The mood here at the Backstory Cafe feels like a cozy blanket this month. People are relaxed, smiling, jovial. The clink of steaming mugs to my right, hearty laughter from the couple on my left.
Yep. It’s a magical time.
Book Number One is in that “no touchy” stage, being sent out to agents, awaiting their feedback before any further edits. Book Number Two is in that halcyon phase of first draft, where the story is either going along really well or completely failing, depending on my mood, but either way, it’s too darn early in the process to worry much about it.
The lack of stress and re-write angst is refreshing. I’ve used the time to devour two novels, a handful of short stories, the last three issues of Writer’s Digest, and catch up on one heck-of-a long Twitter feed. Also, a few writer friends and I started a Reader’s Workshop, dissecting famous short stories from the last century, so I’m study the elements of fiction again.
All of this feels like pure fun to me, but the reading and studying do have fantastic benefits to us writers. It fills us up, feeds our creativity, and instills good writing habits. I have a tingly feeling that this mood might not last long. I’m trying not to remind myself of that old saying that ties calm to a storm. For now, I plan to enjoy every second of it.
