I neglected to write a blog post last month. I kept meaning to, but I was extremely busy, and I had trouble selecting a topic. I actually wrote most of one, and decided I had no good way to end it. With a blog post, I could begin a new one. No big deal. With a novel, not having an ending is catastrophic. Fortunately, I’m not dealing with that right now.
My busy summer included a family reunion. That might not sound too time intensive, but I was in charge of it. Other than the heat (The temps were in the high 90’s.), it was a great success. 105 family members came together to eat, drink, and just enjoy being together. We do these reunions every 3 years, and family members look forward to them eagerly. I am blessed to belong to such a wonderful, caring family, who love getting together. (You can look back to my March blog post to see more about them.)
Just 4 days after returning from the reunion, my husband and I took a trip to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, our first time there. What a beautiful place! We went there to celebrate the life of a young girl, who died much too soon. But sadness was set aside. Music, good food, dear friends, and a gorgeous view made it a lovely experience.
In late July, I received my editor’s comments on my latest novel-in-progress. I had to think through those and rethink about how I might change the novel to address her concerns. I began that in earnest in August. On August 23, we traveled to the Highlights Foundation’s facility in Eastern Pennsylvania. That place is magical and the perfect place for a writer to focus on writing. I revised the beginning of the novel several more times while there. (Getting a novel right is a long process.) I also reconnected with some old friends and met a few new ones.
Now here it is September, and Summer is in the rearview mirror. I still work every day on revising the new novel. It’s coming along, getting better, but not “there” yet. Children are back in school, and I have a school visit planned to talk about my books. I will also speak about my writing journey and my process at an SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators) meeting later this month.
Summer is over, but the “busy” continues.
