“Creative Sparks: Navigating Feedback and New Ideas”

Great class today! Not that most of my creative writing class time isn’t great—it is—but today I received some feedback on my Dating Die-Sasters novel. One of my classmates gave me some really good feedback, and then my professor shared his thoughts.

I’m thrilled that he is okay with me using my book for class instead of writing something new. Not that I wouldn’t; I would. In fact, I’ve made notes on another book idea (I have to write them down while they’re fresh so I don’t forget them).

Anyhow, they both gave me usable feedback. I’ve received some comments before, and while they were good, they didn’t give me the “move-ability” that I felt today.

So what am I going to do? I am going to read my 11 chapters—not edit, just read them. If there are quick things I can change (or want to change), I will. But I am going to write and do my best to finish it before I start any more edits.

My goal is to have the first book in a trilogy completed—with edits and all—by February 2025. I have an author event in March, and I would really like to have it completed, published, and printed for the event. As we get closer, I’ll share event details.

I also received some suggestions for my blog site. I’ve been considering focusing my blog entries on one subject. If I traveled, I could be a travel blogger, or if I was in music, I could write about various music venues or bands. But I’m not (although if I get to travel, you’ll hear about it). My classmate suggested I write about the “writing process” and discuss my characters and how they may see or react to things.

This is a great idea! I’m not sure how I might do this (not yet, anyway), but it is something that has been tossed into the ring of ideas before. So, it is under consideration—you may find out on Sunday.

With this idea hovering, and the fact that this past Sunday’s post was lengthy (or a rant), I will give a quick update on goals and health. Goals: all daily and weekly have been completed with zero missed targets. Health update: Today I began the first dose of medicine for my thyroid (yeah, 10 pills a day—woohoo! Just in case you didn’t get it, I’m being sarcastic).

Anyway, all is good on both fronts. Actually, everything is good. I’m extremely grateful for so much and for so many people and things. My sweetheart is my number one gratitude. He is patient with me and my quirks (health and meds can do some strange things to a person). I love him dearly!

Well, now I will close this entry, and I hope each of you has a wonderful week filled with love, laughter, hugs, and many blessings!