How to Find the Magic in Writing

Where Fleur still writes every day and finds magic on the page and off.

It’s been a busy few weeks here at Casa Fleur. I’ve been writing every day—something that turned out to be challenging but easy at the same time. There were times I didn’t feel like writing, but I would challenge myself to do it anyway. Fifteen minutes, I’d say to myself. And I’ve scraped together 15k words of a (very) rough draft of a new middle-grade mystery this month. I really like where it’s headed.

While my wordcount is growing, so are the foster kittens. They went back to my local Humane Society today and will find good homes (two even to friends!). They’ve gone from very scared tiny babies who wouldn’t eat, to confident and playful furballs with round bellies. It’s a bit of magic.

The other bit of magic was the mama deer who decided to have two babies in my backyard. She’d been eating all my plants and digging for a nest in the mulch, but eventually just found a quiet spot in the back of my yard to have her fawns. Very magical to witness—from a distance.

This is mama, mid-birth. I was watering my plants and interrupted her by accident…

I feel fortunate to be surrounded by it all. And it made me think about magic, and how it can feel the same way when you’re writing a first draft, or reading a book you really love. My first draft is humming along; sometimes, they’re okay words that will need work or may get cut. Other days, I forget about time and get lost in a scene.

Magic.

The thing is, I never know what that day’s writing session is going to bring. I have to write every day, even if some days it feels like walking eighteen miles through the mud.

The magic happens when you show up.

I hope my daily writing habit will stick, for this very reason. This magic is the best part.

How are all of you fellow creative people? Are you writing or illustrating this summer too?

What I’ll Be Writing

I plan on continuing to write every day, probably through the month of July. It’s hot and I’m not going anywhere anyway. Those little magical moments I’ve been seeing in nature are also happening on the page, so I’m taking that as a good sign.

I also need to revise a few short stories, which may have to move to the front burner here soon because of deadlines. And there’s that non-fiction book… Too many ideas, but I do hope to finish a few drafts of all of these by the end of summer. I’m planning this out on my calendar today, in fact.

Where I’m Going

I’ve been pondering a writing retreat, just to make a little more headway on revision this fall. Have you gone on a retreat? How did you like it?

The idea of a cabin somewhere sounds divine, though I kind of live in one already. But I would like this cabin to not have any housework or DIY or other daily nonsense, thank you.

Your Weekly Floof

Floof has been super chill about our kitten houseguests and has mostly been napping in the sink or watching the birds outside. Maybe she’s slowly turning into a zenmaestra…