Check, Check, Check!
It's a week of completion, including finishing my 7th novel!
Oh, how I love a good checklist. I’ll write things down I’ve already done so I can check them off. I’ll break a project into infinitesimal tasks for the pure pleasure of feeling that sense of accomplishment. For example, I’m editing a series translated from Korean. My to-do list includes every chapter so I can mark them off as I go.
About a year and a half ago I took Gallup’s Clifton Strengths assessment. It was eye-opening and also told me things I already know.
The test breaks aspects of your personality down into 34 “themes of talent.” Everybody has all 34; it’s a question of which ones are more prevalent. These are mine (surprising no one):
Achiever
Intellection
Input
Maximizer
Learner
They’re spot on. I like to get stuff done. I like to think, absorb information, make things better, and learn. All good qualities, right? Except I’ve frequently been told I’m “too much,” that I’m “Type-A,” that I should learn how to relax.
That’s not how I’m wired, and seeing it in black-and-white helped me realize that’s okay. Honestly, I love it. I love that I’m never bored, that I’m always curious, and that my obsession with notebooks and office supplies is fully justified because hey, that’s how I’m built.
One of my favorite things about this test is that it frames your personality traits as Strengths–it’s in the name. These are my superpowers.
And this week they’re doing a happy dance, because it’s a week of completion.
Yesterday I saw, clearly, the remainder of Trouble on the Tracks, and it’s now flying! By the end of this week I’ll write The End in my seventh novel.
Yay!
I’m also fulfilling my Kickstarter for Travel is Murder, Volume 2. I’ll send out the ebooks by Wednesday and paperbacks and hardcovers by the end of the month.
Both of those are HUGE projects, and it feels so good to move their giant to-do lists to the Done pile.
Part of the reason I’m excited is because that means I can move onto the next projects. For example, my fantasy series. I’ve already written 10,000 words in the first book, but I put it on hold to finish Trouble. Now I can dive right in, and the timing’s perfect since I’m going to England in May and will immerse myself in inspiration (#3 Input, #5 Learner).
I’d planned to submit the first 5,000 words to a contest, but discovered it was only open to unpublished writers. So, I’m going to send them to my Pollinators this afternoon! It’s, ahem, quite a bit different from my mysteries. Here’s the opening paragraph:
Her scream cut through the night like a fire-forged blade. The woman, her red ringlets dripping, her skin bathed in sweat, every muscle clenched, bore down, bending towards her straddled legs. Even the warmth of the water couldn’t soothe her.
Want more? Join my Pollinators here. I’m emailing them later today. If you don’t see this until later, sign up and then let me know and I’ll send it to you.
It’s an intimate group of 88. If we get to 100 before I send the email, I’ll also share a glimpse of my grimoire where I plan this epic tale.
That’s it for now. I’ve got more boxes to check.
Happy reading!
Theresa
p.s. Reserve your copy of Trouble on the Tracks!
What I’m Reading
I’m an affiliate of Bookshop.org, so if you purchase through any of these links, I’ll get a small commission at no cost to you. You’ll also be supporting independent bookstores!
I read multiple books at once, which keeps my curious brain happy! It tends to be an eclectic mix of fiction, research, and craft. Here’s what I’m currently reading:
A Forty Year Kiss, by Nickolas Butler - I normally don’t read romance, but I’m giving a presentation tomorrow night at Glenview Public Library on Romantic Getaways in Wisconsin. They’ve been reading this book and that’s why they invited me to speak on this topic.
Celtic Gods, Celtic Goddesses, by RJ Stewart - SO MANY NOTES! I’m maybe a third of the way into this book and it’s inspired so many ideas. I found it at Inklings Used Books in Sheboygan and it’s not on Bookshop. You might be able to get it through your library.
Anam Cara, by John O’Donahue - Also found at Inklings, this one is available at Bookshop. When I first thought of writing my fantasy and realized it would be inspired by Celtic and Druidic traditions, I heard of this book and it was so highly recommended I knew I had to get it. It’s the only title I wrote down. And I happened to find a pristine copy last September.
The Creative Act, by Rick Rubin - Recommended by my friend Lori Helke, I picked this up at Wordhaven, which is my favorite bookstore and also in Sheboygan.
What I’m Writing
I also write multiple projects at the same time. Gotta keep those squirrels happy.
Trouble on the Tracks: the seventh book in the Alex Paige Travel is Murder series. Status: 92% complete!!!!
Epic Fantasy Series: Join my Pollinators to read the first 5000 words! Status: 8% complete.
Simple Self-Publishing: Step-by-step guide to bringing your manuscript to market. Status: Development - Kickstarter in the works!
Where I Am
Home home, for at least a couple of weeks.
Where I’m Going
Heading to Asheville soon for my dad’s birthday. In May, my husband and I are celebrating our birthdays in England. We’ll spend five days in London and then we’ll be tooling around the countryside, visiting Dover, Salisbury, Ross-on-Wye, and dipping our toes into Wales.
Thanks for joining me this week! I’d love to know what you’re reading, so please reply or leave a comment.
Sounds like a full month for you - enjoy!