Category: Writing

Weekly writing check-in: pumpkin spice and flash fiction

Okay, not really. I’m not even sure if I’ve had a pumpkin spice latte.

But!

I love pumpkin scones, and bread, and muffins, and pie … and… and.

You get the idea.

This week, I wrote two complete flash stories and started a third.

I’ve also been contemplating 2020 and what I might do, writing-wise.

2019 wasn’t my best year for productivity. I’m mulling on that, starting small (see above about the flash fiction stories), and I have some plans for what I might do.

And that’s all I’m going to say at this point. Yeah, I know, vague-blogging. But the other thing I’ve come to realize this year is I’m not one of those writers who can talk projects while working on them.

Weekly writing check-in: more cover practice

More low stakes practice this week. This tutorial was on thriller covers (I think that’s fairly obvious, but just in case …).

This isn’t a real book. Callie Robb isn’t a real author (that I know of–Callie, if you’re out there and would like these covers, let me know). A Cressview Thriller isn’t a thing (again, that I know of). But it’s more fun than going with author name and fake series name.

In writing news, I worked on an exercise and a bit on the Coffee and Ghosts story. And … that’s it for this week.

Weekly writing check-in: fun with cover practice

Not a lot of writing this week. I’m playing around with an idea for Coffee and Ghosts. Not so much a sequel, but a look at what happens near the end of the series from Malcolm’s point of view (which is about all I can say without spoilers). I wouldn’t publish this but instead, offer it up as a newsletter bonus.

I am also thinking seriously about Coffee and Dragons, or as seriously as someone can think about Coffee and Dragons. The idea is starting to grow on me. I’m not sure how I’d pull it off, but I am considering the challenge.

I did take some time to have some fun with covers. If these were real covers, I’d spend a lot more time refining the edges around the masks on the cover models, maybe reconsider my font choices, and so on.

This effort was a practice go since I don’t write contemporary romance. Low stakes, just for fun.

Knight here is very Broody McBroody. Or maybe he’s mourning his unfortunate choice in footwear.

Mr. Prince here does look worried about being the prodigal son, no? Or maybe the oven timer’s gone off, and he’s concerned the crust on his par-baked pizza is going to burn.

This guy? This guy is what’s known in Romancelandia as an alpha-hole. You can just tell. Either that, or he really doesn’t like the new engineered hardwood floors.

And that’s it for this last full week of September.

Weekly writing check-in: another week, another story with dragons

This whole “story a day” thing is more like a “story a week” thing.

Still, I’ll take it. Especially since I wasn’t sure how this one was going to end. It took a turn when the dragon in the story ate a character I did not expect him to eat.

This is the second … third dragon story I’ve written during this challenge. I’m beginning to think my subconscious would really like me to write more of these. Dragons and Coffee anyone? (I mean, why not? I made Coffee and Ghosts work.)

Also, thanks to the wonderful people at BookFunnel (seriously, if you’re publishing and don’t have a BookFunnel account, you need to get one), I have a lovely landing page that features both audio and ebooks for Coffee and Ghosts.

Stay tuned to see if I write (yet another) dragon story next week.

Weekly writing check-in: two more and a sale

Yes, I know. Still not a blistering pace. But I am writing. Two more stories for this week, one’s a little longer (and may end up in a novel at some point) and the other a flash fiction piece.

Plus, I sold a short story, a retelling of Godfather Death, to Corvid Queen, and it should be out in March of 2020.

Also, I collected a handful of rejections as well, because that’s the way it works when you submit stories.

Weekly writing check-in: two (so far) for September

So not a blistering pace or anything here, but I did manage two stories this week. If I can keep that going, I’ll be pleased.

I also sent out a slew of stories, some new, some reprints. My submission tracker was looking a little thin.

Not a bad week. Plus, Nothing but the Ghosts is up at Audible (and a bunch of other places as well).

Weekly writing check-in: five for August

That’s right. I wrote five short stories this August, including two this past week (one flash fiction, the other a short story).

I don’t know if I’ll go all out–so much depends on what happens with my schedule. But I am participating in A Story A Day in September. I even got today’s written, although it’s more of a series of vignettes than an actual story (see above about whether or not I’m going all out).

In other words, my aim is to get some words, not necessarily a story, every single day.

So, tune in next week to see if I really did get those words (it’s like a cliffhanger). And if you’re a writer, consider signing up.

Weekly writing check-in: another short story

The Official Jo March Writing Tear Picture

I’m on a roll. I wrote another short story this week, revisiting the characters from Knight at the Royal Arms (Pulp Literature Summer 2017: Issue 15).

I’ve missed writing short stories, and I’m going to continue this trend for as long as the ideas keep coming. Also, with the school year (and dance team) about to start, they fit nicely into what is going to be a busy year.

The technical checks are done on the audio for Nothing but the Ghosts. It’s making its way through the audio distribution system and is already popping up in places.

Last week, I added Ghost in the Coffee Machine to the sidebar. Click to listen to Amy’s marvelous narration.

Weekly writing check-in: photoshoot and short stories

This week, I finalized the audio for Nothing but the Ghosts. The wonderful people at Findaway Voices are doing their technical checks, and then it’s off into the world.

In writing work, I finished one short story and started on another. I have a couple of notions that I think I want to write before I dive back into a longer project.

Earlier this week, we were all over the place, the Landscape Arboretum, Lake Minnetonka, and downtown Wayzata for a senior picture photo shoot. And it’s a little hard to believe we are gearing up for senior year. I’ve already updated the calendar with dance and school activities.

It’s going to be busy.