Back in April, my husband and I had a simple idea: Let’s install a sprinkler system. 

Because I was still on furlough, I took on the ‘project management’ role: I researched companies, got quotes, met with contractors. I made my choice, started the paperwork and wrote some checks. I thought we’d have a lovely lawn come the end of May. 

Almost instantly, I was hit by the reality of everything I did not know: about irrigation systems, city permits, inspections, the difference between a meter and a meter (and there is a difference, depending on who you’re talking to). 

Almost six months later, one trench, countless phone calls, pages of notes and research, and at least three total breakdowns of me crying while looking at various City websites, we are close (Lord, beer me strength, I think we’re close) to completing the project. 

In a way, it was the same when I started writing.

At the beginning, I had a very small idea of what being a writer was about. My narrow definition had everything to do with the end product -a book- and no real comprehension of the moving parts behind its creation. 

Luckily, the difference lays in the wealth of support and knowledge readily available to writers. With my sprinkler project, it took me weeks to get to the one person who took the time to help me - who sent a checklist and spent half an hour on the phone, explaining the difference between meters and meters (when speaking to a utility contractor, the meter is the physical box set in the ground; when speaking with the Water Department, the meter is the thing you set to measure the water used). When I have a question regarding writing, I have people lined up who are willing to help: I can post on social media, reach out to my coach or mentor, I can search the WFWA website for resources. 

The other difference is that while I will finally see the end of the irrigation project, my writing journey can be as long as I wish it to be. That’s why, at the end of the day, I’m grateful for the experience of the sprinkler system so that I can better appreciate the ongoing support available in the writing community. I might still cry in frustration, but I know that there are answers to be had, and people easily contacted who will help me through the roughest patches. I don’t have to search for them. They want to be found.

September Wrap-up/Successes: 

Writing: First the BIG news - I FINISHED the first draft of  WELCOME TO BLOOMS!!  Final WC: 65,485/Pages: 219 (A little short, but I’ll be adding pages and scenes in Rev 2 which will bring it closer to genre standards of 80,000-100,000)

Accountability: Met with my writing coach and critique partners

Querying: Sent out 12 queries. Current count is: 48 queries sent total - 11 pending, 20 rejections, 17 no response
Participated in September’s #PitMad on Twitter

Marketing: Social account followers:   743 IG /  461 Twitter/ 70 Goodreads friends
Participated in the Instagram #savvyauthors Challenge
Took a WFWA webinar on author newsletters

Books read in September: 10
THE INSTITUTE by Stephen King
GREENLIGHTS by Matthew McConaughey
BEHIND HER EYES; DEAD TO HER by Sarah Pinborough
ROCK, PAPER, SCISSORS; HIS & HERS; SOMETIMES I LIE by Alice Feeney
COOL FOR THE SUMMER by Dahlia Adler
UPSTAGED by Diane Asher
OVER THE FALLS by Rebecca Hodge

2021 total: 60/60 

October Goals:

Writing: Taking. The. Month. Off.  If you need me, I’ll be painting the third floor in preparation for hosting guests for Thanksgiving.

Querying: Continue to research, write, and send out 3-5 queries weekly.
Participate in WFWA’s Prepare Your Pitch Week, Oct. 18-25, in preparation for November’s Agent Pitch Event

Marketing: Starting today, I’ll be participating in the month-long #TopsyTurvyTV challenge on IG, inserting Daisy and Bud (from WELCOME TO BLOOMS) into beloved TV shows. Don’t change the channel, it’s going to be fun! 

Accountability/Education: Monthly meetings with my writing coach, mentor and critique group.

October #TBR pile includes:

THE EMOTIONAL CRAFT OF FICTION by Donald Maass (Finally going to finish it!)
DIAL “A” FOR AUNTIES by Jesse Q. Sutanto
SUMMER BREEZE by Shail Rajan
NEW GIRL IN LITTLE COVE by Damhnait Monaghan
SONG OF ACHILLES by Madeline Miller

What’s your favorite season (and why is it Autumn)? Drop me a line and let me know!

Xoxo y’all!