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.

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.