Newsletter ep. 2
Oh hey, hi…remember me?
Well, in case you've forgotten, I'm Beth. AKA E.L. Stevens. Your perpetually unwell author of books that hurt so good, and here's a little update on that subject matter:
We're only a month into summer over here, and my god, it has been a summer. Our family suffered an unexpected loss in June. So just as summer started, we flew to Arizona to spend a week and a half with family. We came home for a week of camp and immediately following that, launched into two back-to-back softball tournaments spanning two weeks. That was fun sweaty.
But while I've been chauffeuring kiddos and schlepping Bogg bags, I've been dealing with a few health issues and quite a few doctors appointments. Doubly fun, huh? (I promise this isn't a downer of an email like the last one might have been. Bear with me.)
All this to say, I'm having surgery. In September. Right after Labor Day. At first, I was ecstatic. (This is not elective surgery fyi.) But after sitting with it for a couple of weeks now, I find my mind wandering to thoughts of morbidity. Maybe it's just that loss is at the forefront of my mind after losing my sister-in-law. Maybe it's my age. Or even the feelings of depression I've battled this year. Maybe it's just the natural progression of things when one has to undergo general anesthesia, but either way, the thoughts are there.
Aside from the very obvious fear of leaving my kids and husband, my next greatest fear…is leaving Emmaline's book unfinished. I mean, how dare I?? And could you imagine???
The solution was obvious (at least on this front); I knew what needed to be done. I will have to finish her book. And I have to do it by September 4th.
Soooo in the grim event something were to happen to me, no one will be left wondering for all of time: WHOSE BABY IS IT???
*Fun aside, my husband just finished Alexander last week. (I know, why in the hell did he wait so long?) Anyways, he finishes the book, releases a heavy sigh, and says, “I fucking knew you would do that.” A pregnant pause followed (no pun intended). “Whose baby is it? It's Blanks's, isn't it??”
I didn't tell him whose baby it is. Yes, he is still talking to me, but just barely. Comms have broken down in the Stevens household. *(I'm kidding, but he was pissed I won't tell him.)
I digress; the news and update are this: I'm in the process of preparing to write again, and I can't freaking wait. And because of this, I thought it might be fun to share how I prep to begin writing. Every author/writer probably has a different process, so for funsies, I thought I'd share mine.
Ugh, I hate this step, but it is so imperative for me to have a good space and area to work. When I write, I truly hole up in my office for the month or so it takes me, and I will be there day in and day out until it's finished. My space has to be clean and comfortable.
I always make a few updates to the space just before undertaking another book. Sometimes it's a new rug or lamp. Sometimes it's rearranging the bookshelf, but this time, I'm ordering a new office chair. A boring, ergonomic office chair because I've finally learned my lesson. I'll pick up a fresh orchid for my side table and light one of my fancy candles too.
As for organization, I'll move my massive TBR stack to a cabinet and out of sight. I'll put all my shipping and shop items in the basement to cut down on clutter. I'll stock up on pens and paper and all the sticky notes, and then lastly, I'll remove the pins and hangings off my mood board from the last book, which brings me to step 2.
Now, sure, I could do this on Pinterest, and I do, but I always create a physical mood board too. One that I can look at occasionally as I work. I might put a mountain scene or natural textures on the board, and it will help me think about the environment I want to portray. There might be clothing items pulled from magazines that serve as inspo for certain characters, too. Really, anything that gives me the vibe I already have in my mind makes it to the board.
I'll do a big trip to Barnes & Noble, amass a large pile of magazines, then sit and snip away, pulling inspiration from the photos.
It's a great exercise to 1. Jog the memory. 2. Get reacquainted with my own tone and writing voice, and cleanse away the tone of books I read during my break. 3. I take meticulous notes and keep a master calendar of all Spearhead events, so as I read, I cross-reference. Each date, each detail, gets double-checked.
Mostly, I keep them in my notes app on my phone, but some inevitably also end up on a notepad I keep on my desk. I take all those notes and tidbits and compile them into one master note document to reference and use as inspiration.
This is likely the most crucial step of all IMO.
I'll make sure my drawers are well stocked with sweats, baggy tees, and oversized sweatshirts. That's it, that's the wardrobe.
Step 7
Write.
Now really, I could easily make step 7, step 1 and throw out all the rest. But getting ready to write my fifth (whole, 6th in actuality) book, I've learned a little about myself. I work best in a tidy environment that feels good. When my work area is prepped, my mind is free to flow uninhibited.
So now, I guess, I'm off to put my steps into motion! Have a great weekend loves!!!
xoxo,
