I tried to read the first book by one of my favourite authors and…it was bad. Here’s what I learned and why I’ll still keep reading their new books.
When people think of reading goals, they usually think in terms in number of books read in a calendar year. But there are SO MANY other kinds of reading goals to try for. Here are some ideas.
I’m ashamed to admit it. But I was indeed, a book snob.
And even worse, I was a bored book snob. Some of those classics are hard to get through. Really hard. They aren’t all complex and lengthy, some of them are tedious, full of archaic language, and just plain long-winded.
I’ve completed my first foray into Dickens.
For some strange reason I’ve never ventured to read any of his works before. I’ve had a number of them on my shelves for years, and yet never opened them.
I’ve realized I do this because what I love most about reading is that I get to experience someone else’s life and see the world from their perspective. I know that I’ve learned much from reading stories and books. I know that I’m a better person because of what I’ve read. I’m a kinder, more empathetic person because of what I’ve read.
![It's nap time and you know what that means: time for mama to write/edit.
I was in a video call last night with a bunch of other book coaches and book coaches in training and a question was asked: how do you make time in your life to do your coursework and professional development?
My answer: my daughter's nap time is my time. It is my reading, writing, and editing time. It doesn't matter if there is housework to do. That work doesn't get done while she's napping. When she naps, I get to do my thing.
So today I'm attempting to write three different versions of the closing scene to my WIP. This timed exercise is to give myself a better idea of what I'm going to be writing to when I start the new draft of this book. It's also to help me figure out if the ending I have in mind is actually the right ending.
I have 1.5 hours. Wish me luck!
[ID: a white hand holds a cup with a straw beside a laptop that has a sticker of flowers growing out of a book. A grey couch and a grey and white rug are in the background. End of description.]
#AmWriting #MomsWhoWrite #BookCoach #DevelopmentalEditor #RomanceWriter #WritingCommunity](https://scontent.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.29350-15/318022098_1070552903827897_2420655007230103637_n.webp?stp=dst-jpg&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=8ae9d6&_nc_ohc=VovNAORR4IIAX930emD&_nc_ht=scontent.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&oh=00_AfBFfuYnEY2cqU9H2WNPZ4HHeHcWT8iR5y2SJn_iukwbMA&oe=6394FDD8)
![All the books I'm currently reading. 😆
Two romances and a craft book. And to be totally honest, they are all fun and all of them are teaching me about writing and editing and coaching.
This week, I'm also working my way through a big ol' revision plan of my 2019 NaNoWriMo novel. To make this plan I'm going right back to the beginning and thinking about what exactly I want this book to be, why I'm writing it, and what it's actually about. This afternoon, I'm attempting to map out the story—what actually happens, what needs to happen and why. This is also exactly the work I will be asking my book coach clients to do.
What are you reading? How many books do you usually read at a time?
[ID: two paperback books and an eReader stacked on a wood table. There is a grey cup with a straw beside the books and a Christmas tree and wrapped gifts in the background. End of description.]
#AmReading #CurrentlyReading #Bookstack #AmWriting #RomanceReader #RomanceWriter #BookCoach #WritingCommunity #BossWitch #TahiraInBloom #SaveTheCat](https://scontent.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.29350-15/317315971_1313464696137156_7078512238563192977_n.webp?stp=dst-jpg&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=8ae9d6&_nc_ohc=8N6K6n3PwOYAX9uvy8H&_nc_ht=scontent.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&oh=00_AfDTQSU1LXgLVR4BGk_FQ1Y0538lDhM-8Bem7jlqBKVtDw&oe=6394DED4)
![I'm attempting to sneak in a cup of tea and a few more pages of this little book while the kiddo plays.
I've read this book before, but as I'm jumping into a season of revision I wanted to remind myself of the fantastic beat structure Gwen offers here.
If you write kissing books, I highly recommend this resource. It's less than 80 pages and packed with humour and writing tips and a really easy to understand beat structure that's also super flexible.
[ID: a white and red book (Romancing the Best by Gwen Hayes) sits next to a red and white mug on a wood coffee table]
#CurrentlyReading #AmReading #RomanceWriter #RomanceEditor #RomanceBookCoach #WritingCommunity #WritingResources #WritingBooks](https://scontent.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.29350-15/316372225_656309336168260_397111157781580664_n.webp?stp=dst-jpg&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=8ae9d6&_nc_ohc=7N2raC3PsVQAX9yyNPH&_nc_ht=scontent.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&oh=00_AfBDHvxtrl_GnzJvJNboj3p1UuMZfppaDlkiM7OhYl6-jA&oe=6393FE80)
