Flexing Your Writing Muscle

Good morning, everyone!

Let me go get a cup of coffee, and we’ll talk about getting fit! Writing-wise, that is. I’m eagerly anticipating the release of All or Nothing, as many of you already know. May 29, 2009 seems to be spiraling toward me! Release day has led to a flurry of pre-release promotion, seeking out new readers, alerting friends, family, and writers who’ve supported me all the way on this journey.

But even with all that promotion and planning book signings, blog tours, chats, and finding new ideas for selling e-books and print books alike—it hit me. God didn’t just put one book in me. Since finding The Wild Rose Press – and White Rose Publishing – it seemed like the floodgates of my mind increased. The words wanted to jump out of my fingertips. Hearing about contests, and story prompts, and knowing I have drawers-full of partial manuscripts I’ve carted around since I left the shelter of my parent’s home, I knew that the Lord gave me a gift, and now, I had someone who believed in me.

As you know, By Another Name came out of this frenetic energy. It truly was a gift—a story about bullying and overcoming those scars. Then, a couple of free reads—and then…two different projects, both short stories – one still to edit, and one getting its final polish before send out by the end of May. I’ve done a whole lot of blogging. But what about the writing? What about the full length novels waiting to be written, already plotted and planned? A few of which I’ve *ahem* promised my editor—and am working on in fits and starts. Really. I am.

I’m tired of stopping and starting projects. It’s time to commit. To get back into the research I love, and finally get the next novel going and finished, I’ve pledged to write 1,000 words a day for 90 days. This isn't NaNoWriMo.org – which I participated in the year before All or Nothing was published. The idea is, you get a novel-between 80,000 and 95,000 words by the time you’re done. This isn’t 30 days of writing whatever comes to mind, in a frantic hope of achieving a goal. This is a methodical marathon of words, carefully planned out, and I feel – divinely inspired. What's more, it's an excellent habit of flexing that beautiful writing muscle that we're blessed with.

All or Nothing coming to print is answer to prayer. But it also shows God's sense of humor. Almost as if He's daring me to increase the size of my dream. Yes, my pre-order is in. I’ll hold it in my hands in a few weeks. See my name on the cover. But I know that the next novel will be even better, because my writing has improved ten-fold since White Rose Publishing took me under their wing. Thanks Elizabeth. Thanks, Nicola. Thanks, Rhonda and R.J.

Now, off to write my 1,000 words!