Jenn McKinlay: First, let me tell you the winner of Leslie Budewitz's Solace - commenter Pat D! Congratulations, Pat!
You can reach Leslie here: leslie at drbeans dot come to let her know if you'd like the book or audio version.
Technically, at the moment, I'm writing a proposal for my next rom-com that is "off the record, on the QT, and very hush-hush" (nod to James Ellroy) for now. There's nothing I can say about it other than it takes place on Martha's Vineyard in July and I am really looking forward to going to the Vineyard next summer (please let the world be normal again) for the research. A hardship, I know.
The next project in the queue is tackling the copyedited manuscript for For Batter or Worse. I have a few weeks to get them done so it's nice to be able to take my time as I go through the manuscript. I've been very fortunate with my copyeditors and I'm not the sort of author who can't have her genius questioned. If a copyeditor doesn't "get me", I try to see why and if there are tweaks necessary to make my words more accessible, I'm happy to make them.
After that, I should have the revisions for Wait For It, the women's fiction rom-com coming out next summer. It's set in Phoenix, my current hometown area, so that was fun to write. Revisions are actually my favorite part of the process as the hard work of getting the words on the page are done and the pruning and reshaping can happen with clearer eyes.
Here's a sneak peek at a section of the proposed cover (just for fun):
Then, it's "back to one" to write Killer Research, the next library lover's mystery set in the fictional town of Briar Creek, CT, due by the end of the year. Oh, wow, it's mid October! I think I just broke into a sweat.
This is the convergence of projects moment where I tend to have repeated small panic attacks. I have something in every stage of production RIGHT NOW and if I think about it too much I get completely overwhelmed which causes me to become paralyzed and then I spend endless hours on Etsy, shopping for everything from corn scented ear of corn shaped soap to a Ouija board lunch box. I wish I was kidding but I really am a master level at procrastination.
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| Ear of corn soap! |
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| Ouija Lunchbox! |
When I peel myself off Etsy, I try to cut my work down to manageable bites and figure out just what has to be done that day. Some days are amazing and I get more done than I planned and other days are a complete bust, and I am sure I'm doomed. After ten years, I'm getting used to the pitch and roll of this writer's ocean but still.
I get a lot of questions about my time management since I do manage to get things done. I wish I had a simple answer but the truth is I just overcommit and then flail around at the keyboard in a complete flurry of angst until I get the words on the page, the copyedits read, the revisions shaped, and so forth. When my back is to the wall, I turn off the Internet and give the Hub my phone. That usually does the trick. Well, that and snacks.
So, Reds and Readers, do tell? What is your procrastination of choice? How do you kick start yourself when you are literally out of time?
Wow . . . you certainly have a lot of things to manage. Hopefully, there are moments when you actually have time to breathe . . . .
ReplyDeleteI am good at procrastinating until the last moment; I think it’s the realization that I’m actually out of time that finally gets me moving . . . that relentless tick of the clock can be quite disconcerting . . . .
Yes, I do my best work when the ax is about to fall.
DeleteJenn, you are a writing machine. So my great material from which to choose for readers. I started listening to your first Hat Shop Mystery while I fixed the beef stew today, and I was hooked right away. I had intended to listen to your Library Lovers series, but Cloche and Dagger came up first in my list. See, so many wonderful choices.
ReplyDeleteI used to be able to make myself just start writing a review and tell myself I’d only write a certain part of it when I was in procrastination mode, and before I realized it, I was writing more. However, these days I am well and truly stuck, and I don’t see anything changing until after the election.
We are definitely living in limbo. I can't tell you how often I forget what day it is. As you can imagine, my publisher does not accept this as a viable excuse.
DeleteLet's hear it for snacks!
ReplyDeleteAs an author who turns out almost as much as you (but to less acclaim),
I know that angst. Sometimes the four simultaneous stages of production have some kind of volunteer work laid on top. I'll wander downstairs (in search of snacks...) and say to Hugh, "I am beleaguered." He invariably says something to the effect of, "You brought it on yourself," which makes me straighten my spine and march back upstairs, muttering, "I'll show him."
You've got this! And send your rom-com characters over to Mac's Bikes in fictional Westham to rent their tandem. Her shop (in the Cozy Capers Book Group Mysteries) isn't far from the ferry to MV!
Oh, I like that! An Easter egg for readers to find. LOL!
DeleteKathy called it! A writing machine, indeed. Jenn, you and Edith, and other writers with nonstop output, are so impressive.
ReplyDeleteI also used to have a lot of balls in the air at once, back in the day, which is really when things get accomplished. The more you have to do, the better you have to be to manage it all. Now that I don't have as many honest-to-goodness deadlines I get so much less done. It's easier to put off projects when nobody has given me a drop-dead date to get them finished. Which is why the photos have still not been copied electronically and catalogued, and why the dining room chairs have still not gotten recovered, and why there are still drywall mud blotches on the walls from the repairs (my husband is the one procrastinating here, though; I need a taller ladder).
Freecell. I'm afraid to think of the months of time I've wasted on that game. I'm really good at it, though. If there is ever a world Freecell competition, I'm there.
Karen, my son and a good friend keep trying to get me to play Words with Friends, and I always decline. I know it would suck me in!
DeleteI hear you, Edith! It's like text messaging, you feel compelled to respond right away.
DeleteJenn, just curious as to whether you bought the ear of corn soap? Next question: why would anyone need corn-scented soap?
The laundry that needs folding, the dogs that need walking, honestly, some days I feel as if the chores have taken over and the next day they're back again!
DeleteI have a friend who lived on MV for a few years. Interesting communities on the island.
ReplyDeleteFor procrastination, yardwork, March-December. I take January and February off to shovel snow and sprinkle sand on the ice. Raking wet leaves for hours does give me the incentive to come inside and hit the keyboard.
That is a motivator. Well done.
DeleteAlways direct work projects to the busiest person. They are the one getting things done!
ReplyDeleteAnyone else buy the Jacquie Lawson interactive cards? I noticed yesterday that my advent calendar updated so all the games and interactive items are new. I'll begin revealing them on the first day of Advent. To make up for the deficit in my game playing, I bought the curio collection. Jenn, I'm thinking Etsy is in my future too - thanks for the tip!
Query - are you writing, copyediting, and revising all on the same day? OMG - that needs a 98 hour day, but your results are so wonderful.
Ha! No, I queue them up by deadline date and hope for the best, otherwise, I get confused. Which body in what book where? ACK!
DeleteYou got this Jen!
ReplyDeleteSolitaire, TriPeaks, Spider and Freecell. I try to beat my time every time I play.
Thank you, Dru. I have been playing a lot of solitaire lately. No idea why. I think my brain just needs a problem solving situation that's not imperative.
DeleteJenn, I am having a panic attack just looking at your list! As always, I am in awe. I find it Facebook is an excellent tool for procrastination! And of course the puppy helps too! Right now she is running back-and-forth from the bathroom to D bedroom with a piece of our clothing in her mouth each time. I better go see what she’s building…
ReplyDeleteA nest, Lottie's making a nest full of her people smells. 'Cuz it's way more fun than using any old bed her humans might have purchased for her.
DeleteI just spent two hours with my in-laws new puppy. I am having puppy pangs...this, too, shall pass, the Hub says. LOL.
DeleteThe puppy is cute. I saw you playing with on Facebook.
DeleteJenn, I'm going back to bed and pulling the covers over my head. No, wait--library lover's mystery? Where's my whip? Get cracking, you whirlwind! Honestly, give me a job, give me a deadline, and I'll git 'her done. Just keep the office door closed and they'll think I'm working furiously all the time. Nothing to see here....
ReplyDeleteLOL, Flora. Office door closed and locked here, otherwise it's "Mooooommmmm....." all day long.
DeleteYou're a writing whirlwind, Jeenn. Wow! Any more Happily Ever After books in your plans?
ReplyDeleteAs for procrastination: For me, it looks like another cup of tea, another look through a magazine for the pic I need for my current collage, or even making the bed or doing the dishes. Anything but the task on my desk!
Isn't it amazing how cleaning the oven can suddenly be more important than the task at hand?
DeleteJenn, procrastinate all you need to. Your books are golden during this awful time and have saved me by taking me places and making me laugh. I keep thinking that next summer, I'll go take a boat ride around the Thimble Islands, because it is close enough. I'm smiling in anticipation of the MV story and the Phoenix story and the next Library Lovers story and hoping that there will someday be another Hat Shop story, although you may need to visit London for inspiration, so it could be a while. Anyway, you've got this.
ReplyDeleteAs for me, would any of you say that I am wasting time reading? Because that is just about the only thing I want to do and it is the only thing I do do except make the meals and bake and walk the dog and do the laundry.
So, this year I've read almost all of Jenn's books plus dozens of others by JRW writers and guests. Dozens of books. I've written a few reviews, not many. Am I procrastinating? Yep. Is the dining room table full of unopened calendars and mail from dozens of environmental and conservation orgs? Yep. Is the accumulated junk of 35 years in this house mostly untouched? Yep. Did Irwin come upstairs from the basement yesterday to tell me he threw away all of my college English notebooks and papers? Yep. Did I move from my book? No.
I, too, go on Facebook and always feel a bit guilty about wasting that time, but that is it. No games. I have a Hebrew class once a week and do eventually prepare for it, because everyone else is prepared and there are only 5 students. Too awful to not be prepared. Still. Starting a new book this afternoon. Doing homework now.
Your time management sounds perfect to me, Judy. And thank you for the kind words - much appreciated!
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ReplyDeleteJenn,
ReplyDeleteWhile I can procrastinate like nobody's business when I need to get something done, I generally don't have that many hard deadlines to hit.
Sure, the reviews for Mystery Scene have to be done on a schedule but after reading the books, I generally get around to writing the review in plenty of time. Unless of course, I am passing on writing a review because I didn't like the book. That saves everyone time when that happens. There's only been one instance where I had to kick myself in the butt to finish a couple of reviews to meet a deadline on the day of. And the way I got myself started is pretty much how I motivate myself to do anything. I remind myself that I don't get paid if I don't meet the deadline. Ahh money, the devious mistress!
For my CD (or concerts when those were actually a thing, damn pandemic!) reviews, there's a rule of thumb for getting them done but I get leeway with those because I work hard on reviewing new albums where I listen multiple times and really let the music sink in with me so I can hopefully write the best possible version of said review.
For The Cassette Chronicles articles, they are generally done on a weekly basis but I have the freedom to skip a week when my schedule gets too jam-packed. That's usually because I've got so much going on with my day job. But this year, I've only missed two weeks since so much of my time has been at home nowadays.
By the way, if you do go to the Vineyard next year, you should think about arranging a book signing appearance at one of the stores on the Cape itself (not the island....Jay doesn't do boats!). It would be great to meet yet another Red Writer!
Ah, yes, getting paid is the big motivator for me, too. Gotta pay the bills...darn it. Yes, I would love to do some signings on the Cape! Excellent idea! WOuld be great to meet you, too. Maybe a Jungle Reds mini MA tour?
DeleteJenn, I’ve been doing so many Zoom interviews and when they ask what I e been reading I tell them Paris is Alwsys a Good Idea is a great escape from pandemic worries! Looking forward to the next
ReplyDeleteSmooches, Rhys, you are the BEST!
DeleteI would like to say I get things done through iron will and laser-like focus, but panic works, too.
ReplyDeleteProcrastination techniques? I get hooked on a book, or faff around on Facebook. Take the dogs out. Play with the cats. Clean the . . . No. Wait. Cleaning the house is what drives me back to the computer to work.
By the way, I already can't wait for "Wait for It."
DeleteGigi, let me digress to tell you I liked Deep Ellum Blues. Knowing nothing about the musical references, I appreciated the links at the end. I was charmed by the atmosphere, the characters and the writing. Well done !
DeleteI have Deep Ellum Blues on my Kindle! Can't wait to read it!
DeleteAlso, LOL at the panic as a motivator comment!
DeleteThank you, Danielle-momo. I'm so glad you liked Ms. Eddy and her little corner of Dallas. I've been surprised at how many people like the playlist, too. I hope you like it, too, Jenn! Sounds like you need a quick getaway.
DeleteJenn, I hope I am early enough today. I got up early to get the Sunday paper! I am so excited about your novel set in Martha's Vineyard.
ReplyDeleteHere is some trivia for you. Did you know that 100 years ago, everyone who lived on Martha's Vineyard spoke Sign Language? The last Deaf person living on MV died in the 1950s.
The reason "everyone spoke Sign Language" was because many settlers came from the Weald of Kent in England. And one out of every three children born on MV was born Deaf. Everyone communicated with each other in Sign Language.
There is a new children's novel called SHOW ME A SIGN by Ann Clare LeZotte.
There is also a nonfiction novel called EVERYONE HERE SPOKE SIGN LANGUAGE by ? Nora Groce.
MV is on my bucket list of places to visit.
Regarding procrastination, I wish I knew. I try to set the alarm so that I can do things in the mornings. It seems that the mornings is when I have the energy to get things done once I've had a cup of strong Italian coffee. Recently I'm drinking coffee with nutmeg.
Diana
Very interesting facts Diana.
DeleteDanielle, thanks!
DeleteI had no idea. I used to visit MV regularly when I lived in CT and stayed there quite a bit with the ex-fiance as his mom had a house in Vineyard Haven. I will absolutely have to work this in. Thank you!
DeleteOooh, I would love to see you work this trivia into the story. And you are welcome!
DeleteOooh. A new book from Leslie Budewitz. Thanks! Right now my life is one big procrastination. I'm in a holding pattern. I read a lot but I think that should be termed as self improvement, not procrastination. Facebook sucks up some time each day. I play TriPeaks and Spider occasionally. My favorite excuse to not weed is it is too hot to be outside. That works most of the year. Right now it isn't a legitimate excuse so I have to figure out another one. I don't have deadlines anymore so that is not a factor. It seems like something in my environment has to change for me to get on a job I've been procrastinating over. I've noticed that my brain notices change and I suddenly have the will or desire to do something. People coming and going seem to be the only changes right now and for some reason I have more inclination to tackle chores on the people going cycle.
ReplyDeleteCongrats, Pat D! I here you on the cycle. With Hooligans now coming and going to college and high school, life is just up in the air all the time.
DeleteParis Is Always A Good Idea is sitting in one of my "go bags" and will be put in the car this afternoon. Procrastination is a great art. When I have a crocheting project that needs to get done, I read. At work, well that's not really going to happen, but if it did, I always have yarn and book in my bag. You know, for when the power goes out or the stupid system crash or has emergency reboots. I do find myself looking at Facebook often when I should be doing something else at home, which would explain the still unpacked boxes. I get distracted by the recipes, in Facebook, that send you to another recipe and so on.
ReplyDeleteThe recipe rabbit hole...I know it well. So glad my book is in the go bag - thank you!
DeleteJenn, you are amazing. But I'm thankful for that because I can't wait to read all these books in process!! Obviously, I am the queen of procrastination, and lately I can put a lot of that down to reading too much news. Too balance that, I've been reading too many rom-coms! (Assuming there is such a thing...)
ReplyDeleteOooh, and to make procrastinating much more fun than news reading, I'm watching clips from Strictly Come Dancing in the UK on YouTube. Gosh, they make me miss London...
DeleteNo, there is no such as thing as too much rom-com. LOL.
DeleteCORN SCENTED SOAP? Oh, um, Hard pass.
ReplyDeleteBut it's astonishing how I can get drawn into facebook. Oh heaven help me if I watch OE video and then the next one comes up, and how am I suppose to resist that? My book is due Nov 15. GOT TO BE DONE. Byeeeeee. (But now I am off to interview Lee Clild and Andrew Child-ahh. NERVOUS)
You'll be amazing as always, Hank!!!
DeleteI have no idea why the font is all over the place. Grr. Whoever "updated" Blogger, we need to talk. Anyway, Sorry I'm late chiming in today. I got to go play with my in-laws new puppy, Gracie, and I am quite certain that puppies can cure everything that is wrong with the world.
ReplyDelete