More on research and "breadcrumbs"

I've had a ton of distractions during the writing of my current novel. I make some progress, then I have to redirect my attention elsewhere. I was just about to commence with the next stage of research when I got the audio for The Jane Doe Ghost. Pivot. Stop to listen to the files. (Coming soon to an audiobook distributor near you, but the process takes much longer than an e-book or a paperback.)

Meanwhile, I did manage more necessary documentation for the new book (tentatively titled DARK SHADOWS). Like with Horned Owl Hollow, I needed a family tree to keep my players straight. That's the problem with some ghosts, they span generations! Funny thing about the family tree, this is something Elspeth Barclay (the main character in my current series) needs to know, too. Part of her job is research. As I mentioned in last week's blog post, I'm having to piece together this story. I was just about to write a chapter to piece in when the audio files arrived. 

On the plus side, while I was listening to the audio files, I was prompted for other details that need to be addressed in the new book. Each book in a series usually supplies breadcrumbs for what lies in future books, after all. The good news is that I know what's missing. I just need to fill in the details. 

I'm still on my "Discovery Draft" (which is the first draft where you sort of know what's going to happen, to whom, and where). Whether you're a plotter or a pantser, stories often take you places you hadn't planned on going, hence, the "discovery." The benefits of a series are that you have those breadcrumbs you dropped in previous books to help you find your way. So back to the keyboard, picking up those breadcrumbs. 

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Make sure you're subscribed to my newsletter for exclusive content and up to date information about upcoming releases. All those distractions I was talking about?  The Selkie seems stuck in some of the audiobook channels, although it's finding its way to many. The last two books in the Epitaph series are planned to be available in audio by the end of the summer (fingers crossed!). Jane Doe should start showing up soon. As for the next Elspeth Barclay novel? I'll keep you posted. Release day should be late summer/early autumn.

Piecing things together

Every book is different.

Sometimes, I know exactly what to write and write in a straight line from start to finish. For that matter, I almost always write in a straight line. That isn’t working for me this time.

I have bits and pieces that I know belong, and notes for what I need to remember to incorporate, but they’re somewhat disjointed. Then, there are the details I don’t know yet.

While brainstorming on retreat, I kept asking the same question. What part in the story does “XX” play? Is “XX” important enough to include? (The answer is yes, according to my editor.) I *think* I’ve figured it out. In every story, I have a tendency to spin my wheels in unimportant details. To coin a phrase, into every life [story] a little rain must fall (and continuing the metaphor) which means getting stuck in the mud. I’m writing the parts of the story I know. I’ll go back to piece it all together later. I like puzzles, after all.

So yes, forward progress is happening, just not in a linear manner. 

The takeaway message: If you think it's writers' block, it's probably too much information struggling to get out. (Does that make it a writers' logjam?) JUST WRITE. It may feel like a mess or nonsense, but you can always sort it out later. 

You can fix words on the page. You can't fix unwritten words.

Recharging

The best parts of getting away are the unexpected surprises you encounter along the way.

My writing buddy Terry and I planned a writing retreat after reading a Nora Roberts blog post about her "haunted" B&B. Last week, we took a few days in Maryland to brainstorm our current writing projects and put some words down. We arrived and were enchanted by the lovely inn and its many, almost maze-like rooms. Our first night in, we went to the "happy hour" room for wine and charcuterie and discovered we'd come just in time for "Girls Night Out," which is an event centered around Nora's bookstore across the street--where Nora would be signing books! Well! That was an unexpected surprise, and good timing on our part. AND we would still have a day before the event.

On Day 2, we got our steps in by walking to scenic caverns up the road a piece. They were very interesting when you consider no one knew they were there "once upon a time" and stumbled on them accidentally. Of course, what do you do when you discover underground labyrinths beneath your land? You make them into a tourist attraction. The rock formations were interesting, and the ongoing evolution of new formations, which take hundreds of years, inspires respect for how nature creates its own artwork. 

We walked back into town to scope out Nora's other businesses, including the gift shop and the bookstore. We saw our breakfast server doing a shift in the bookstore, and we'd been told she could tell us ghost stories (because, you know, I collect ghost stories) so we asked her about the ghosts at the inn. She didn't volunteer a lot, but one thing I've discovered. When you ask for a story, you'll find people to tell you one. Two other ladies who worked in the shop were only too happy to share their experiences. I find it interesting when I find similar stories in different parts of the country! At any rate, after we'd chatted a bit, we got an ice cream, returned to the inn and settled down to work.

On Day 3, we took advantage of our package deal for pampering and got a ride into Shepherdstown, WV. We had lunch and had our nails done and walked around the town a bit. The funny thing about visiting the East Coast (at least from my perspective) is how many states you can see in a day. Granted, I live in Northern Illinois, so it's not a big stretch for me to drive to Wisconsin, or Iowa, or Indiana easily (but it still takes a couple of hours to get to ONE of those other states). On the East Coast, we hit three states in an hour. I experienced that same thing last year when I joined my friend in Maine. We hit four states (and could have done more had we done a different route) in a day. But I digress... We discovered that we were far enough from civilization that it might be a challenge to find a ride share back to the airport, so we talked the one who picked us up in WV to take us the following morning. 

When we returned to the inn, we did some more brainstorming, went to the Inn's happy hour, and then across the street to meet our hostess. It was raining. There was a long line. We soldiered on. Terry had been hoping to get the new JD Robb book, but Nora was signing early copies of her Nora Roberts book. Here's the thing. I'm not a huge Nora Roberts fan (don't shoot me, reading is subjective, after all), so neither one of us bought a book. We did, however, go through the line to meet Nora. She is a powerhouse, no matter what you think of her books. She advocates for all authors and she carries a lot of clout. I appreciate the heck out of her as a person, so I wanted to thank her for all she does. (Now I want to read a JD Robb book just to see if I like that better than her NR books).

Terry, me and Nora

Day 4 produced another delicious breakfast, our ride share driver showed up as promised, and we were on our way home - a successful retreat that provided writing (at least for me, Terry had technical issues, but we did a lot of brainstorming with handwritten notes), entertainment, surprises and inspiration. 

And now it's back to work. I have a book to finish!

I've been busy!

And so has my narrator!

Yes, I'm out of town writing all the words for the new Elspeth Barclay novel, but I have news to share. THE SELKIE is making its way to all the audiobook outlets. (If it isn't there yet, it's coming, I promise. It takes time.) Narrator Karen Frantz did a beautiful job with the Irish in this, with the main characters starting out IN Ireland, and then on the return trip home with Liam McCormick's Irish mother. Did I mention Liam brought a ghost home with him when he returned? 

Like I did with The Architect during its first month, I'm offering The Selkie at a special launch price this month only while it finds its way to all the retailers. Not an audiobook fan? You can always pick up the e-book or the paperback. 😁 In case you haven't read it. I think you'll like it. 

I'll be back next week with the low-down on my writers' retreat.

Prepare to be Inspired

At least that's what I'm telling myself. I'm working on Elspeth Barclay #4 and, as always, the writing process unlocks thoughts and ideas I didn't realize I was thinking or dreaming. Not to mention something left unaddressed in The Jane Doe Ghost. I'm still feeling my way. Yes, I'm largely a pantser when I write. I like to be surprised by what's hiding inside my own head.

What you can look forward to - Elle isn't quite as neurotic as she used to be, but she has a few new quirks as a result of her accident. One is speaking her thoughts out loud - "oops, did I just say that?" 

One of the things that made me giggle as I was writing was that tendency I have to "trip on air." You know, an innate clumsiness? I wrote other aspects of my clumsiness when I wrote Cookie Therapy. I figured I wasn't the only one in the world who had unfortunate accidents as a result of not paying attention or just dumb luck. But what if those accidents were caused by playful ghosts? That's the theory I'm toying with in Elle 4. Not going to share any more than that, because I'm still working out all the details, but hey, it makes sense, right? You might not see that foot stuck out in front of you, or something that suddenly moves into your path. 

Next week, I'm embarking on a writers' retreat/girls' trip where I hope to get a lot more writing done, along with some pampering and sightseeing and ghost hunting at a haunted B&B. I'm preparing to be inspired (but prepared if I'm not). Seems like I have a lot going on inside my head most days, anyway, but seeing new things and having new experiences often unlocks things I didn't know I was thinking. 

I'll keep you posted. (Oh, and if I don't post next week, it might be because I'm busy communicating with the advertised ghosts at the B&B.)