I love answering questions about writing so I hope it’s okay that I answered several in detail today!
When people find out that write and that I have three kids and I homeschool, they usually say some version of “I don’t know how you do it” and I reply, “I don’t know, either!”
That answer isn’t very satisfying, though. It’s been my experience that a lot of writers and readers want to know what a typical writing day looks like. I get it. I love reading about other writers and their approach to getting words on the page.
In my case, I wish I had a typical writing day! I’m a planner by nature and I love to check things off my list so much that I will add them after I’ve already completed them just so I can mark them as done.
I have a “perfect” day that I’m always reaching for, but reality is much messier.
I typically get up early, go to the gym, get my oldest off to school and homeschool my younger two. Somewhere in the middle of the morning, I log on to social media and email for a quick check, but other than that it’s usually mid-afternoon before I have a chance to escape to my office and try to squeeze in 30-60 minutes of writing.
Depending on where I am in the book that may be all the writing that happens that day. But if a deadline is looming, I may be writing while standing at my kitchen counter while fixing supper! Several nights a week I go back to my office after the kids are in bed and write for another hour or two.
I write in my car while the boys are in classes and practices, I run away to Starbucks or Panera and write on Saturdays when my husband is home, and we have a wonderful sitter who usually comes at least once a week so I can write. My parents, sister, and mother-in-law jump in frequently to give me some breaks so I can write. But no day, or week, looks the same.
As you can see, it’s a jumbled mess! I use a writing software called Scrivener to write everything (novels, blog posts, devotions, speeches). The word count tracker in Scrivener gives me a good idea of where I need to be in my story to meet my deadlines. I don’t set strict daily word count goals, but I also I try not to get too far behind.
Ultimately, I end up doing whatever I have to do to make it happen and that usually means ignoring favorite television shows, saying “no” to things I’d love to say “yes” to, and drinking a lot of coffee!
Another question I’ve gotten a lot since the Dive Team Investigations series released is “Where did you get this idea?”
The inspiration for this series came from a session I attended at the Writers Police Academy in 2014. I highly recommend the WPA to any writer who has any type of law enforcement angle in their books. The course offerings were amazing and it was so hard to choose which sessions to attend, but the off-site demonstration by the local law enforcement dive team piqued my interest. When the time came, we loaded into vans and went to the local YMCA to watch the team demonstrate how to search for evidence underwater, how to mark evidence when they found it, and even how they would bring a body out of the water. It was fascinating and I walked out of there with the idea swirling in my brain for this series. I had a good idea of what the first scene would be from that first day. I had no idea why there was a body at the bottom of the lake, but I knew the dive team would be involved in figuring it out! The idea marinated for several years before I developed it into the proposal for this series.
The final question I’m going to tackle today is hard to narrow down to just one answer. The question is, “What’s your favorite writing tip?”
Other than “pray” or “drink lots of coffee” or “don’t quit” I would have to go with . . .
Don’t go it alone! While writing is often a solitary endeavor, the people we allow to join us make our stories and our entire writing journey better.
You’re going to need advice from more experienced writers every step of the way—whether you’re trying to decide which conferences to attend or which agents to query—or much later on when you’re panicking about what to wear to an awards gala when you’ve been nominated.
I’m an extreme introvert, but the people I trust with my words and my worries have made my writing life sweeter!
I’m blessed to have amazing writers in my community that I’m able to meet with face-to-face on a regular basis, but I’m also part of an online accountability group, The Light Brigade, that has prayed and encouraged me through every facet of my publication journey. I can’t imagine doing this without them.
So whether you can meet weekly with a group of writers or have a handful of online writing friends, do whatever you have to do to make sure you have support. And if this is an area you’re struggling with, I cannot overstate the importance of praying for God to put the people in your life who will be crucial to helping you on the path He has for you.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Series: Dive Team Investigations, Book 1
Author: Lynn H. Blackburn
Genre: Romantic Suspense
After a harrowing experience with an obsessed patient, oncology nurse practitioner Leigh Weston needed a change. She thought she’d left her troubles behind when she moved home to Carrington, North Carolina, and took a job in the emergency department of the local hospital. But when someone tampers with her brakes, she fears the past has chased her into the present. She reaches out to her high school friend turned homicide investigator, Ryan Parker, for help.
Ryan finds satisfaction in his career, but his favorite way to use his skills is as a volunteer underwater investigator with the Carrington County Sheriff’s Office dive team. When the body of a wealthy businessman is discovered in Lake Porter, the investigation uncovers a possible serial killer–one with a terrifying connection to Leigh Weston and deadly implications for them all.
Dive into the depths of fear with an exciting new voice in romantic suspense. Award-winning author Lynn H. Blackburn grabs readers by the throat and doesn’t let go until the final heart-pounding page.
Lynn H. Blackburn is the author of Hidden Legacy (Love Inspired, June 2017) and Covert Justice, winner of the 2016 Selah Award for Mystery and Suspense and the 2016 Carol Award for Short Novel. Blackburn believes in the power of stories, especially those that remind us that true love exists, a gift from the Truest Love. She’s passionate about CrossFit, coffee, and chocolate (don’t make her choose) and experimenting with recipes that feed both body and soul. She lives in Simpsonville, South Carolina, with her true love, Brian, and their three children.
GIVEAWAY
- (1) Print copy of Beneath the Surface by Lynn H. Blackburn
- Surprised Bookish Treat
TOUR SCHEDULE
Create Explore Read – Author Interview
A Baker’s Perspective – A Day with Special Agent ___
April 24
Savings in Seconds – Quote Hightlight
Grace in Our Moments – Guest Post from Author
April 25
Christen Krumm – Guest Post from Author
Among the Reads – Beneath the Surface & the Power of Prayer
April 26
Blooming with Books – Character Profile
Fiction Aficionado – Did you know this about diving investigators?
April 27
Remembrancy – Photo Tour of Carrington
Stories by Gina – Quote Highlight
April 30
The Christian Fiction Girl – Quote Hightlight
Daysong Reflections – Underwater Investigations & Evidence
May 1
Worthy 2 Read – Quote Hightlight
Kat’s Corner Books – Beneath the Surface with International Adoption
May 2
All of a Kind Mom – A Character Like Me
Robin’s Nest – Quote Hightlight
Edits & Reviews by Leslie – Food Beneath the Surface
May 3
By the Book – Quote Hightlight
Cafinated Reads – Quote Highlight
May 4
Book by Book – Playlist
Pacific Northwest Bookworm – Cookies Beneath the Surface
Kay Garrett says
Thank you for the information on ” Beneath the Surface” by Lynn H. Blackburn and for being part of the book tour. I REALLY enjoyed Lynn’s comments about her writing. It’s always fun to learn more about an author and their writing process.
I have this book on my TBR list and would love the opportunity to read it.
Annie @JustCommonly says
Love your #reallifewriter tag! Thanks for joining the tour and allowing your readers to get to know Lynn! Love this. Thank you!
Lual Krautter says
Looking forward to reading another good book by Lynn Blackburn! Thanks for the opportunity to enter a giveaway! Prefer a print book, if I win, per chance! Message me for my address:) Thanks, again, and God bless!
Lynn H. Blackburn says
Thank you for hosting me!
Grace and peace,
Lynn
Carol Gehringer says
Thanks for sharing this!