One of my worst traits as a writer is that I’m horrible with timelines. I’m not referring to deadlines-I’m actually really good at turning in work on time. I’m talking about days of the week and all sorts of assorted time references in my books. I also have been known to mess up ages in books, especially if something happened say, eight years ago. Suddenly, even the simplest math equation escapes me when I’m writing a novel.
I’ve written for lots of different publishing houses, and usually several editors in each one. I can’t think of one who probably didn’t want to walk into my house and stick a calendar on my desk. I don’t blame them, either.
This isn’t to say I don’t try. I now write all kinds of timeline references at the beginning of each chapter. I have notes in the spirals I keep for each novel. And…I still get them wrong.
And…since I’m sharing embarrassing flaws, I usually don’t keep track of how many books I have due during a year or devise any sort of work schedule. All I do is concentrate on my latest deadline, turn in the book, and then move on to the next.
All this is why a big milestone that is coming up almost escaped me. Very soon I will have published a 100 novels. A 100!? Considering how hard I worked to sell my first 5 books, this is simply amazing to me. I couldn’t be more proud or grateful for the opportunities so many editors have given me. I can honestly say none of it would have happened without my agents at the Seymour Agency. Over the years, Mary Sue Seymour and Nicole Resciniti guided, encouraged, and yes, sometimes even helped me refocus many, many times. Their belief in me led to a career that’s now lasted two decades.
So, when is this 100 Book Milestone going to happen? To be honest, I’m still not really sure. Frustrated with my continued inability to count, my daughter Lesley (who is an agent for the Seymour Agency) has very sweetly taken over the tally. I feel certain one of these days this year or in early 2021 she’s going to let me know when the big day has arrived.
Until then, I plan to keep my eyes on my computer screen and my fingers on my keyboard. I’m currently on deadline, and that it one date I intend to remember.
