Making My Writing Time Count

And a Survey and Book Deals!

Now that I’m working another job, I have much less writing time. So, I want each minute of that time to count. So, I’ve been brainstorming ways to do that.

I’m mainly a discovery writer and often find that any kind of heavy outline sends me running in the opposite direction. The reason is that I feel I’ve already written that story and quickly lose interest in continuing it.

However, I do feel that if I can meet in the middle somewhere between complete discovery writing and a heavy outline, it could help me write faster. Then I could do more with the time I have.

That is what I’m going to try during the next two weeks. I have a rough sketch of major events written out for What Used to be Louisiana. I find by book 3 I need to do that, anyway. Otherwise, the storylines get all mixed up.

I’ll add some minor events to those major one. Then I’ll know what I’m writing toward. I think that will make the writing go faster and still keep the outline light. It also allows for those surprise events my characters think of.

Yes, I know it’s weird that characters are actually directing the writing. I realize it is my own brain that is doing that. But once I’ve created a character and become them, so to speak, their personality traits can change the story.

For instance, I give Axel a problem and realize that he wouldn’t react in the way I originally written. Wolf would do that though. So now, it becomes Wolf’s problem.

So, anyhow, it shows that I need to leave a little wiggle room in that outline.

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Paid Subscribers

Thank you to my new paid subscribers for joining the newsletter! I really appreciate your support.

I’ve started adding a new story, When Tomorrow Comes: A What Used to be Prequel into the paid section and will continue to do that on a regular basis.

When Tomorrow Comes is a short story of about 22,000 words and introduces a new family who will show up in What Used to be Louisiana. I hope you enjoy it.

It seemed a good idea to add audio to the chapters. I know I’m not the best at narration, but I have a lot of people ask if I have audio books. That isn’t possible for me right now. So, perhaps my narration is better than none at all. lol

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Survey

Tonight a storm is supposed to roll through our area. It’s not supposed to be as bad as has been in other areas, but it got me thinking about how many people have been effected by the severe weather lately.

So the question is:

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What I’m Reading . . .

I’m not really reading right now as I’m so busy. My Kindle is sad as I’d had a two year streak going. But if you’ve read a good book that you’d like to recommend, please message me about it and I’ll put that in the next newsletter for others to check out. :)

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BOOK DEALS

22 Sci-fi books—all on sale, starting at 99c! https://storyoriginapp.com/to/bpqAWF3

32 Sci-fi and Fantasy books on sale—starting at 99c! https://book.mairadawn.com/januarynewyear/kqlcnog9z8

I’m short on promos this time so I’m adding this link for you to check out. It is a current Amazon list of FREE Post-apocalyptic books. I was going to highlight one or two but you might want to pick for yourselves. Just click the link to pick one, or a few, for yourself. :)

Happy Reading,
Maira :)