All the pots I have on my imaginary stove are on a simmer right now.
After focusing for the last 6 months on one project I sent it to my editor this week which means it is has been turned down to simmer as there is nothing I can do for it right now.
I had thought that while Looks Real Good Right Now was with my editor that I would have Thing 2 back from my editor so I could shift to that, but at the moment I haven’t had it back so that is also still on a simmer (has been since October now, and it’s wild to think that is has been that long since I last looked at that book because I lived with it pretty solidly for two years).
There are several other things that I could in theory work on but I can’t quite shake the cobwebs off and get back into a drafting headspace. Mostly because I know that whenever I get my manuscript back from my editors (these books are with 2 different ones) I will have to get back into the headspace of that book. I would be doing whichever project I chose next a disservice because I am just not going to be giving it my undivided attention.
There is also the problem of the fact that I don’t quite know which one I am being called to the most.
If you have seen this Instagram post then you will see that I have two series’ on my desk.
Looks Real Good Now is part of the ‘Detroit Tigers’ series which is the manifestation of my love for hockey romances. The second book in that series is playing on my mind and the third one is also kind of making itself known (I have the beginnings of a plot but as of yet neither of the main characters have names…). I am very much mentally in that world right now and so it seems like the natural thing to just stay in that world.
But on the other hand I have two pretty solid bases formed in my ‘As Yet Untitled’ Series (which I really need to name before this non-name sticks) which I could move to. They both work against pretty similar timelines which may prove to be both a blessing and a curse. And, maybe more importantly, they are set in London which means I don’t have to double guess word choices because I know they will be correct.
Rachel and Adrienne both have stories that I am really excited to get to. The problem is, I can’t choose between the two of them. Neither of them were supposed to even have other stories, I was supposed to be living that Emily Henry standalone life. But no, Rachel just had to make herself a bigger character and give her own teasers on her love life. And Adrienne just had to make a joke about finding her soulmate and now here we are.
Here, being I’ve ended up with so much choice that I don’t know where to dive into next. Unlike with Looks Real Good Now which was very much driven by the the time of year that it was set in, none of the other pots on the stove have that same driving factor.
And anyway, the whole thing is a moot point because I’m not actually going to dive into drafting another project until July. Which will give me time to figure it out. Although I bet by the time July rolls around it will have caught me so off guard it will come down to whichever one I have the clearest opening chapter for.
There are also actually plenty of other things that I could be doing with this total fallow period.
I have blurbs to write. I have playlists to actually finalise because currently they are half assed attempts at playlists because they aren’t actually crucial to my writing process. Similarly I have Pinterest boards that I need to create so that I can demonstrate the overall vibe of both Looks Real Good Now and Thing 2 (I will at some point confirm what book is called, but it will not be any time soon). This will help inform both the cover and the artwork that I am commissioning for them.
There are teasers that I could think about creating because I can probably get away with a little Christmas in July promo (thanks widespread marketing). There is a little spicy bonus scene that I want to write that I will do something with once the book itself has been published.
Basically what is left is admin things. And the admin things appeal to me the least. But annoyingly the admin things are also kind of important.
Which I know because I’ve had the foresight to say to myself ‘no new drafts until July’.
So that is what I am actually doing while all my pots simmer away waiting for their time to be brought back to the boil.
Jumpin’ Jumpin’
What I’m reading - It took almost no time at all for me to just keep racking up the books on my ‘currently reading’ shelf again because I have NO control and am really quite the mood reader. It’s currently not more than 4 at a time though, and I’m going to try and keep it at that.
ARCs read - The Boyfriend Subscription - Steven Salvatore (out May 9th), Learn Your Lesson - Kandi Steiner (out now) and Lavash at First Sight - Taleen Voskuni (out May 9th)
Other books - Abysmal - Marie Ann, Ziggy - K.M Neuhold & Nora Phoenix, Possessive Park Avenue Prince - Ella Frank & Brooke Blaine and Glitch - Briana Michaels
Currently Reading - The Silence Factory - Bridget Collins (out May 9th), A Wolf in Duke’s Clothing - Susanna Allen, Only and Forever - Chloe Liese and You May Now Kill the Bride - Kate Weston (out May 23rd)
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What I’m watching - Been watching a lot of Queer Eye recently. As well as (finally) the third season of Only Murders in the Building. Also watching Ripley and I don’t remember if I have mentioned this in the last couple of months but I have been watching A LOT of tennis these days. I thought I was just a Wimbledon only fan, but no I do quite like watching a tennis match.
What I’m listening to - The Smallest Man in the World was a DIRECT hit (second verse specifically). Consider that my declaration that I have been residing in The Tortured Poets Department since Friday.
Title Inspiration - This title did not want to make itself known then I remembered I Just Don’t Know What To Do With Myself existed. So have The White Stripes version.