Author Journal 3rd – 9th March 2022

Happy March, Everyone! I’ve been counting down the days for the new month to begin. I know; I’m getting over-excited and neglecting to say why. Let me start by saying I had one hell of a week working on Running the Asset.

One reason for my excitement is that my first interview went live yesterday on Marsha Ingrao’s site, alwayswrite.blog. I had a lot of fun answering her questions. If you want to learn more about me, take a keek at my interview.

Review 24th February – 2nd March 2022

Here’s what last week’s goals looked like:

  1. Complete Act III’s blocking for future editing/rewrites
  2. Apply lessons on Universal Fantasies from 7 Figure Fiction to the scene level as I re-block.
  3. Create a timeline of the main story events.
  4. Fill out my spreadsheet highlighting where all the secrets, lies, and other threads appear in the story.

How Did It Go?

Last week’s goals were more than I thought I could realistically accomplish. But I pushed through and got it all done–the fuck-ton of coffee was a huge help.

Not only did I get it done, but I also had a blast doing it. Everything came together far better than I had initially hoped. I think one of the reasons I’d avoided finishing the blocking of the story in the first place was because I feared that I couldn’t do justice to the story in my head. Even working on it last week, I panicked that it wouldn’t be what I envisaged. I was right; what I have on my blocking sheets is better than planned.

As I worked through the climax, I started to get giddy. So giddy that I had to walk away from the work for fear of spilling coffee over my pages. You know the kind of giddy when you go all clappy hands when the hero and heroine are just sparking like crazy? Or is that a me thing? Well, I do this when I read my favourite authors. I’ve never experienced it with my own work before.

This is how a geek’s novel outline looks on paper. Eee!

The other reason I’m so excited for March to finally be here is all down to a goal I set myself at the start of January. The aim was to get the whole story entirely blocked out, with all the new plot changes, by the first workday of March (for me, that’s Thursday the 3rd) so that I could get back to the writing!

So, for the first time this year, I’m getting comfy, opening Scrivener, and getting stuck into the writing!

This Week’s Writing Goals

  • Add 3,000 words to Running the Asset’s manuscript, taking it to 84,675.

See you all soon!

That’s it for today. Thanks for stopping by, and take care.

Susan

Buy Me a Coffee at ko-fi.com
Follow SUSAN TIPPETT BRAITHWAITE on WordPress.com

About Me

Hi! I’m Scottish author Susan Tippett Braithwaite. I craft romantic suspense stories featuring Sex, Lies, Scots & Spies where danger and desire meet with explosive results.

Susan on Instagram

More From the Blog

20 responses to “Author Journal 3rd – 9th March 2022

  1. Chris Hall Avatar

    Excellent progress, Susan! I enjoyed the interview and I must say I’m rather in awe of your special skill.

    1. Susan T. Braithwaite Avatar

      Thank you, Chris! It’s really coming along now.
      It’s a handy skill to have when you’re writing snipers et al. ?

      1. Chris Hall Avatar

        Proper authenticity!

      2. Susan T. Braithwaite Avatar

        The whole reason I joined up; that and to do meteorology (not kidding on the latter part). Though, I have to rely on Jez’s expertise when it comes to handguns. I’m a rifles woman.

      3. Chris Hall Avatar

        I’ll know where to come should there be a need for shooting in one of my books then.
        As for the meteorology, you’d love it over here – four seasons in a day, plus the weird effect of Table Mountain!

      4. Susan T. Braithwaite Avatar

        No problem!
        We’re famed for the the four seasons in one day here. Then again, I think there are quite a few countries around the world who can claim the same. ?
        I bet Table Mountain makes for some astounding clouds. (I’m a cloud geek. I got all excited because we had a sky full of beautiful cirrus yesterday?)

      5. Chris Hall Avatar

        My favourite clouds are the lenticular ones which look like flying saucers. We get lots of them here!

      6. Susan T. Braithwaite Avatar

        I love lenticular ones, too.
        I always remember telling my instructor that we got them in Aberdeen quite often. He refused to believe me–they’re extremely rare on this island.
        So, after I’d been home to A’deen on leave, I went back with about 40 photos I’d taken in the two weeks off.?

  2. Susan T. Braithwaite Avatar

    Chris Hall: Author Journal 3rd – 9th March 2022 susantbraithwaite.com/2022/03/02/aut… via twitter.com

  3. Photos by Jez Avatar

    Brilliant work, Sweetie ?

    1. Susan T. Braithwaite Avatar

      Thank you, sweetie! ?

  4. Stefanie Neumann Avatar

    Susan, this is so awesome!
    I admire you so much for having done all this amazing work.
    And what a glorious outcome to get giddy over one’s own work.
    You have caught a glimpse of who you really are as a writer, there.
    I have once witnessed this on a medi-evial party. The bard had a less experienced singer with him and while she performed, something happened and she suddenly started to enjoy herself and her singing. So beautiful, it brought tears to my eyes.
    I’m happy for you.
    Regarding the brilliant interview with Marsha, I already threw in my two cents, as you know. 🙂
    Oh, and I’m loving the paper outline of the novel!
    Wishing you a comfy week with Scrivener. Go for it!

    1. Susan T. Braithwaite Avatar

      Thank you so much, Stefanie! Your support means the world to me ?
      That must have been an amazing sight with the singer.

  5. Aletta - nowathome Avatar

    It is just amazzing Susan! I loved the interview! Thanks for mentioning my blog. I am so honoured!

    1. Susan T. Braithwaite Avatar

      Thank you, Aletta! No problem, I love visiting your blog and seeing your amazing art and photos.

      1. Aletta - nowathome Avatar

        Thank you so much ?

  6. etikser Avatar

    Yay!

    1. Susan T. Braithwaite Avatar

Leave a comment below–I'd love to hear from you!