Didn’t I just do an accountability post? Has it been a month already?
Last month I said my post would be brief — this month should be even briefer. So let’s get right to it, shall we?
My concentration remains on things other than picture books, so once again I didn’t do a draft for 12×12. When I do get time to train some of my focus on picture books, I think I’d be better served in revising some of last year’s drafts, rather than simply adding another first draft to the pile.
I have been writing, however. In last month’s accountability post, I mentioned that I had started a middle grade mystery. I completed the first draft of that, did a great deal of brainstorming with my wonderful first-reader, and did a second draft. Now it is sitting on the back burner, while other projects come to the fore.
This weekend, after far too long a hiatus, my friend and first-reader Jan and I got back to our collaborative novel. It feels good to be working on that, as a break from the other writing! (Yes, I take breaks from writing by writing something else.)
The middle grade mystery distracted me from the plot structure class, I admit. I have realized as I work through the class that my adult novel needs some major overhauling, and I now have a handle on what it needs, thanks to the tools and thought-processes I have learned.
So, I’ll be going back to work on the adult novel forthwith. I’m looking forward to seeing what transpires as I work out the new ideas.
In blogging, you’ll have noticed the visual changes I’ve made. I’m also making a few changes to the weekly line-up. I’ve decided to stick to a twice-weekly schedule, with posts on Mondays and Fridays.
The Wednesday “This Day in the Arts” posts, while fun, were taking up hours of time searching for just the right bit of history — or some weeks, for ANY bit of history — that I could blog about. I have decided that this is just not the best use of my time, so I am letting that series go. It was worth a try!
Mondays will continue to be general posts, with perhaps a little more focus on the arts as I seek to reach out to my “niche.” With the focus on the arts (and particularly theatre) in mind, I have renamed my Monday posts Ad-Lib Mondays.
On Fridays, I will be going back to Perfect Picture Book posts, but I’ve decided to just do occasional PPBs, so that I can also blog about other books I’m reading. Since I’m not solely writing picture books, I’m not solely reading picture books either. This change will reflect better my range of reading, and will allow me to share some exciting books with you without having to do extra posts. Fridays have therefore received a name-change as well, also an arts/theatre related term, and are now Read-Through Fridays.
Is there any topic you’d like me to look into on Ad-Lib Mondays?
What do you have planned for May?
April’s over ALREADY? Wow. I want to write a mystery. 🙂
I think it would be great if you wrote a mystery, Erik!
Wow, you finished two drafts of your latest MG! Glad that you and Jan are back working on the collaborative novel!
The MG is such a fun thing to write — and it allows me to spend time (vicariously at least) in a place I love! Win/win!
Writing with Jan is a joy. Thanks, Joanna!
Time is moving along rather quickly. You got some great work done getting the two drafts of the MG mystery worked out.
And yes, I can certainly understand taking a break from writing by writing something else lol!!
Thanks, Angela! I’m not surprised you understand the writing-break thing! 😉
Sounds like things are going swimmingly, Beth! I also takes breaks from writing by doing other writing – a different ms is a whole new place, different people, different situations and emotions – that counts as a break 🙂 And I applaud your decisiveness in moving to 2 day a week blogging and figuring out where best to put your energies!
Thanks, Susanna! Glad to hear another person does that writing-break thing. You’re right, it’s a whole change of scene… at least inside our minds!
Beth,
What a productive April you’ve had. I admire that you write different genres! I can’t imagine all that you are learning.
It’s great that you can refocus your energy where you think it’s most needed! Keep it up!
Penny — I just have to say again how excited I am that you now have an agent! You’re going places, for sure!
Thanks so much for your words about my work. I am learning TONS, you are so right, and opportunities are coming up that I’m eager to make time and energy for.
I also can’t belive that April is over. Where did it go? You got a lot accomplished, well done. I look forward to hearing about what you are reading too. I won’t get too much writing done in May as I’m off to Spain for 16 days but I do plan to get some reading done. (Oh I’ll probably do some scribbling too)
Oh wonderful! Have a marvellous time in Spain! (I find myself thinking, “but Amanda’s already been there!” I’m wondering where her next adventure will take her!)
I don’t think you’ll be able to keep from ‘scribbling’! 😉