by Patricia Bradly
Good Friday morning! Can you believe that this time next week, Thanksgiving will be over and we'll be heading into Christmas and 2024?
Whew! When did 2023 whiz past us?
But I digress... at least on the bonbons and pjs. The whizzing of time as it flies by--that is the life of an author. I will admit I stayed in pjs a lot more this year than I ever have--not the fancy silk ones like you see of women in commercials...the jersey type--I don't generally wear flannel--they stick to my sheets.
And why did I stay in pjs more in 2023? One, I had two deadlines. Two, count them, two deadlines.
My year looked something like this:
On January 1, I had a little over half of Fatal Witness, due February 1.
February 1, I turned in Fatal Witness, not really satisfied with it, but on time.
February 27, I received the edits and talk about Fatal...due to several factors, including the flu and a bad reaction to a cholesterol medicine, I did not have a clear head when I was writing Fatal Witness...
March 1- April 15 I totally rewrote Fatal Witness with a brand new opening and turned it in...
On April 21, my editor approved Fatal Witness, and sent it on to the final editor.
I was very tired by this time--I'd worked twelve hours a day for six weeks on the story.
In May, I started work on what would become Deadly Revenge. But I was having trouble seeing the story.
June was more of the same, but I plodded through.
July 11, I received the edits from my copy editor...she gave me until the 25th, but said I could have a little more time if I needed it...little did she know...Of course, that meant all work on Deadly Revenge stopped. How I wished I was one of those writers who can work on two or three books at the same time!! (I really wonder if they exist...)
Finally in August I started on Deadly Revenge in earnest. And September 28th realized the opening was totally not good. So I rewrote the first two chapters which was like toppling dominoes--everything about the story changed. Again, I rewrote the whole book in six weeks, and finally turned it in November 1...well, sort of. What I turned in was 80% of it...I still had to write the ending. Which I turned in this past Monday.
WHEW!
And now you know why most authors when they hear that writers sit around and eat Bonbons and write only when they feel the muse strike usually fall down rolling on the floor laughing. Contracts do not wait for the muse to strike. But I would rather be writing than doing anything else!
Do you think it would be easy to write a book? Leave your comment and I'll enter you in a drawing for Fatal Witness when it releases in February!
Easy to write a book? My goodness, no! Let me think about that - no way! I’m a reader. Do I wish that were different? Fleetingly, then I remember when I thought I’d write (during middle school) and I bored myself much less a reader. I’m grateful, thankful and amazed by those of you with the gift and perseverance! Becca12901 at yahoo
ReplyDeleteThank you, Becca! I was a reader until these people came to live in my head when I was 35...
DeleteI hear you, sister. The writing life isn't for sissies! Love you, and glad you can take a breather now. Hugs.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Nancy--just got edits this morning...
DeleteI think writing a book would take a lot of prayer :)
ReplyDeletesmincer10 (at) gmail (dot) com
ABSOLUTELY, Susanne!
DeleteNo! No! No! Writing a book is NOT easy. It’s like being a preacher. Folks think what an easy job. They have to work an hour or two on Sunday and are free the rest of the time. Ha! No way. At times 24/7. It sounds like an author’s life to me. At this time in my life, my job is to pray for and support those dear authors who work SOooo hard to give us books to read! Barbara Diggs englishathome01@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteBarbara, you have no idea how much authors, especially me, appreciate your prayers! Thank you!!
DeleteNo I can't imagine writing full length novels. I have written a few children's stories even had offer to publish them but never took that step. But they were easy and short
ReplyDeleteAdair, I can't imagine writing a children's book! That would be very hard for me.
DeleteI don't believe writing a book is easy. The author infuses the novel with their heart and soul. I love to support my favorite authors.
ReplyDeletepsalm103and138atgmaildotcom
Thank you, Caryl! And this author very much appreciates your support!
DeleteWriting (sometimes - more often then not) can mean grabbing a journal from my bag and leaning on a box of Rice Krispies while arguing about the method someone must die, because you know the weapon...watching security guys follow you for the rest of the hour you shop, even when you stop to write more about the argument your two supporting characters have about you, the author. Um. (I did apologize to them.) :)
ReplyDeleteLove it! I once stop at a tire shop to ask the mechanic how to tamper with a tie rod end so a car would lose control...they look on his face was priceless!
DeleteI can’t imagine writing a book. Sometimes it difficult to come up with the right words for a review and that doesn’t even tell a story!
ReplyDeleteReview are hard, but I promise Betti, every author you write a review for loves and appreciates you!
DeleteI never thought it would be easy, but your experiences are eye openers. So glad you finished FATAL WITNESS and can’t wait to read it! Vickie W. watts.vickie@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteVickie, I'm glad I finished it, too--just in time for revisions... ;-)
DeleteI think it would be very hard to write a book. I know several authors and see how they struggle. And, since I edit for one of them I see the struggle and the frustrations.
ReplyDeleteI tried to write a book about surviving with living with six brothers I wanted it to be mostly humorous. I was in my teens and had no idea what I was doing.
duellonlysis at aol dot com
Oh, but the fodder you got all those years surviving with six brothers, Beverly! You really should think about writing that book!
DeleteIt is so very hard to write a book! I've tried multiple times, but although, I have good stories, I can't seem to find the words!
ReplyDeleteRead a Book, have you read James Scott Bell's Plot and Structure or Randy Ingermanson;'s latest book on writing--they are very good at helping to find the words!
DeleteDiscipline and dedication are needed to write. I have neither. I procrastinated in college and pulled all-nighters to write my papers.
ReplyDeleteI can relate with my deadlines, Becky!
DeleteI am thankful for those who write. Some books lift me up, others make me laugh but I'm better for all I read
ReplyDeleteJane Squires jrs0350@yahoo.com
DeleteThank you, Jane! I feel the same way about the books I read.
DeleteAbsolutely not! It takes special people to devote the time and attention required to write books. I’m grateful for authors.
ReplyDeleteTerri, I truly believe authors are called and gifted by God to write.
DeleteDefinitely not! I am thankful there are people with such creative talent who write books for me to enjoy. cherierj(at)yahoo(dot)com
ReplyDeleteThank you, Cherie!
DeleteNo, I couldn't possibly imagine writing a book. That's why I prefer reading. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
ReplyDeleteI love reading and I'm thankful for all the great Inspirational authors out there who have created such good books for me to read Diana!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely not an easy task! I remember trying to write short stories in high school and then term papers in college. They were never easy, and probably not very good anyway. Now I write book reviews and they are challenging as well. Those are only a couple of paragraphs, not an entire book. I appreciate you authors so very much, as you take me in my minds eye to many exciting and sometimes dangerous places.
ReplyDeletePerrianne Askew
perrianne (DOT) askew (AT) me (DOT) com
Thank you, Perrianne! You have no idea how much authors covet reviews!
DeleteEasy?? NOT!! I can't imagine! I admire your commitment and perseverance and thank you for working so hard to provide us with good, clean, suspense-filled, action-packed fiction! Congratulations 🎉👏
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kelli! It does require quite a bit of discipline--that I don't always have...
DeleteP.S. thanks for the giveaway! kheldreth@neo.rr.com
ReplyDeleteOh, my goodness, you've had quite the year! I pray 2024 is easier on you!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Priscilla! It has been a hard two years, but I think I have my mojo back. :-)
DeleteI have a feeling that writing a book would feel something like feeding six teenage boys, you slave for hours and then everything is devoured in minutes, only to have people clamoring for more! I have the six boys, so know something about that, but can't even imagine what it would take to write!! Yes, your books are read as quickly as they're published, and we can't wait for the next one! :)
ReplyDeletecarrottopfromtexas2@gmail.com
Thank you, L! I often think about how fast my books are read compared to how long it takes to write one. :-)
ReplyDeleteNo, I don't think it would be easy to write a book at all.
ReplyDeleteno
ReplyDeletebn100candg at hotmail dot com
I used to think I would like to write until I tried it. It was hard and I there is alot of research that has to go with it. Writing is hard and not for me. Thanks for your great books!
ReplyDeleteI don't think I would be able to write a book!
ReplyDelete