How did it get to be MAY?

Oh man, it’s been a minute. That’s the funny thing about writing a newsletter to keep people updated: it starts to feel like a highlight reel. But when there are no highlights to share, it’s easy to let it drop off.

I think that’s exactly why it’s important to share what’s been going on. A writer’s life is not all highlights. So here’s what I’ve been up to:

RESEARCH

I try really hard not to get bogged down in research. When I’m drafting, I just draft. I push through and know that it’s much easier for me to focus my research once I know exactly what I need. As it turns out, what I need for my current project is lots of severe weather training from the perspective of chasers and storm spotters.

My kiddo recently became an official storm reporters. How cool is that? He has an official numbers and everything. There’s even a top secret phone number he calls if he see severe weather. In the Pacific Northwest, that’s not too often. But my main character visits the central plains states in late March. Girl’s going to Oklahoma. If this training interests you, check out the SKYWARN Storm Spotter Program near you.

I’m also working my way through the Spring Training material from Girls Who Chase. It’s dense and fascinating and I’m beyond wowed by the women who are showing up in tornado alley this season. I think my main character would be too.

It would be so easy to dig into dense research materials about meteorology and weather patterns. Reading ALL THE BOOKS would absolutely enhance my knowledge of the subject. But is that what I need to write this book? No. What I need is what my character would know. And what I need is to write words. So that’s where I stop my research process. I focus on what my character needs to know in order for me to tell the story. Nothing more, nothing less.

FAKE OUTLINING

I have suddenly unlearned everything I ever knew about outlining. This is what I’m thinking right now as I dig into the second project I’ve worked on this year.

The truth is I wrote another book. It was a great fabulist book. But when I shared it with my agent, we had a good chat and I realized the reason I loved this book so much was because… I’d already written it.

The project that is currently on submission is strikingly similar to this project in terms of character, internal arc, and b plot. Sure, I could dig into it and make some revisions. But the truth is, coming to that conclusion hurt. It’s cast a lot of doubt over my process. I know I’m going to come back to it someday (specifically October when I work on it at the Whale Rock workshop) but for now I needed something fresh.

Which leads me back to my original complaint: I don’t know how to outline this book. Me, the master-outliner, can’t outline. Mostly because I don’t really know what this book is supposed to be yet. So instead, I’ve been pantsing it, making sure that every scene is connected. And from there, I’ve written a synopsis.

It is, in no uncertain terms, a terrible synopsis. It’s long and rambly and that’s okay. Because now I’m splicing it apart, line by line, into bullet points. My plan is to map it out on my giant corkboard and see if there’s actually a workable plot there. I think there is. I’m just getting lost in the trees and can’t see the forest.

Have you ever tried this outlining method? Do you love to outline? Hate it? Will you do it for me? ;)

BACKLIST BOOK CLUB

Friends, this book is amazing. In Heather Lloyd’s debut novel, My Name is Venus Black, the titular character commits a horrific crime as a young teen in the 80’s. While she’s behind bars, her younger brother (coded as autism spectrum) is kidnapped. The book bounces between perspectives, from Venus to her brother, and we see the different directions their lives have taken them.

This book is absolutely stunning, gut-wrenching, and makes you believe that there are really good humans out there (even if others really suck).

It’s sunny and dry here in the PNW, which everyone says is fantastic. If you like that sort of thing, I hope some sunny weather makes it your way. If not, know that I’ll be right there with you later, hibernating in the darkest room in my house with a cozy blanket to recover from so much sunshine. So, until next time…