Writing Updates : Looking Back and Looking Forward

Tuesday, November 10, 2020

 So in November of 2018, I gave myself a goal of the next seven books I wanted to work on, plus the order I thought I might write them.


Two years later, I'm kind of surprised I actually got four of them finished (I honestly wasn't sure if I'd get even that much done)! But the order in which they came out was all different than I thought they’d be. And that tells me the order I'm going to continue writing them has changed too!

Because in working on The Revenge Plan, I came up with an idea for a spin-off series for the Webster siblings as well as another Forbidden Men Descendants book, which inspired yet another one after that. And those three ideas (The Thickening Plot, Secrets That We Keep, and Insta-Family) pushed Creeper and Never Gonna Happen significantly further down the queue (yet I still want to work on those someday too, don’t worry!).

Then, the Love Mark series started to really roll, and they elbowed the last Fairytale book out of THEIR way and they all crowded to the front of the line (I must have some really pushy books, I guess). 

Except I'm hoping to finish the Fairytale series sooner rather than later, so I'm trying to keep Black Crimson high on the list, even though I have a feeling others will cut in front of it again, especially since another fantasy story (I guess we'll call it fantasy since it's definitely not realistic) titled Fourth Son of the Third Daughter has really been stealing my attention.

But anyway…

Here is what my writing goals queue looks like as of right now for 2021 and beyond.



-WAIT FOR LOVE - Book 4 of the Love Mark series, featuring Olivander.

-INSTA-FAMILY - A standalone Forbidden Men descendants novel, featuring Lucy Olivia Gamble (Aspen and Noel's daughter).

-BLACK CRIMSON - Final Book 4 in the Fairytale Quartet, featuring Brick and Camille.

-ALL MY LOVE - Final Book 5 in the Love Mark series, featuring Dori.

-FOURTH SON OF THE THIRD DAUGHTER - Spin-off story from the Love Mark series, featuring Xyla and Zayden.

-THE THICKENING PLOT - Book 2 of the Webster Sibling series, featuring Izzy.

-WHAT THE HEART WANTS - A standalone NA Forbidden Men descendants novel, featuring Ayden Hart (Asher and Remy's youngest daughter).


I actually finished the rough draft for Secrets That We Keep, so that's why it's not on my "2021 goals" list; it's already past "work in progress" and going into "editing" stage at the moment, and it should be here before February. But more about that coming soon.

I also have an alphabet challenge going with myself. I want to write enough main-character heroes and heroines whose first letter of their first names cover the entire alphabet. So I still need full-length stories written with heroines names that start with D, X, and U. Then I need books with heroes whose names start with O, T, V, X, and Z (I was never sure if Oren/Ten should go under T or O, so I decided to just have two more heroes with O and T beginning letters to be sure I covered them sufficiently. But seriously, would you put Ten under T or O?). And that's another reason I kind of want to write these stories I have in this queue next into 2021 and beyond. I will fulfill my alphabet challenge if I get all seven of these written!

If you want to see pictures of the heroes and heroines in my alphabet challenge (upcoming and already-released), I'd love to share them with you:



Heroes | Heroines


I added pictures for the main characters in my novellas and mini stories too because I didn't want them to feel left out, even though I'm not technically counting them in my challenge (sorry, guys). But yeah, I had fun coming up with images for all of them! That was kind of a challenge all on its own!



If you ever want to see where I'm at with any specific work in progress or you want more details about any of the books I am hoping to write, feel free to visit the NEXT page on my website.


Happy reading! And take care out there.

Big hugs from Linda.

Awareness

Friday, June 5, 2020
Here are some eye-opening and really helpful materials that I watched and read that helped me understand and see more clearly what I can personally do to be anti-racist. I hope they help you become a little more aware too. Thanks.

Systemic Racism Explained 

 (4 minute Facebook video)
*This one was a probably the most eye-opening to me. I learned things I didn't know before, anyway!*
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2404667739755980 

For White People Who Are Asking What They Can Do 

 (5 minute YouTube Video)
*I found this to be poignant, helpful--and heartbreaking--as well.*
https://youtu.be/sjhz594Am6g 

These Books Can Help You Explain Racism and Protest to Your Kids 

 (Online article with a list of children books at the end that you can purchase)
*I'm always all about finding a good list of book recommendations!* https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/02/parenting/kids-books-racism-protest.html 

Talking to Children About Racial Bias 

(Helpful and not-too-long online article)
*I've actually tried a few of these tips; the ten-year-old was kind of like duh-mom, but the four-year-old had fun going through her dolls with me to see how different they all looked--from skin tone to hair and sizes and shapes*
https://www.healthychildren.org/English/healthy-living/emotional-wellness/Building-Resilience/Pages/Talking-to-Children-About-Racial-Bias.aspx

Micro-Agression : How unintentional but insidious bias can be the most harmful 

(8 minute YouTube video)
*Not as entertaining as the others to watch, but it can still get you thinking*
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgvjnxr6OCE 

Books You Could Read About Racism 

(Various Book Lists. Found on Instagram)
*I usually just read romance--or children's books--so honestly I've only skimmed through a couple of these, but for the non-fiction enthusiasts out there, maybe this is a helpful list for you*
Reposted from @baratunde Thanks to @bookshop_org, I have a bookshop! “Baratunde’s World-Saving Bookshop”
https://bookshop.org/shop/baratunde

How to Make this Moment the Turning Point for Real Change 

(Online article written by Barack Obama. 4-minute read)
*Even though I'm not big on political stuff--like at all--I really liked what he had to say here*
https://medium.com/@BarackObama/how-to-make-this-moment-the-turning-point-for-real-change-9fa209806067 

More Articles Added June 24, 2020 

The America I Love Needs To Do Better 

(Online article written by Arnold Schwarzenegger)
*I just saw a quote I loved (I know, I know: I'm obsessed with quotes!!) that said, "Shaming someone into action creates acting. Inspiring someone into action creates change." And this was a good inspirational piece that made me want to be better!*
https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2020/05/arnold-schwarzenegger-america-needs-do-better/612442/ 

Ending Systemic Racism Benefits Everyone 

(Online article)
*I like having a clear game plan when solving a problem, maybe even a list of major bullet points to hit along the way of reaching that plan. And this article lists out some good specific goals to hit in order to end systemic racism on a whole, bigger level.*
https://www.benjerry.com/home/whats-new/2017/08/ending-systemic-racism 

Opposing Viewpoints - Added June 25, 2020 

The Hodgetwins Facebook Page 

(Facebook pages full of videos to watch)
*Because I'm a libra and thus obsessed with symmetry, it's very important for me to look at all sides of a matter and give both opposing viewpoints due consideration. And since it was starting to feel wrong that I was focusing on one side alone, I thought I should also add awareness about people who don't agree with anything posted above. These videos shared by the Hodge twins also make some good points to think about.*
https://www.facebook.com/pg/thehodgetwins/videos/ 

White Privilege Debate 

(Facebook Video)
*Just one more video showing a viewpoint that opposes systemic racism because we need to see the whole picture.*
https://www.facebook.com/joshua.feuerstein.5/videos/2555627034656401/?v=2555627034656401

Added June 29, 2020


Real Life with Jack Hibbs - Happening Now - Pt 21

(Almost 2 hour YouTube video)
*Here's a religious take on what's happening in the world now with the social issues in the world now.*
https://youtu.be/b2SyweeIlYY



Interview with Larry Elder on The Rubin Report

(1 hour YouTube video)
*Here's a religious take on what's happening in the world now with the social issues in the world now.*
https://youtu.be/IFqVNPwsLNo



Trust in Love Release Day

Monday, May 4, 2020
Trust in Love is out today!!!

It is Book 2 in the Love Mark series, following One True Love which is free today!!

For more information about TRUST IN LOVE:












Blurb:


A princess who thinks she's running away with her one true love meets a ruffian who thinks he's kidnapping her to his kingdom by the sea. Who's right? 

The kingdom of Far Shore still resents Donnelly, its neighboring land, for forming an alliance with those filthy High Clifters and then defeating them in war. Twice! They really must pay for such an insult. And what better way to prick their pride than to steal their lovely, revered princess, mutilate her a little, and then ransom her back to them for a hefty sum. 

So, the king blackmails stable hand, Farrow, into accepting the mission of kidnapping Princess Nicolette and bringing her back to Far Shore to meet her gruesome fate. 

With his sister's life on the line, Farrow reluctantly accepts the quest and travels through desert and forest, only to find Nicolette eagerly awaiting his arrival with her bags already packed and good to go, spouting off insane nonsense about being his destiny and one true love. 

What follows is a crazy, eclectic adventure that brings two lost souls together and helps them learn who they're supposed to be and what they’re supposed to do in this ever-changing journey called life.













B & E Ever After

Thursday, March 5, 2020
Guess what I never did?!

I never mentioned the release of B&E Ever After on this blog! So, here it is, just six months late.


This is a HANSEL & GRETEL romance.

I know, I know. Hansel & Gretel is not a romance unless you make it really gross and incestual. But I'm super proud of myself in managing to make it both a happily ever after romance with no sibling love matches at all.  Go me!

One of my favorite parts of the story is the banter that goes on between Hayden and Gabby. That was fun to make.

And I already shared this with people on Facebook, but I gotta show you some of the google searches I did while writing this book.

Separately, they're probably not so remarkable. But when you put them together, I think they're hilarious. Makes even me want to scratch my head and say, "What the heck is this story about, anyway?"


So, here are those:

  • How does the Hansel and Gretel story go?
  • How much $ do loggers make?
  • Is faking your own death illegal?
  • What country is Monte Carlo in?
  • What are the best highlights of Monte Carlo?
  • Best hotels in Monte Carlo?
  • Do they sell Skittles in Monte Carlo?
  • What are the most popular terms of endearment in Spanish?
  • Is cocaine chunky?
  • What shoe fashions are currently popular?
  • What are the names of some white-collar crimes?
  • Is there really a diamond-coated car?
  • How do you clean wine from a carpet?
  • How much does it cost to repair an elevator?
  • Where is the most popular place to take a honeymoon?
  • What do you call a person with one leg?
  • In which episode of YOU does Beck find Joe's kill box?
  • What type of cell phone was the most popular twenty years ago?
  • Tell me more about Le Metropole shopping center.
  • What brand of male shoe is the nicest?
  • What's another word for a building's manager?
  • What are those things people with diabetes hook up to them 24 hours a day?
  • How do you take care of an insulin pump?
  • What does a naturalization certificate look like?

In other writing news, I will have TRUST IN LOVE available in two months on May (the) 4th (be with you!). And I'm working on SECRETS THAT WE KEEP, but haven't gotten too far with that yet; I keep coming up with more stories to go with it...so now I have ideas for about four more stories for that universe!

Anyway, hope you enjoy B&E EVER AFTER! Or did enjoy it.