7.17.25-Lessons Learned in Week...2 and 1/2?

Well, it took me all of ten days or so to get off of posting regularly but this is, after all, a learning process.

• It's going to take a conscious effort to manage the "marketing" aspects of this journey. The writing might actually end up being the...easy part? It just took me the better part of an hour to figure out how to automate emails for new blog posts so to my (checks list) four subscribers, you're welcome.

• I've found my first editor! The Sunny Lake manuscript is currently being looked at by a developmental editor and I should have some feedback by the beginning of August. In case you didn't know, there are many kinds of editors. I had no idea. Just sort of pictured a librarian with a grammar agenda going ham on poor amateur authors.

• I am loathe to say it, but the AI aspect of the website builder is really, really helpful. I'm still trying to use it as little as possible.

• By nature, I am what's called a "discovery writer", which is a fancy term that writers use to describe people who are lousy at planning ahead and better at improvising and just "writing to see what happens". Unfortunately, I'm learning that I'm still going to have to do some planning. Generally speaking, the futher into these stories I've gotten, the more I've had to sit down and map things out. It's a constant battle to remind myself that plot planning, character sketches, thematic reviews, etc. are not "wasting time" because they aren't actual writing.

• One of the first things I've had to cut down on since starting to write more is, ironically, reading. A number of authors I've listened to have said this happened to them, at least until they could quit their day jobs, but it doesn't make it any less disappointing.

• On a personal note, took a trip to Kohler, WI to play some golf and hit the spa. Below are a couple pictures from Whistling Straits, one of the many absolutely breathtaking courses in the area (photo credit to my wife). Until next time!

Whistling Straits Golf Course in Sheboygan, WI