Thunderstorms and Serendipity
Summer Newsletter
Dear Readers,
A great thunderstorm rolled through Bethlehem two nights ago. It was beautiful as the gray clouds cast purple shadows over the ground and brought the smell of petrichor. As I watched it arrive, my summer, so far, has felt a bit like it. Equal parts excitement and fear. I was grateful the storm would bring much needed rain for my garden and yet afraid of the tree that danced a little too wildly next to our apartment.
Because, after four years, my novel is ready to query. Like that summer thunderstorm, I’m equal parts excited and afraid. TBP has gone through rounds of revisions, and I spent this morning polishing up my query. After another round of critiques this weekend, it should be ready to send to literary agents.
As I approach the end of The Big Edit, fear is creeping in. So much of the next few months will be out of my control. I’ve done all I can and worked hard to get it to this place. It’s the strongest novel I’ve ever written and I know, in my bones, that it’s ready. And that makes me excited! I can’t wait to share it with readers who will love this story as much as I do.
The signs are there. The timing is right. Now it’s up to me to hit send.
Some friends and I have been tackling the Artist’s Way this summer. This 12 week guided course is a spiritual path to higher creativity. I’m glad for the accountability of our bookclub to check-in with each other as we go week by week through the exercises and tools. Looking out for signs of serendipity is part of the practice. And there is much telling me to transition from the writing process to the publishing process. And for a debut author, that’s daunting!
But isn’t summer the time for taking chances? Like leaping into cold water that makes you breathless with shock. There’s a certain thrill that comes with going on a new adventure. It’s a time for play.
It’s been lovely to soak in the warmth, eat peaches over the kitchen sink, and get outside as much as possible. Yet June seemed to have disappeared in a flash. By juggling work, edits, drafting a short story, and brainstorming for the next novel, my ideal slow summer has turned into one where I’m chasing to catchup to invisible sign posts.
These newsletters always come as a reminder to enjoy the season. I recently came across this quote:
“How we choose to spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives.” - Annie Dillard
It resonated with me so deeply. I become grumpy when my weekends become filled with too many plans and I don’t get time to myself. Especially with days working from home, I’ve been trying to set myself up for success by creating routines, moving my body, fueling myself with good food, exploring new hobbies (hello, sourdough), spending time with positive people, and doing things that will make my future self proud.
Like thunderstorms, we can embrace our fickle feelings. Balance adventure and rest. Go biking and hiking and swimming. When it’s too hot, stay inside to read and journal and watch a movie.
Happy summer-
xoxo Hayley
From the Writing Desk
In my last newsletter I said I hoped that I could balance projects, floating between edits for TBP and brainstorming/drafting my next novel. But, alas, it hasn’t quite worked out. And that’s okay. And the reason I can’t is a darn good one—I can’t tap into the voice of the character for my next novel. My mind is filled with Leila. I can’t get her out of my head. So until I start querying, Ray will have to wait until I’m ready.
My next novel THIEF is a companion novel to TBP. It’s common in romance where a character that appears in the previous novel gets their own adventure/love story. It’s going to be fun to write, and I’m looking forward to it! But I have some of those contradictory feelings. Fear whispers, “can you do this again?” Can I write another novel just as good or, perhaps, better than the last one? The short answer is: of course I can!
Currently Reading
Instructions for Traveling West: Poems by Joy Sullivan
As soon as I finish reading it, I’m going back to the beginning to read it again. The lush, honest writing is poignant, and I find myself lingering over every word.
Dark Skye by Kresley Cole (Immortals After Dark #15)
I mean iykyk. My obsession with this series started thanks to the Fated Mates Podcast.
From the Blog Archives
My Favorite Writing Supplies: Zero Waste Edition
I keep my writing supplies to a minimum, but a Kraft paper notebook and a fountain pen are my essentials. Plus it makes me feel fancy. See More >
I am so excited for the world to experience TBP!!