Early on in my writing career, I didn’t have any deadlines. I wrote when I could until I finished my first book. Then upon the advice of authors, I kept writing. As the years progressed, I made a habit of writing Monday through Friday while my children were at school. Add in the pleasure of having publishing contracts and deadlines entered into my schedule.
Now, at first, I was okay with it. I was disciplined by the time I had publishing contracts and making edits and revisions were fairly easy (but painful). However, the start of 2023 seemed to kick me in the face (great visual, right?) with health problems. I’ve literally had something on my schedule every single day and sometimes leaving my weekends with me playing catchup or resting from mental exhaustion of appointment overload.
And my deadline approached.
Now, normally I don’t bat an eye at a deadline. I know how fast I write and know what I’m capable of. But I never had to write with so many appointments pulling me away from my desk or have so many health issues act up at once. To say I had no mental energy to right was an understatement. To top it off, my story has not been cooperating. I wrote about 20k words then realized it wasn’t working and started over.
I wasn’t worried about that at first. In fact, when I wrote the first draft of Finding Love, the same thing happened. I wrote 28k words before I realized the story stunk and it wasn’t working. (Isn’t it sad I remember the exact amount that I had to delete?) The chemistry between my hero and heroine was weak and I was bored to tears. So I sat and thought about how to change it. Enter Luke Robinson. He was completely different from the original hero I gave my heroine, Delaney Jones. But fortunately, the wrong guy ended up being the hero in book three. In this case, scrapping those 28k words worked.
I also did something similar when I wrote Winning His Trust. Every time I wrote, it felt like I was pulling teeth and couldn’t get into the story. I was surprised because this was the story I was really excited to write about. After much thought, I moved the file to my delete folder (I don’t actually delete stuff) and started a new. Immediately, I could feel the difference and I was doing a happy dance that things were coming together. I’m thankful that the reviews for this book have been positive and validates the changes I made.
Occasionally deadline drama is caused by characters who refuse to talk to me. This happened when I wrote Risking Love, in the Maple Run series. It turned out to be book four in the lineup because when I tried to make it book two then three, the characters refused to talk. It was maddening. I felt like it took me forever to start the story, and when I did, the characters gave me one or two lines here and there. Writing that story made time slow in the most frustrating ways. However, it became a finalist in the Selah awards which meant that maybe, just maybe, my efforts proved fruitful.
Every now and then, I get a book that just isn’t clicking with me mentally. I’m not sure if it’s life issues, disconnect with a story, or something else that I’m just not missing. When I wrote A Sidelined Christmas, that was the case. I worked on it every day, added words, but I just didn’t connect with it the way I wanted. Fortunately for me, readers still loved it. Someday I think about going back and adding to it or just refreshing it to see if I’d feel any different.
So what’s the issue with my current work in progress? Great question! I believe it’s a combination of life being particularly pricky, my mental health suffering as a result, lack of knowledge of the subject (Kentucky Derby is a huge focus and I’ve been researching like crazy), and the characters not sharing their whole life story. However, after restarting the story three times (that’s right, I deleted 20k, then 25k, and now praying third time is really the charm), I’m getting more words. I passed 30k and told myself we weren’t restarting. I was also blessed to write 10k last week in one day!! Surely that means I’m finally on the right track. But I won’t know until I turn in the book June 1st (my deadline), then wait to hear what my editor thinks about the story.
So in hopeful expectation, I’m believing that this book will be what readers need and want to read. I’m believing that God is working on this piece of coal and a diamond will emerge. So to celebrate, I’ll giveaway an ebook (international) or paperback copy (US residents) of your choice of the books mentioned above (Finding Love, Risking Love, Winning His Trust, or A Sidelined Christmas) to one lucky commentator. Leave a comment telling me what you’d want to read in a romance story that has the Kentucky Derby in it by 5/12/23, 300pm PDT for a chance to win.
Discovering each other at the Kentucky Derby to me that would be a cool romance.
I feel for you. While not a writer I do understand the life issue. This year has been like that too. with trips to the city for appointments, which take me time to get over at the best of times but also the knowing I may have to move and trying to sort things and declutter etc and while I am at peace I am am also unsettled. I can’t seem to relax and it is affecting things like reading and other things. It doesn’t take much to affect deadlines. Sudden illness or issue that takes time to work out. A death or illness of a someone close, a set back like losing a job, having to move due to different reasons. So many things can happen and its not something you can really plan for.
I am glad your book is flowing much better. I don’t know much about the Kentucky derby except its a horse race in Kentucky! I know its a bit like the Melbourne Cup in Australia one of the countries major races. Maybe a story about some of the strappers or stable hands who help look after one of the potential runners.
I pray the words continue to flow and that the story is beautiful and uplifting.
I look forward to reading the book! I know very little about horse racing and have no clue what to expect in a romance centred around it. Maybe people in exquisite clothes? The one thing I do know about the Royal Ascot,the biggest horse race here in the UK, is people show up dressed to the nines and wearing extraordinary hats. So, it would be fun to see that in a story. :-)
Kentucky to me means bluegrass music, so I’d love to know that there’s some in the book! The couple could meet at the Derby, and one could have a friend or friends in a bluegrass band.
Oh that sounds like a great meet-cute!
Praying for your situation and for peace!
I wonder if I can mention the Melbourne Cup in some way? Hmm.
Yes! I’m definitely going to have outfits and hat moment. :)
Thank you for the prayers!
Yes! How could I forget this? I have bluegrass music on my playlist I listen to while writing, but definitely should make some way to put it in the story. Thanks!
It’s so interesting to hear how stories sometimes don’t seem to flow and you are to reshape them, I tend to imagine writers write to a particular plan of the story from start to finish (suspect this is why I’ve never written anything as I not creative at all)!
Sorry to hear you’ve had such a hard time with health and writing lately, I really hope things improve for you.
I don’t know much about the Kentucky Derby I’m afraid, I’ve never read a book with it in but it sounds a great setting. Lots of horse races here in the UK, like our big race the Grand National recently, have been disrupted by animal rights protesters – I don’t know if that happens in th US at all? It might make an exciting moment in a story though.
That’s a very good point about animal rights protesters. Thanks for the idea!
I don’t really know much about the Kentucky Derbie but, maybe a meet cute at the Derbie or maybe an injury might build up some suspense.
Good afternoon, I would love to read about a Jockey and a woman horse owner that fall in love. All your books sound like great reads. Have a great day.
Oh those are both great ideas!
That’s similar to my story. My heroine is a woman horse owner but she falls in love with the horse trainer. :)
The only books of yours I have read are your love inspired ones and I have enjoyed them. All your books you mentioned sound like great books.
I, also, am sorry to hear about the troubles you are having. I will pray for your health. I already pray for authors across the board for guidance in their writing and that their stories will be read by those who need that particular blessing.
Now, for the Kentucky Derby. I like the scenario of female owner and male horse trainer. You could also have a side story of some gambling issue with some suspense woven in.
Hope things improve for you and everything comes together. God bless.
Prayers coming Toni, and your books are amazing! Maybe a good Kentucky Derby food dish in your book!
Winning His Trust, please. Thank you so much for sharing. I pray you are on the upswing of illness. God bless you.
horses
I think it would be exciting if the couple met during a Kentucky Derby party.
When I think Kentucky Derby I think of the fashion, especially the hats! And horse too, of course 😉.
I would love to read about the extraordinary hats women wear! 👒
All the fashion in general would make for some lovely descriptions. I pray your words continue to flow.
Thank you so much for reading them!
Thank you so much for the prayers!
Yes! Food has to go in books, right?!
Thank you. I appreciate that.
I should definitely put a party in there.
Same!
Same
Oh Toni that sounds so painful but just rest in the fact that you’ve been through this before, you always finish and your readers always love it! ❤️🙏 Praying for a peaceful finish to your June deadline.
I “deleted” 22k words two weeks ago and spent a week plotting and outlining a new plot…and I’ve only gotten through one chapter and already know this one isn’t working, either. Back to the drawing board. What IS it with certain books??
Glad you’re past the re-start point! Blessings as you persevere. Sounds like a fascinating topic!
Thank you so much, Laurie!
I wish I knew so I could avoid those books!! Praying it comes to you.
Honestly, I will read anything that you write so I am just excited for this book!
Thank you so much!