And Then There were Five

Someone recently said to me that I make writing books look easy. I'll take that as a compliment even though it's far from true. Behind the scenes of any nonfiction book you'll find thousands of hours of research, interviews/polls, travel, plus the writing, editing (and more editing!). That last part -- the editing -- is both crucial and can drive a writer to tears. As in, "You must kill your darlings!" — a phrase for writers that means you must delete phrases (often whole pages) or turns of words that you love but really don't work! 

So, here I am, at the end of a year that began with me in a serious burnout from writing 3 books in 3 years (2019 - 2021), and I'm announcing a fifth book to come out in spring 2023. I’m not crazy! Bear with me as I explain.

I had planned to begin writing a fifth book in January 2022. But I hit a wall. I realized that something was out of whack. Instead, I began 2022 by journaling about this writing career of mine. And I reflected on my work/life balance. Ultimately, I resolved to devote 2022 to promoting the books that already existed. And I did! I was honored to be invited to do some pretty cool talks, and I even taught an online class for a community college (“Manteno’s Famous Forgotten Past”).

Then, in August 2022, I fell in love. Plain and simple. When I heard of Reedy Publishing’s line of travel books, I knew (hoped) this was my next book project. How did I know? I immediately felt passion for the project. After all, I’ve been traveling since I was knee high to a grasshopper! With my mom, husband, friends, siblings, and kids - and even for work a few times.

Come spring 2023, there will be five books with my name as author. Reedy Publishing has a whole line of these bucket list books, most of which have been citywide books, and they’ve branched out into statewide books. And I’ve written the one for Illinois — things to do, see, eat, climb, and absorb in the Land of Lincoln! I’m pleased, honored, and more than a little surprised that this project came about during what I had vowed to be a year of reflection and promoting the books I’d already written.

So, cheers to plans upended by circumstance, whimsy, luck, or fate. Wherever you go, wherever you roam, I wish you peace, safety, love, health, and meaning. Be well!