My Writing Habits this Summer Break

As an elementary school teacher, I’m blessed with a sizable chunk of time off in the summer. These weeks I can enjoy camping, barbecuing, and vacationing with friends and family. I also have a lengthy list of chores to accomplish. Thankfully I am able to get in some good writing time. Writing over the summer fills me with joy because I feel like I’m a career author.

This summer, I’ve found I do my best writing between 6:30 and 8:00 AM. Writing magic happens the moment my loopy-morning-brain is infused with a cup of coffee. This combination allows my creativity to flow. I also type far more words per minute than any other time of my day. It’s amazing!

Currently, I’m three chapters away from finishing my current draft of BACK OF BEYOND. I’m wrapping up Spoon’s dilemma and planting seeds that will grow within THE LEGEND OF SPOON #3. I can’t wait for everyone to read this book.

When are you most productive? Do you get time off to enjoy summer? I’d love to hear from you. Please leave your answers in the comments below.

This is why I Write

“Just starting your book in Punta Caña!”

Having friends and family read a story I wrote never gets old. My life experiences, beliefs, and memories shape every plot, setting, and character I create! Each book is a part of me. Thank you Kathy for choosing to read my story!

Writers, what brings you the most joy from writing? Please explain in the comments below.

We Have a Winner!

Congratulations to Kirstin G. for winning the eBook copy of UNDER!

Thank you everyone for entering the sweepstakes!

 

UNDER Ebook Sweepstakes Update

Feeling incredibly blessed that 443 entrants entered the UNDER eBook sweepstakes!

UNDER is a combination of science fiction and mystery written at a fourth-grade reading level. In it, thirteen-year-old Boyd Under and his older sister Maggie enter their grandfather’s secret underwater city, Sans Terra. Life here is full of surprises and fun (remember underwater city!). You won’t want to miss out on this adventure so enter today. If you know someone else who’d enjoy a literary trip under the ocean, share this link with them.

See this #AmazonGiveaway for a chance to win: Under (Kindle Edition). https://giveaway.amazon.com/p/a78dc30472332ec3 NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Ends the earlier of Jul 23, 2018 11:59 PM PDT, or when all prizes are claimed. See Official Rules http://amzn.to/GArules.

UNDER Sweepstakes Begins Today!

Follow thirteen-year-old Boyd Under and his older sister Maggie as they enter their grandfather’s secret underwater city. Located at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean, Sans Terra is a technological marvel. Within its many domes, citizens enjoy a surprisingly normal city life of parks, shops, restaurants, schools, and apartments. However, life goes from typical to tense when several people inexplicably fall ill. It is up to Boyd, Maggie, and friends to uncover the source of the illness. Will solving this mystery unite friends or turn friends into enemies? Dive in to find out.

See this #AmazonGiveaway for a chance to win: Under (Kindle Edition). https://giveaway.amazon.com/p/a78dc30472332ec3 NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Ends the earlier of Jul 23, 2018 11:59 PM PDT, or when all prizes are claimed. See Official Rules http://amzn.to/GArules.

Question: BACK OF BEYOND

Brady asked, “How is Back of Beyond looking? I’m just itching to read more of The Legend of Spoon!”

I wish I could say it’s ready today. Best guess, four to six months. I’m making changes to the last few chapters, which I’m working on most mornings. I’m going to have my friend, author, Robin Puelma, read it over again. Then I will make any changes needed before I have two more friends read it over. These edits can take three weeks to three months each. I am super excited for this next book! Hopefully, the final edits will go faster than expected. They often do. Thank you for your patience! I’m working hard to finish BACK OF BEYOND, even while I’m on summer vacation with my family. I have it formatted and the cover complete so when editing is finished, I’ll be able to publish it quickly.

When reading a new series, I hate waiting for the next book to come out. When I first started reading Harry Potter, only the first few books were out. It was torture waiting for the next book! What books have you found yourself waiting impatiently for the next in series?

 

The NINTH NIGHT Sweepstakes is Over

Congratulations, Kari L. for winning the FREE ebook copy of NINTH NIGHT!!! I know you’re going to enjoy the book. Thank you everyone for entering the sweepstakes! More sweepstakes to come over the summer!