A Muser, Musing
On this beautiful August Friday, the sun is shining, but alas, I’ve sequestered myself inside to draft my latest novel and post a blog…
In honesty, I’m not sure what this post is. I guess writing and life updates, if you’re interested. If not, enjoy my mindless rant.
I’ve taken nearly two months off of writing. Mostly because I vacationed with my husband and then with my family, but partially because I was losing steam. I could come up with ideas, had even started plotting some of them, but every time I sat down to write, I was met with only a blank page. The words did not flow, the characters did not reveal themselves, and my venture came to screeching halt. This is where I preach the importance of rest in anything you do, especially creative. Find the time to rest in the quiet moments, your body and mind will thank you for it!
On the querying front, the book I’m now dubbing DREAMS (not the actual working title, but fitting since it is my current pipe dream to see this novel sit on shelves), still has no offers of representation. Which is okay! The nature of becoming an author is to face rejection at every turn. The trenches will continue until I’ve exhausted all efforts. But it was requested by two agents! A win is a win, am I right?
My current author obsession is Rebecca Ross. I read one of her newest novels, the first in a duology, Divine Rivals a while ago. It was all the rage, and I believe still sits on the NYT Bestseller list. Her writing is truly impeccable, but at the time, I had just been on an epic-fantasy, swords and battles and big worlds bender. I couldn’t quite bring myself to devour the more whimsical nature of her books. After a few months I decided to try out her adult duology, A River Enchanted and A Fire Endless…Who was going to tell me I would not be able to put them down?!? I mean seriously, the Scottish lore and magic, paired with her mastery of language is magnificent! She has a new dedicated reader in me. So, now I find myself in the thick of Ruthless Vows, the sequel to Divine Rivals. Suffice to say, I’m obsessed, and you should definitely read them!
And finally, a writing update: I am wrapping up this week at about 5% for my latest work in progress. I’m not sure what to call this one yet, and also not sure if this is the book I will be buckling down to write over the coming weeks. But I will say the content has rejuvenated me after so much disappointment the last month with DREAMS. While it takes place within the same world, it’s a much different story, at a different time, and told through a lens I have not explored yet. I’m excited to see where this one leads me.
If you made it to the end, thank you! Your support means the world!
—Jan
