a very convoluted region of my brain. I skipped April! There were no posts in April, I'm sorry. I've been in a weird combo of nose-down in edits and completely absent from writing - one or the other and nothing in between. 

My latest WIP has been sent off to the editor. The working title is Penny Layne. I likes it so much it may end up being the final title. This story had a weird gestation - I spent months thinking it was terrible - wait, no not terrible, but not up to snuff compared to #GoodDay and Aptitude. It doesn't hit on important issues or huge creative ideas like #GoodDay and Aptitude did... it didn't feel worthy.

But then a wise person said, "It doesn't always have to be heavy"

And then a few beta readers gave really great feedback.

And I started to like my ugly little duckling. Now it's on it's way to the editor to figure out if it's really a swan. Stay tuned.

N