It’s Friday, and you know what that means. Grab a cuppa, and let’s talk about what we’re reading!
Welcome to April—and the chaos that is spring weather. We had tornado watches on Tuesday. It is not my favorite. I love a good thunderstorm, as does Jordan, but the possibility of tornados sets off a low-level anxiety that shakes me to the core. Happily, our porch seems to be a barometer, and it said no tornados. It has yet to be wrong. I’m starting to trust it.
So that day of anxiety drove me to work on the new book, and sure enough, in my heightened state, I realized something was wrong. Did it tell me what? Of course not. So I was up most of Tuesday night thinking. I finally decided it was time for an editorial call with my agent, and we talked at length about what was bothering me. Of course, she saw the issue right away, and we talked it out, and I’ve spent the rest of the week fixing it. It’s just a character issue…but it was a big one. Sometimes, it really helps to have someone else’s brain on a problem. Don’t ever hesitate to ask your critique partner or editor or agent or friend to be a sounding board. It’s quite helpful. (If you’re part of the 22 Steps community, you can always reach out to each other in the chat…)
The reason I even landed on the issue was reading this great interview that Clay Stafford did with Jeffrey Deaver. In it, he talks about outlining. He says, “Writing from an outline might work and does for many writers, but I realized it didn’t work for me because I wasn’t getting an organic story. The characters weren’t as rich as I wanted because they were sort of set at the beginning.”
Boom goes the dynamite. Y’all know I don’t normally outline. What I realized is though I have an idea of the story, and can outline that, the joy of writing is the discovery of the character. Part of the issue I just solved was I wasn’t connecting the way I should be with the main character.
I agree with this, and here’s why. You have absolutely zero control over the list. But you do have control over your work. Write the best book you can, every time. My goal is to finish. Finishing keeps you in the game — and staying in the game is what makes your career.
I finished A KILLING COLD by Kate Alice Marshall and wow. I loved this book. It’s not up for preorder yet, but when it is, I will get y’all a link. Such a great story and a compelling character to root for. (We’re in character mode this week, obviously.)
I started a superb book called THE PEACOCK AND THE SPARROW by I.S. Berry. It’s a debut spy thriller and has been nominated for the Thriller Award. I can see why. It’s lyrical and shocking and I am here for a female-written spy thriller every day of the week.
I also grabbed LILITH by Erik Rickstad. I’ve seen a lot of folks talking about it, and the premise is fascinating. If anyone’s read it, let me know.
I have IF SOMETHING HAPPENS TO ME by Alex Finlay on my side table. Alex’s books are always winners, and I have no doubt I’ll devour this one this weekend. It’s getting unbelievable early press!
And I’m almost finished with SLOW PRODUCTIVITY. Cal’s book is so thought-provoking. I am trying to process how it applies to what I already do—obviously, by its very nature, novel writing is the ultimate in slow productivity—but also in how I tackle the myriad projects on my plate. Do less. Do Better. Know Why. has been my mantra for a few years now. This brings it all home.
That’s it from me. How about you? Good week? What are you reading this weekend?
PS: Kathy Branfield, you are my ARC winner of A VERY BAD THING from last week. Please send me your mailing address, and I’ll mail it to you!
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Man, Tuesday really threw me for a loop. The kids early dismissal from their tutorial was moved even earlier than initially planned and some friends holed up with us at our house after they got out -- but it was too much! My mojo's been off ever since.
It just occurred to me my pal's 120,000 word manuscript may not have been the best thing to commit to in what is historically one of the busiest LIFE months of our year. Something about April and October and December, for us. I started reading it this week in small bits, and it's wonderful, but everything's taking me sooooo long these days to finish. Lots of in-progress things: book, reading, etc. -- but FINISHING just does not happen at the speed I'd like, right now.
I thought I wrote a post but I don't see it....so of this is a duplicate, I apologize.
I read Just for Summer by Abby Jimenez. I love this author and her books are so fantastic. Romance with somewhat heavy issues, plus HEA. For some reason her books really speak to me.
I also read Hopelessly Romantic by Barabara Freethy. Romance set on the beach in Southern CA with maybe a little magic? What else could you ask for!
Hoping for no severe weather anywhere! We have a risk for severe weather this weekend.
It's been a busy week of catch up for me as we (the fam and I) were visiting my parents over Easter weekend. It was a hard visit as my dad is in the midst of radiation and it shows, but it was a good one. Because of the plane rides and delay due to rain, I was able to read quite a bit.
Rachel Gillig's ONE DARK WINDOW and the sequel, THE TWISTED CROWN. It's romantsy with a mystery and monsters. I loved it as it mixes all my ID hits.
Lisa Scottoline's THE TRUTH ABOUT THE DEVLINS. A great character read with a fast plot. You'll love the main character in it.
I finished Greg Olsen's LYING NEXT TO ME. I love his books!
And I'm currently reading and loving THE FUNERAL LADIES OF ELLERIE COUNTY by Claire Swinarski. A fun read so far with lots of Wisconsin and Midwest references that my friend who's from WI vouches are real.
I also read Kate McKean's newsletter that made it's way around Substack about the bestseller list. I like that her perspective is a dual one as she's a writer and agent.
As for tornadoes, Tuesday was a bad day for us too. We had the green sky and fist sized hail that somehow missed our house but hit the houses two streets over. I'm thinking we were lucky, and I'm extremely grateful for it.
I'm wondering now that you've had the epiphany on your writing will you try and outline the next WIP? Or will you change nothing at all?
Olivia-if you see this, I've had the pleasure of listening to 3 of your podcast episodes and am enjoying them. Thanks for the link.
I'm currently listening to: "This Here Flesh" by Cole Arthur Riley. I'm only about a quarter of the way through, but it feels like a very special book so far. I've bookmarked my audio copy so many times that I know a physical copy would be great to have.
I'm also listening to "Have a Beautiful, Terrible Day!" by Kate Bowler. I didn't realize that it's devotions and not memoir like her previous book I just read, but I'm enjoying listening to it in bits and pieces regardless.
I just finished burning through "First Lie Wins" by Ashley Elston (so much fun) and am a quarter way through "No One Can Know" by Kate Alice Marshall. How fun to hear that she already has another book coming out!
I’ve been on spring break this week and it’s been glorious! I haven’t really accomplished much other than a closet clean out but I have caught up on lots of reading. I’m starting Mary Kubica’s She’s Not Sorry this weekend.
Finished Razorblade Tears on the train home last night. Nope. That was not me ugly crying. It was just the rain.
Still working on most of last week’s list including a certain twisty pink book. I really love The Puzzle Box which is a sequel to The Puzzle Master. Who wouldn’t love the MC’s emotionsl support dachshund Conundrum, nicknamed Connie? Great characters, mystery, psychology, history, and puzzles!
Bless Your Heart by Lindy Ryan
The Devil in Silver by Victor LaValle
How to Become the Dark Lord and Die Trying by Django Wexler
The Puzzle Box by Danielle Trussoni
The Serial Killer's Apprentice by Katherine Ramsland
Wow! I'm super excited to win the ARC! Where would you like me send you my address?
I am not a fan of tornadoes either. The only Mother Nature event I don't like are earthquakes. Luckily, where we live now has very mild thunderstorms and rarely have any tornado warnings.
I have the Finlay on my kindle. I’ve got other stuff in front of it; maybe I’ll bump it up. I’m stealing the upcoming Marie Lu. I just finished an Alexandra Bracken. I think I need a mystery next. I also have the new Lansdale Hap and Leonard book. I’ve got an abundance of good stuff right now!
Slow Productivity sounds fascinating. I"m currently reading Crime and Punishment (depressing but gripping) and The Shadow of What Was Lost by James Islington (fantasy, charming but not gripped by it so far
It was the week after spring break so… The kids were intense! We had scary storms Monday and Tuesday and tornado like conditions but thankfully no actual tornadoes. I have the The Peacock and The Sparrow on my list of book I plan to order on Indie bookstore day. I went and saw two local bands last night so I just started A Step Past Darkness by Vera Kurian this afternoon. Her debut Never Saw Me Coming is o w of the best psychological suspense stories I’ve ever read it’s AMAZING.
Man, Tuesday really threw me for a loop. The kids early dismissal from their tutorial was moved even earlier than initially planned and some friends holed up with us at our house after they got out -- but it was too much! My mojo's been off ever since.
It just occurred to me my pal's 120,000 word manuscript may not have been the best thing to commit to in what is historically one of the busiest LIFE months of our year. Something about April and October and December, for us. I started reading it this week in small bits, and it's wonderful, but everything's taking me sooooo long these days to finish. Lots of in-progress things: book, reading, etc. -- but FINISHING just does not happen at the speed I'd like, right now.
I have Lilith on my kindle shelf and I'm very excited to read it. I've heard good things so far.
I thought I wrote a post but I don't see it....so of this is a duplicate, I apologize.
I read Just for Summer by Abby Jimenez. I love this author and her books are so fantastic. Romance with somewhat heavy issues, plus HEA. For some reason her books really speak to me.
I also read Hopelessly Romantic by Barabara Freethy. Romance set on the beach in Southern CA with maybe a little magic? What else could you ask for!
Hoping for no severe weather anywhere! We have a risk for severe weather this weekend.
It's been a busy week of catch up for me as we (the fam and I) were visiting my parents over Easter weekend. It was a hard visit as my dad is in the midst of radiation and it shows, but it was a good one. Because of the plane rides and delay due to rain, I was able to read quite a bit.
Rachel Gillig's ONE DARK WINDOW and the sequel, THE TWISTED CROWN. It's romantsy with a mystery and monsters. I loved it as it mixes all my ID hits.
Lisa Scottoline's THE TRUTH ABOUT THE DEVLINS. A great character read with a fast plot. You'll love the main character in it.
I finished Greg Olsen's LYING NEXT TO ME. I love his books!
And I'm currently reading and loving THE FUNERAL LADIES OF ELLERIE COUNTY by Claire Swinarski. A fun read so far with lots of Wisconsin and Midwest references that my friend who's from WI vouches are real.
I also read Kate McKean's newsletter that made it's way around Substack about the bestseller list. I like that her perspective is a dual one as she's a writer and agent.
As for tornadoes, Tuesday was a bad day for us too. We had the green sky and fist sized hail that somehow missed our house but hit the houses two streets over. I'm thinking we were lucky, and I'm extremely grateful for it.
I'm wondering now that you've had the epiphany on your writing will you try and outline the next WIP? Or will you change nothing at all?
Olivia-if you see this, I've had the pleasure of listening to 3 of your podcast episodes and am enjoying them. Thanks for the link.
I'm currently listening to: "This Here Flesh" by Cole Arthur Riley. I'm only about a quarter of the way through, but it feels like a very special book so far. I've bookmarked my audio copy so many times that I know a physical copy would be great to have.
I'm also listening to "Have a Beautiful, Terrible Day!" by Kate Bowler. I didn't realize that it's devotions and not memoir like her previous book I just read, but I'm enjoying listening to it in bits and pieces regardless.
I just finished burning through "First Lie Wins" by Ashley Elston (so much fun) and am a quarter way through "No One Can Know" by Kate Alice Marshall. How fun to hear that she already has another book coming out!
I’ve been on spring break this week and it’s been glorious! I haven’t really accomplished much other than a closet clean out but I have caught up on lots of reading. I’m starting Mary Kubica’s She’s Not Sorry this weekend.
Finished Razorblade Tears on the train home last night. Nope. That was not me ugly crying. It was just the rain.
Still working on most of last week’s list including a certain twisty pink book. I really love The Puzzle Box which is a sequel to The Puzzle Master. Who wouldn’t love the MC’s emotionsl support dachshund Conundrum, nicknamed Connie? Great characters, mystery, psychology, history, and puzzles!
Bless Your Heart by Lindy Ryan
The Devil in Silver by Victor LaValle
How to Become the Dark Lord and Die Trying by Django Wexler
The Puzzle Box by Danielle Trussoni
The Serial Killer's Apprentice by Katherine Ramsland
A Very Bad Thing by J T Ellison
Wow! I'm super excited to win the ARC! Where would you like me send you my address?
I am not a fan of tornadoes either. The only Mother Nature event I don't like are earthquakes. Luckily, where we live now has very mild thunderstorms and rarely have any tornado warnings.
I'm glad you figured out the character issue!
I have the Finlay on my kindle. I’ve got other stuff in front of it; maybe I’ll bump it up. I’m stealing the upcoming Marie Lu. I just finished an Alexandra Bracken. I think I need a mystery next. I also have the new Lansdale Hap and Leonard book. I’ve got an abundance of good stuff right now!
Slow Productivity sounds fascinating. I"m currently reading Crime and Punishment (depressing but gripping) and The Shadow of What Was Lost by James Islington (fantasy, charming but not gripped by it so far
It was the week after spring break so… The kids were intense! We had scary storms Monday and Tuesday and tornado like conditions but thankfully no actual tornadoes. I have the The Peacock and The Sparrow on my list of book I plan to order on Indie bookstore day. I went and saw two local bands last night so I just started A Step Past Darkness by Vera Kurian this afternoon. Her debut Never Saw Me Coming is o w of the best psychological suspense stories I’ve ever read it’s AMAZING.