I always think of January 1 as a time to get things organized for the new year. Collect all the financial information for my life and for my writing business. Check on all the expenses. Pay the state sales tax on my book sales. Round up all the paperwork. Grab a new calendar and begin adding birthdays, anniversaries, and special family times. Remind my brother, the tax accountant, to save a space for me. Between my father and my brother, I’ve never had to figure out that horrible mathematical problem called “doing my taxes.” Just as well. I have other things on my mind, and math was never my strong point.
It’s also time to make decisions about writing projects. I’ve been working on a sixth Endurance mystery I’m calling Fabric of Lies. While I have a good start, I still have more research to do. But the bones of the plot structure are there, the first few chapters are on paper, and it’s time to set goals. My first goal is to finish Fabric of Lies by the end of March. Edit and format in April. Book birthday in May. I’m crossing my fingers that I can make those deadlines.
Then, wonder of wonders, it has been fifteen years since I wrote my memoir about teaching called The Education of a Teacher (Including Dirty Books and
Pointed Looks.) This was the first time I ever realized I could draft a 250-page book. Fifteen years. Wow. It was the first full-length book I wrote, and I’ve learned a lot about writing since then. So, my next project is to open that book, read it once again, write a new Introduction, and edit the stories. I’m sure I’ll find a multitude of commas out of place. One of my question marks is whether to change the cover. I really like the cover on the first edition. I might keep it but put “Second Edition” on the front. I’ll have to think about that.
When I first wrote that book in 2010, I used a vanity press, iUniverse, to publish it. Two years ago, I asked for the rights back, so it is no longer in print except for a few stray used copies that people can buy. My, how times have changed when it comes to publishing. I have an excellent editor and a creative and efficient formatter, so I can produce my own novel with very few errors. It will be a sweet trip down memory lane, a revisiting of students I remember–some of them, alas, no longer with us–and some still on my mind and in contact with me. I like the mysteries I’ve written in the past twelve years, but this book has a special place in my heart, so I think it’s time to republish it. Currently, I have one paperback copy left.
So far, these are the projects on my horizon. I imagine I’ll start another mystery after these books are done. What other plots can I devise to torment Grace Kimball and Jeff Maitlin?
>>> and a creative and efficient formatter<<<
Why thank you! March is yours! Also April should you need it!
Fabric! Ohhh…love it. I had to some fabric research for one of my books…afraid I didn’t get much beyond the warp and the woof…or was it warp and something else?!?
Ah, T.T. You are so funny. Probably we’ll be looking at April. I think warp and woof is right!
Susan
Sounds like great projects, Susan. I have a new Joe Erickson Mystery, Reprisal Road, coming out in March, and I am three-quarters of the way through the first draft of the next one. It has been a prolific year.
Wow. You’re really in the zone, Lynn-Steven. Good for you. I’m a much slower writer, I’m afraid. My retirement job gets in the way, ha ha. Good luck with your current work-in-progress.
Susan, I love that you bought your first baby (book) back. Ever consider fictionalizing it? I think there are stories in there ( ;
Thanks so much, Pamela. Actually, my memoir is creative nonfiction, so it does read like stories.
So I see this is a case of great minds thinking alike, heh? Super, to know I was a bit on track with that thought ( ;
Absolutely!
As a retired teacher, The Education of a Teacher (Including Dirty Books and Pointed Looks) has a special place in my heart too. It is one of those IMPORTANT books that are so rarely written and published. Judy Squires, a true writer’s reader, has call it a “modern classic”.
Susan, as for your other goals, I have no doubt that you will achieve them, including your timeline dates. I admire your dedication to your art. Stay well and warm, my dear friend.
Thanks, Jim, for your kind comments. I’ve had a lot of readers, especially teachers, enjoy this book. I’m looking forward to having it back in print.