The Strangest Thing

Everyday I fire up my laptop, Bertie, eager to work on one of my novels and everyday I must battle the powerful force field that prevents me from opening my works-in-progress files. It's the strangest thing, I have no problem opening my e-mail, no problem checking out my favorite blogs, no problem reading the latest headlines. But when it comes time to click the button that opens the manuscript, I spend at least five minutes fighting to break through the invisible barrier.

Once I'm in, hours disappear faster than a package of Mint Milano cookies. With joy and satisfaction, I close the files, eager for the next writing session (and often scrambling to eat, get dressed, and make it to work without being more than fifteen minutes late).

Learning that other writers experience the same powerful force has brought me much comfort. Are there any writers out there who don't? I'd love to hear from you.

Now, it's time to break on through to the other side!

WHAT I'M READING THIS WEEK: Don't Judge a Girl by Her Cover (Ally Carter)

Writing and Gardening

Is it just a coincidence that all of the authors I know love gardening? For me, it's the thrill of watching things grow from day to day. A lot could be said about gardening and writing, but I'll save that for another post. I'd be quite interested in seeing the results of a survey of writers in which they were asked if they garden and why. So if any of you are out there, tell me, why do you love gardening?

WHAT I'M READING THIS WEEK: Come Juneteenth (Ann Rinaldi)

SCBWI

Exactly two years ago I joined The Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. I am so grateful for this organization and the people I've met along the way. Here's a shout out for the Bellingham Network and the Western Washington Region. The road to great storytelling and publication has been a whole lot smoother thanks to the hard work of the many delightful people who have graciously helped me along my writing journey.

WHAT I'M READING THIS WEEK: The Mysterious Benedict Society (Trenton Lee Stewart) and Burning Bright (Tracy Chevalier)

So Many Stories, So Little Time

The stack of books on the table beside my bed grows daily. This doesn't bother me. The only time I freak out is when that stack gets down to one or two.

The pile I'm concerned about is the invisible one, the books that I have not yet written. That pile is driving me batty.

I have two completed novels, twins, in their second year of revisions. The two stories get along with each other and rarely compete for my attention. I was joyfully working with them at a comfortable pace when out of nowhere, four more stories show up and demand to be told. Quadruplets.

These unwritten novels are so impatient. Their characters wake me up early in the morning, telling me what they're doing, jockeying for my attention. Each story shoves the other aside like five-year-olds at snack time, insisting their story must be the next written.

Don't take me wrong, I love these stories like children. But their older siblings require my full attention right now. Once they're all grown up and leave home for good, I will have to face the challenge of deciding which story gets to come out first. In the meantime, I hope none of them decide to run away from home.

So many stories, so little time!

WHAT I'M READING THIS WEEK: Wintergirls (Laurie Halse Anderson) If I Stay (Gayle Forman)

Writing Routine

In the summertime, a chain reaction dictates my writing routine here in the foothills of the North Cascades.

Robin Red Breast and his choir hail the new day before the little hand reaches 5, waking His Royal Catness who insists I meet him at the glass door to revere the beauty of the dawn and escort him onto the balcony where we can enjoy the wonders of creation together.

Fully awake, I come inside and fire up Liberté (aka Bertie) my ancient clamshell iBook, and get to work.

Having done their part to assure my success as a writer, the robins go foraging for worms and the lapcat struggles to usurp the laptop for prime napping real estate.

So I guess what I'm saying is that my writing routine is dictated by animals.
Hmmmmm.

WHAT I'M READING THIS WEEK: Life As We Knew It (Susan Beth Pfeffer) and I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You (Ally Carter)

SCBWI Conference

This weekend I'll be attending an SCBWI conference in Redmond, Washington. With eagerness, I anticipate the encouragement that comes with chatting up fellow writers and publishing professionals. One of the sessions I'm most excited about is a poetry/verse workshop with Ellen Hopkins.

UPDATE: Conference blew my circuits. Reality exceeded expectations. Must recharge.

WHAT I'M READING THIS WEEK: Unwind (Neal Shusterman) Beautiful Americans (Lucy Silag) Squashed (Joan Bauer)

Guilt-Free Reading

My older brothers used to be embarrassed to walk to school with me because I always had my nose in a book. Things haven't changed much, I still embarrass them and I still read at every opportunity.

Before embarking on my writing career, I often felt tremendous guilt for indulging my reading addiction, like I should have been doing something more productive. Now I devour books without a speck of guilt. Reading is part of the job description. Hooray!

WHAT I'M READING THIS WEEK: Envy (Godbersen) Good Night, Maman (Fox Mazer)