I don’t know about you, but when the warm winds and indigo blue skies of summer appear on the horizon, the last thing I want to do is sit in a chair forcing myself to fight past the sticky middle of my current WIP (work-in-progress).
It’s literally like pulling teeth.
I’d much sooner have my hands buried up to the elbow in fine black planting soil, or daydream on the end of a water hose watching the hummingbirds and butterflies play in the breeze.
But, I also realize if I want to take this writing career seriously, and I do, I need to sometimes make sacrifices.
One thing I’ve learned is better time management. I’m a late riser, mornings are not my thing :), so I usually sit at the computer with my coffee and go through the social media platforms sharing and promoting.
Then I spend an hour or two visiting my mom next door before FINALLY waking up enough to begin my day!
I take the computer outside to our gazebo where I can work on my story while watering the flowers, and occasionally catching a glimpse of a friendly hummingbird or two.
Sometimes, I don’t get much writing done, but that’s okay. It’s a WIP, just like me 🙂
If you’d like to see what I’ve been up to lately, you can check out the new anthology written by members of my critique group to celebrate Canada’s 150th anniversary!
Dreams and Promises
Dreams and Promises includes six short stories and novellas written by authors who live in beautiful British Columbia.
It’s our way of honoring Canada’s Sesquicentennial.
Some of Canada’s major cities were founded in the seventeenth century, but July 1st 2017 marks 150 years since our country became a Confederation.
Our stories range from the era of the fur trade, to a commercial enterprise that opened up the Canadian and American West, to present day James Bay, a thriving neighborhood in the garden city of Victoria, British Columbia.
Universal link: http://books2read.com/DreamsandPromises
Add to your TBR List: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35387646-dreams-and-promises
JACQUIE BIGGARÂ is a USA Today bestselling author of Romantic Suspense who loves to write about tough, alpha males and strong, contemporary women willing to show their men that true power comes from love.
Jacquie lives on Vancouver Island with her husband and loves to hear from readers all over the world!
Free reads, excerpts, author news, and contests can be found on her web site:
I share the same motivation challenges you have, Jacquie! (Ahhh, summer dirt–why are you so tempting?) 😀 Thanks for sharing–and if those are pictures from your yard . . . Wow, just wow! 🙂
Also, I just finished reading DREAMS AND PROMISES. It’s wonderful.
Thank you, Ev! Yes, that’s some of my temptations there, lol. I have a postage stamp yard, but make use of every inch!
I think British Columbia is the prettiest place on earth! I had the opportunity to drive the Al-Can highway in 1991, so saw it up close. You chose a beautiful region.
I’m glad you settled near friends and family so you can spend more time writing. If you were busy with a ‘real job,’ then you wouldn’t have the time to write such intriguing stories. Thanks for forcing yourself to pull away from the flowers and critters to give us another world to share.
Thanks, Dani! Yes, there’s something magical about B.C. I was born and raised in Alberta but always dreamed of living here, and now we are! 🙂
How special that your mom lives next door. Good luck with your tribute to Canada.
Thanks, Joan! Yes, I’m very grateful to have her so near 🙂
Super post, Jacquie, I too am a late riser and don’t get going until around 2pm with WIP’s, social media, etc. I’m so envious you can visit your mom, how lucky you are. Love the gardening aspect of your post, too, just getting started on ours. Bought a fixer upper 2 years ago, and the garden had to come last. Thank you for sharing the brilliance of yours with me, so I can get a bit more motivated. Hugs, woman!
Aw, thanks, Susan! Gardening is my version of yoga. Bend for strawberries, stretch for peas and plums, breath in the scent of my roses 🙂
I wish it was summer year round!
Love the beautiful flower photography! Congratulations on the new book release! xo