On September 7, my book Finding Love for the Playboy releases! Playboy is Book 4 of my Matchmaking Moms of Oceanview Church series, and the final “planned” matchmaking effort for the moms! One book remains, the Christmas-themed finale, Finding Love for the Matchmaker, releasing October 7!
Let’s review for a moment how I’ve released this series. In my December InspyRomance blog post I described my plans for a whole new approach for writing and releasing this series. I would get a huge head start and write as many books as I could prior to releasing the first one. I would “Rapid Release” one book a month for five months. I would release direct to Kindle Unlimited, where readers could either download it to their Kindles or if they have a subscription, read through Kindle Unlimited.
So, how has this new approach gone?
I would say in general it’s gone well. Writing the books straight in a row without releasing them has gone well. I stay acquainted with the characters better that way, and it’s almost like I’m writing one super-long story instead of five separate books. One thing I love about this approach is when I was writing book four, I thought, boy, it would’ve been nice if I could drop in a scene in book three about “this right here” so that I can build on it in book five. Or, when I was editing book four, I thought, I need to introduce a new scene “right here” to introduce a character who I now know (but didn’t before) will be important in book five!
The way I’m writing these books allows me that flexibility. I don’t plan my stories out in too much detail before I write them. They develop as I go along. So the freedom to go back and change something behind me based on how later stories form is a GREAT adventure.
But … there’s the downside as well.
As I sit here writing this blog post, I have everything completely finished except book five. I was doing really well, about eighty eight pages into the story. It was flowing! It was going! And then, my fingers slowed. My brain cramped. Something didn’t feel right. I stopped and I realized I was writing myself into a corner. It couldn’t go this way. I needed to change the story direction but I had no idea where to go next.
So … I called in the Calvary! A friend and member of my local writing chapter had given a presentation a few months ago about brainstorming story ideas. I remember thinking, she’s awesome at coming up with story-lines. So I called her and asked if she’d help me. We spent 45 minutes on the phone throwing out idea after idea until I got excited. Light bulb moment! I knew where I had gone wrong AND I knew how to fix it. Hallelujah!
I went back to the story and evaluated what I needed to chop to get me back on track. It was (gulp) about 30 pages!! <<SOB>> So much hard work down the drain. Then I took a deep breath and figured out what was at least partially salvageable. With some tweaking and revising, what could I keep versus completely pitch? BETTER! I determined I could keep about half that. So now I’m pitching about sixteen pages. I can live with it, because the story is finally flowing again. But it’s okay … I have time. Book 5 has to be completely done by Oct 3 and I can definitely make that deadline.
Overall, if I do this Rapid Release approach again, I think I’ll do a trilogy instead of five books. That may be perfect. Five books is a lot of material for me to write back-to-back. I’m looking forward to completing this series and taking some time off writing in order to spend time promoting the series. And also to focus on other books in my backlog. But … time will tell. Or more accurately, God will tell me.
So, back to Book four, not five … what’s it about? Finding Love for the Playboy:
The Matchmaking Moms face their biggest challenge yet. Dahlia’s son Micah is a high-powered agent in the entertainment industry. Red carpet appearances are a common part of his job and he always has a beautiful woman on his arm. However, he’s never seen anyone as a forever partner. How will the Matchmaking Moms handle that one?
Maria struggles to form a new life centered on her baby daughter after losing her husband to a tragic accident. The last thing she expects is the strong attraction she feels towards her employer’s son, visiting his mom for vacation. The worst possible thing for her right now would be to fall in love. Does that make her the perfect woman to become Micah’s one and only?
Discussion question: Have you ever had to throw away something you worked really hard on because you knew it wouldn’t get you where you needed to be? Was it painful? Was it worth it? Let me know. I’m giving away a copy of Finding Love for the Playboy — winner’s choice of Kindle e-book or paperback — no geographic restraints — to one random commenter. The winner will be selected on September 3.
**Heartwarming, life-changing Christian fiction.** An award-winning author, Laurie is living her dream life at the beach, writing novels. Laurie writes beachy inspirational romance that takes place in the South Carolina Low Country. She retired from the big day job and now focuses on writing full time. Strolls on the sand, soaking up the sun and riding the waves can be considered the best kind of research.
Nothing comes to mind. I tend to be the forge ahead kind of person. See things through to the end.
Yes, we have spent the last two months roasting chicken carcasses, preparing bone broth, gut healing jellies, one pot meals etc and because the electrician kept failing to turn up it meant two freezers and a fridge worth of food had to be thrown away. I was really angry at the needless waste and upset about the monumental effort we had put into it only to have to start over from scratch again. It’s taken me a while to let go of it and am giving myself a break before we restart. Interestingly I read the post about words and their meanings and the differences and it took me a while to realise what you meant by pitching, lol! Good luck with Book 5!
No, I have not had that experience but I think it would be very painful.
My first marriage….’nuf said😣
That’s a good approach!
Oh my! That’s disastrous! I would be very upset about that too!
Sometimes a fresh start is just what’s needed! ;)
LOL! I’m sure there was no other reasonable alternative!
I had to throw all my life’s possessions in a dumpster because of what my ex did to them…..
I’ve thrown away craft projects before that just haven’t turned out. I’ve read the first two books in this series and enjoyed them. I think the idea of matchmaking moms is awesome! I’ve always wanted to keep up with a rapidly released series and, so far, so good on this one. (No need to enter me in the drawing – I already preordered the book.)
Oh no! How horrible! You have endured so much! Come out the other side stronger??
Ellie, thanks for the kind words. I’m glad you’re enjoying the series.
I have my first story that I wrote when I was 12 accidentally thrown away! Later I thought: Oh no, what have I done!
When I’m working on projects I can tend to be a perfectionist and if something doesn’t turn out the way I want I will tend to just put it away rather than pitch it right then and there. But I find when I come across those same things much later, it’s rarely as bad as I think and I can often use it after all. I guess sort of like you discovered you could tweak and revise some of your 30 pages and not have to scrap all of that hard work.
I know exactly what you mean. I had quite a lot of early writings that didn’t survive my recent move. Pangs a little!
Yes, that was a relief. Turned out that I made up those lost pages in a week’s time. Full speed ahead!
Actually, a few dreams of how I wanted my life to go. Having kids biologically mine went by the wayside when I was 34. I didn’t want to be a single parent, so kids at all went by the wayside since I’m still not married. However, I can see God’s hand in it all, and I’m happy and content with my life. I still wouldn’t mind if Mr. Right would come along, but I’m also ok if he doesn’t.
I had to throw away a beautiful photograph that was ruined by mold because of a maintenance man’s mistake with my AC.
Yes, I’ve thrown away different things that now I think that I shouldn’t have thrown away, but I guess at the time it wasn’t as important as to now that I am older and wished I hadn’t thrown them away. Have a Great weekend. Y our books sound like great reads and the book cover is Stunning!
I have had to shelve an idea for a devotional (and about 10,000 words) that I was really excited about. It was based on one of my favorite Christian allegories, Hinds’ Feet on High Places, but the copyright owner wouldn’t allow me to use it. So there it sits in my digital files. Maybe in about 20 years, when the copyright may be up, I’ll try again. ;)
Trudy, thanks for sharing this! Sometimes our fondest dreams have to be reconsidered in light of reality. I’m so glad that God is leading through the changes He has in His plan for you and you can see His path. I’m praying that you and Mr. Just Right encounter each other soon!
Oh that’s heartbreaking! Is there any chance you can re-develop it or even recreate it? I feel so sorry for people whose homes are destroyed by fire or flooding and especially the loss of those precious memories via photographs and journals, etc.
Hi Alicia! Thanks for your kind words about my books and this book cover. I love it too.
About eighteen months ago, my husband and I moved from our home of 25 years. Because we moved gradually over the course of 4 years, I gradually furnished the new house before we ever left the old one. As a result, there was no way I was bringing a bunch of stuff with us and cluttering up the new place. I gave away so much furniture, dishes, paintings, etc. My mindset was that those things belonged to THAT house, and now I had new stuff that belonged to the new house.
Now that we’ve lived in the new house for a while my husband keeps asking, “Where’s XYZ?” And I remind him, “We gave that to so-and-so.” And he’s always so bummed. “We should’ve kept that!” Caveat: I did keep photographs, and antique family heirlooms. I knew I would regret losing those!
Oh, what a disappointment. I’m sorry. Hold on to it! You never know when its time will come along!
I’ve had work projects and craft projects that I was involved in that ended up either not being needed once I was almost done or that I found out half way through I had been doing wrong. Its a frustrating, awful feeling when that happens but most of the times it works out better in the end.
Yes, you’re absolutely right. In this book’s case, my creativity was zapped and I didn’t know why. It was my muse telling me I was heading in the right direction. Fortunately, now it’s flowing so I know it will be a much better story than if I’d trudged on.
I can see the advantages of being able to go back and add to previous books but can’t imagine being dedicated to write that long without a break! I have just started doing beta and proofreading and definitely need breaks between books. Maybe once I get used to it more that will change.
I have had to pull out a few hours of embroidery work because the colors or stitches weren’t right (likely payback for sewing after taking meds, and in the poor lighting in the room at night!) The time I remember the most I was in a nursing home for rehab & ended up having to get a friend to go and find more of the right color floss to finish it. She did not do embroidery so for her to find the floss itself and then the right color was a feat! I don’t know if she thought so but for me and the couple who got the bibs it was worth it in the end! Before I started the next project I was smart enough to have her get my sewing box from home for me. There is plenty of thread in there! :-)
Yes, it is a lot of writing and it’s pushed my boundaries. Way more than I’m used to. But I’m very proud of these books and I’m going to feel soo happy when I’m done! Haha.
Yes, I used to do counted cross stitch and I know how important it is to have the exact right shade. A shade off can change the whole design!
I can not think of any thing I have worked hard on and had to discard. But I do have projects that I have worked on and laid aside for a while because they just did not turn out as I anticipated.
I have thrown away a vase that my cat broke night one of living here. probably 150 years old (actually It took about 9 months to actually throw it out). I loved it (mum hated it).
I have thrown or given away things that I really wanted to keep, things I had for a long time and would buy when I saw another one but then I realised its just stuff and I hadn’t really looked at them for years. I am learning I can still have the memories without needing the object.
I think one of the biggest things was letting go of fear. I was bullied really badly in high school and the main bully still lives in the town. When ever I saw him I felt sick and had to go a different way or wait till he had left the shop to go in. But a few years ago I was able to say I forgive you to him. It was hard and he had no idea what I was talking about. I told him he may not remember how he treated me but it had affected my life and it may mean nothing to him but I need to say it so I forgive you. I still don’t like running into him but at least I can say hello to him now and it felt like a huge weight lifted doing it.
Being in the writing “trenches” myself, though still writing my first draft (non-fiction), I can see many “trimming” and such sessions ahead for this project. So, while I’m definitely not looking forward to it, I know it’ll be necessary and, hopefully, worth it.
The first thing that comes to mind is some food that I canned. I’ve followed the steps, only to find out a week or more later that some of the jars have unsealed/popped open and the food has gone bad. It’s a lot of work to can and a shame to have to throw it out.
It’s painful, but sometimes, it’s necessary. My first novel sits in a file on my computer. I spent hours on it, but I know it’s not a good fit for publishing. But it was a great experience to write it, and I learned from it.
I ended my marriage and I remain single! Painful!
Yes, this definitely relates to writing too. Some days it’s like pulling teeth getting words on the page. Hours later I sigh with frustration because I only got one page done. Convinced it’ll all have to be redone, I close it down. But more often than not, when I get back to that section and read it after it sits for awhile, I’m pleasantly surprised to find it’s just fine!
Wow! What a triumphant story of transformation! You’re heroic! Just curious: did he apologize when he found out how much he had upset you years ago?
I also love how you said you can still have the memories without having the object. So true.
Congrats on your first writing project Priscilla and good luck! Oh yes, the editing stage is where you can take what you have, delete redundancies, fix errors, rearrange wording, smooth it out, find stronger verbs, add more visuals and gloss it to a high sheen! I love the editing phase! Can you tell?
Oh yes, great example. I cringe when I have to throw out food! I have a longer toleration for consuming leftovers in the fridge than my husband. He’ll only eat leftovers for 2 days but I’ll go 5 because I abhor throwing away food!
Denise, that’s so good that you recognize that. Writing a first novel start to finish is a great learning experience. Even if it can never be whipped into publication it was a valuable tool for teaching you what works and what doesn’t. Use those lessons in your next book.
I’m so sorry Linda. Blessings to you and prayers for finding peace and happiness!
I can’t really come up with anything off the top of my head. Maybe a dream or two that I’ve had to either give up on or put on the back burner for a while. But I know God is in control of my life, and He always gives me new dreams, so it all works out for the best :-)
No need to enter me for the giveaway, Laurie, because I am going to read all these books via Kindle Unlimited.
Yes. I wanted to be a nurse. I did not get right into nursing school so I took a year of college. I was accepted for the next year. I completed two years. My third year, I had a terrible experience while working on the pediatric ward. I pulled up a bed rail, but it did not stay up. The child feel out of the bed. My world caved in. I decided that I did not want to be responsible for someone else in a life and death situation.
Yes, work related…I’ve been working on the spreadsheet for so long but at the end of the day the whole project was revamped. Well, I’ve learned a lot of new formulas 🤓
No he had no idea but I know I made him very uncomfortable. He looked around the garage sale and left but I could see it got to him. A friend said he probably went home and thought about it.
Going to work full time felt like throwing away my life long dream of being a stay at home mom. Getting here was hard, but so far the change has been really good.
Looking forward to reading your books! We just moved home to KS from SC (Clemson area) and one of the last things we did before moving was going to the beach at Hunting Island State Park. I loved visiting both Beaufort and Charleston.
Unfortunately, I have an entire house, bursting at the seams, of projects, dreams and ‘shouldas’ that haunt my mind. I have, chiseled in the ancient stone of my psyche, the idea that I need to bring some beauty from those ashes, “someday”. Maybe that’s the lesson to be learned. I can’t bring that transformation. Only God can. I’ll have to ponder that one.
I do remember an entire work project that seemed like a good idea at the time but the combination of task, strong personalities and lofty expectations, was too much. The whole thing got shut down. There was a happy memory, though, from about 12 years later. I was able to take a large piece of code from that earlier project and offer it to a coworker as a resource on a high pressure project where it helped us make some serious progress.
I wonder if eternity will be an all-new-from-scratch experience? Will we be able to draw on those things that were lost hopes here on earth? Or will it be like C.S. Lewis’ The Great Divorce where the change in perspective will be so radical as to be laughable. Like the man who wanted to bring his gold to heaven, only to be asked, “Why would you want to bring paving stones? We just tread that stuff under foot here.”
That is such a refreshing attitude Trixi. I tend to follow that same mindset too!
Thank you for your support! Enjoy.
Oh my gosh, how terrifying. Although I’m sure it happens every day in pediatric wards across the world, it must’ve really hit you how important and potentially dangerous your job would be. I thank God for doctors and nurses who dedicate their lives to making us well, but you’re right, it must pay a toll on them when things go wrong.
This reminds me of my days in Information Technology. Putting weeks, sometimes MONTHS of hard work into an application development project, only to have the budget dropped, the priorities changed, the requirements revamped. The whole thing has to be thrown out. Frustrating!
Oh Katy, I’m sure that was really tough for you. I hope you find that you love your job and your children find that they enjoy wherever they spend their days, although I’m sure they would love being with Mom better!
You named three of my favorite places in South Carolina! Being a lifelong midwestern girl surrounded by cornfields, I sure do love the beauty of this coastline!
Lincoln, thanks for such a thought-provoking response. You’ve given me a lot to think about/dream about. We’ll all be there someday, I feel certain!
I love this, Laurie! And yes, I recognize the calvary! 😉 As a fellow author, I feel your pain. I’ve also had to chuck many pages of work to fix a story.
In another example, one thing that I put a lot of hard work into is landscaping my flower gardens. When I lived in Ohio, we had a gravel driveway and LOTS of snow. Every winter, when my husband plowed the driveway my nearby flower beds would be ruined and filled with gravel. Each spring, it was starting all over from scratch again. I’m so glad we live in South Carolina now and my flower beds stay pretty all year!
Research data and manuscripts that I worked really hard to get done because my supervisor thought they were not perfect enough… it took a lot of sweat and it’s just sad.
Another great reason to live in SC, added to the list!
Sometimes bosses hold the bar so high we never get there!
There have been several times I started a large sewing project and made good progress and then realized I had messed up something small but that would ruin the project and had to start over. So frustrating!
I read the first book in this series and am excited to read the rest! Book 2 is currently in my KU library patiently waiting to reach the top of the list. It should happen soon!