How I Do It--Writing and Promoting

No, I'm not going to bore you with all the details, but just an outline of what goes on in my writing life.

Because I wrtie two series, I always have one book I'm writing and the other promoting. Gets pretty hectic at times.

I always begin with the new characters--what poor soul is going to get bumped off and by whom, and who else would have wanted this person dead and why.

What events and crises will happen in the lives of my ongoing characters? This is something I always have to consider. However, this is something that helps flesh out a book and sometimes becomes a major part of the plot.

While I'm doing all this, I'm making sure I have a presence on Facebook and Twitter, keep all the blogs I'm on updated, and I'm either in the process of whatever promotion I'm doing or planning.

Of course I have plenty more to do. Recently I've been a judge for two writing contests. Yes, it does take time away from my own projects, but it's one way I can support other writers. I've also been reviewing new books--I try not to take on too many of them, because there are other books I want to read.

Yes, and of course I have a regular life that consists of grocery shopping, cooking, taking care of our family finances, and so on. I'm sure no more than all the rest of you have in your lives. (You noticed, cleaning wasn't on that list--I pay a family member to help me out in that area.)

As I've aged, I really don't do nearly as much as I used to. My goal, though, is to do the things I really want to do, and minimize the rest.

Marilyn

P.S. I sent off my latest Deputy Tempe Crabtree mystery.