Hi friends,
Always happy to be with you! I hope you’ve had a wonderful two weeks. My last two weeks have been extremely busy. My latest novel, The Killing Tide, released. It was my tenth full-length novel and I couldn’t be more excited.
I’m loving the feedback—reviews and most especially, sweet reader’s emails—letting me know how much they are enjoying getting to know a new team of characters. Thank so you so much to everyone who has reached out, who sent an encouraging note and helped spread the word. I’m so very grateful and blessed by you all and your amazing support.
It’s Deadline Time
I also happen to be on deadline. This happens every year to me and to several authors who write on the same time schedule. Our book releases the final month of our deadline for the next novel. Fellow Inspired By blogger, Bethany House author and sweet friend, Becky Wade, and I discuss this often. It’s like the military’s fourth week of Basic Conditioning. Okay, it’s not that intense, but on a writing scale, that’s the worst of it. And, the best of it.
It’s so exciting seeing a book you’ve labored over and spend months, almost a year on. Writing the drafts, doing the revisions, reading the galleys, etc. Then the book hits the shelves and you hand it all over to God. He will do with it what He will. However, that is easier said than done. As a writer, you want the book to do well not just for yourself, but for your agent who has cheered you on and, in my case, talked me off ledges when I got lost in the weeds, and my dear publisher who has invested time and faith and money in me. You want to do all you can to help the book succeed. But that’s a dangerous trap. If you take your eyes of God, you lose perspective. I’m guilty of it many times over. But this go around, I’m fully trusting God with however He sees fit for the book to do and trusting He’ll get it in the hands of the reader or readers He created it for.
Time to Enter the Writing Cave
Then, comes the impending deadline. Four weeks and counting. Three weeks. Two and then I enter the writing cave. Yep, the writing cave. If you’re a fellow writer, I know you understand what I mean. As a reader, you may have heard the term. Right now, with eight days to deadline, I’m entering my writing cave. What does that mean? It means I find a quiet, secluded space to hole up and write undisturbed. Often, I go to the beach and it’s peaceful and silent except for the soothing crashing of the waves. This year I’m at home, but my awesome family who are super supportive, understand I need to be in my cave.
I get up very early before anyone else is up, I grab my cup of coffee and I write. I don’t check email (if I’m behaving) or get online (I really try hard not to), I start with my quiet time with God and then I write. I write all day, only stopping for quick, prepared meals that I’ve bought ahead of time. Otherwise, I’d live off of Life Cereal and Toaster Pastries. Seriously. I have the palate of a five-year-old. After the rest of the world wakes up—or at least those in my household, I retreat to my grandsons’ sleepover room and disappear.
Why is this necessary?
For me, recently being diagnosed with ADD, it’s paramount that I have focused, silent alone time. But even if I didn’t have ADD, God created my process and while I wish I wrote differently for efficiency reasons, for me the story doesn’t fully come into view until that last week. Oh, I have it written—with plot holes, of course—but it’s not complete or ready. Until I’m in my cave and focused solely on the story—blocking off every day that week from outside appointments, etc.—I can’t see the whole picture. I need that week to do so. Now, I’m sure that if my editors are reading this they are panicking out. What does she mean it doesn’t come together until the last week? I really hope they aren’t reading this, actually, but it’s the truth.
Question for you
If you’re a writer, I’d love to know your deadline week process. If you’re a reader, have you ever heard of writing caves? What’s the most unique thing you’ve heard about writing?
Hope to hear your answers. I love chatting all about writing! I will be coming out of my writing cave today to say hi and chat so post your comments below.
Blessings,
Dani
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Well, for many reasons, I don’t have the “luxury” of a cave – having young children at home being a chief reason. But, publishing independently, my deadlines are more malleable. And I can relate to that need to be totally immersed in the story to sort it all out and make it cohesive. But, then the writing deadline folds into new deadlines for covers, formatting, editing, proofreading, launch day promotions, etc. But I thank God for deadlines (self-imposed or not) because I’d seldom get a thing done without them! LOL Prayers that your time in the cave this go-around is fruitful!
Hi Carolyn,
That makes total sense. My kiddos are grown, which makes a BIG difference. Though I seriously miss my grand babies during writing cave week.
I so admire you for publishing indecently it’s a lot of commitment and so much that goes into the entire process. I’m with you on needing deadlines 🙂 Thanks so much for your prayers. I really appreciate it!
I’m praying for you, Dani! I know God will equip and carry you through these final days.
Thanks, sweet friend <3
My writing cave is in the middle of my house. So I have arranged my writing time to line up with naptime (1 and 3:30 most weekdays) even though most of my kiddos are now in school.
I too have some level of attention deficit, which adds a fun twist on my ability to stay focused. My brother, who is also a writer and fellow ADDer, and I joke about how it is great for inspiration and starting projects and no so great for follow-through. 😛
I am in the last chapters of a book I am writing right now and am having to force myself to complete the book which is already mostly written in my mind before I allow myself to jump to the next “great” story idea.
Dani, my oldest daughter and I love your books. Thank you for writing books that I can share with my avid reader.
Hi Gena,
Sounds like you have a great process and set up for writing utilizing nap time.
All my books are in my head too. It’s just getting them down on paper and staying focused enough to get it done, right?. I feel ya. ADD is great for inspiration and starting projects. Finishing them is an entirely different matter. LOL.
Congrats on being so close to the finish of your book. That’s awesome, and a huge accomplishment.
Thanks so much. I’m thrilled you and your daughter are enjoying the books. Such an encouragement.
I haven’t heard of a writing cave. I am trying to write, so it would be great if I had one. Currently, it is the kitchen table after supper and many interruptions. I need to find a quiet place.