Retreating

I’m sure many readers imagine novel writing as a solitary pursuit. First thing in the morning, the novelist grabs a mug of coffee or a cup of tea on her way to her computer wearing pjs and fuzzy slippers and writes until noon. Followed by a shower, lunch, maybe a walk, and then back at it, making sure a bottle of wine is handy for creative inspiration after dinner. The next day, repeat.

Not so much. I’m lucky if I can spend two hours a day working on my latest work-in-progress because I’m also the Chicago Writers Association‘s managing editor of The Write City Magazine, an adjunct writing instructor at UW-Madison Division of Continuing Studies, a book marketer and seller, the head of a household, and a social butterfly — I enjoy spending time with family and friends. And then, of course, there’s procrastination.

So how do I get any writing done? By retreating. I escape housework for a few hours to write at the Verona Public Library or by Lake Mendota on UW’s Memorial Union Terrace. Oftentimes, I’ll meet with other writers for several hours at the or Barriques Market in Fitchburg. The peer pressure works — I can’t justify playing Candy Crush on my phone while my writing partner is taping away on her computer. And then there’s major retreating.

And then there’s major retreating. Earlier this week, Shannon Anderson, Tricia Wagner, and I spent four days in a cabin in the woods just outside of Cross Plains, Wisconsin.

Mornings were spent with our favorite instructor, Tim Storm, dissecting Chloe Benjamin’s book The Immortalists, determining the story problem, character problem, stasis, hook, inciting incident, and Door #1 of our works-in-progress, and differentiating between world building and world conjuring. Afternoons we grabbed hot chocolate at Sjolinds Chocolate House and sandwiches at the Sunn Cafe in Mount Horeb before an evening of writing, editing, or critiquing pages of each other’s work. Tuesday evening we met Ryan Campbell, a novelist and the creator of the Writescast Podcast, at Coach’s Club in Cross Plains to learn about his upcoming book release and podcast success.

Over those four days, I received valuable feedback on The Devil Particle, edited several chapters of Gaige Devlin, and started to use the following advice from John Truby’s book, The Anatomy of Story, to help me brainstorm ideas for the last book in the trilogy:

Write something that will change my life — no easy task!
Write a wish list for anything I’d like to see in a book or on a movie screen (anything).
List every story premise I’ve ever considered.
Find the common elements of #2 and #3.

This may lead to the premise for the third book but will most certainly inspire plenty of ideas for future books.

Success! Now if only I could make retreating a daily event!

I’m curious — what would be on your book/movie wish list? Let me know!

More Exciting News!

Local actor Robert R. Doyle will read and record my novels Carpe Diem, Illinois and God on Mayhem Street at Paradyme Productions in Madison this September! I’ll write about the experience in September and will let you know when the audible books will be available to pre-order.

As managing editor of the Chicago Writers Association’s online publication The Write City Magazine, I’m pleased to announce the release of CWA’s very first publication, The Write City Review, on June 9th and 10th at the CWA tent during Printers Row Lit Fest in Chicago. The review is comprised of exceptional short stories, poetry, book excerpts, and essays taken from The Write City Magazine and includes beautiful artwork created by CWA members. Once the book is released, you can purchase copies ($15/CWA members or $18/nonmembers) at the CWA tent, on our website or through Eckhartz Press.

Where you can find me this spring and summer:

Chicago Tribune’s Printers Row Lit Fest, June 9th, 2018 from 10:00 a.m to 2:00 p.m. I’ll be at the Chicago Writers Association (CWA) tent selling and signing copies of my books and of The Write City Review.

UW-Madison’s Write-by-the-Lake, June 11 – 15, 2018. Heaven on Earth for writers! I’m offering a workshop on setting and will emcee Open Mic for those brave souls who want to share their work. If you’re a writer, be sure to check out this amazing writing retreat.