I’ve been a lady of leisure for six weeks now. That’s kind of terrifying to see in writing. It definitely doesn’t feel like it. Breaking those weeks down:
Week 1 - two days off, then traveled to a writing retreat
Week 2 - in New York the whole week
Week 3 - ADHD hyperfocus on setting up a Stained Glass station in my basement
Week 4 - Actually sit down and focus on writing again
Week 5 - More focus on writing
Week 6 - Travel to east coast for a friend’s book launch and little lake reading retreat.
So really, it’s only been three weeks for me. This is the week I’m putting my nose to the grindstone and really making some headway on my next WIP. Wish me luck!
Reading
✨ = Five Stars | 🎧️ = audiobook | 📖 = Book Club | 🏎️ = F1 Book (Fiction and Non-fiction) |
(Note: Since I’m writing a Formula 1 Romance, I’m not planning on rating other F1 Romances at all, but obviously, you should read them ALL so publishers know people REALLY want to read more F1 Romances!) (Note 2: I’ve been reading so quickly I haven’t really had time to rate and review these, so lack of five star icons does not mean there were no five stars in here.) |
When I left my job, I worried about whether I would be able to keep up with my audiobooks without a commute. Well… that was an unfounded worry, largely due to spending time gardening or making stained glass (and listening to books while I do it).
The Lust Crusade by Jo Segura 🎧️
The Night We Met by Abby Jimenez 🎧️
Love is a War Song by Danica Nava 🎧️
Never Been Shipped by Alicia Thompson 🎧️
Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins 🎧️
Say You’ll Remember Me by Abby Jimenez 🎧️
Somewhere Beyond the Sea by TJ Klune 🎧️
Honeymoon Phase by Amy Daws 🎧️
The Everlasting by Alix E. Harrow
Writing
My big plan for this sabbatical from work was to draft up number next — the next book I’ll be working on pitching. Originally I planned to work on a romance I pitch as “Reverse Mamma Mia.” That’s what I’m working on for my Stanford Class anyway. Except, I got to a point in it where the words just were not wording well. I think part of it is that I need to let go of it being pitched as a romance and that it’s a true women’s fiction with a romance subplot.
While my brain comes to terms with that, I’m shifting instead to a YA that I’ve had kicking around my brain for a while. I’ll share more details about it in the months to come… I’m keeping this baby to myself for now.
As for submissions update: we’re out there! I can’t really give more details than that right now. But I got the go ahead from my agent to keep posting on social about my book so look for more self-promo soon.
New Piece!
I had an interesting conversation with the tech during my annual Mammogram this month and it prompted some deep thoughts.
… and Randomness
Romance Writers of the Rockies is going to start selling merch soon! What kinds of romance bookish swag would you like to buy? We’ll have some RWR specific stuff, but are also looking to sell some general romance reader and writer swag, too. Reply and let me know!
PLACES WE’LL GO by the wonderful Cait Waynelovich is OUT NOW! It’s the perfect summer read, full of wanderlust and euro locales and finding yourself. Get it now in paperback on Bookshop.org, Barnes and Noble, Amazon (or ask your local to order it) or read now on Kindle Unlimited.
Bonus if you read this far: keep an eye on my socials for a change to win a copy of PLACES WE’LL GO in the next week or so! Being a newsletter subscriber will get you an extra entry!
