I need to get writing! I try to keep on top of my various deadlines, but sometimes it’s difficult. Life gets in the way. I’m sure you understand!
But the most frustrating thing for me? Sometimes the best way to get the next book done… is to watch the kids.
See, my fabulous wife edits my books. She’s a professional editor. She knows her stuff. She can yell at me for plot holes or word choices, and I know she’s doing it because she really wants a good story and a solid book. I trust her.
But because we still have a few kids that are younger, we generally can’t both be working at the same time. Someone’s got to make sure the kids don’t burn down the house!
(Sometimes I can’t believe I’m an adult. I’m the one who’s supposed to keep the kids from mischief?!)
Anyway—if she’s going to get editing done so I can do another revision, I have to make sure that she has time to get editing done. I have to watch the kids. And no, while watching the kids I can’t also write. Not unless you want something that looks like flan attempting to write a romcom.
…Yeah, I’m sure Hallmark probably has attempted that at some point.
Which means the fastest way for me to get writing done, at least half the time, is to distract the kids. I can let story ideas process in the back of my head. I can get various busywork things done in their presence. But by simply keeping them out of my wife’s hair, the story progresses so much faster.
Which is a long way of saying:
I did very little writing this week.
But the books are getting better and better because I’m not writing!
…I’m not sure that’s a good thing…
Nah. It’s great. I’ve got a great editor. I just need to let her do her thing!
Jonathon Mast: Author 