In
a perfect world, I begin my writing day after eight hours of sleep, a large cup
of my favorite coffee, a clear idea of my story, a perfect outline, and an
uninterrupted day.
It’s not a perfect world, but you already knew that.
The overwhelming reason why my perfect writing day went out the window (or down
the toilet) had everything to do with the world around me, quarantine and more
recently demonstrations.
It’s been difficult to write these last three months. My
focus seems to be everywhere but on the page. Are the kids all right? Jeez, I yearn
to hug and kiss them. How can I support the march? I’d be glad to say it’s
procrastination, but it’s not. And I still have deadlines to meet. I usually
have my work done well before the due date. But now I look at the page, I read
the words I’ve put down. I know they need some emotion, introspection but…
well, it’s not there. Maybe tomorrow.
Book blogs and writing seminars stress that writing
every day is key to sharpening your craft. I understand the rationale. Every
day you don’t write makes it easier to not write tomorrow. My point is I try to
write, but the more I try, the more difficult it is to focus. My mind wonders,
I get caught up in social media, I visit the kitchen, or I just nod off. There is
no sense sitting at my desk. I’m not accomplishing anything but watching my
deadline loom closer without any progress, which creates more stress.
I needed to figure out how I could help myself. Determined
to move forward, I made a large glass of lemon iced tea then sat down to put
something on paper. I came up with 5 action items and found that each one
helped.
#1 READ
After a few days of not writing I found the intimacy I
had with my story and characters was gone. I decided to read my work from the
beginning and get back into my character’s head. In truth, after I finish a
first draft I usually step away from the story for a few days to get some distance.
That way when I edit the story it’s with a fresh eye. Here I read from the
beginning to ignite the fire that made me write the story in the first place. I
was on my way.
#2 Outline
I
write an outline with all my projects. After reading my story (#1 above) I
found things to add, delete or move around. I also found I needed to do a bit
of research. Rather than put off research, I usually add comments telling me what’s
needed, I allowed myself to look things up and in that burst of new information
I found a new energy, identifying new scenes, new plot points. My outlines are
narrative documents, almost like a synopsis. I don’t worry about ‘show and tell’
or choosing the right verbs. Sometimes I even add dialogue. This gave me a
quick view of what needed to be done.
#3 WRITE
Now, I was ready to write. I began by tackling the
notes I made. This isn’t usually massive changes, but was enough to get me
writing. With my head back in the story, I was ready to move the story forward.
I still wrote in short spurts but I felt a sense of accomplishment. Several
short spurts were better than none.
#4 WORD COUNT
I
keep my daily project word count on an Excel spreadsheet. I calculate when I
want the book finished and polished and estimate how long the story will be. I
also decide how many days I have to write the story. I take family time and
vacations into consideration. From there it is a simple math calculation,
number of total words divided by the number of writing days. I enjoy working
toward short goals. I was realistic. There was no way I would be writing my usual
amount of daily words right away, so I started with a lower than usual daily
count and gradually increased my goal.
#5 REST
Sometimes, no matter how much you plan or how diligent
you are, your body tells you to stop. I realized that when I found myself
asleep at my desk. That was not a pretty sight. Pushing myself was not going to
help me produce a good story. So I put a nap into my schedule. The short rest
did wonders. I woke refreshed and eager to write.
BONUS
One other thing you can do is keep a journal. Think of
it as research for writing under difficult circumstances. Note down how you
feel and record how others respond around you.
If you can’t sit at your computer or pick up a pen,
think about recording your story thoughts on your cell phone. Plot out your
story and when you’re ready to write, it will be there.
I did make my deadline. The story is off to my editor.
I’m ready to start book three in the series. I hope you, your family, and
friends are healthy and please, stay safe.
New
release…
Family secrets filled with intrigue, treachery,
and a 30-year-old murder must be resolved or he'll lose her forever.
Hugh
Talbot is a self-made man who built his fortune one coin at a time. One of the
wealthiest men in England, people vie to be his client. He is a loyal man who
is instinctive and decisive by nature and bases his business on honesty and
trust. An eligible bachelor sought after by every mother with a single
daughter, he has no interest in a relationship, until he falls wholeheartedly
in love with Charlotte.
Lady
Charlotte Eden and her father recently from France have taken up residence at
their long-neglected family estate in England. A methodical well-organized
archery champion she is introduced to Hugh by a mutual friend. His support of
her archery endears him to her, add his honesty and good humor and she is
doomed. Theirs is not a budding romance. It is in full bloom.
When
Hugh introduces Charlotte the daughter of Lord Miles Eden, the Earl of Sagamore
to his family, a decades old scandal filled with intrigue, treachery, and
murder comes to light. Hugh’s family is turned upside down when his father
announces he is the true Earl of Sagamore who had denounced his title and
legacy and that his uncle Lord Miles Eden, was killed in a duel three decades
ago.
His
world in shambles, Hugh’s loyalty to his family will be tested when he must
decide if blood is thicker than water.
Praise for Hugh: Pirates of Britannia Connected World
– Book 1 Sons of Sagamore
“Wow, a great story that will keep you on the edge to find
out what is going on and how it will all turn out!! Ruth Casie at her best!” ~ L. Dykes, Goodreads
“I loved this captivating story of unraveling family secrets
with twists and turns til the very end.” ~ D. Brown, Goodreads
Hugh is a Kindle Unlimited book and
also available as an e-book or paperback at Amazon. The Amazon link is https://www.amazon.com/dp/B088G2CR9J
About the Author
Storyteller | Blogger
| Creative Thinker |
Dreamer | Good Sport
| Teammate
Hi – I’m Ruth A. Casie and I write historical and
contemporary romance. You might be wondering what I’m about. Sit back and let
me tell you.
I’m happiest when I’m telling stories either chatting in a
group or writing them down. I love to put my hero and heroine in tough
situations and dare them to work it out—together, always together. They haven’t
disappointed. Oh, they complain but in
the end their love and relationships are stronger than ever.
Here are five things you probably don’t know about me.
1. I filled my
passport up in one year.
2. I have three
series. The Druid Knight stories are a historical time travel series,. The Stelton Legacy is historical
fantasy about the seven sons of a seventh son. This series includes crossover books with the Pirates of Britannia. Havenport
Romances are contemporary suspense stories set in a small seacoast town in Rhode Island.
3. I did a rap to
“How Many Trucks Can a Tow Truck Tow If a Tow Truck Could Tow Trucks.”
4. When I cook I
dance.
5. My Sudoku book is
in the bathroom. I’m not saying anything else about that.
My stories feature strong women and the men who deserve
them, endearing flaws and all. Their stories will keep you turning the pages
until the end. I hope my stories become your favorite adventures.
I’m a USA Today bestselling author.
My hobbies:
* counted cross stitch
* ballroom dancing - not
just between the fridge and stove
* reading almost anything
* Sudoko - I'm still
staying quiet about that
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