Into the Home Stretch

Well, here it is. The last fourth of the year. Autumn. The time of year when I take stock at what I've done and what I have coming up and realize I'm waaaaay behind.

Don't get me wrong, I love the fall. This crisp air, the comfy clothes. Fires in the fireplaces. Geez, it's enough to make me want to curl up in my favorite spot on the sofa with a good book. Oh, wait...I already do that. Except the book is mine and I'm trying like hell to finish it and get it sent into a publisher.

For some reason, I feel I haven't gotten as much done this year. However, when I look at the amount of releases I've had this year as opposed to former years, it's exactly the same. So, why does it seem that production is down if it's really stayed the same. Why do I feel as if the wheels are spinning and there is no traction? I know you've read me complain about this in the past...and I'll no doubt do it in the future. But how do I increase productivity when I'm already writing 5 books at a time?

The answer: I haven't the slightest idea in the heaven or earth how to do it. Granted, some of the books I've written this year are full lengths and not actually at pubs at the moment. I may not see a return on them for a few months. It takes a bit longer to write 2 90K novels than a few smaller ones and to get the ball rolling on them. That's fine. It's part of the job. Yet, I haven't had surgery this year like I did last, so there wasn't any real downtime...Oh, unless you count the four days my hubby and I spent bailing out our basement after the Great Flood of 2011 followed immediately by The Great Barbie Rescue of 2011. Trust me when I say it was a disaster of collectible proportions.

With any luck, now that I'm winding down on my second full length book and about to get that out the door within the next few weeks, I will be able to finish all the other ones on my plate and move on. I'd like to have a couple things go out the door in December or January. You know, end the yeat/start the year with something sitting on an editor's desk.

I will say this much for my 2012 plans-- I'm going to be cranking me out some hotter titles and while I'm at it, revist some worlds that aren't as hot, but sure sold like they were.

Until next week...keep those cards and letter coming.

-Kate