Starting to write my third novel
Oh joy!! To be writing every morning, and building a brand new story.
I’ve been traveling a lot this year, to promote and speak about WOMAN OF VALOR, my first novel. At the same time, I was finishing up final edits on my second novel, CAVE OF SECRETS, which launches August 27th – YAY!!!
But as any career-author knows, the best way to not count on too much from any one book is to write book after book after book. That means I am writing one book while producing another and marketing another. Yes, it’s a lot of juggling, but that is the work of the career-author, and frankly, it means I don’t expect too much from any one book. My career is built on multiple projects, multiple income streams, and I get to have FUN writing.
Of course, I hope each book will be a best-seller and capture hearts! But I embrace the slow burn of an author career.
Recently, I attended a Zoom program hosted by Jewish National Fund, where someone said, “Your mission is where your deep pleasure and the world’s deep need meet.”
I loved this statement, because it made me think about what my purpose is. I obsess over purpose and meaning. Like, why are we here? What is the point of it all? Am I doing enough to make the world better? Or is it just selfish to sit and write because it makes me happy?
Of course, that’s not all I do, not by a longshot. But my mornings are devoted to writing. And while the act of creation makes me happy and uses my gifts, what I produce, I hope, makes other people happy. I know how I feel when I read a riveting book. Elated. Excited. As if I am visiting a whole new world from the comfort of my couch.
So, what gift or talent or skill that, when you’re using it, time just flies by?
And how often do you engage in it?
What have people told you that you do very well? What could you offer that feels good to offer?
Each of us must figure out what we can contribute and where there is a need that we can fill.
Today, I begin writing the next story. A story I have spent weeks and months researching, imagining, brainstorming, coming up with names and places and conflicts and resolutions.
I light a candle.
I make tea with frothy milk.
I play music that lulls me into composing sentences, meeting characters.
I begin.
P.S. Last week’s Substack was picked up by The Times of Israel!
Announcing the March Book Giveaway Winner
Congratulations to Angela Fonner, the March book giveaway winner. She’ll receive Song of the Exile by Kiana Davenport.
The April book giveaway for paid subscribers will be Mad Honey by Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan. If you’re not already a paid subscriber, please consider becoming one to be entered to win!
Opportunities to Write with Lynne
My next free monthly Writelaong will be this Saturday, April 6 at 11 a.m. ET on Zoom. If you’re not already on the list, register here.
If you’ve been looking for regular accountability for your writing, consider joining my Accountability Cohort, which meets on Mondays. Starting in May, we will have TWO times to choose from - 12 pm ET or 5 pm ET, both for 90 minutes. I’ll be extending the special discount ($107/mo + discounts for paying in full up front for 3 or 6 months, and for returning writers) for another week. Click here to reserve your spot.
Also, I’m teaching some new classes soon – consider writing with me! Check out my classes here and here. And there are a couple of spots left in my 2024 Retreats.
Thanks for reading the Rebel Author Newsletter! I share insights on writing and publishing every Monday as a service to my community. If you find value here, please consider becoming a paid subscriber, sharing this with others who might find it of interest or letting me know what resonates with you! Until next week…keep writing.
Love, Lynne
I'm so impressed by how quickly you are able to create a novel! And the idea of being a career author sounds dreamy. I've been working on mine for some time, but loving the process as I learn as I go. Second draft is in the words and then I'll be ready for beta readers! :)