Forward Planning – June-December

Wednesday, May 20, 2015

It occurs to me that it's coming close to the time when I need to take a look at my writing schedule for the rest of the year. There is a deadline I won't make that's bugging me, but there's not too much I can do about it. Romantic Suspense novels are complex undertakings that cannot be rushed. I find these books the most enjoyable to write as they engage my brain in a way regular romances and YA novels don't. I'm not even going to try and put a deadline on this one, but I'd love to have it squared away by August, so I can move on to the next book in that series.

The novella I'm writing for a Christmas box set is on the front burner and the plotting and writing for that are going well. I've never done a 40,000 word book, other than a middle grade effort, so this will be a new challenge. If I get the hang of it then of course, I can do at least two additional stories, since I have a couple of potential covers I like that can work well with 2016 holiday themes.

With two books released in my New Adult series, my brain is nagging at me to complete the third book in that series. A good time is now, since the characters are fresh in my mind, but again, time might be a scarce ingredient. Still, I have to get some work done on this book.

As some of you know, I got back the rights on a couple of books in 2013 and there's a Women's Fiction novel I'd like to put back on the market. That story is dear to my heart and I want to run ahead and get it back out ASAP, but with things this important, it's important to be patient and get the job done right.

Fixation was released on Friday and the reception was good. I chose a winner on the Rafflecopter, so congratulations to Sheryl Lister.

It's a lot of work to write and promote, as we all know. I took a decision on Saturday that I hope will free up more time to get more writing done.

Other than pencilling out what I hope to achieve in the next seven months, there's the publication project I've undertaken and the other miscellaneous editing and proofing jobs that help pay the bills. Plus, I still need to make the rounds on the A-Z Reflections Posts.

Have you worked out your plans for the latter half of the year? What things have you busy. Do you see a way to carve out more time to write?

20 comments:

  1. Congrats on Fixation's release.

    I've had so many other things happening my writing plans have been completely derailed this year.

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  2. I'm sorry! I missed that your book came out last Friday. Will mention next week.
    Can I have some of your ideas?

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    1. Any time, Alex. I have too many for one person.

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  3. My goal for the year is to draft all three books in my trilogy. I'm done with #1, working on #2 but haven't begun the writing yet. It's not looking good unless I start getting more words done in a day. I write like a turtle.

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    1. I hope you get those words out, Carol. You're disciplined though, so I know you'll do it!

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  4. Congrats on the release.

    Your brain must be spinning with so much to do and so many ideas. --And yeah, June really does bring everything thing up.

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    1. True, Holly. When you think half the year has gone, you begin to think about what you've accomplished.

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  5. Making my way around on the A to Z Road trip! Stopping by to say hello and I hope to see you again next year, if not sooner!

    Mary
    www.JingleJangleJungle.net

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    1. Thanks, Mary. I'll make it by before next year for sure. :)

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  6. I'm the same. I can't believe it's May already and already looking through my writing plans to try to stay on schedule with my 2015 writing plans. And reviewing what I also have planned for the rest of the year. But wow, time really flew this year.

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    1. For sure. I'm not at the point where I'm documenting my word count to make sure I get something done every day.

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  7. Posted my review of Perfection on my blog today. All the best with everything.

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  8. Congratulations on getting the rights back to your books. With all of this knowledge you've collected, you are not only an author but a business woman.

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    1. Thanks, Mike. I'm trying to keep it all together.

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  9. I'm taking the month of June to do some traveling and thinking about my next book and my next step in this business of writing. No plans other than that. Seems we're in somewhat the same place, heh?

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    1. Enjoy your down time, Lee. I hope the planning goes well. I know I still have some stuff left to decide.

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  10. Good luck with your writing and with your deadlines! I can definitely see how a romantic suspense novel could take longer to plot, with all those intricate details.

    Also, mega congratulations on your new release!!!

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