Writing Strike

I've found myself in a bit of a writing strike as of late. I haven't been on here giving folks an update, or deep in my next novel. Of course I have a plan for what I want to write next, but the project scares me a little. There is a darker story line than I have used this far, and I wonder how writing that way will affect my own spirits. I might be thinking too deep about it too. Knowing November is National Novel Writing Month might get me going on putting words down.

But here I am again, after a time away, writing while the boys do their homework. I don't remember having this kind of homework when I was their ages, but a lot has changed since then too. 

At my last vendor event, I went back to proofreading my next novel. I am thinking about making it just digital so I don't have inventory to keep, but am not rushing to get it out either. I'm starting to see how fast time goes, and how busy I tend to stay even without getting out to sell books. Sadly, that also keeps my sale numbers low, but I'm not counting on that income at this point.

I had a good laugh last week when I received a letter from my great aunt with a newspaper clipping inside. It was about some of the mistakes found in books (she said it made her think of me. If I find a good news story, I'm sending something back to her). Sadly, I know how some of those writers feel. No amount of proofreading will catch each and every mistake in a book, but we try. 

Book Progress and signs of Spring

Last week, I was one of many people enjoying the beautiful spring-like weather. We really didn't have a bad winter like last year, but it was long enough to appreciate warm temps and sunshine. The boys and I went for a few walks and a bike ride over the weekend. 

Proof #2 came to me yesterday, and I'm making pretty good progress on reading it over to make any additional corrections. This book is a little shorter than the first one, but without adding too much fluff, I feel it's a complete story. This book takes the same characters from the first book but is told from the perspective of Becca and her husband Boone. They are trying to grow their family with difficulties, and is aptly titled Trying. We're still on track for a May release, and hopefully (fingers crossed) it will be avalible in time for Mother's Day. 

I tried to tap my trees last year for maple sap to make maple syrup, but didn't follow through with it. This year, with a little more knowledge, I have collected over 30 gallons of sap. That sounds like a lot, right? It takes 40 gallons to make 1 gallon of syrup. You can learn more about the process and some fun facts at the Minnesota Maple Producers website: www.mnmaple.org