Jennifer Lyon


Monday, May 3rd, 2021
Weekend Roundup

Stop me if you’ve heard this story before: My book wasn’t working, so I went back to the beginning…

I hear all of you who know me screaming, Stop! We’ve heard it a thousand freaking times.

My ideas always start out as one thing and then they come alive, and go through a series of bloody battles we’ll call growing pains as they mature into the story they that is meant to be. That’s when they are no longer mine, but living creatures fighting for what they believe in and need to survive and thrive. The problem is they are like teenagers who keep secrets and make me go through a thousand wrong guesses (easily 100 pages of manuscript) that end badly before I finally pry the truth out of them.

My inefficient process drives me out of my mind. And yet I love it…when I don’t hate it. I’ve long stopped questioning where ideas come from. Instead I try to embrace them with gratitude, load up my determination and buck my metaphoric seat belt for the ride.

One silly Maggie story. We’ve only been down going on a morning walk because it’s hot in the afternoon. Yesterday the weather cooled a bit so  after lunch while Maggie was in the backyard, I went upstairs and grabbed my walking shoes. I dumped them at the bottom of the stairs then went to let her in. She got half way across the room when she saw my shoes. Surprise and excitement hit her so hard, she Tigger Hopped the last three steps to my shoes. Then she did a crazy Chihuahua wiggle dance that made me laugh.

Dogs are so sweet with their unabashed joy for the little things.

How was your weekend?

P.S. 4 more days to enter the Savaged Illusions Giveaway here!

6 comments to “Weekend Roundup”

  1. Silver James
    May 3rd, 2021 at 8:40 am · Link

    Awww. Maggie is such a good girl! And yeah…each writer’s process is a…process. I feel for you as I’m in the midst on on of those “take-overs” too.

    My weekend was pretty good. We had siren test and awesome Mexican food with the Kids. Jake was a good boy as always–Jake story to add to Maggie’s at the end.

    I got several chapters written Friday through yesterday. With luck, I hit The Black Moment™ today. It’s a doozy and I’ve known it was the black moment from early-on. It just took me 30 chapters to get there. 🤣

    Sleeping patterns are still wonky but that’s what coffee is for. And my Jake story. I admit, I’m lazy. I also like to be comfy when I’m at my desk. So–cotton or flannel sleep pants and a T-shirt (short or long-sleeve depending on outside temps) and flip-flop. I only put on real clothes if I’m going out to run errands. The moment I put on jeans and boots, Jake is glued to my side. He follows me everywhere. He KNOWS I’m going out and he wants to go. He almost always gets to but sometimes, I need to leave him at home. Then he steals the cat food bowl, eats it, and hides it. And it’s not like LG isn’t here with him. I’ve even tried putting him outside while I get dressed but the minute he comes in and sees me in real clothes? He’s a magnet. 😂 and 🙄

    Have a great week, all!



  2. Viki S.
    May 3rd, 2021 at 3:21 pm · Link

    It may be annoying to you but it is the process that works. Your books always turnout great and we just have to accept that often things need to be started over.

    I love the Maggie story. She must have been SO very happy for an afternoon walk.

    I love the swimsuit. I looked at all of the patterns and the one you chose is my favorite too. I like the lines.

    It’s one of the rainy slow days here today. I got all my work done but could really have curled up on the couch and read all day :).

    The ant guy was out at 8 am Sat. I hope it did the trick. It’s a pain having to call them back if the wasps return.

    That wine I bought is very tasty. I think I’ll go buy another bottle tomorrow while it’s still on sale ;).

    Have a great afternoon.



  3. B.E. Sanderson
    May 3rd, 2021 at 4:13 pm · Link

    Yay for Maggie! I can totally imagine her bunny-hop-wiggle-butt maneuver. And hush. Your process is your process. Own it, baby. It obviously works – even when it feels like it doesn’t – because you have loads of awesome books with your name on them. You rock, superstar. :hugs:

    The weekend was there. I spent a lot of time fiddling with my garden, reading, and watching TV. Not enough time writing. And today’s not looking good either. :shrug: I need another nap.



  4. Jenn
    May 3rd, 2021 at 5:25 pm · Link

    Silver, yep the process is what it is.

    Yay for siren test and awesome Mexican food with kids.

    The black moment shows up when it’s good and ready. For me, some books it’s before I start, and some…it’s a fight. Yay you for writing until it showed!! Keep going!

    So sorry for insomnia in whatever form it’s torturing you. I hate that exhaustion, but coffee is magical :-)

    Jake is a smart boy! I suspect for him, he sees it as his “job” to go with you and can’t understand why you’d ever stop him from doing his job. But the stealing the cat bowl and hiding it cracked me up! I would love to know his thought process on that!

    Hope you got more writing done today!



  5. Jenn
    May 3rd, 2021 at 5:31 pm · Link

    Viki, I try to just accept it, and some of it, is wildly fun. Other parts, not so much.

    Thanks on swimsuit :-)

    It’s hard for me to get motivated when it’s raining too, but yay for getting it all done anyway.

    I hope you don’t have to call the bug guy back too.

    That wine sure sounds good, and you should definitely get another bottle!

    Enjoy your evening!



  6. Jenn
    May 3rd, 2021 at 5:36 pm · Link

    B.E., thanks :-) But superstar? LOL! But you’re right that we should own our process.

    Doing other stuff like your garden can be a good way to think about your book. Or not think about it if you need a mental break. Plus your container garden is awesome!



Comments are closed.





JenniferLyon.com