Greetings from rainy Maine! It has been unseasonably warm here in the Northeast. Not that I’m complaining. I am definitely a hot weather girl! (I like to joke that I was a dragon in a previous life. I’d rather bake on a beach, and when I get cold, torpor sets in and I burrow under blankets on the couch- usually covered by 5 dogs)
Christmas was gloriously crazy this year, or at least it seemed so. My dear son, who moved out to start a life with his lady 2 hours north of us, came with her on Christmas day- I will not lie, it made me deliriously happy to have all my kids in the house again. The dogs agreed, and Bruce immediately pig-piled on top of them on the couch just to make sure they couldn’t leave!
The next day, we all piled in the car and drove to a good old fashioned family Christmas at the lodge- people everywhere, kids running around and being loud. It was balm for the soul, even for me, a self-described hermit/introverted freak. I was so joyful just sitting on the couch watching all the hubbub.
Resolutions and all that jazz
The infusion of family joy left me with an excess of energy that channeled itself into a desire to make a plan for 2023. That hasn’t happened in years- perhaps since about 2020? Since the pandemic I’ve kind of been in duck and cover mode. Just existing and getting by.
Well, yes, I opened a dog training business, but really, I’ve been sliding by without a plan. Kind of like when I had my grooming business. Getting by on word of mouth and sporadic Facebook ads and nothing more.
And yes, I have a daily writing habit, but I will admit that it’s been more like a kite on a string, flapping in the air in whatever current I feel. I have four major projects about half way finished. Argh.
So I am taking this fresh new energy and channeling into a plan. (Thank you Shaunta Grimes and Ninja Writers! I have two pretty focused plans, one for my writing, and one for my dog training business. If you are interested in positive dog training, you can check out my website and blog for The Good Pup Project Dog Training to learn more about that.
But I think this will interest you more.
Writing update: Fiction on the Horizon
As I worked through The Fresh Start Program with Shaunta and the Ninja Writers, one thing became clear. I need to pick a lane. I have four great (I think!) projects that I need to complete. So,my first job? Pick one!!! One story to dive into and complete. And don’t deviate!
I picked my project. I set a schedule. And I plan on staying the course until The End.
I hope you will be happy to hear, the project I chose is The Adventures of Verity Cogswell: The coming of age adventure of a young lady with a desire to dodge the Matrimonial Trap and instead attend the Universitarium in Aethos, City of Wonders.
This story is so dear to me. I remember the day Verity introduced herself in the bookstore as I browsed journals. There she was in all her Steampunk glory on the cover of one journal. I nodded, then walked off. I don’t do Steampunk. I’m a fantasy girl, thank you.
Would you believe, that cheeky lady followed me all around the bookstore? Mentally tapping me on the shoulder, waiting impatiently for me to realize that she was a VIC (Very Important Character.) I circled back to her journal three times, her back story and firecracker personality growing larger each time. I finally bought that journal, and have been developing Verity and the incredible Aethos, City of Wonders, ever since. A crazy mash up of Steampunk and Fantasy. Machinery and alchemy. I call it Fantasy Punk.(Maybe that’s already a thing, I don’t know.)
My plan is simple. I am going to go with positive thinking and pretend I already have an agent out there who is anxiously awaiting my manuscript. She expects to see it by April 1st. So, I have given myself until 1/31 to finish the first draft. (This is a very doable goal since I am already about half way done. If I stick to my writing schedule, it will happen.)
That will give me two months to edit. And then, send a million query letters out to agents, one of which is the lucky person who will choose to work with us!
Writing Worlds Newsletter
I also have scheduled in plenty of time to keep up with this newsletter. When I started Writing Worlds, I was very scared to put my thoughts out there where the world could see. But as time goes on, I have realized that writing this newsletter is kind of like having coffee with a good friend. We have similar tastes in books, and you are happy to listen to me go on about it- what more could I ask for? Well, maybe one more thing. I’d love to hear back from you! So my goal is to send out a weekly newsletter for my readers, with updates to help keep on track with Verity. I also want to explore this new Substack Community feature, where we might actually get to interact! And finally, for my paid subscribers, I have scheduled in a new short story every month, set in the world of Aethos! I am having so much fun with these short stories, that are, shall we say, Verity-adjacent. It is allowing me to explore her world even as I write her story, and you may discover there are some people, places, and things, in the novel that will be familiar to you after you enjoy the short stories!
Look for the first short story to drop sometime in the next three week. I’ll give you a heads up before it happens!
In Other News…
And finally, just because I am really excited about it, I want to tell you about my dog training goals for me, Bruce Banner, and Maizee the Wonder Dog.
I just completed my Certified Trick Dog Instructor program, so I am official! Maizee the Wonder Dog is now an Intermediate Trick Dog, and Bruce Banner is- well, he’s pretty adorable, isn’t he?
My first training goal for the year is to conquer Maizee’s Advanced Trick Dog Title. I’m pretty confident in this one. She’s a crazy Workaholic and lives for training.
Second, I am going to help Bruce get his Novice Tricks Dog Title. This will be fun- and slimy. The moment treats come into the equation, Bruce’s face turns into the Niagara Falls of drool. But it’s worth it. And I can shower later. We’re doing this thing.
An third- and this one I am super excited about- I have recently started working on my Animal Acting Instructor Certification! That’s right! I am training both Maizee and Bruce to be able to work on photo shoot and movie sets! (I am pretty confident that Maizee will be a successful set dog. Bruce on the other hand- I know he’s got The Look, but he is a pretty cautious dog. Even if he gets his Acting Cards, he may never be confident enough for set work. And that is okay with me. The training itself is the most important thing. Working with him. Building that bond. And making sure his life is fulfilling and happy. So, we’ll see.)
If you want to follow along on our journey- complete with successes and outtakes- you can go to The Good Pup Project website and subscribe to my blog. At the very least it should make you smile, and hey! You might learn something along the way!
And finally: Setting the writing mood!
Last but not least- I found new writing music on Youtube! I have been listening to this one nonstop since just after Christmas. I love it. And the name, and the picture, have my story juices flowing, too. Enjoy! I’ll be back next week!
Thanks for the update! Now, if only I could do so well with the newsletter thang. Maybe reading all the fun things you are doing will help me to think of something to share... it's so hard.