1. This book will be what it's meant to be. It already is! I cheered that you still love it. ✨ And so it is ✨
2. I found myself, in the absence of being able to tell you how to make more time, truly reveling at how rich and vibrant a life you're living, a puzzle of many pieces, all vital.
3. Oliver Burkeman, always, on these kinds of musings. What if you never make more time? What if this book is the work of an entire lifetime? What if you never figure it out? https://www.oliverburkeman.com/never
Okay a fourth thing: I adore you and am cheering you on, however fast, however slow, whatever outcome.
I love this! I find it so hard to figure out how to do the work and get the time for other things that I also need/want. But I’ve really gotten into the value of finding time when you can, sticking with it, knowing that we each have to find our own way and it’s ok if it doesn’t look like anyone else’s. It can be so hard to really see how meaningful our own accomplishments are but just the fact that you are writing a book is amazing.
Life is a plot twist! Not to mention a good book with one, two or four plot twists!
Sweet girl, I have a good friend who was once you. Wife, young Mom, neck deep in grad school for her second degree writing her first book. Did it fly? Nope. Did she sit there and push it away? Nope. Did it get published, yes, after much frustration and lots of angst. Meanwhile, throughout her hair raising career I could never keep up with, she's written 11 or is it 15 books? Her latest release was today. Her husband says he doesn't count the number, he says it's just been one big long book. You get what I'm getting at. Book, whether fiction or non-fiction may not be relevant in their time, but they hold their space and much of her catalog seems to cycle, depending on who knows. Many things. I'll also add she's now of retirement age but she'll never retire. Kinda like me. One thing I will add just as a heads up, don't let them pare that book down to 250 pages which according to lord knows who told another author friend that's been published multiple times that the average american blah blah blah. Right. I have far too many books on my self that are way over the 600 page mark. Steal moments. Do the best you can. You have time.
Second, I'm going to google Clayton because it rings a bell, but I beg you take me with you your next trip. I am quiet, I'll pay and we'll eat more than just pasta. Your photos are stunning and I'm so jealous. If and when you have a hot minute, touch base in chat and with the deets. I love those kind of spaces. Does it have heat those because Florida girl here gets mighty cold in some of those places. I'm thrilled you were able to get away to do this, deep breath and feel renewed.
Lori, you're the best! Clayton is really special. Be sure to look up Wander, the cutest shop, and Tallulah Gorge State Park. (Also: Deliverance was shot there. It is *not* like Deliverance, thank goodness.)
How I adore reading your thoughts & musings! You always send some inspiration my way; whether it's to look at things differently or do things differently. Thank you for that! And, let me say, as soon as your book is ready, I am buying it!!!
Sounds like a marvelous time. To gain time, do it like the old timers did. Turn back the clock an hour every morning when you get up. In those blank squares on the calendar, add days and make new squares in the open spaces. Then move to an area of the world where the sun seldom sets. A place like Alert, Nunavut, Canada where from May to June there are about 120 days of constant sun. With no setting sun, it's all one long, long day.
Really loved this one, Katie! And I also read 'The Plot' a few years ago when it came out, but I'd forgotten the plot twist at the end when the main character comes to Clayton. What a (wonderful!) coincidence -- and a brilliant way to end this essay. Just perfect.
“It really was the middle of nowhere. But it was also pretty. Very pretty and very tranquil and so surrounded by forest he could only imagine what it must be like out here in the dead of night.”
Are you writing the novel in the present tense? Or in a passive past tense? Find a strong fictional voice and stick to it.
This was a direct quote from The Plot — apologies if that wasn't clear. The book got great feedback and sold very well; I think the author nailed the fictional voice! (But that's part of writing, too. Everyone has their own opinions.)
I have every confidence you’ll find an agent (and an editor and an audience) for this book eventually!
You’re the best. Thank you for believing in it!!
Three things:
1. This book will be what it's meant to be. It already is! I cheered that you still love it. ✨ And so it is ✨
2. I found myself, in the absence of being able to tell you how to make more time, truly reveling at how rich and vibrant a life you're living, a puzzle of many pieces, all vital.
3. Oliver Burkeman, always, on these kinds of musings. What if you never make more time? What if this book is the work of an entire lifetime? What if you never figure it out? https://www.oliverburkeman.com/never
Okay a fourth thing: I adore you and am cheering you on, however fast, however slow, whatever outcome.
Oliver! He is the patron saint of time. (Thank you, friend.)
I love this! I find it so hard to figure out how to do the work and get the time for other things that I also need/want. But I’ve really gotten into the value of finding time when you can, sticking with it, knowing that we each have to find our own way and it’s ok if it doesn’t look like anyone else’s. It can be so hard to really see how meaningful our own accomplishments are but just the fact that you are writing a book is amazing.
This made me smile. Thank you, Anna!
Life is a plot twist! Not to mention a good book with one, two or four plot twists!
Sweet girl, I have a good friend who was once you. Wife, young Mom, neck deep in grad school for her second degree writing her first book. Did it fly? Nope. Did she sit there and push it away? Nope. Did it get published, yes, after much frustration and lots of angst. Meanwhile, throughout her hair raising career I could never keep up with, she's written 11 or is it 15 books? Her latest release was today. Her husband says he doesn't count the number, he says it's just been one big long book. You get what I'm getting at. Book, whether fiction or non-fiction may not be relevant in their time, but they hold their space and much of her catalog seems to cycle, depending on who knows. Many things. I'll also add she's now of retirement age but she'll never retire. Kinda like me. One thing I will add just as a heads up, don't let them pare that book down to 250 pages which according to lord knows who told another author friend that's been published multiple times that the average american blah blah blah. Right. I have far too many books on my self that are way over the 600 page mark. Steal moments. Do the best you can. You have time.
Second, I'm going to google Clayton because it rings a bell, but I beg you take me with you your next trip. I am quiet, I'll pay and we'll eat more than just pasta. Your photos are stunning and I'm so jealous. If and when you have a hot minute, touch base in chat and with the deets. I love those kind of spaces. Does it have heat those because Florida girl here gets mighty cold in some of those places. I'm thrilled you were able to get away to do this, deep breath and feel renewed.
Hugs hugs hugs
Lori, you're the best! Clayton is really special. Be sure to look up Wander, the cutest shop, and Tallulah Gorge State Park. (Also: Deliverance was shot there. It is *not* like Deliverance, thank goodness.)
My dear Katie,
How I adore reading your thoughts & musings! You always send some inspiration my way; whether it's to look at things differently or do things differently. Thank you for that! And, let me say, as soon as your book is ready, I am buying it!!!
This is such a kind, generous comment. Thank you, sweet Robyn!
You might enjoy this essay https://www.theparisreview.org/blog/2025/10/29/truck-desk/
You’re right! This was *wonderful*. Thanks for sharing!
I love this so much. I think all the time about how to get more hours in the day...
I’m glad it resonated! (Let me know if you figure it out, haha)
Sounds like a marvelous time. To gain time, do it like the old timers did. Turn back the clock an hour every morning when you get up. In those blank squares on the calendar, add days and make new squares in the open spaces. Then move to an area of the world where the sun seldom sets. A place like Alert, Nunavut, Canada where from May to June there are about 120 days of constant sun. With no setting sun, it's all one long, long day.
Haha, perfect! Thank you for these tips!!
Good reminder.
Whenever you address this topic on the pod I’m nodding vigorously
Really loved this one, Katie! And I also read 'The Plot' a few years ago when it came out, but I'd forgotten the plot twist at the end when the main character comes to Clayton. What a (wonderful!) coincidence -- and a brilliant way to end this essay. Just perfect.
Thank you so much, Terrell!
“It really was the middle of nowhere. But it was also pretty. Very pretty and very tranquil and so surrounded by forest he could only imagine what it must be like out here in the dead of night.”
Are you writing the novel in the present tense? Or in a passive past tense? Find a strong fictional voice and stick to it.
This was a direct quote from The Plot — apologies if that wasn't clear. The book got great feedback and sold very well; I think the author nailed the fictional voice! (But that's part of writing, too. Everyone has their own opinions.)
It was clear. ❤️🔥
Ditto