On Editing, continued.

Just turned in some book edits (for a project that's not public yet!) and O. M. G.
 

This process turned me inside out. It had me sending the following texts to writer friends*:

HELL NO I'M NOT CHANGING ANY OF IT.

IT'S OKAY IF I REWRITE CHAPTERS 10-40, RIGHT?

I'M CRYING. I LOVE [REDACTED] AND [REDACTED] SO MUCH. 

I CAN'T DO THIS BOOK JUSTICE.

I JUST WANT TO GET THIS SHIT DONE. I'M SO SICK OF IT.

*only slightly edited to get my point across*

Yeah, writers go through our own little special brand of obsessive hell during book edits (see here for a previous blog post about editing.) Part of it is our own fault, of course. 

When I was editing SISTERHOOD IS DEADLY, I had injured my right shoulder, torn all the nerves in it and lost feeling in my right fingertips.  I could only use my computer while propped up in bed, with my right arm resting on a pile of pillows. By the time that book was done, there was a small mountain of protein bar wrappers and empty Diet Dr. Pepper bottles by the side of the bed. 

No one is making me wear the same sweatshirt and lounge pants for seven days in a row. None of my editors are insisting that I listen to the same twenty songs over and over in order to submerge myself in my book's world. If I'd told my editor, "Hey I can't feel my right hand, can I have an extra week or two to get this done?" there was probably a good 50/50 shot that she would have agreed. 

But basically we're... what's that word? Where we hate ourselves and are willing to destroy the world as we know it in order to write the best book possible? Yeah, writers are that. 

Hey - there's a reason why they say to 'kill your darlings.'

Authors talk a lot about diving into a "writing cave" which is totally a real thing, but in my opinion? Nothing is as deep and dark and as all-consuming as the editing cave. It's stinky in here. It's filled with unfolded laundry, tea bags that have been reused, and a notebook that's filled with illegible notes and arrows drawn in interminable loops and possibly an entire new language that will be debuted in the revised chapter thirty. 

But, the final result is beautiful. Every time it's the best thing I've done. 

And I cannot forking wait to share it with you.

So sign up for my newsletter so that when I CAN talk about all this amazingness, you'll be the first to know. 

Best Books to Read Now - January 2018

Reminder/ Caveat/ Disclaimer: This is my (hopefully) monthly list of books I’ve read and enjoyed. These are not reviews, I do not include books I didn’t enjoy because life is too short to speak badly of books!

In the last WOMEN WITH BOOKS episode of 2017, I asked author Alexis Anne about her reading resolutions for 2018. Do you make any reading- related resolutions? I’ve decided to read from my TBR pile. It’s not from any sense of Puritanical guilt, but rather I started looking through my TBR lists and realized there were REALLY GOOD BOOKS in there that I really wanted to read, but I keep getting distracted by oh-shiny new books.

So in 2018, you might see some older books featured in this blog. But as I said in that same WOMEN WITH BOOKS episode, I think in this day and age, release dates aren’t as important to readers (now as an author, I must disagree, but that’s a long blog post in itself). What matters is when we discover a book as you’ll see….

A Christmas Gone Perfectly Wrong – Cecilia Grant

Amazon || iBooks

Yes, it’s a Christmas book. But look, consider your Christmas 2018 book shopping done already. This free novella was a sweet, beautiful holiday read. I read and adored Cecilia Grant’s A Lady Awakened last year (and wrote about it here) but I hadn’t heard about this holiday prequel for that series until some authors on Twitter decided to do a read along. If you’re interested in more commentary, do a search for #ACGPW on Twitter.

Wilde in Love – Eloisa James

Amazon || iBooks

I mentioned this as one of my most memorable books on the last episode of Women With Books, but this was (maybe? I think?) the first Eloisa James book I’ve read. I know. It’s pretty unbelievable. But I really enjoyed the effortlessness of this historical romance, along with the humor and characters. I’m looking forward to the next book in the series featuring the Wilde family

Eleventh Grave in Moonlight– Darynda Jones

Amazon || iBooks

We’re looking down the barrel at the end of the Charley Davidson series but this book was perfect for the holidays for me. Like an old, impossibly snarky friend.  I’ll probably try to dive into Book 12 in January and then it will be a little bit of a wait until book 13 is released later this year.

Sweet Tea & Sympathy – Molly Harper

Amazon || iBooks

In sum, I really hate Molly Harper now. I mean. That cover. That title. That series name. I'm desperately jealous of all of that and I want to live in this book all the time. It’s a romance/ family drama / women’s fiction blend type of book that will be the new trend of 2018 (you heard it here first…) that can make you laugh and cry and fist bump. I’m basically obsessed and totally not stalking Molly Harper at all.

A real life picture of Molly Harper and me (not) behind her.

Speaking of (not) stalking… in case you didn’t know, I have a podcast! It’s called Women With Books and we discuss genre fiction that’s for, by and about women.

Check it out at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play and Stitcher app. And here at womenwithbooks.com

I’d love for you to join the book club!

And if you want some free reading this year, I’ll be putting a chapter a month of my next Mistletoe Key novella, LOVE IN THE TIME OF HYGGE in my monthly newsletters!  Sign up here: http://eepurl.com/b5t7Uj

Keep reading!

All These Things That I Love - 2017 Gift Edition

I'm just starting to put my gift lists together but I thought I'd share the surefire wins that any one should love this year. 

For the whole family

Amazon Echo/ Amazon Dot – we got these this summer and they’ve come in so handy. We use them as alarm clock, stereo, shopping list maker, landline. We’re going to get another one for the kids’ room to hack an intercom system.

Instant Pot – um, I feel like I’m always recommending this. From perfect ‘boiled’ eggs to amazing pot roast (in about an hour!) every busy family needs one.

For him

Sous vide precision cooker – if your man loves steak and technology get him this. Then you get steak too. WIN.

Wonder Woman – an action movie every couple can enjoy together. Win. Win.

For travel

White noise machine – I was sold on this on a recent church camp retreat. A mom next to my bunk used one and I slept through a bunch of middle schoolers giggling through the night.

Kelly Clarkson’s new album – Meaning of Life  Amazon | | iTunes – not a bad song on this album. Put it on during your road trip and the miles will fly by.

For youth (or young at heart) 

Bluetooth speaker – it’s the jam box of 2017 (did I just date myself?)

Teen Vogue – it’s the Washington Post of 2017. {But it just went all digital. BOO!}

Ticket to Ride – a game that everyone in the family can enjoy with a little strategy and a little luck.

For HER –  buy her something luxe she won’t buy herself. We’ve been through a lot this year. We deserve it.

Jo Malone Diffuser- I got one of these two years ago and it’s almost out. (HINT HINT MR. EMORY) It’s strong, smells amaze, lasts and makes a bathroom or side table look totally sophisticated.

Nest Box – a subscription box that will send high quality candles to soothe and invigorate your best friend/ mom/ sister as she persists.

Mistletoe Key – Amazon | | iBooks

Or give your favorite nasty woman  a copy of my holiday novella. It’s like a Hallmark movie she can read while on hold with UPS about that missing fruit cake delivery.

Best Books to Read Now - 2017 Gift Edition

Because books are the best gifts. These books will inspire, educate and help your friend/ partner/ Aunt Sally have a great holiday.

Braving the Wilderness - Brene Brown

Seriously. I’ve been recommending this to all my friends. A must-read for anyone who looks around and thinks we could do better in how we relate to one another.

Amazon | | iBooks

Giant of the Senate – Al Franken

For those who like to laugh along with a fair and balanced (truly) look at politics. It shouldn’t ignite too much debate around the turkey. Also a good audio book to listen to in the car while driving to Aunt Sally's.

Amazon | | iBooks

John Adams – David McCullough

For the history lovers and the Hamilton fan in your circle, this biography of John Adams is an evergreen great read.

Amazon | | iBooks

Tools of Titans - Tim Ferriss

For fans of Tim Ferriss’ podcast, for self-improvement lovers and those who like all sorts of words of wisdom and hacks, this book is full of extensive tips and tricks for being your best self in 2018.

Amazon | | iBooks

The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Come and Get It! – Ree Drummond

Because everyone wants good, classic food. Perfect for hostess gifts, teachers, and Aunt Sally. (and me – my secret homemade cobbler recipe came from The Pioneer Woman blog… shhh…)

Amazon | | iBooks

Resisting Santa – Lindsay Emory

Um, my new release just came out! It’s a quirky holiday romance set in Mistletoe Key, Florida, where Christmas is celebrated 365 days a year -  like a Hallmark movie you can read in line at the post office.  Get one for everyone you love who needs a sugar cookie break!

And – for the month of November all proceeds from the sales of  RESISTING SANTA and BLUE CHRISTMAS, the second book in the Mistletoe Key world will go to hurricane relief. So get it, quick!

Amazon | | iBooks

RESISTING SANTA - Cover Reveal!!!

It’s here! The cover for my #bookinaweek (read about the creation of it here)!

RESISTING SANTA, Book 1 of the Mistletoe Key series!

Isn't it adorable? The cover fits the book perfectly- cute, holiday fun.

Want more? Read on!

Caroling Mermaids, Snow in Florida, and Matchmaking Parrots – Who can Resist Love in Mistletoe Key?

Mistletoe Key takes Christmas traditions very seriously. So when Eliza Hart advocates for a gender-inclusive Santa late one night on public radio, she inadvertently sets off an historic island-wide scandal.  After years away, she’s just returned to the island but once again she’s persona non grata, fighting the patriarchy one Santa suit at a time.

Tiki bar owner Shep Butler had a childhood crush on Eliza and while she’s stirring up trouble in town, he can’t help the feelings she’s stirring up in him. He’s always been fascinated with her eyes and her freckles, but now her grown-up feminist opinions are a package deal and maybe even a deal breaker.

On an island where Christmas is celebrated 365 days a year, can Eliza and Shep find room at the inn for different opinions – and love – before politics and tradition tear them apart?

This book was so fun to write and I’m loving hearing back from early readers that they’re having fun reading it!

If you're in the mood for a Hallmark Christmas movie that you can read on your phone, well, this is the book for you.

Pre-order yourself a Holiday Present today!

Amazon ||iBooks || Barnes & Noble || Kobo