My granddaughter, Ella, will turn eight in a couple days. Right around her birth, I had surgery because of fear of ovarian cancer. Luckily, I was fine, but the doctor told me it was good they operated, because my one ovary looked worrisome. OC runs in my family, and it doesn’t manifest unique symptoms. In a bygone era, I might not have been around to meet my granddaughter.
But I recovered, and life went on. Now, eight years later, she’s in the third grade. Her favorite activity is reading. She consumes books like a wood chipper devours tree trimmings. Here she is reading a Nancy Drew, with Grandpa who is reading one of my latest.
It blows me away that she can be this old, that so much time has passed in a blink.
Older people say, “Where does the time go?!” and that it seems to speed up as you get older. Of course, it doesn’t really. It’s just a matter of perspective. The busier you are, the faster it slips away. Maybe we’re all too busy for our own good. I say this, aware that I have made a commitment to publish five more books by the end of 2019.
My sister is getting ready to retire. She’s a little worried about what she’ll do all day and is concerned about being bored or feeling purposeless. As I get older, though, I think free time might be the greatest luxury of aging. La dolce far niente. The sweetness of doing nothing.
Every day, I work. I write, market, learn, plan, schedule, and advertise. I run my little business, and I love doing so.
But sometimes, life interferes with your big plans.
Today, I have a cold (thanks, grandkids) which has sapped my energy. Largely because I have no choice, I decided this morning that today I would do nothing. I read a hot and trashy romance, checked my social media and email, watered houseplants, and dusted a few shelves. That’s all I have energy for, but I enjoyed it. Occasionally, a slower pace is pretty sweet.
It’s not my preference, though. I’m a racehorse. I like to run.
I started writing in earnest when I was in my late forties. It took me ten years to write Dakota Blues, because I had so much to learn. I was careful. I wanted my first book to be oh, so good. I guess I did okay, because it won an award and has lots of great reviews on Amazon.
When Ella was born, I hadn’t published anything. Now I have five books out.
The years go so fast. If you are dreaming of something, I hope you’ll get cracking. You can’t possibly know what might happen. Reach for the brass ring. Dare to dream.
For the next few days, Dakota Blues is on sale for $.99! Click here to get your copy.
Have you claimed your free audiobook download yet? I still have a few left of Key Largo Blues and Goodbye to the Blues. Click Lynne@AnyShinyThing.com to email me and tell me your choice!
New Release!
Have you see it? I just released California Blues, the novella-length prequel to the Karen Grace / Blues series. It’s already receiving 5-star reviews, which is so exciting! Every time I publish a book, I cross my fingers hoping for good reviews. I guess I’m making you happy because they’re coming in. If you’re one of the angels who left a nice review for any of my books, thank you so much! Reviews make sales.
I write first for the love of it, sure. Mom says I wrote stories from the time I was old enough to hold a pencil, so it’s a passion that goes way back.
But when I receive reviews or royalties for my books? OMG. Icing on the freakin’ cake.
Because imagine this: I invent characters, give them hopes and dreams and passions of their own, put them in challenging situations, and encourage them to grow. Then they do, because I like happy endings. So that’s all well and good.
But to know you’re loving it just as much as I am? Priceless. Thanks for coming along on this dream journey with me. I hope you realize your dreams, too.
Wow Lynne! You are a race horse. I admire your self discipline to sit butt in chair every morning to create and then to continue with your story telling dictating to your phone as you walk. I am amazed at how many books you have managed to not only write, but publish. Bravo my dear friend, bravo. And happy birthday to your sweet granddaughter.
Thanks for the attagirls, Pat. I especially needed it today as I’ve had a cold for a week and have been in a fog, unproductive. Hopefully next week will be better!
I so admire you, Lynne. Seeing that it took you ten years to write your first book gives me hope. I’ve written one and JJ edited it. There it sits. I have so much to learn as well and have not given up. I’m simply trying to figure out how to tell the story in a better way. How did you go about learning the craft?
I’m hoping to get to another DVWG meeting soon. As you’ve said, time slips away. I find I’m busy–sometimes reading or daydreaming–but also with a women’s philanthropic organization and with a group fundraising for our support of two outstanding schools in Africa. Then, there’s a book club I recently started (What was I thinking?). And, time for friends and, of course, my husband and family. Sheesh. I am not the most disciplined person. How do you structure your day to make time to write or do you write in large spurts of time like I do?
Keep writing. I enjoy the heck out of your stories–and your blog posts!
Thanks for your kind words, Bev. And as for the “what was I thinking???” try starting a writers’ guild. Because you miss the company of writers. But anyway…
Where do I find the time? Here’s my answer: I have found that if I write every morning (that I can, unless life intrudes) from 8:30 – 10:30, I’m good. It might not be great writing, but it keeps me in the story. And I walk every morning before writing, with my phone. As I walk, I dictate into Google Docs a scene or part of a scene, hopefully about the next scene I’m writing but sometimes it’s from another place in the book. I’ve found that ups my productivity like crazy!! If I dictate 500-700 words on my half-hour walk, I can easily write a thousand or more during my morning session.
And lastly, how did I learn to write? Well, I’ll tell you, there is so much drek out there, a lot of money wasted on craft books by people who didn’t know all that much. But here are some I wholeheartedly recommend: Write Your Novel from the Middle by James Scott Bell; Goal, Motivation, Conflict by Debra Dixon; and The Fire in Fiction by Donald Maass. Keep me posted and I wish you the very best!
These are inspiring words, for anyone at any age. No matter where you are in life, always reach for the brass ring!
As you are, Nicky. Thank you, honey.
Your accomplishments and enthusiasm are infectious, Lynne! I love updates like this—helps us keep track of you and your work!
Oh, thank you so much for saying so, Diane. I like to mention the writing life and my books, but don’t often know how it’s being received. So this really helps.
Hi Lynne! So glad to hear that you are “still around” and have no plans to go anywhere for the remainder of your granddaughter’s growing up! And yes time does go very fast and if we aren’t careful we think we have to race with it. Far better to stop, smell the roses, read a tashy book and enjoy the day. Speaking of which, one of these days we ought to get together and do another lunch. ~Kathy
I know!! As soon as it cools down at your place, how about Blue Coyote?
Terrific post about making a health decision that has left you in control of future. Congrats on your five books. I have read one book and left one review so far. I am looking forward to reading the rest of Karen’s series.
So you’re one of the angels, then, Lisa. Thanks so much!