September Reflections

The last few months have been challenging . . . but September brings the beginning of  a riot of colors, summer heat finally cools, and we're looking forward to my favorite holiday of the year -- Thanksgiving, with much to be thankful for.

Writing. I'm closer and closer to drafting the final scenes of Unleashed Pursuit. That story about a female police officer on the run who's befriended by a County Sheriff and his German Shepherd, Max. And I now have three beta readers (two with police backgrounds) eager to read. Revision has also started, thanks to my Thursday Zoom critique group. I never imagined how helpful they would be! 

Call for Beta Readers: If you'd like to be one of my beta readers or would like to recieve an Advance Review Copy, just let me know.

Also, what do you think of the cover? Does it make you want to pick up this book? This cover photo of 'Max' was taken by a Ukrainian living near Kyiv who's suffering from the war. His 'Max' was injured in shelling.

What I'm reading. It's no secret that my favorite reading just now is escapist fiction. Especially romantic suspense, science fiction, sometimes even horror, with Matthew Doggett's Undead Dawn, an apocalyptic tale about zombies, nuclear war, and that struggle for survival -- somehow with both grace and humor. Also this month, I could not put down Mitch Albom's Finding Chika, a moving tribute to faith, hope, and how one man confronts the severe illness of a young child from Haiti. 

Family. After two months of severe sciatica, Allen is finally healing. He can smile now and walk (up to fifteen minutes). And, he's reading again. A lot to be thankful for here.

Just in case you don't think I'm busy, think quilting! Allen took me to a fabric garage sale, and I found this amazing stack of African themed fabric that someone had already cut into strips (quilters will know what that means). So, no pattern, but just like writing, I start with one long strip of fabric, match it with sympathetic colors and other strips, enjoying that balance between shape and rhythm and culture. Here's a snippet of what will be a quilt one day. 

May you enjoy every moment of fall and find some time to nurture yourself!

Manito Park, Spokane

IWSG September: Rules or no rules?

September. These days are still warm but the leaves are beginning to change to yellow and orange, and we know that fall will lead to winter -- a perfect time for reading and writing.

This first Wednesday of the month invites writers of all kinds to share their thoughts as part of IWSG, the Insecure Writers Support Group, an online community of writers in every genre. We post in response to this month's question and then read what others have written. Why not join in? With thanks to Alex J. Cavanaugh for his leadership and thanks to this month's co-hosts: Jean Davis, Yvonne Ventresca, PJ Colando, and Beth Camp (that's me)!

IWSG September 4 Challenge Question: Since it's back to school time, let's talk English class. What's a writing rule you learned in school that messed you up as a writer?

I joined a creative writing class just before retiring because I wanted to work on my first novel, Mothers Don't Die, a dark story about a serial killer. On the very first day of class, our teacher welcomed us with a big smile. "I want you to write about anything at all, whatever inspires your creativity," she said. At last, I thought, I found a good place to nurture my writing. But then she went on to say, "Except violence. I don't want to read anything that is emotionally dark." Oops, I thought. What am I going to write about? Might as well write about mermaids! And so I did. 

Those short stories about mermaids led to The Mermaid Quilt & Other Tales. One of those stories morphed into historical fiction, which led to four novels set in 1840s Scotland, Australia, and Canada. And then I became fascinated with art crime after visiting a museum in Paris and seeing those famous lion and unicorn tapestries. This led to The Seventh Tapestry. Which led to another story set in Egypt about a missing sarcophogus (now in draft form and up next). 

Because I had a dream about a police woman suspected of murdering her partner and pursued by the police and the bad guys. I'm now maybe one month away from finishing the first rough draft of Unleashed Pursuit. Of course, this story has a dog.

So I don't really have a 'bad' recollection about a writing teacher who messed up my writing. I remember lots of encouragement along the way. If anything, I've learned the importance of having readers who care about my writing, whether they're beta readers working through a rough draft or readers who send me a note after finishing that final published version. We're, after all, a community of writers who care about writing and learning from each other.

Although many rules may apply (especially grammar), for me the most important rule is simply to follow your own creative insight. Surprise yourself. Be willing to try something new . . . or different. All those rules about plot structure or grammar (even capitalization) may come in handy as guidelines and lead you to unexpected discoveries. Yes, keep reading about the writing process. You just might learn something that will help you achieve your own writing goals! And, most of all, keep writing!

To say THANK YOU, since you have read so far, click here to go to Book Funnel to pick up your free copy of my flash fiction SNAPSHOT (at no cost and I'm not collecting e-mails). Hope you enjoy.

And, may I recommend Savannah Gilbo's blog? She generously posts writing tips that have always led me to rethink drafting, writing, and revision.

Happy September . . . Write on!