When is Slow Too Slow?

I can’t believe I haven’t posted anything on here since I wrote The Twelve Days of Writing.

Yipes!! What have I been doing with my time?

Well … I’ve been working on the next book in my Winnie and the “Wizard” fantasy series.

V-e-r-y … s-l-o-w-l-y.

Some days, if I can add just one paragraph, I pat myself on the back. But I can’t blame my sloth-like speed on not having a title yet. Aylen Isle went by the name Book Three for ages.

This new novel comes with a special challenge, though. It takes place on Frama-12. But that’s the title of my first book. If I call my fourth novel Frama-12 Part Two, readers might assume it’s the second book in the series.

So the writing is moving at a slow pace. Here’s why: Other activities have been cutting into my creative writing time. In other words, I’ve been following my advice to live, read, write, except I’m spending more time living and reading than writing.

I suppose I could have posted a blog on each of these activities. Instead, I’ll tell my story through pictures.

Activity #1: In the spring, a lot of time and creativity went into writing, directing, filming, and producing a staff music video that involved over 40 of my coworkers.

Activity #2: During that same time frame, I worked the vocal cords to prepare to sing in my church choir for three Easter services.

Activity #3: I applied to participate in the Read Local! Author Showcase at my local library. After I got accepted, I used my novel-writing time to design flyers for my books as handouts. The actual event happened on May 18, 2025. I was the only YA author among picture book authors. But I loved getting to know them. I’m so grateful to the folks who dropped by my table – even the elderly gentleman who thought he’d met my husband. Turned out he’d found some random guy with the same last name as me. 🤣

Activity #4: High school graduation.

And finally, summer vacation! Now that I’m off, I have more time to work on my nameless novel. I still feel like I’m writing too slowly. I blame “Reading.” I keep downloading books onto my Kindle! Although I did get some good work done during a mini-writer retreat earlier this month. My friend Antigone and I plan on going back later in July. Maybe I’ll write about that. And with luck, I’ll be able to finalize my novel while I’m there.

As of today, I’ve reached page 232 (61,300 words), and the climax is in sight.

Recently, I emailed my editor to let her know I hope to have my submission for her by the end of July. She said, “Please don’t force yourself to rush.”

Hmmm. Does that mean I should write slower?