This summer I’m writing two books, maybe three. That means I have to make every moment count now that the semester is over, and I don’t teach again until the middle of June. Yesterday I spent about four hours in my office at Purdue, but instead of grading or prepping for classes, I was writing. I wish I could pretend it was a pretty process.
All you have to do is look at these photos to see that I have a lot going on. The book I’m writing right now is book 30 in the Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries series from Guidepost. This series was so popular that it was extended first by a novella collection and then by an additional six books. I’ve been privileged to write the final installment all three times. The first two were with my writing friend Tricia Goyer. This time I’m solo. GULP!
That means I have to write like the wind, Bullseye. (Any Toy Story fans out there?). Fortunately, I really enjoy the characters, and Cheryl gets to solve another fun mystery.
I just have to keep the plot threads moving as I write at least a chapter, and hopefully two a day, so that I can finish it this month and have a couple weeks to edit before turning it in on June 15th.
Then a month later book 21 in the Mysteries of Martha’s Vineyard series is due. This is another fun series that I started writing on with Tricia, but as her non-fiction has taken off, I get to write on my own. (Have I mentioned how much I love writing with her?) I’m giving away a copy of Shark Bait, #13 in this series. So be sure to enter the giveaway below.
The other book I was working on today was book four in the Hidden Justice series. This book will be Caroline and Brandon’s story and I cannot wait to see how it all comes together! I brainstormed it last week with the amazing Colleen Coble, and I cannot wait to write Caroline’s story.
Fortunately I have a large L-shaped desk at Purdue, so I had plenty of room to spread out with my laptop and then the split screens of my desktop. I like writing my books in TheQuill.io, because it allows me to write from anywhere that has an internet connection. That means I don’t have to haul my laptop everywhere anytime I want to write.
By the way, Colleen’s novel The Inn at Ocean’s Edge is free in ebook formats through May 13th. Grab it while you can. And be sure to enter the contest for Shark Bait below. What would you like to know about this crazy writing adventure?
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Wow! This amazes me! I’m a newbie and I’m so hung up on all the little things. Here you are writing away on many projects at once. Wonderful and God speed. -Amy 🙂
A.M., It’s something I’ve learned to do of necessity. I’ve trained my mind to know that different music means different books, and things like that 🙂
How do you balance family life when in a writing frenzy? God bless you on this journey. You are amazing.
Lucy, I am blessed with an amazing family that gets the craziness. I’m also learning to ask for help or hire a babysitter sometimes. That’s how I got all the writing done yesterday. That and my husband gave me a couple hours to finalize a proposal.
I don’t know how you do it all! I am just starting to write a little now that I am retired, and still have trouble finding enough time. It would have been impossible while working and raising a family!
Linda, one thing I’ve learned that is very true for me is that the getting started is the hardest part. There’s this hump I have to get over before the story really starts flowing.
If you are writing that many books at once….how do you keep them straight? Does something just jog your mind and you take off writing? Do you purposely focus on one or do you skip around if you suddenly think of something for another book?
The books are usually very different. Different genres, style of characters, etc. But I do you things like music to help my brain switch back and forth.
Great post! I can see where a writer’s life can be solitary at times but how interesting researching a site or learning new facts would be.
I’ve had many story ideas floating around in my head. I have a hard time getting them from my mind to written form. When I have written some of them out, I get too critical. It’s not an easy process for me. I like letting my creativity out in so many ways…right now it’s through visual, tactile arts…I can see the created piece take shape within a short span of time, often the projects are finished in a day or two.
My Dad and I have LOVED the Sugar Creek Series and we are so excited to get to read more of Cheryl and Levi’s story!!
Always amazes me to see someone that can do so many things at once. Then I get to thinking and that is what life is. You never really just do one thing at a time even though we think we do. I know that even in homemaking you are going in all directions at once. Just seems “oh wow” when you see it for someone else’s point of view.
I do think it’s all a matter of balance. I appreciate that you have the perfect balance to keep writing great books and have a life. <3 I may be able to juggle life but don't have the talent to write one book much less more than one at a time. 🙂
How do you juggle it all? Seems overwhelming an fun at the same time!
I am not a writer, but taught writing to 5th graders for 23 years. We were tasked to prepare them to pass our state test, so I attended many writing workshops and learned so much. That’s why I know I could never write the amazing books I love to read.
So, God bless you and give you the strength and time to accomplish all you have on your plate. You must be superwoman!
Just looked back in my ebook library to check on Where Treetops Glisten. I thought I recalled that Tricia Goyer was one of the authors in that compilation. I loved that book and found it because of you!
What I would like to know is when did they start writing books and what led them to do so.
i would like to know how you keep everything separated or do you write one and then the next and then the third?? i would not be able to keep it all separated
You do have a busy schedule. Wow! I taught h.s. for 38 years and did a few other church and organization-related activities. I also studied Spanish at the time. Still…. this seems like a killer schedule.
Whatever you do, it works. I enjoy your books.
I can’t imagine trying to write that many books during a summer. I’ll lift you up in prayer. I so admire the authors I love to read, and you’re one of them!
I have always prayerful for your that’s wonderful journey and keep up the good work and complete.
Would love to win.
I’d love to know how you get the inspiration and motivation to write so much. 🙂 (Also, the first of your books I read was Imperfect Justice, and I loved it!)
How long do you have to write each day? 🙂
I am always amazed at how much you get done in such a short amount of time. Wow!
How do you keep all those storylines separated in your head while you are writing three books at once? And, as an author, are you ever star-struck by another author like we readers are? We think of you as a rock star!
Cara,
You’ve inspired ME! I haven’t been sure I could do it: write two books at the same time. Now I know it can be done; I’ll organize the time. Many thanks! Theresa