May News: Inspiration, Good News, and Taking a Hike
Happy May!
I hope you are doing well, and are enjoying some spring weather where you live. Here in my little corner of Colorado, it's pouring down (a good thing in a dry climate). I'm curled up with a cup of tea and a good book, which is my happy place.
For the past few months, I have been neck-deep in moving house. I'm am now remodeling my little fixer-upper house on the Colorado mountainside, all while editing my YA. If I can give you any advice: don’t move house if you can help it… That said, the move was worth it. I’m very happy where I live now.
One reason I moved was to live smaller and closer to nature. The living smaller part meant I had to get rid of a lot of stuff, including books. That was hard. To make it easier, I imagined someone else being really happy with what I no longer need. I’m embracing minimalism—which is a whole other newsletter topic.
On the flipside, it was really nice to discover some things I own that I’d forgotten about. Like my brass duck clip (found at my thrift store). It’s about time I started to hang kid art again, for inspiration. I’ve decided to consider May as the month that I look for inspiration and some much-needed refilling of the creative well.
Speaking of wells: there is a wishing well in my backyard. Don’t you love how weird and quirky that is? Let me know what you’re wishing for, and I’ll toss a penny in there for you.
Conference Inspiration
Speaking of inspiration, I just spent the weekend at my local Colorado Pikes Peak Writers Conference. I presented a session on plotting and on creating kids as character, plus I was on the most inspiring panel on marketing for authors.
One of the authors, Siera London, talked about setting the goal to walk every day and sharing that on social media, and I decided to do the same thing. May is the month I take a walk every day, preferably during lunch so I get a good break from staring at a computer screen. (I hope I can keep that going… Currently, the rain might make that hard.)
The conference was generally so inspiring and uplifting. I was reminded by how much we need each other, for inspiration, motivation, and learning. It was so good to see old friends and meet new ones.
If you have the opportunity to attend a writers’ conference, I highly recommend it.
Here I am being silly with some fellow author panelists...
Good News
I was about to hit send on this newsletter when I heard that Daybreak on Raven Island is nominated for an Anthony Award! The Anthony Awards are chosen by fellow mystery fans, so it’s extra special to see my book recognized. Pass the cake!
Winners are announced at Bouchercon, a really big mystery fan conference. I had planned to attend already, so I hope to see you in San Diego in September, perhaps…?
In the Writing Studio
I finished the first draft of my (top secret) YA mystery at the end of April, squeaking by just before my (self-imposed) deadline. My amazing agent Laurel Symonds is currently reading it, and will give me feedback so I can edit. I’m looking forward to that—though I’m taking May to just catch my breath. And take a hike. It’s good for the soul.
But I can never completely stop my writing brain. I’m brainstorming new ideas, while I go for my daily walks. It’s the fun part of writing, that new brainstorming…
Appearances
I’m taking an also much-needed break from school and conference author visits. Moving house and some health stuff had me taking a step back, and I’m stretching that break into summer.
I am planning limited fall and winter activities, however, so if you’re a conference or event organizer, contact me soon to make sure you snag a spot on my schedule...!
Floof
Floof doesn’t like moving. She’s been hiding in the basket on top of the fridge until all the chaos is over. Send some encouraging vibes to this floofy scaredy-cat…
Winner...!
As always, I like to give away a signed copy of Daybreak on Raven Island or Midnight at the Barclay Hotel. This month Carmen Martinez snagged the win.
Your book is in the mail!
