We’re finally seeing some sun in my area, but I’m hoping not to come down with a case of spring fever. We’ll see how that goes.
Active Writing Projects
My works in progress include a romantic suspense novel set in an Irish castle. I had hoped to finish editing the sample chapters and develop a proposal for my agent this month, but it will be at least another week or more. Unexpected research issues sucked up extra time, and I’m also editing more slowly than usual. I rearranged the order of events, something that requires me to work back and forth between writing and editing. I don’t change hats so easily. I’m also still recovering from that period when I couldn’t work on creative projects at all. (I refuse to call it writer’s block.)
Speaking Engagements
Last month I taught at the Northwest Christian Writers Renewal Conference. Preparing for a speaking gig can be tough at times but speaking itself is a lot of fun. I’m amazed to write that because I am very much an introvert. There is a misconception that introverts are always shy, but that’s not always the case. My natural bent is toward shyness, but give me a microphone and I overcome that, apparently. :o) I enjoyed spending time with my friend and speaking partner, Melissa K. Norris, and with my friend, Angela Breidenbach. One of my favorite parts of attending the conference is that I got to meet Jamie West, an editor at Pelican Books, my publisher. It was great fun hanging out with her. Here are some fun photos we took.
Podcasting and Multi-Casting
I’ve decided to hold off for a bit on my Literary Wayfarer podcast for a couple of reasons. I’m delighted that my husband wants to partner with me at the site. He is as passionate about travel as I am and just as intrigued with offbeat destinations and little-traveled byways. He’ll be helping with the research and possibly some of the writing. I’m also hoping to persuade him to join me in the podcast. We’ve decided to hold off on launching the podcast until we build the site more and have a few months of podcasts recorded.
But now I have the podcasting bug, and there’s been enough interest in my In Search of a Better Life post to warrant producing related content. It’s the sort of thing I can’t stockpile in advance, so I’ll begin including Escape into a Better Life podcast episodes as part of my Creative Worlds newsletter. These will directly benefit readers in pursuit of their own better lives, so I’m ecstatic about doing this. I’ll always include show notes, so you can read if you prefer. If I can figure out the technology, there will also be a video version of each episode.
This concludes my news for the month. How about you? What’s going on in your world? I’d love to hear from you and find our what’s new in your life.
©2014 by Janalyn Voigt
