Two Weeks and Writing

Whisper Creek is coming fast, but writer's write. That's a good thing!

Dear Reader:

My first book was released twenty and a half years ago … and I’ve been writing (nearly) daily ever since.

I love writing. Sometimes, life events put up temporary stop signs (marriage, kids, career) but I always found time to write.

Years ago, at one of the first speeches I gave to a group in Sacramento, I was asked: “How do you find time to write with five kids?” I was momentarily stumped by the question. I gave a flip (and perhaps rude) answer because I was so surprised.

“No one ever asked me how I went to work in the Capitol when I had five kids.”

I then laughed, indicating this was a joke (but it wasn’t) and went on to explain that writing was my job and I take it very seriously, just like when I worked outside the home. I wrote when the kids were in school, five days a week, and often in the evenings. I wrote in the stands during softball and volleyball and football practices; I wrote at Starbucks after dropping the kids off at birthday parties; I sometimes wrote well into the wee hours of the morning. Writer’s write.

When I sat down to write on Saturday, I realized my story wasn’t working the way I wanted it to. I was stuck on this scene and I don’t know if it was because my mind wasn’t fully engaged or if it was truly a problem with the book. I wrote and re-wrote the same scene and it fell flat. It’s depressing to spend hours writing only to delete everything.

So I worked on something completely different (even though I have a deadline), went swimming, and then watched the hockey game (go Golden Knights!) and came back to the book on Sunday after church.

My happy place.

I realized it wasn’t the scene, but something that happened earlier in the book that had been bugging me. This is a stand alone thriller set in the Bob Marshall Wilderness in early May. I had a secondary character who had been shot and left for dead and it was completely unrealistic that he would have survived TWO nights without medical attention. I had to tweak things. First, he was shot, but it wasn’t as bad as the first draft; second, he was found the next morning, but unconscious. (Because I didn’t want him to give a description of the shooter right away.) So I don’t have to make major changes to the rest of the book, I just have to thread in this change at the beginning.

Which is what I spent Sunday afternoon and Monday working on. Today, I’m going back to where I was originally stuck. I’m much happier with this book. (No, I don’t have a title yet … waiting on word from my editor from the title list I sent her.) It comes out NEXT June and the manuscript is due to my editor in two weeks.

But even though I’m writing next year’s book, WHISPER CREEK comes out in two weeks. I really don’t like promoting my books — it’s not in my skill set, to be honest — but I need to get the word out. So I’m sending an extra newsletter this month and hope you’ll mark your calendar.

After her husband's death, Ellen McKenna is fighting to save her struggling Texas farm from mounting debts, relentless pressure to sell, and a series of devastating storms. When her children stumble onto the aftermath of a violent crime, the rising floodwaters cut them off from help and trap them in the path of a danger far closer than anyone realizes. As the storm closes in, Ellen must uncover the truth and protect her family before everything she's fought for is swept away.

Buy links and more info are on my website!

Do you like audio books? I love them. I think I listen to more books now than I read in print.

Amanda Stribling performs WHISPER CREEK, and she is perfect for this book. She nails the Texas accents without being over-the-top, and if you like audio books, definitely pick this one up!

Here’s a little teaser:

Also, don’t forget the WHISPER CREEK SWEEPSTAKES (ends June 22) and the WHISPER CREEK GOODREADS GIVEAWAY (ends June 14).

I’ll be signing all pre-orders through the Poisoned Pen Bookstore in Scottsdale. They ship everywhere.

I have two events coming up (and possibly a third in July — more later!)

June 23, 6:30 p.m.
E. Shaver Booksellers
Savannah, GA
More information here

June 27, 3:00 p.m.
Murder By The Book
Houston, TX
More information here

As you know, pre-orders are increasingly important in the publishing world, especially with the vast numbers of books being released each month. If you plan on reading WHISPER CREEK, all pre-orders are greatly appreciated. You can visit my website for more information about this book and upcoming books.

And, if you follow me on Facebook or Instagram, please feel free to share any of my posts to help me spread the word! I always appreciate the support.

Thank you for reading.

Allison

P.S. My Uncle John, who I wrote about two weeks ago, passed away Thursday morning. This wasn’t unexpected, though still made us very sad. I am so grateful that my mom and I were able to spend time with him last month.

Last year, he came to visit Arizona and got to meet his great-nephew (great-great nephew?) and spend time with us. This is the only recent picture I have of my uncle and mom.

My Uncle John and my mom (holding her great-grandson!) when Uncle John came to visit last November.