TUESDAY BRINGS TROUBLE

Plan for the future!





Since I've now passed the 'what now' stage (see yesterday's post-conference blog) and actually have a plan of action, I've decided to throw something else into the mix. I've given this a lot of thought over the past year but haven't taken the time to act on it. This slower paced summer should be the ideal time.

I'm going to volunteer!

Back when I had a real paying job...could be as far back as the mid-1990's...volunteering was an important part of my life. I believe that it's a value added part of being a citizen but somehow I'd let it slip when the book world became more established in my life. Having a store is all-consuming and writing, even more so. But this is the summer to change all that!

I'm also becoming a volunteer for a purely selfish reason -- to add some structure to my writing life. I find, as I've said on numerous occasions, that I write best to a deadline. So, since I no longer have a full time job that takes me out of the house at a specified hour for a particular time period, I have to devise a schedule that makes sure I write, along with doing all those other things that eat up one's time. Not always an easy task when each new entire day unfolds. Oh, did I mention I'm somewhat lacking in the self-discipline department?

A few committed hours outside the home each week will add that sense of urgency to my writing time. Contrived but true. Now, the challenge is to find a 'job' that needs doing (not difficult as the list of volunteer jobs through Volunteer Ottawa is large). I'd like it to be something that I've not been involved in before; something that will make me stretch a little or a lot.

How do the rest of you who lack self-discipline handle your writing life? I'd be interested in suggestions.

Linda Wiken/Erika Chase

A KILLER READ
Berkley Prime Crime, now available
READ & BURIED, coming Dec., 2012
www.erikachase.com

LADIES' KILLING THURSDAYS

May is madness...

In her blog on Wicked Wednesday, Linda commented on the crazy life of a writer. I had to smile, because it all sounded so familiar. I too have a looming book deadline, May 31, for my latest Inspector Green novel. I am down to the wire on final rewites before sending it off into the publisher’s hands. I too had to interrupt that process to deal with the proofs of another book and to answer the long, convoluted marketing questionnaire sent by the Inspector Green publisher. And with a publisher’s party, a Scene of the Crime board meeting and the Bloody Words Mystery Conference all coming up within the week, I have two trips to Toronto, a panel to prepare for, a manuscript to critique and numerous wardrobe choices to make. Yikes. For a writer who spends most of her days in T-shirts and jeans, finding two clean banquet outfits that fit is enough to boggle the mind!

Meanwhile, in between the rewriting, blogging, Facebooking, emailing and what-not, there are the demands of daily life. An elderly mother who requires a lot more emotional and physical support than she used to, grown children who thankfully still turn to me for advice and support. A house in dire need of a spring cleaning, a yard being overtaken by weeds, a cottage in the midst of do-it-myself renos, and dogs that insist on walks and games of fetch every time I stand up. Not to mention a six-year old computer that requires much prayer and cajoling as it wheezes its way towards its grave.

Oh yes, I’m also supposed to be hosting fifteen people for dinner on Saturday night. Or maybe not. I hope I know that before I head off to Toronto this morning, as I will have to find time to shop.

Sometimes I meet people from my previous (very busy) professional life, who ask me how I like retirement. They remark, with a wistful tone, that it must be wonderful not to have to rush out in the morning, fight the traffic, juggle appointments, deal with pressures, conflicts and deadlines, and all that stuff I left behind. I reply that yes, I love easing into my day by lingering over coffee in my pyjamas, and my blood pressure thanks me for not climbing onto the Queensway every morning. And it’s true that a writer’s pressures are mostly self-imposed. But life has a way of tangling you up in it, and once you embark on a path, it quickly gets cluttered up with expectations. I’m not complaining. It’s a wonderful life, but I do find myself muttering, just like the old days, ‘Once I get through the next two weeks, it will get easier’. It may, but if the past is any predictor of the future, not likely.

Besides, if it did, I would probably get bored and go looking for trouble.




Barbara Fradkin is a child psychologist with a fascination for how we turn bad. In addition to her darkly haunting short stories in the Ladies Killing Circle anthologies, she writes the gritty, Ottawa-based Inspector Green novels which havewon back to back Arthur Ellis Awards for Best Novel from Crime Writers of Canada. The eighth in the series, Beautiful Lie the Dead, explores love in all its complications. And, her Rapid Read from Orca, The Fall Guy, was launched last May.

TUESDAY BRINGS TROUBLE

The not-so-lonely life of a writer...

It's often said that writing is a solitary task and that at a certain point, every writer needs to get out and enjoy a social life. I've just passed another milestone in my writing career...and can attest to the fact that the solitary phase does pass.

To re-iterate, the first book in the Ashton Corners Book Club mysteries was due on the editor's computer last Dec. lst. Check. Did that. Then, book #2 was due on Sept. 1st. Also check. It went in.

A couple of months ago the cover process started for book #1. My input was sought, the cover blurb was written & revised, a bio was sent. Then last weekend, book #1 appeared back in my inbox, complete with comments for revision. Did that, sent it back yesterday.

Throughout this journey, I've had some amazing input to help me along the way. First from my great friend who hooked me up with her agent, then from my agent with the first three chapters, then the Berkley editor for the same three chapters. After I'd written a second draft of the novel, it went out to readers. More input came in, which assisted with the next draft. Several research questions answered by people in the know. More massaging (of both the book & my sore back) and then, the completed manuscript was sent in. Time for a glass of wine!

My point is that sure, there were solitary chunks of writing time in the nine month process. But it took teamwork to get to the publishing stage. Colleagues, friends, agent, editor, family, too! And also, people I know from other interests in my life asking how the book was coming along and saying they couldn't wait to read it. Sweet words to an author.

So, thanks to my entire team for all your support. This social stage will be short-lived though. Book #3 is due in 9 months. See you at the other end!

Who have been the supports in your writing life?


Linda Wiken/Erika Chase
A Killer Read coming April, 2012
from Berkley Prime Crime