Did I ever tell you I really enjoy the winter season here in New England? Those of you who have been with me for a while have heard me say it before, but it’s worth repeating.
Alas, as I write this, the forecast is for warmer-than-average temperatures for the next week. But I’m hoping the season will linger for a bit longer.
For me, this is an excellent time to focus on the craft of writing. There are fewer distractions during the cold and snowy weather. Although I love gardening during spring, summer, and fall, I always feel torn between that and my true passion for writing.
As an author, putting words onto a screen and moving them around until they become magical is challenging. Creative people have different ways to elevate their craft, and mine has a lot to do with the process and routine of writing.
I love the act of writing words, seeing ideas solidify before me as I develop plot threads, and facing the challenge of making something that readers will enjoy.
Writing is hard work, and words don’t always come quickly or easily. Once I have the big picture of a plot in place, I spend most of my time on the millions of fundamental details of editing. Only after I spend much time and effort developing an imaginative storyline and then revising it do I allow a book to see the light of day.
You, the reader, will judge if I’ve succeeded at my work. But I will always put my best effort into each book I release.
And now, before those darn crocuses and dandelions begin sprouting out of the ground, I’d better get back to my latest draft.
Until next time,
John
Above is a photo of my dog, Missy, in our backyard this winter.