Time to Take A Break

It’s February, and I’m taking the month off. Coincidentally, it’s also my birthday month, so that just makes my break more fun. But really, the two have nothing to do with each other.

I finished the first draft of my second Harlequin manuscript and sent it off to my agent to read. Instead of moving right into the third book, I’m taking a step back and breathing. I’ve got my timeline set up with what’s due when, and I can still make my official deadline of May 1 even without doing anything during February. 

 

It doesn’t mean I’m doing nothing this month. I’m just doing different things. I have a manuscript that I started at the suggestion of the Princess, and I’m playing around with that this month. It’s fun because there’s no pressure on me. I’m starting to tackle the art sheets for this second Harlequin book, because they are detailed and require a lot of thought. If I want a good cover, I need to make sure I answer the questions correctly. And at some point this month, I have to fix the synopsis for book 2 since what I thought I was going to write and what I actually wrote don’t exactly match.

 

That’s no surprise to me. Anyone who knows me knows that I don’t write from an outline. I’ve given plenty of talks about it and written plenty of blog posts about it, too. But when publishers offer contracts, they like to know what you’re going to write. So, editors ask for synopses—summaries of proposed additional books. And I wrote them. I didn’t lie. I looked at the first book I wrote that was accepted, and I created two more stories in the series, based on what characters would work and where I thought the stories would go. But then I started writing and my characters took over. My synopsis no longer matches my story. Since the story is good, I’ll change up the synopsis. I’m not the first author to do this. My editor’s been in the business long enough to expect it to happen. All is good, I’ve just created extra work for myself. But that’s how my brain functions.

 

In between all those tasks, I want to take advantage of things that fill my creative well. Last week a friend and I visited the Virginia Woolf exhibit at the New York Public Library. It was great, and I recommend going if you’re able.

 

And as usual, I’m keeping up with my marketing efforts. To that end, if you’re a reader and like giveaways, check out two that I’m participating in:

 

VALENTINE’S DAY CHOCOLATE GIVEAWAY

Feb 1st-14th

Goodies Given Away Every Day Totalling Over $150

 

https://ellenmint.blog/valentines-day-countdown-giveaway/

 

Cupid‘s brought you a magical box of chocolates. Every day, the heart-shaped box reveals a new treat. Take a bite to discover both what flavor is lurking inside the tempting chocolate shell and a new giveaway.

 

Each day, return to the site to click on the box of chocolates and discover another fantastic prize. Be swept away this holiday season by gripping romance, pampering treats, cozy gifts, and an amazing offer hidden inside the box of chocolates.

 

The giveaway is sponsored by these wonderful authors:

 

Ellen Mint • Kara Kendrick • Jennifer Wilck • Delta James • Jordyn Kross • AT Lander • Sandra Carmel • January Bain • T. Strange • Maggie Sims • J.P.  Bowie • Rosanna Leo • C. J. Burright • V.J. Allison

 

 

and

 

Today, I have a fun surprise to share with you...

I’ve teamed up with 50+ fantastic authors to give away a huge collection of Steamy ContemporaryRomances to 2 lucky winners!
Oh, and did I mention the Grand Prize winner gets a BRAND NEW eReader? 😁
You can win my novel ADDICTED TO LOVE, plus books from authors like JILL SHALVIS and JENNIFER PROBST.
Enter the giveaway by clicking here 👉 https://www.booksweeps.com/giveaway/february23-win-
a-bundle-of-steamy-contemporary-romance/
Good luck and enjoy!