 | 9 Jul 09 |
Our guest blogger today is author and reviewer Andrea Sisco, author of A Deadly Habit : A Penelope Santucci Mystery 
and the co-owner of the popular author interview and review site, Armchair Interviews. Andrea’s debut novel was released on July 17. It’s a humorous mystery and she’s been compared to Janet Evanovich in several reviews including Booklist and Kirkus. Andrea is going to draw on her experience as an author, book reviewer and television host/writer to talk about the writing life and how life impacts the best intentions.
Welcome to Andrea!
A Deadly Habit — Writing Life
When Toni McGee Causey and I discussed a blog on writing and life my hands became clammy, my face flushed red (I checked the mirror) and my breath suddenly became as shallow as the puddle of water outside my office window. The first thing I thought is “What writing life?”
Then I breathed deeply and trotted to the refrigerator where I had tucked away in the far reaches, the emergency box of fudge. Rich, mouth-watering milk chocolate fudge from Wisconsin (they do more than cheese over there). I picked up my seven-month-old Shih Tzu, Sophie and we had an intense but one-sided conversation. Although, from her expression, she agreed with everything (my excuses) I had to say.
Hey, I run a family, two houses, have a blended family of twelve children (we’re prolific Protestants) and nineteen grandchildren and one dog. I travel, run Armchair Interviews, write reviews, interview authors, promote my book and then there’s the writing of the next one. I have things to do!
Sadly, the novel writing has seen a dry spell for quite awhile. So Toni’s blog suggestion started me thinking (Sophie encouraged me with little kisses) and the seeds of a plan began percolating in my wee brain. And that’s a good thing.
The fact is I haven’t made writing my next novel a priority and if it’s to be written, it must become a priority. That seems to make sense and if that’s true why haven’t I? After a thorough examination of the whys (and about a quarter pound of fudge) I realized I felt, deep in the pit of my stomach, fear. Good old fashioned fear; the kind that will paralyze a person.
What if I couldn’t write another book as good (and sometimes I’m not sure how good this one is, but that’s another blog entry) or as funny (I worry that people won’t laugh at Pen’s antics in A Deadly Habit). What if I’m an utter failure? Or, what if I’m a success and then people actually expect something from me and expect that something (a book) every year.?
I am sixty-one years old and I love to write, but I dislike promoting my writing. Do I really want to write for the public badly enough to spend my later (I refuse to say twilight) years behind a computer or at signings or hawking my book anywhere and everywhere (I’m an introvert for goodness sakes)?
After the heart-to-heart with Sophie and further internal examination of my motives and desires the answer was a resounding Yes! I want to write more Penelope Santucci novels. I like Penelope (her attitude is a bit off-putting and she lacks discipline, but she’s teachable). It’s enjoyable to read something I’ve written and then tweak it so it’s better. The joy I receive when someone reads what I’ve written and laughs makes my heart sing.
So if I want to write, dare I say, have to write, what’s the problem? Ah, a fear of failure and a fear of success. How to slay that dragon? Sit butt down in chair and write. And you know what? I am doing that!
I’ve formatted my document and I’ve plotted the novel and I have a working title (A Bad Habit) and now I’m beginning to fast draft. I’m motivated!
What does that mean for me and my family? Very little really. I will just do as I’ve always done when I need to make a change. I shuffle things around, make priorities and then follow through. But since I’m a bit obsessive compulsive (Pen got that from me) I make lists. My list will look a bit like this (I’m not so obsessive that I can’t tweak it periodically):
6:00 a.m. Walk Sophie
6:45 a.m. Feed Sophie and pour that first cup of coffee (the coffee people do God’s work)
7:00 a.m. See hubby off to work and then work on Armchair Interviews “stuff”
8:00 a.m. Leave for swimming or bike ride or walk
10:00 a.m. Ready self for day and return emails and calls
11:00 a.m. Walk Sophie and play/train her (seeing a pattern here?)
Noon: Eat and household chores (never, ever forget food)
1:00 p.m. Write
3:00 p.m. Walk/play with Sophie and put the clothes in the dryer that have been sitting in the washer (smell first because god only knows how long they’ve been there).
4:00 p.m. Armchair Interviews work
5:00 p.m. Order food in for dinner (don’t I wish) Okay, so I’ll cook sometimes and hubby will help other times. Oh, Sophie will be watered, fed and will go outside to do her “business.”
7:00 p.m. Armchair Interviews
8:00 p.m. Hubby and I visit, read, watch TV
10:00 Sophie goes outside and hubby and I turn out the lights.
Okay, so this is a list and life happens. But it’s a guideline and I will alter it for kids, friends, grandkids and doctor’s appointments. The thing is, I commit to writing every day for two hours because right now I only have two solid hours a day. I accept that, I don’t feel guilty (maybe a little) and hey, it’s workable. When I get to my Arizona house for the winter I will commit to writing four hours a day and that’s an easy four hours because I don’t have the same commitments there as I do in Minnesota.
The point is, I will make time to write because it’s important to me. I love it, it feeds my soul and keeps me sane (Sophie helps in that department too) and happy. And as my hubby says, “If mom’s happy, we’re all happy.” Ain’t it the truth?
So what’s your motivation? What’s stopping you from writing that first book, story, letter to the editor or journal entry? What are you willing to give up to make time to write? I’d love to hear what you have to say.
© 2009, Toni McGee Causey. All rights reserved.
Toni McGee Causey lives in Baton Rouge, LA, and is the best-selling author of the BOBBIE FAYE trilogy. She has contributed a critically acclaimed short story to the KILLER YEAR: STORIES TO DIE FOR anthology edited by Lee Child and an essay in DO YOU KNOW WHAT IT MEANS TO MISS NEW ORLEANS. Additionally, she recently produced an indie film, LA 308. She and her husband, Carl, are licensed general contractors and, in order to support her writing addiction, they run their own company, specializing in civil construction.
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Yay, welcome to Andrea. People, Andrea rocks–she is good people. Seriously–this woman is *funny* and warm and smart as hell and raised like a zillion kids (well, 12, but 12 it RIGHT NEXT TO a zillion, trust me). I’ve started an ARC of A DEADLY HABIT and Penelope is just cracking me the hell up.
by Toni McGee Causey July 9th, 2009 at 7:22 amWriting is time consuming and sometimes I feel I lack discipline what with three small kids, work, house, husband. But I wonder if I just wrote two paragraphs and on other days increased that to a page. Hey, a page a day would be a book after a year. Well there are edits, but it’s doable.
by alia July 9th, 2009 at 7:43 amI never thought published authors continued to live life in normal mode. Doesn’t light bend differently and time tick to a different rhythm after you sign the contract? I think that fear you speak of has stilled my hands over many a keyboard. Part of that fear is the that I won’t be able to handle the changes in my world. But if there are no real changes and I’ll still have to sniff the laundry and get to eat fudge, I may try again. Thanks for the glimpse at your life and I wish you a good long run with Pen. I’m looking forward to reading the book. Wish I could get to a signing. I’d bring fudge!
by Linda Lee July 9th, 2009 at 7:52 amOh, fudge is a must and I will send it to you, Linda if you get back to the keyboard! I promise and Pen will make sure I keep that promise.
by andrea July 9th, 2009 at 8:07 amIt’s great to have you here, Andrea! Thanks so much for sharing your schedule. Just proves you can do anything if you really want to. Making room for writing, whether you’ve done it before or not, is awesome!
by Debra Webb July 9th, 2009 at 7:55 amHi Toni and Andrea,
Great guest post from Andrea–she and I sound so much alike (except I’m older, so even less inclined to want that “book a year” commitment). Honestly can’t wait to read A Deadly Habit, Andrea. Sounds like great fun!
Patricia
by Patricia Stoltey July 9th, 2009 at 8:01 amHi, Andi – pleasant surprise to see you here.
I can’t say that writing has done a heck of a lot to alter my routine. If anything, I have a wonderful excuse not to cook, or do any mundane chores I hate doing. “Sorry, dear. I’m writing.”
I mean, who wouldn’t prefer spending time with characters over laundry?
Our RWA chapter had a 100 words a day for 100 days challenge. It’s amazing how fast 100 words show up on the page, so there’s really no excuse not to make progress.
by Terry Odell July 9th, 2009 at 8:04 amWaving, Andrea.
Thanks for writing about your DOUBTS, b/c I think that’s something we need to “fess up” to . . . then pack it away and get on with our dreams. I like the practical way you’ve attacked doing just that.
What am I willing to give up? I wrote my debut novel, THE COST OF LOVE, while I was ensnared in a job that sucked 12 hours a day from me. Now I’m in a much better place–vocationally speaking–but it still requires that I rise two hours early to write. I am NOT a morning person, but I can become one temporarily if that’s what I need to do. Dreams are important things, and well worth the sacrifice they require.
Looking forward to my copy of Penelope.
~Drue
by Drue Allen July 9th, 2009 at 8:05 amHi Andi, I enjoyed reading your blog. Many of us share that same insecurity of “will our next book be as good as, or even better than, the first?” But you tapped right into the equalizing factor for nerves, fudge, which solves most of the problems in the universe. Except for having to work that fudge off, that is! I’m looking forward to your book release.
A fellow Five Star author! Maggie Toussaint
by Maggie Toussaint July 9th, 2009 at 8:08 amHi, Andrea,
Your book sounds great! I’ve read every Stephanie Plum book and can’t wait to read yours. Nothing better than a humorous mystery novel.
All the best,
Jacqueline Seewald
by Jacqueline Seewald July 9th, 2009 at 8:10 amTHE DROWNING POOL, Five Star/Gale
Hi Andi,
Congratulations on the book. Can’t wait to read it, hon! I’m so proud of you and so happy for you. Just enjoy this, and don’t worry. I think the second book is the hardest. Once it’s done, it’s like, whew, I can do this!
Hugs and good luck with sales,
by Sandy Williamson July 9th, 2009 at 8:58 amSandy
Writing is a matter of making and taking the time. If you need large blocks of time to be productive, you carve them out. If you’re good at small amounts of time, that’s even better.
Good luck with the new book!
by Bob Pike July 9th, 2009 at 9:19 amAndrea, so fun to encounter you here!
I must say, the time required to write quality fiction is hard to come by in a busy life. I wrote The Mystery of the Third Lucretia, the first in my Kari and Lucas series, when I was working full-time and was the single mother of a 14-year-old girl. I simply had to maintain the discipline to get up early every morning to put in an hour before I got ready to get to work at 8:30.
That was bad enough, but if anything, the situation is dramatically more difficult now that my second book is ready to hit the market. I’m at that point in my career where I still have to make a living, but my publisher expects a book a year from me. Add to that reality of running the time-consuming small business that is the marketing portion of every author’s life these days–school visits, publication parties, mother-daughter book clubs, press releases, fan mail, newsletters, website redesign–and the result is that except for Christmas and one day off last month, I have worked every single day since October. I expect to have the first draft of my third Kari and Lucas mystery off by Monday, next weekend I will take an actual five-day vacation. Hurray!
Fortunately, I love writing so much, love spending time with my characters, love going to the faraway places where my books are set, that sitting down at the computer to hammer out a few more pages retains much of its recreational quality even when I’m trying to meet a deadline. Otherwise I would probably have long ago been hospitalized for exhaustion!
by Susan Runholt July 9th, 2009 at 9:20 amOh, I’ve read both of Susan’s books. The new one is Rescuing Seneca Crane. I said after reading The Mystery of the Third Lucretia that Susan Runholt is the new Nancy Drew and after reading Rescuing Seneca Crane, I stick to that.
I have a lot of grandchildren and I buy them and put them away for when they are of an age to read them. Stunning.
And you are disciplined, Susan!
by andrea July 9th, 2009 at 9:30 amOh, and I should have added that I agree with everything the first commentor had to say about Andrea. She’s delightful, truly charismatic, hilariously funny, and generous beyond words. And she’s not even paying me to say this.
by Susan Runholt July 9th, 2009 at 9:22 amAndrea, I’m from Wisconsin, though I’m more of a brownie eater than fudge. (But, oh, the cheese is delicious.)
I give up TV time and Internet to write. Sometimes it’s easier than others.
by Edie July 9th, 2009 at 9:31 amOh, Edie, I love Wisconsin cheese also. I live just across the border so we visit a lot (great lakes also). I agree, giving up tv time (especially) is a good way to carve out time. I’m not finding much that’s good on television these days… Do love Burn Notice and Dexter, however!
by andrea July 9th, 2009 at 9:40 amOh. Great. ONE more book to get and add to TBR Mountain. I swear the DH is going to start using them to “iron” his shirts.
The nice thing about being retired is having time to devote to writing. With deadlines. edits, revisions, and marketing, I don’t know how “real” people manage.
Twelve kids? Dudette, my hat’s off to you! I only had/have one and she’s more than enough to keep me busy.
Good luck on the book, and all kidding aside, I have added it to my wish list and will be grabbing it ASAP!
by Silver James July 9th, 2009 at 11:13 amOh, you have a book titled Faerie Fate coming out! I’m so interested. My writing partner, Kat Baldwin (she writes romantic comedies for Kensington) and I have a middle reader series that we’re writing together and it is fantasy and involves the faerie realm… I will have to have that.
by andrea July 9th, 2009 at 12:01 pm*blush* Thank you for the intrest, Andrea! FAERIE FATE comes out next April in ebook and print from The Wild Rose Press. It’s the first in a trilogy (I HOPE!) dealing with time travel, reincarnation, and the fae mucking about in human lives.
by Silver James July 9th, 2009 at 12:43 pmGreat post, Andrea. My comment was going to be too long-winded so I just put up my own blog. hah My schedule is just as crazy as yours, I still have four kids home (more during the summer with their friends hanging out)..of course your two hours of writing are my two hours of procrastination. hah
Where in Az do you live during the winter? I’m in Chandler, maybe we can do lunch sometime. =)
Oh, and Congrats on your book!
by Terri Molina July 9th, 2009 at 11:52 amOh, Terri, I love your blog entry. It’s so much about how I often feel. I’d like to wave a wand over you and pronounce your fears unfounded and tell them to begone! But you and only you (and me and all the other authors suffering from the fear of failure/success can change that feeling. I would challenge you to take it out, dust it off and visit it daily for awhile.
I live (from November to May) in Tempe! I’d love to meet you and chat. please visit me at andrea@armchairinterviews.com and we can set something up this winter. Actually my hubby will be at the house next week… Me, I’m launching a book.
by andrea July 9th, 2009 at 12:07 pmHi Andrea! Welcome to MSW! My mouth just dropped open at 12 kids…wow. I raised 3 and tried to imagine that times 4 but I started having heart palpatations!
Great blog! Although I’m published, the fear never goes away. It gets to me now and again, then I remember “Hey, this is MY life, and I’m not letting fear get in the way of living it!”
Your book looks very funny!
by Jen Lyon July 9th, 2009 at 12:51 pmHi Andrea,
I don’t know how you do all you do, but you do it so well we should all be jealous–but not too jealous to learn from you. A Deadly Habit is hilarious. All the great reviews it is getting are totally spot-on. Should be everyone’s favorite end-of-the-summer fun read! Hope you’ve started the next one.
Cheers,
by Emyl Jenkins July 9th, 2009 at 1:20 pmEmyl Jenkins
Everyone! Emyl gave me a blurb for A Deadly Habit! And what a blurb. Her new book The Big Steal is just out from Algonquin and it’s a hoot. She’s mixed her expertise with antiques with mystery.
by andrea July 9th, 2009 at 2:05 pmWell those 12 children are of the “blended” type. However, does one ever stop raising kids? As long as the phone doesn’t ring in the middle of the night… Well, it used to mean we were safe, however, they’re having babies now and that changes everything. Grandchild number 19 arrived in early June.
by andrea July 9th, 2009 at 2:04 pmAnrea- Can’t wait to read your book. If Pen is half as funny and witty as you are, she will be a character to remember. Good for you setting priorities but take time to celebrate what you’ve already accomplished before you let guilt set in for not writning another book already.
by Gayle May-Barker July 9th, 2009 at 1:19 pmWelcome to MSW, Andrea! A deadline is usually motivator enough for me to keep my ass in the chair and fingers on the keyboard.
by Karin Tabke July 9th, 2009 at 2:18 pmWay to go, Andrea!
by Maryglenn McCombs July 9th, 2009 at 2:46 pmCan not WAIT to read your book…and love that Sophie figures prominently into your blog posting.
Best of luck with the book…and please give Sophie a big ear scratch from me!
Hi Andrea – Loved your blog! Reminds me of my old ideal in life – “Please Don’t Eat the Daisies”. I have ordered your book and am really looking forward to reading it. I’m sure you’ll do fine with the next and the next and the next ones, too. Obviously you are a woman of energy, determination and organization Plus talent. Congrats again on the book.
by Beth Cummings July 9th, 2009 at 3:07 pmI have written letters to the editor and little bits and pieces at work or for organizations I volunteer for. Lately I’ve been spending too much time on the computer. I need to read more. I envy you your writing. Was interested when I was in school, but that got ruined. Good luck with the new book.
by Patricia Barraclough July 9th, 2009 at 7:57 pmGreat blog, Andrea and oooh so true on the fears. Can’t wait to read A Deadly Habit in its final form.
by Ro July 9th, 2009 at 9:28 pmThe finest writing emerges when an author has time to dwell upon the plot and details during both the initial outline/draft stages and rewriting. Sometimes stories arrive in spurts and fits.
And it’s amazing how priorities shift when we’re absorbed and excited about a manuscript – no mundane phone calls, no cleaning, no yardwork!
Thanks for motivating us with this list of your typical day! Congratulations…
by SusanF July 10th, 2009 at 5:20 amHi Andrea – Congratulations on your book! I can’t wait to read it. I have no doubt that “Pen” is your alter ego, so I’m excited to see what she gets herself into (and out of)!
by Marcy Richeson July 10th, 2009 at 7:28 amAndrea, sorry I missed the post yesterday. I had to stop hopping around the internet to work on my next book. Like you, I do a million things in one day and have to make myself stop at a certain point and work on the book. Some days I am better at sticking to that than others, but the book is coming along.
I could relate to a lot you wrote, but I have two dogs, three cats, one horse, two goats, and a husband to feed.
by Maryann Miller July 10th, 2009 at 3:24 pm