Don’t forget to leave a comment here for your chance to win one of the novels in my August Giveaway! The deadline is August 31!

Another giveaway is in the Because Fiction magazine. #BecauseFiction Magazine August Issue is here! Check out articles from your favorite Christian authors such as Jennifer Pierce, Liz Tolsma, Marguerite Gray, and Tabitha Bouldin, and enter a bunch of giveaways for some fun prizes!Enjoy!

https://mailchi.mp/75b6733bc49d/becausefiction-magazine-august-editions-giveaways-more-6220122

FYI: My article was not printed in full so here it is:

Average vs. Genius

I am project minded. I function best with a goal and deadline on my calendar at all times. If there is not one, I find one and hit the ground running (or walking), investigating the avenues in order to achieve the results I want.

My father is the same way. He must have a list of projects to accomplish whether creative or physical. His list is as long as mine. The difference? He is a genius. He can handle a variety of things at one time and do a very good job! And before I’ve finished one project, he’s completed five. I try to keep up, but I must not have the brain power or the energy.

My lists include house, garden, work, and writing projects. I’ll share what I have to do for my writing in order to complete anything. If I see all the items on the list and all the different parts to be accomplished, I rebel and not much gets done.

So, here is what I do almost daily:

1. Reading—I start and end my day with reading beloved fiction by my favorite or new authors. I record all my reading activity on Goodreads and in my reading journal. Each book has its own page where I write the dates and my thoughts.
2. Reviewing—This is not daily, for it depends on when I finish a book. I review through Celebrate Lit Blog Tours, Amazon, Goodreads, and BookBub.  My stack of print books is very tall! But I also have audible and eBooks. It’s a project of a lifetime.
3. Researching—Since I mainly write historical fiction, I am constantly researching, not just one or two books or resources but 10-15 or more. I spend three months or so researching before I start the writing project. It gives me ideas and a backdrop for my characters.
4. Writing—Finally, the words start flowing after I outline and plan my novel. I write with pen and paper, so it can go anywhere with me. After that, I input it on the computer where I immediately start the next stage. My mission is to write every day, even if only 200 words.
5. Editing—This is an ongoing, constant process that involves more than me. After I edit my finished product, I send it to a professional editor. When he finishes, I put in the corrections. Next, I have two-three Beta readers read for content, grammar, etc., catching all the mistakes my editor and I missed. Also, my publisher has an additional two-three professional edits. Yes, I’m tired during this stage. I seem to always be editing something.

That is a little bit about me and my reading/writing world. Of course, I have to add the house, the garden, work, exercise, and family. If an average IQ can get things done, what can a genius accomplish?

Enter both giveaways soon!