A Writer's Break

I have rarely taken a break from writing. I spend most of the day writing for 2 - 3 weeks each month and finish a rough draft. Then I spend the last days editing and getting caught up in other areas. Even when I travel, my laptop goes with me. However, ever since I wrote and published 16 books in 2023, which was way too many, I've been trying to work in a couple of months each year when I'm not publishing a book. That's more difficult than it sounds because good opportunities to write in multiple-author projects keep coming.

I had two such empty months in 2025, but when Lynne Lanning invited me to write in the Building Something Beautiful MAP, I quickly agreed. So, the two months became one, and June is that one month. After my rare nonfiction book published on May 2, the next one, Daphne's Determination, will release on July 8.

2026 is already looking similar. I had two months free, but when I had the opportunity to join the MAP, Mail-Order Brides Undercover, two months shrank to only one. May is the only month I have free next year, and I'm trying hard to keep it free. I need to slow down some, so I don't have to push so hard. And right now, 2027 only has one month free, although I might bump another one of mine down to help the overload.

That's another consequence of taking on more MAPs. My own books keep getting pushed down the schedule, and those stories are still begging to be told. However, I truly do enjoy writing in the multiple-author projects, and they have been good to me -- doing well, building friendships, and increasing my readership. My first MAP was Walnut Cake by Wylene, published 12-6-21. From 9-13-22 until 3-1-25, I published nothing but MAPs. From now on, I plan to be doing some of both and pray that God will continue to guide me and my scheduling.

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