Sunday, January 1, 2017

January News




I love beginnings. A new year is a fresh start, a chance to try new things, to experiment. In life and in writing. And that’s exactly what I’m doing as I work on writing my new suspense novel. It’s a standalone, separate from my mystery series, with a new cast of characters, a different setting and a plot that I hope will keep you on the edge of your seat. And, now that the holidays are coming to an end, it's back to business. I'm looking forward to having more time to work on my WIP (work in progress).  

But, sometimes, it feels as if there aren't enough hours in the day to accomplish all that I want to do. I work hard on prioritizing, focusing on what's most important and/or what needs to be done first. My writing is so important to me but so is my mother, other family members and my friends. I need to constantly remind myself not to get so caught up in my fictional world that I neglect my real world and the people in it. And vice versa. Because my writing needs to be a priority, I have to be careful that I don't let "life" get in the way of it. For a writer, it's a constant juggling act.

There’s so much to look forward to in the New Year. On the top of my list is the publication of my fifth Malone mystery, Marnie Malone, early this year. (I’ll keep you posted.) 

I’ll update “January News” throughout the month. In the meantime, if you’re a writer with a book coming out this month or a reader with a writing-related question, please leave a comment. I’d love to hear from you!
Happy New Year!
Update 1/26: "Phantom Baby" by Sharon Love Cook, although not technically a mystery, kept me turning the pages - in suspense - long past my bedtime.
Update 1/19: "Dead, Bath and Beyond" by Lorraine Bartlett is a fantastic edition to a fantastic series! If you haven't read the Victoria Square mysteries, I urge you to do so.
Update 1/12: "Hutchins Creek Cache" is the second book I've read and reviewed this month. I love the Paige Mackenzie mystery series by Deborah Garner and this book was another great one.
Update 1/7: I just finished reading (and reviewing) "The Tarkington Treasure" by Evelyn Cullet. If you enjoy spooky old houses, hidden treasure and murder, you'll love this book as much as I did.

12 comments:

  1. I try to write one blog a month but this year got out of control when my laptop died and I was offline for two months. I'm still working on a WIP that I started two years ago--a book of romantic short stories. Hopefully, I'll get it completed this year. Looking forward to reading Marnie Malone!

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    1. Thanks, Pat! I'm glad you're getting back into the swing of things!

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  2. Hi Pat,

    You're right--our blogs express similar thoughts. Thanks for commenting on mine. I'm not certain how often I'll blog. I don't do a set day on my personal blog. But for Author Expressions since it's a shared blog, I post once a month on the 2nd Friday. If there's an extra Friday, I invite a guest. I like to blog although I don't know how many readers it actually reaches.

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    1. Jacquie,
      My decision to blog once a month instead of weekly is mostly based on time - or rather the lack of it. Because of family responsibilities, my writing and promoting and all of life's necessities, like cleaning, cooking, etc., I decided it was time to make a few changes. What better time than the start of a new year?

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  3. Happy New Year, Pat. Looking forward to reading Marnie Malone. Change is hard, but I hope the changes you're making this year will prove to be successful.

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    1. Thanks, Evelyn. I hope so too! And, I wish you much success with the changes you're making. Happy New Year!

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  4. You're right, Pat. Life does get in the way sometimes, and I think sometimes our writing is what gives us a break from reality. : ) I can't wait to read the new Malone book, and I'm excited about the standalone. I hope you have a great year with lots of writing time!

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  5. Hi, Pat, I agree that change can be exciting. It can also be scary, so it sounds like you have a great attitude toward your new endeavor! I hope you'll come back to Reade and Write to tell us all about Marnie Malone! In the meantime, I wish you all the best and much success in 2017!

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    1. Thank you, Amy! I would love to come back to Reade and Write when Marnie Malone is published. Happy New Year!

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  6. I post on my personal blog on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays. On Novelspaces on the 19th of odd-numbered months. And on lethal Ladies Write every 9 weeks. Some months, like this one, get hectic as I have 4 posts to produce.

    Best of luck with your writing, Patricia. Looking forward.

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    1. Wow, Maggie! That's quite an ambitious blogging schedule. I don't know how you do it!
      Best of luck with your writing too. I'm looking forward to reading more of your books.

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