Confessions & My writing Routine
Confession #1 - I love skiing. People who know me would be saying a sarcastic, “No. Really?” right now. But it’s true. While many writers see winter as a time to get their butts in front of a computer or desks and churn out thousands of words a week, you’ll find my butt on a chairlift, scoping out the next powder-laden run to carve down. So my writing routine becomes even more important during the winter months.
Confession #2 - My first book, The Eye of Odin, was not outlined. It took me almost three years to finish. Since then, all my other works have had an outline to some varying degree. This change has resulted in faster drafts and (I hope) better plots.
Confession #3 - I have cats. Four of them. How does this tie into my writing routine? My cats have a tendency to block the view to my Chromebook screen, lay on the paper copy of my latest project, or climb on my shoulders—leading to a not-so-comfortable posture while working. I’ve had to adjust my writing routine accordingly. Much of my work is done out of the house. I go to my closest Starbucks almost every morning and write for up to two hours before I go to work.
Confession #4 - I write my first drafts on a Chromebook using Google Docs, but I can’t edit on screen. I print out my drafts (on recycled paper as much as possible) and do my revisions that way. I’m still debating whether this is an efficient way of writing / finishing a project or not, but it works for me at the moment.
What’s your writing routine? What else would you like to know about my writing habits? Add to the discussion in the comments below.
Confession #2 - My first book, The Eye of Odin, was not outlined. It took me almost three years to finish. Since then, all my other works have had an outline to some varying degree. This change has resulted in faster drafts and (I hope) better plots.
Confession #3 - I have cats. Four of them. How does this tie into my writing routine? My cats have a tendency to block the view to my Chromebook screen, lay on the paper copy of my latest project, or climb on my shoulders—leading to a not-so-comfortable posture while working. I’ve had to adjust my writing routine accordingly. Much of my work is done out of the house. I go to my closest Starbucks almost every morning and write for up to two hours before I go to work.
Confession #4 - I write my first drafts on a Chromebook using Google Docs, but I can’t edit on screen. I print out my drafts (on recycled paper as much as possible) and do my revisions that way. I’m still debating whether this is an efficient way of writing / finishing a project or not, but it works for me at the moment.
What’s your writing routine? What else would you like to know about my writing habits? Add to the discussion in the comments below.
What I'm Reading
I’m featuring (and currently reading) two Canadian authors.
The Hanging Girl by Eileen Cook. I met Eileen on several occasions at the Surrey International Writers Conference. She’s not only a talented writer, but an excellent presenter as well. I’ve been reading her books ever since I picked up Getting Revenge on Lauren Wood, a modern, high school take on The Count of Monte Cristo. Yeah, I know… I was pretty much hooked after reading that.
Here’s a quick blurb about her new book:
Skye Thorn has given tarot card readings for years, and now her psychic visions are helping the police find the town’s missing golden girl. It’s no challenge—her readings have always been faked, but this time she has some insider knowledge. The kidnapping was supposed to be easy—no one would get hurt and she’d get the money she needs to start a new life. But a seemingly harmless prank has turned dark, and Skye realizes the people she’s involved with are willing to kill to get what they want and she must discover their true identity before it’s too late.
For more information about Eileen and her books visit: www.eileencook.com
The Hanging Girl by Eileen Cook. I met Eileen on several occasions at the Surrey International Writers Conference. She’s not only a talented writer, but an excellent presenter as well. I’ve been reading her books ever since I picked up Getting Revenge on Lauren Wood, a modern, high school take on The Count of Monte Cristo. Yeah, I know… I was pretty much hooked after reading that.
Here’s a quick blurb about her new book:
Skye Thorn has given tarot card readings for years, and now her psychic visions are helping the police find the town’s missing golden girl. It’s no challenge—her readings have always been faked, but this time she has some insider knowledge. The kidnapping was supposed to be easy—no one would get hurt and she’d get the money she needs to start a new life. But a seemingly harmless prank has turned dark, and Skye realizes the people she’s involved with are willing to kill to get what they want and she must discover their true identity before it’s too late.
For more information about Eileen and her books visit: www.eileencook.com
Amber Fang: The Betrayal by Arthur Slade. Arthur was kind enough to highlight The Raiders of Folklore Adventures: An Eye of Odin Prequel in his newsletter. I’ve been reading his books for years now (his steampunk series, The Hunchback Assignments, is a must read). Amber Fang: The Betrayal is the second book in his new series. The Kindle edition of the first book is only $0.99! Check it out here.
Here’s a quick blurb about the sequel:
The blood-sucking suspense continues...
For Amber Fang, life used to be simple: study library science by day, read by night and, whenever hungry, enjoy an ethical meal. Her mother had taught her well – it's only good etiquette to eat murderers.
But now her mom has vanished and Amber is alone. Her job as an assassin for a top-secret organization has been terminated. And ZARC, an arms dealing company, is still trying to hunt her down using algorithms, drones and a murderess with metal hands.
Through the dark web Amber learns that her long lost mother has been “disappeared” to a secret compound in Antarctica. When Amber arrives and pries open a door to investigate, what she discovers shocks her to the core. And it will change her life forever.
If she survives.
For more information about Arthur and his books visit: www.arthurslade.com
Here’s a quick blurb about the sequel:
The blood-sucking suspense continues...
For Amber Fang, life used to be simple: study library science by day, read by night and, whenever hungry, enjoy an ethical meal. Her mother had taught her well – it's only good etiquette to eat murderers.
But now her mom has vanished and Amber is alone. Her job as an assassin for a top-secret organization has been terminated. And ZARC, an arms dealing company, is still trying to hunt her down using algorithms, drones and a murderess with metal hands.
Through the dark web Amber learns that her long lost mother has been “disappeared” to a secret compound in Antarctica. When Amber arrives and pries open a door to investigate, what she discovers shocks her to the core. And it will change her life forever.
If she survives.
For more information about Arthur and his books visit: www.arthurslade.com
Upcoming Events
February 3 - I’m doing a workshop on Kickstarter for Beginners, hosted by the Kamloops Society for the Written Arts. Time and location to be announced. :)
Until next month, Happy Holidays and see you in the New Year.
Until next month, Happy Holidays and see you in the New Year.
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