I’ve always been an “early in the day” writer. When I was working full-time, I’d get up around 5 a.m. and write for a couple of hours before heading into work. I was able to do this for several decades and through nearly 50 novellas/novels.
I like to write early before my brain gets cluttered. That is one reason why I don’t turn on the television until after I’ve tackled my writing task for the day. I don’t want other people’s words jamming with my head. I don’t want the distraction of the news, or especially, another story. I don’t even turn on music, unless it is instrumental, because hearing the lyrics and the song storytelling serves as a huge distraction.
My goal is to write and finish a minimum of one scene a day. I believe in setting minimum goals—for me, that works better. If I set a goal of 5,000 words or a complete chapter, I get totally lost in figuring out where I am in that goal. If I stick to my mantra of “one day, one scene” I can generally accomplish that, and more. Writing one scene also allows me to start and finish something for the day. I feel quite accomplished then!
Now that I am retired from the day job (not from writing!) my early morning writing routine has changed only slightly—I may not get up at 5 a.m. Now that I don’t need to worry about scurrying off to work, I generally sleep until I wake, then get started on my day. That day may look a bit like this:
- @7 a.m. – rise and shine!
- Find the coffee maker.
- Let out the dog.
- Straighten up the kitchen, or start a load of laundry, while waiting for coffee—if necessary. (That makes me feel like I’m actually doing work around the house and lets me settle into writing without guilt!)
- Coffee. Laptop. Recliner.
- Write until the scene is finished – or until around noon.
- Check on the dog! Feed her!
- Lunch and run errands and house tasks (I am a caregiver for my Dad, so I generally go see him, too.)
- Afternoon/evening—work on marketing, promotion, book formatting, cover art, and all those other India author tasks that must be done! Some dinner somewhere along the way. And maybe a little television research… 😊
That’s a typical day for me!
Short Excerpt for That One Summer:
“You broke him. You know that, don’t you?”
Lia shook herself. Aunt Grace was staring at her and Lia wasn’t exactly sure for how long, or what all she had said. “I’m sorry. My mind drifted…”
“You broke his heart. Please don’t break it again.”
Her gaze caught Grace’s and held. “I would never do that.”
“I hope not.”
“Aunt Grace.” Lia scooted closer to the edge of her seat. “I loved him. I wanted to be with him, but he and I didn’t want the same things. I had pressure from my parents to get back to Chicago and job offers were waiting there. I was young and confused and…”
Grace put up a hand. “You’ve had twenty years to think about it. I hope you have. Did you make the right decision, Grace? Who knows? But the past is the past. What’s important now, is what you do next.”
Suddenly, Ron’s voice was in her ear. What have we been doing for the past six years, Lia, if we are not going to move this relationship forward? What are you going to do now?
And Alice’s. I know the main reason your marriage failed was because Grant wasn’t Zach. And it’s why you and Ron haven’t gotten married.
Had she been shoving away the truth all these years because she was trying to make a life out of a years-old mistake?
“I have to go.” Lia stood, looking down at Grace.
“You have to do what you think best, dear.”
“Can I get an Uber out here?”
Grace nodded. “Damn newfangled technology that I don’t understand—but yes, so they tell me.”
Lia was grateful. “I’m sorry to leave so abruptly. Please tell Zach that I’ll see him later.” She turned and headed for the door.
“Lia?”
She turned back. “Yes?”
“Is that all you want me to tell him?”
Nodding, she said, “Yes. I have some things to figure out and I need to do it alone.” Then, she rushed back and gave Grace a hug. “Thanks for being hard on me. I could always count on you to not pull punches. Thank you for opening my eyes.”
Grace squeezed her hand. “Go figure out your life, Lia. It’s the only one you have.”
Part of the Summer’s End Box Set – 14 Author Box Set
Date Published: August 4, 2020
He’s the one who got away. She’s the one who couldn’t commit.
Twenty years ago, Lia Langston left Last Chance Beach, leaving behind friends, a really good job offer, and the young man she’d fallen in love with that summer. The breakup hurt them both—but she was expected back home in Chicago where a job was waiting. From there, she meandered through life—marriage, a child, divorce, career—yet, there was one constant. She never missed the annual week at Last Chance Beach with her college girlfriends.
Same week, same beach house, same beach town. The routine was safe and predictable. By the time beach week rolled around every year, she was more than ready.
When Zach Allen—the young man she left behind—steps back into her life, she must face the twenty-year-old consequences of her leaving. Will Last Chance Beach allow her a second chance at love?
LAST CHANCE BEACH is the island paradise where Dreams go to live again, and Wishes may come true. It’s Summer’s End on the island, and the cottages, condos, hotels, and bungalows are filled to capacity.
There’s plenty of time left to find summer fun and summer love, new romances and second chances, hot alpha males and heartwarming heroes, love at first sight and romantic delight, enemies to lovers and opposites attract.
Throw a log on the beach bonfire tonight and celebrate LAST CHANCE BEACH: Summer’s End, a special romance collection of 14 all-new short stories from bestselling and award-winning authors. These summer stories—created especially for this collection—will thrill the hopeful romantic in you. Some are sweet: some are sizzling! Some are humorous; some are serious. All the stories will make you sigh!
LAST CHANCE BEACH: Summer’s End will make you want to book a vacation to the island of legend and love, the place where soul mates find each other and love at first sight happens all the time!
Joan Reeves, NY Times and USA Today Bestselling Author
When they met, it was hate at first sight. Now they’re stuck in the same overbooked beach cottage and horrified to discover they have the hots for each other!
Liz Flaherty, USA Today Bestselling Author
Their lives are planned out…until they’re not! Are they in love or just stuck in a habit?
Nancy Fraser, Top 100 Bestselling Author
At a high school reunion; old flames meet again. Can they re-ignite what they once had and take a last chance on love?
Caroline Clemmons, Top 100 Bestselling Author
She faces a hard decision; he encourages her to choose with her heart. Will the solution drive them apart or into one another’s arms?
Maddie James, Top 100 Bestselling Author
It’s the typical annual week on the beach with the girls—until her summer fling from twenty years back shows up. He’s the one who got away. She’s the one who couldn’t commit.
Jan Scarbrough, National Bestselling Author
The kids are grown; her husband has an important career, and she wonders if she still loves him, and if he loves her. Can she turn back the clock to save her marriage?
Kathleen Lawless, National Bestselling Author
Of all the beaches on the coast, who shows up on her beach? Him! A former competitive surfer runs into her former love, and revisits all the reasons things didn’t work out for them before.
Bonnie Edwards, National Bestselling Author
She wants divorce—he doesn’t. What happens in Vegas doesn’t always stay in Vegas!
Marcia King-Gamble, National Bestselling Author
She’s hiding from the paparazzi after a scandal. He’s the guy next door, an amateur photographer. Will he accept tabloid money for pictures of her? Or will he choose love over jumpstarting his career?
Kathryn Hills, Award Winning Author
Kat must convince her Gran to move to the mainland, but Gran—and hunky neighbor Ben—want Kat to takeover the B&B and antique shop. What will it take for Kat to stay? Some of Gran’s special island magic?
Connie Vines, Award Winning Author
She returns to Last Chance Beach to begin a new life. He’s a single dad on vacation with his pre-teen daughter. He’s worried his daughter may become too attached to her, but maybe he’s the one whose heart is at risk.
Laura Hunsaker, Award Winning Author
Can dreams of the future erase her nightmares of the past? She’s looking for a fresh start, but he’s rented the same beach cottage. One bed, two people? Whatever will they do?
He’s handsome and in town for only 2 weeks. She wants someone interested in a fling. He wants someone interested in a ring.
She won the big lottery, but doesn’t want anyone to know. He’s a fixer-upper specialist, but things aren’t always what they seem.
Maddie James writes to silence the people in her head—if only they wouldn’t all talk at once!
Whether writing traditional contemporary romance or building paranormal worlds, Maddie pens stories that frequently cross a variety of romantic sub-genres.
Affaire de Coeur says, “James shows a special talent for traditional romance,” and RT Book Reviews claims, “James deftly combines romance and suspense, so hop on for an exhilarating ride.” The author of over fifty titles of fiction—from short stories to novels—Maddie is an award-winning and Top 100 National Bestselling Author. Learn more at http://www.maddiejames.net.
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Author: Theresa Stillwagon
Life is a journey, filled with ups and downs, lefts and rights. Life would be meaningless if it came to us easily. This is my story of a writer's life.
Disappointment and rejection, learning and growing, never giving up.
That is what my life means.
Traditional romances with a Sensual Edge!
View all posts by Theresa Stillwagon
So Many Books 
Thank you, Theresa, for inviting me into your blog space. I’ts been such a pleasure to visit.