If I Ever Stopped Writing...

 

This month's ISWG question made me laugh. Here it is:  If I ever stopped writing, what would I replace it with?  Friends, I am so ridiculously busy, I wouldn't need to replace it with anything! I work 3 jobs, one of which is being the Executive Director of an orchestra. My to-do lists are a mile long! 

But seriously, if I didn't write at all, I'd probably practice more for all the gigs I do. Music is my main creative outlet. I've thought about composing music. At the moment, there's zero time for that. So, I guess if I felt the need to create something new, I'd compose. 

What about you? 

And here's what's been happening in my world:  Any guesses where this was taken?

 

Writing Inspirations

 This month's IWSG question is, what inspires you when you write a story? I view this as a two-part question. First, the stories themselves are inspired by something. Each of my books was inspired by a life event. That Baby Woke Me Up, AGAIN was inspired by my experiences as a young mom spending many sleepless nights with my babies.  That Mama is a Grouch was born after I tripped over my kids' toys and broke my toe. Even Bubba and Squirt's Big Dig to China was inspired by my desire to dig a hole from Florida to China was I was a kid. (Didn't get very far, because my hole quickly filled up with water.)

The second part of the question is, what inspires me to keep going and finish the story? If you're an author, you know writing a book is hard work. It's one thing to write the first draft. Don't get me wrong—writing the words, THE END is a huge accomplishment! But then you have to revise—to get it as perfect as you can. That's tough!  What inspires me to do that? I guess it's the sense of accomplishment I get when I know my work is ready for publication. And the second thing is knowing readers are enjoying what I've written. It makes all the work worthwhile.

What about you? What inspires you to write and keep writing?

Other news:

I'm very excited about the cover for my next book, Bubba and Squirt's City of Bones, set in the catacombs of Paris, France! It looks fabulous!

And finally, my little girl is graduating from college this weekend! I can't believe it! Where does the time go?

Recollections on Writing My First Book

 

This month's IWSG question is, "Do you remember writing your first book? What were your first thoughts about the career path? Where are you now, and how is it working out for you?"

It appears we have multiple questions, so I will tackle each. 

Why, yes, I remember writing my first book, That Baby Woke Me Up, AGAIN!  My career was born in a rocking chair, late one night in Lakewood, Ohio. The year was 2005. My infant son, Bubba was the inspiration. He was a not-so-excellent sleeper. One night, when I was up for the umpteenth time, holding him in the rocking chair, a poem started going through my head. It was the beginning of That Baby Woke Me Up, AGAIN!  Over the course of a week, every time I was up with him, I'd add more to it. By the end of the week, the entire thing was in my head. That's probably where it would have stayed had I not shared it with my three-year-old daughter. She liked it and said it should be a book. Being in the sleep-deprived state I was in, I thought it was a brilliant idea. The rest is history.

 

 My first thoughts as I went down this career path?  I don't remember, because I was sleep-deprived, but they probably were something like, I don't know what the heck I'm doing. But who cares? I'm doing it anyway.  

Eighteen years later, here I am. Six published books with three on the way, plus a couple of anthology stories. It's been a wild ride. Ups and downs. Lots of rejections, but also awards and high points along the way. And the unexpected thing is that I've met so many awesome people like yourselves who have been wonderful friends and helped me on my journey. And for that, I'm very grateful!

What about you?  If you're an author, what has your journey been like?  

Now for what I've been doing, besides revisions on the next three Bubba and Squirt books:

A visit to Chattanooga Tennessee where we saw Ruby Falls, an underground waterfall.  Ever been there? It's spectacular!

 

Author Envy

 

It's time for another IWSG question of the month. "Have you ever read a line in a novel or a clever plot twist that caused you to have author envy?"  I had to think about this one. I don't recall a specific line or plot twist, but I can say that after reading, Face Like Glass by Frances Hardinge, I was extremely impressed with her world-building and lush language. I had never read anything quite like it. So, I'd say I had a little author envy of her tremendous skill in those two areas. I hope when I grow up, I can write like her. 

What about you?   Have you ever experienced author envy?

Not a whole lot of other news to report. My oldest daughter is getting ready to graduate from college. Can you believe it? And my son is still in the Navy. My, how time flies!  I guess the cutest thing is that my dad got a Goldendoodle dog. Her name is Daisy. Isn't she adorable?

  

   

About Book Covers

 

This month's IWSG question is about book covers. "Do you create your own covers or purchase them?  Or if you are traditionally published, do you have a say in what your cover looks like?"

I've had experience with self-publishing and traditional publishing. With self-publishing, I designed the covers myself, gave my ideas to professionals, and they made the covers look good. I don't think I have the skills to create a professional-looking cover myself. Same with the interior illustrations. For the most part, the illustrations for my self-published picture books are my own ideas. Admittedly, I was hoping the illustrators would come up with their own creative ideas so I could be more surprised by their interpretations, but I was still pleased with the results.

Regarding my traditionally published books, the publisher's illustrator came up with the covers himself. I liked being surprised by his ideas. Yes, I had to approve the covers, but I really didn't have any changes. I'm sure if for some reason, I didn't like them, changes would have been made.

Here are some pictures of my book covers. The first three are self-published. The others are traditionally published. 

  

If you're an author, what kind of role did you have in designing your covers?

(And some good news:  The next Bubba and Squirt book, City of Bones is on its way. The contract has been signed!)

Word of the Year

 

Happy New Year!  Welcome to the first IWSG post of the year. The question is, appropriately, "What word sums up what you need to work on or change this year?" Easy peasy. SUBMIT! I have finally finished writing the rest of the Bubba and Squirt manuscripts and am just about ready to submit the next one of the series. I even wrote a blurb for it on New Year's Day!  Good start, right?  Of course, I thought of something else I could do to make it better, so I'm not quite ready. Ugh!  I should just follow the Nike slogan and Just Do It! 

That's my word. What's yours?

I'll leave you with a picture from my recent trip to New Orleans. Sitting in the seance room at Muriel's restaurant. Supposedly it's haunted, but I didn't see any ghosts. Has anybody ever been there or seen a ghost?

    

IWSG and Happy Holidays!

 

It's that time again—the monthly Insecure Writer's Support Group post. I'm really glad we have these things. Thanks to Alex and the crew for keeping this going. Otherwise, I'd probably fall out of touch with the blog world because life is just so darn busy! Speaking of busy—the question of the month is, "Does the holiday season make it easier or harder to find time to write?"  For me, the answer is resoundingly harder.  I'm a musician. 'Tis the season to perform Christmas concerts. Just this week alone, I have 3 performances and 4 rehearsals. That's on top of my job as an Executive Director for an orchestra and the more than 30 students I give private lessons to each week. Talk about busy! Oh yeah—and I have to buy and wrap Christmas presents, make Christmas cookies, and send out Christmas cards. That said, I've been trying to revise my Bubba and Squirt manuscripts so that I can submit them to the publisher early next year. I was on a roll with 2 chapters a day last week. (This week, not so much. I need to practice all the music I have. Plus I have to learn how to play the organ. I've had a two-week crash course with an organist for a performance I have to do this Sunday. Wish me luck!) 

Are you tired just from reading all of what I have to do? 😊

How about you?  Do you have more or less time to write this time of year?

I wish all of you a joyous holiday season! See you next year!