J. H. Authors

One Woman. Three Names. Many Books.

Writing

Pumpkin Time!

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I’m embracing fall this fall. Living in New England, I’ve always been aware of fall. Loved the foliage. Enjoyed my share of apple cider. But because I hate, and I mean hate, winter, I don’t usually enjoy fall. Since I live in New England, that’s a shame. So I’m making adjustments, and leaning into the season. I’m going to farm stands for all things apple. I’m taking walks, and going on rides, to look at foliage. Snuggling into a hoodie and being both warm enough and enjoying crisp air do have a certain amount of charm.

Embracing pumpkin time is an attitude shift. Enjoy now instead of dreading tomorrow. Build memories that will help get through the winter. Pick the apples, drink the cider, enjoy the fall vegetables, tour the cemetery, enjoy the fresh air. 

This shift is also helpful for my writing life. Dreading the future isn’t good for creativity. Don’t get me wrong; goals are a good thing. Creating habits help. But too often I spiral with “will this book sell?” thoughts that derail the pleasure of writing/editing. Self-doubt moves in to sit next to me as I work.

Writing is hard work. But when you’re in the groove, it’s a lot of fun. Worrying about next steps diminishes the fun, the joy. This month, I’m using “pumpkin time” as my reminder to just focus on the now. Bake the pie, carve the pumpkin and finish the book.

Time for a Reboot!

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I used to blog with five fabulous women–Liz Mugavero/Cate Conte, Barbara Ross, Sherry Harris, Jessica Ellicott/Jessica Everett, and Edith Maxwell/Maddie Day. I had three JH names during my Wicked Authors years: Julianne Holmes, J.A. Hennrikus, and Julia Henry. Two years ago the Wickeds decided to end our ten year blogging journey. Liz and I talked about a reboot, and did some work on it. The idea is still on the table. 

But then life happened. Lots of life. Adding to the mix is a demanding job I love. I haven’t had the bandwidth to reboot my writing life in a serious way. I’m building the bandwidth now.

What’s different? First of all, I feel better. My first knee was replaced in December, and my second knee was replaced last June. Knee replacement is a tough surgery, and it takes up to a year to recover. That said? My knees ache, but the pain is mostly gone. What a difference that makes.

Second, I wasn’t writing. Then this spring, I woke up with an idea about how to fix a book I’ve been working on for years. Once I started editing, I fell back in love with the characters. I’m still working on it, but I’m thrilled with the progress. Listen, writing is hard work. But there’s joy in the work. I’m also working on short stories to keep the creative juices flowing.

This summer I decided to reboot my blog. I plan to use this space to make myself accountable. To talk about writing. To share movies/books/television shows/theater/art that I’ve loved. To write down some random thoughts and ideas.

I’m also firing up my social media. When I first started out, I was adamant about separating my lives on social. During my reboot I considered combining them all into one, but I decided to keep JHAuthors alive on Facebook and Instagram. I’ll also play with YouTube and videos.

Welcome to my reboot! Follow me on Instagram and on Facebook. And make sure to sign up for my newsletter.

Moving Forward

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Moving Forward Post

For a long time I kept up with my blog. Then I stopped, focussing on my Wicked Authors posts, and those I did for Killer Characters. But in 2021, I want to get back to sharing my thoughts with all of you. In this space, I’ll be sharing updates on my writing journey. The books, the ideas, the research, the promotion. I hope this is interesting to readers of my books, and helpful for writers on their own paths.

December 2020 Updates

During November’s NaNoWriMo, I wrote the first draft of Garden Squad #5, tentatively titled The Plot Thickets. The book is due in May. I’m thrilled to have gotten so many words written, and think a large part of that was due to the community of writers supporting each other.

I’ve also been noodling some new ideas, getting ready for a cover reveal of Book #4, and working on this website.

In my coaching/teaching life, I’m starting a monthly subscription called the Writing Journey. Monthly group coaching calls, write-ins, and goal setting exercises. I’m looking forward to launching it in January.

My friend Carolyn Wilkins and I also created a course called Inspiration Awakening that I’m excited for folks to learn more about. This course is about the mindset writers need to do their work.

I look forward to connecting more in 2021.

Time

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I went to a great workshop at Grub Street on Saturday. The leader was Hillary Rettig, and the topics were procrastination and time management. Her approach on these topics is very different. And inspiring. Inspiring for new ideas. But requiring some reframing, and some plain old hard work.

Hard work? Harder than writing? Way harder, in so many ways. You see, Hillary explains that in the course of a given week, you have 112 hours to work with (provided you sleep 8 hours a night, which you should). That needs to include working, commuting, shopping, cooking, cleaning, working out, writing (or whatever your passion/avocation is), relationships, entertainment, etc.  How you spend those 112 hours is a choice. Granted, working isn’t a choice for many of us. But decisions around working may be (ie telecommunting, flex time, etc.)

She suggests 15 minute scheduling blocks, outsourcing where possible and some tough, mindful choices. In theory, all possible. In fact? I am finding there are three layers of effort involved.

The first is the list of things that need to be included in the 112 hours. I am trying to be complete in this and doing a complete brain dump. That said, I know some things will need to be modified, or dumped off the list. I am still in this phase, and a little stuck.

The second is the schedule itself. For me, two sub layers are involved here. The actual scheduling, and then tracking it. I was/am a Franklin Covey and Planner Pad girl, but am not loving the paper right now. Need to find a schedule/task softward for androids. Suggestions welcome.

The third is assessing. What happens if I don’t get the five hours of working out I scheduled actually done? What happens if I get on an Angry Bird jag? There are no repercussions, except to myself.

And that is the point. No one is forcing me to do this. I want to do this. And so I have to crack these three layers. And do the work.

I will report back on my success.

 

Level Best Books and Regina

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This weekend I am going to Crime Bake. During the weekend I will be on a signing panel for THIN ICE, the new anthology by Level Best Books. “Tag, You’re Dead” is the first story I’ve ever had published. Here’s the blog post that featured me as an author. I am thrilled to be part of this collection. For a lot of reasons.

I missed the first Crime Bake, but have been to every one since. My friend Regina went with me that first year, 2003, the year  Level Best Books first anthology was released. Regina bought it, and walked around asking everyone to sign their stories.

“Wouldn’t it be cool to be in it some year?” she asked me.

Maybe next year I said.

But next year Regina wasn’t able to make it to Crime Bake. She had been diagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer in May, and was in the hospital.  The next year she was gone.

Regina was a force. I didn’t know her long (we’d met in a mystery writing class),  but I do think of her every year around Crime Bake.  This year another friend of ours is also in THIN ICE. When I sent Mary a congratulatory email, she wrote back.

“Wouldn’t Regina be proud?” she said.

Regina would be very proud. As am I.