So how DOES a book get made?
Plus a new writing community open and available to everyone!
More than a decade into this business, and I’m still somewhat in awe of how books are made, from idea to finished book on the shelf. Each one is different. I wrote Full Speed to a Crash Landing after a flash of inspiration, writing the entire novella in less than a month. My book coming out in 2027 has been written and rewritten and formulating in my head for multiple years.
I love hearing about the process of writing and discovering how authors tackle their ideas.
And that love became the root of my newest project…
I met Cristin when she first formed Wordsmith Workshops, and we’ve been partners for over ten years with that program. We teach writing workshops, host retreats (including our upcoming April retreat in Texas), and she’s one of my best friends.
She’s also been struggling a little with writing lately.
Separately, we’d been brainstorming ways to make the writing community more accessible and to continue our mission with Wordsmith to “lift the curtain” to show what writing is actually like.
And then I had a terrible wonderful idea.
What if we wrote a book together?
What if we vlogged the ENTIRE process?
What if we turned it into a community experiment where we shared the ups and down and also all the lessons we learn on the way and the resources that help us?
I started by making a proposal video for Cristin, but kept it on private. I was able to convince her to give it a go secretly, with private videos and by not sharing about it elsewhere, but with the new year (and a heavy dose of cyberbullying), I convinced her to go public with it!
We truly are starting with nothing but the idea that we want to write a book. Over the course of fall and most of winter we’ve been chatting and narrowing down the focus, and I think we’ve got most of an outline written. No idea how this will end—in the story or in real life. But I think it’s going to be a wonderful ride.
(Also: one reason why I wanted to do this on video is because I think Cristin has a really relatable story—publishing and writing and life hasn’t always been kind, and being able to make art despite that hardship is important to see.)
Currently, we’ve got a backlog of about six videos we’re spacing out, and we have the first 1,000ish words written of a time travel heist novel! Do we know the ending? No! Are we 100% sure we can do this? Absolutely not! Will my persistently annoying optimism break our decade-long friendship? Maybe! But we’re gonna try anyway!
And you can watch us do it all right here by subscribing to our YouTube channel.
W@W Also Includes YOU
And we want you to join in the fun! A huge part of this—basically a major reason Cristin even agreed to do this with me—is that we want to revitalize the writing community we’ve been curating. We have some ideas to help out, but we’re starting with a new Discord!
We’ve made a place for writers of all levels to meet and chat business, but we’re also welcoming readers who want to get a sneak peek to how books come about. Basically, a book-focused group chat that’s open to everyone.
Seriously—the community is the thing we most care about. If you’re a reader who’s curious about the writing process, a writer who wants some company as they work, or anywhere between, please join this free community where you can chat, share resources, commiserate, and be together.
Writing really is hard, and we don’t have to be alone for it!
Also, PS: If you want to join us for a live writing retreat, we still have room in Texas, in April! You can join us for our most economical retreat (payment plans available). Find out more here.
Upcoming Events
I keep telling myself I’ll do fewer events and then keep signing on to do more, lol! Anyway, come see me!!
Tomorrow: February 10, 6pm, Malaprops Bookstore in Asheville, NC
Join me with author Delilah Dawson (under her new pen name Isla Jewell) to celebrate the launch of this adorable fantasy romance, Books & Bewitchment! Locals, Delilah did some of her research at Malaprops, so it has a special connection to us! More details here.
Mt. Pleasant Literary Festival, March 19-21, Mount Pleasant, NC
Join me and many more authors at the Mt. Pleasant Literary Festival next month! My event is at 4pm on Saturday, but stick around for the entire festival for tons of amazing authors, signings, and more! More information here.
Main Street Books, April 2, Davidson, NC with Sarah Beth Durst
Romantasy fans, check in! I’ll be hosting Sarah Beth Durst for her upcoming The Faraway Inn, and I cannot wait to talk about cozy fantasy romance novels (and get Sarah Beth to sign my extensive collection of all her books, lol). All the details here!
Georgia Renaissance Festival, May 2-3, Fairburn, GA
Look, if it’s a ren faire, I’m there! I’m so stoked to be working with Arte of the Booke again and being a featured author at the Georgia Renaissance Festival! This is going to be such a fun event—come get your books signed and then grab a turkey leg! More information here.
Over on Patreon
I’m taking a wee bit of a break from writing chapters there, and instead, I’m working on letting patrons pick what type of art to commission for my books! For January, they picked Nedra from Give the Dark My Love as the Death tarot card (perfect fit), and artist Danielle Balangawa made an amazing Mucha-inspired portrait for that! I’m in awe of it, and was so excited to share with all my patrons!
For the writers, we’ve been discussing community and I’m continuing the Idea to Finish Product series—with that nearly done now!
What I’m Working on Now
Adult romantasy novel: off to copy edits!
Adult romantasy novel 2: back to revising this one—changes in Book 1 = changes now to make to Book 2.
Nonfiction book: Research, research, research mode, 2k words written
Co-written book with Cristin: 1000 words done! And most of an outline? Half an outline? Idk, we’ll figure out the end later.
Super secret sci fi project: waiting on notes
New adult sci fi project idea: In the thinking stages, will progress more in
Januarymaybe March?Global Quest: done—now to edit it
Side gigs!
Weekly posts and videos about writing at Patreon
SNHU as an online adjunct in the MFA writing program
Accepting critique and coaching jobs with Wordsmith Workshops—in addition to doing Word Lab!
Actively doing in-person school, library, and book fair events—book me for panels, signings, and workshops for both adults and teens on writing! If you’d like to get an idea of some of the programming I do, I describe it a bit here.