Writing Books and Hikes

Hike

A hike is always a good thing for me. It starts out with promise. I love a new trail to explore accompanied by a friendly conversation as we make our way along the trail. It may be raining or sunny, warm or cold and as long as I go prepared, I am happy to tackle whatever might be in front of me. I don’t always know exactly what to expect.

Sometimes the path is a little longer or a little steeper than I expect.

Sometimes it is quite tiring but somehow I just keep going with the knowledge that once I get to the top of the mountain/hill/cliff, there will be a gorgeous view as my reward.

Writing starts with promise. That idea that pops into my head and just begs itself to be written into a story. Friendly characters are my company as I create them and decide what will make them appealing to children. The weather may not always be perfect and the characters have to deal with a few setbacks but they keep moving forward along the trail as I do putting one foot in front of the other. Like the meandering trail, I’m not always sure where the story is going. Usually, I make some progress and then there’s the work of rewriting and more rewriting and even more rewriting and that’s when I feel I’m really going uphill on the trail, perhaps in the rain and wind and I wonder if I will make it to the end. I’m sort of there now with “Katie Shaeffer, Pancake Maker”.

I’m at that part of the trail where it starts to get really steep; where I might need to use my hands to scale some of the rock face in front of me; where I have to slow down as it is getting harder.

I know the reward is there and I’m going to keep climbing. It is slow going now but I’m getting closer. I’m on the trail to becoming a self-published author and I can’t wait to see the view from the top!

So I’m going back to climbing and hoping to have this book ready soon…