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Writing Retreat and my Next Project

I spent the second half of last week in Bear Lake with five other writers. It was our second annual writing retreat. The point is to get away from our usual days of work, family and kids, and focus just on our craft.

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Took this during one of only two times that I bothered enjoying the view.

Since I was so close to finishing Painting Rain (Lorraina’s story), I knew that I needed to decide what my next book would be. With 3 uninterrupted days to write, I didn’t want to run out of work. So I set Painting Rain aside, and focused entirely on plotting and beginning Kinley’s story. If you don’t recognize the name, I’m not surprised. She’s only mentioned a couple of times in Just Ella. She is Gavin’s younger sister. So I’m stepping away from the royal family (though of course Ella and Gavin will make appearances) and getting into Kinley’s head.

I’m not going to lie, I have loved starting this project. Both Kinley and her hero were very present and well-developed when I started putting them on paper, which makes it much easier than if I’m floundering to define them.

The problem now is that I have to force myself away from the new project until I can finish Painting Rain. I’ve got to make that a priority so I can get it out to my readers. I shall prevail! And I hope that I’m able to tell Raina’s story the way it deserves to be told.

 

Published inCharacterizationLorrainaWriting Process

3 Comments

  1. Ema Lee Ema Lee

    AHHHHHHH! I am so excited for your book!!! Both of your books! Painting Rain has a shiny beautiful -but horribly empty- place on my shelf, as does Kinley’s upcoming tale. I love your stories so much, and I’m very excited to see them! Thank you so much for putting time and effort and imagination and everything else into this. Your readers cannot express how much we love you for it!

  2. Jessa Jessa

    Just finished Saving Marilee, which was amazing and made me cry. Twice. But in a good way. Kinley’s story sounds interesting already, especially since she’s had the model of Gavin and Ella to follow! I read on a previous post that Painting Rain would (hopefully!) be out by the end of this year/early next year. If you don’t mind my asking, is there a due date in mind? I need to be able to count down the days so that I don’t spontaneously combust waiting. THANKS

  3. Heidi Heidi

    I love your posts! Thank you for the update and I can’t wait to read what comes next. I also appreciate the opportunities to give to those who need in the posts below. Thank for you for sharing!

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