Loose Threads

Where am I now? Well, I'm reading through my latest book to get it ready for a beta read. I'm also surviving my children's many track meets. These things are all day, people. All day. Just had Valentine's Day, and my husband got it right. It rocked, Deja Black style.

Finished the Draft? Now What?

As a writer, when you finish a book, you're just so happy to finish. The funny thing is that that is when the real work begins. I think of it like tying up loose threads. Did you start out with your character one way, and near the end, you have someone completely different? How many times did you repeat words? The word "that" is often repeated unnecessarily. It's definitely one to keep an eye on. Did you change the spelling of your character's name, or give him a totally different one? It happens. It's one of the many things that require refining. Ask any writer. You have to have a system after you finish the draft. It's what helps make the draft you completed into the book you envisioned. Pulling the threads together produces the clothing of your dreams.

Need some help with your first draft? Check out this article below (Click on the image for the link.) :

There's a great list here of what to do immediately after you finish, like reading something else and stepping away from the draft, giving it to a beta reader, or compartmentalizing your notes. I really like how down-to-earth the author is, and I've definitely saved this one for myself as a sort of checklist. Rewriting the outline? Create an editing masterplan? Yes, I need more of this. We can all stand to learn more.

TikTok Update

Things are going pretty well with TikTok so far. I have some followers and have followed some myself. I'm trying to put myself out there while keeping the focus on subjects related to my writing. I'm sharing a few of the books I've read lately, too. I'm building community. I've even made a few more videos. Hang on. Let me find them.

https://www.tiktok.com/@deja.black.mm.wri/video/7603227170038746381?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7599320328179664414

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/78bea5_56450303eaae4806a6d3b332a8fd1fe5/480p/mp4/file.mp4

https://www.tiktok.com/@deja.black.mm.wri/video/7606889615571586318?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7599320328179664414

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/78bea5_09d38bf8c6fc423ba2ef7f8af7f439de/480p/mp4/file.mp4

My goal is to reach more readers in my genre. They're on TikTok, and I've gotten a chance to add to my TBR list because of the people I'm meeting. It's nice. Hoping to build my audience as I build my library!

Family Time

Years ago, when my children selected their sports, I was happy for them to find their "thing", their "place". Well, let me warn you, if your child's thing happens to be track, be prepared for a long day, one filled with moving schedules, heat, rain, cold, and bugs. If it's hot, there will be bugs. But it's all worth it. My son is a high jumper who occasionally runs sprints, and my daughter plays field sports. They're both good at what they do. My daughter is improving each and every event. Trust me. I've been to almost every one three times a week.

When I was a kid, athletics were not my thing, and now I have two kids who are. It's funny how that works. Me, I write, sing, and am an artist. My son is an artist, too, while my daughter crochets. My hubby is the family's techie, passing along those skills to our offspring. As a mom, I'm just working on being there for every one of them.

We all have our "things".

What are yours?

What Am I Writing?

I've finished the second book in the Children of the Sun series. I'm reading through the first draft, making changes as I go. I'm also trying to decide on the title. I want it be original, something that will make the search easier. I'm loving Jacobi's story. I hope you will, too.

Before I Forget

I almost forgot about Valentine's Day. So, every year, my hubby tries to make the day special, which I appreciate. This year? He actually gave me what I wanted. Toys! No, not those kinds. I'm into plushies and collectibles. I like Sonny Angels, Labubus, Pops, and all the rest. There are too many to name. I have the classics, too, ones I grew up loving. Yes, I'm one of the women with noisy purses from my keychains clicking together. He hates it, but he loves me, so this year, we went to breakfast, and then he took me to the store to get toys. It was the best day ever. For him? I got him his favorite chocolate. Dark. Yuck. LOL! I love him, so he got the big box. He doesn't have to worry about me asking for one piece. :)

It's the little things, people. Make the most of them.

All the love,

Deja