Gardening often feels like writing a book to me. There’s a certain amount of preparation I do for both, then comes the big push, babying everything along, and then patience while I wait for the fruits of my labor. This is always the hardest part for me. The waiting.
I know this space in my garden will be full and lush so very soon, but it’s hard to sit back and wait for that. Kind of like how it feels sending my book off to my editor or my beta readers.
I know a beautiful book is waiting for me on the other side of patience, but first there is the waiting.
Just as I wait as the tiny seedlings in my garden sprout and the bigger plants start to grow and flesh out.
Waiting aside, Spring has been a busy season for me in the garden, in the imaginary world inside my mind, and in my real life.
I got my entire garden prepped and planted—a monumental endeavor considering I did absolutely no weeding or winterizing of it at the end of last season— and I turned the island in the middle of the driveway into what will hopefully be a pollinator garden filled with Georgia native wildflowers. I even tried my hand at propagating some lavender.
I finished writing and editing When the Snow Falls, Book 2 in the St. John’s Secrets connected series. Each book is a standalone that takes place in a shared world, and this is my favorite way to write series.
Honestly, it’s probably the only way I’ll ever write them. I simply love that you can revisit a world and its characters at any point, without necessarily having to read all the books that have come before, and still enjoy a full story without cliffhangers.
When the Snow Falls follows Alexis Donnely who you’ll know as Mia’s bestie if you read Dream of Me! It’s time for Alexis to reveal the secret she’s been hiding, explore her more adventurous side, and get her very own happily ever after.
While that book was going through edits, I took some time to finish writing Seven Days to Midnight, an age-gap vampire dark romance where she’s the bored, ancient vampire and he’s the silly little human. In this story, Julian meets Lilith on Halloween night, and she issues him a challenge: make her fall in love with him, or she’ll make him her next meal.
It was such fun writing such a dark and tantalizingly taboo romance, and I can’t wait for it to be published soon!
The icing on the cake for this amazing season was seeing my oldest daughter perform in her school’s biggest play of the year, The Little Mermaid, taking on a dual role as one of the ensemble sea creatures and a set painter. I am such a proud momma!
Needless to say this season has been as incredible as it has been busy, and I’m so excited for everything I’ve been able to accomplish before it’s even over yet.
Just don’t ask me about the state of the laundry in my house.
Congratulations on publishing your book. I can imagine how difficult it must be to have to sit and wait by your used to patiently waiting for your seeds to sprout so it isn’t too different. And congrats to you daughter on her stage debut!
It is so exciting to get the garden started. I am looking forward to warmer weather and gardening! Congrats on the books, what an accomplishment!
I love your thoughts about gardening and writing a book. I’ve been gardening since I was a little girl, and it is chapter after chapter.
These are the two most favorite activities ever. I just love seeing my plants grow, but also – writing a poem or two with a cup of tea. What a blessing!
I love the comparison between writing books and gardening. This is so beautiful. I’ve never written books but I love and enjoy gardening so much for all the reasons you mentioned.
Congratulations on publishing your book, that’s such an achievement. I wish I was green fingered like you, our garden looks so overgrown x
I am starting my garden a little later this year, from the middle of May. It is such a good time to plant! Well done on your book – that’s fantastic.
I’m so glad to see you taking your destiny in your own hands instead of trying to get a publishing house to do it for you. I love your spirit, and the cover art is always great. Love the comparison of gardening to writing.
I love the connection you’ve brought to life between writing and gardening. Ours is pretty low maintenance however I also did no winterising, so I’ve had quite a bit to contend with in spring. I’ve enjoyed it though! It’s very cathartic! I’d imagine writing can be the same feeling.
Claire
I’ve always wanted to write a book but have never got around to it. Gardening, however, is my ‘thing’ – I spend a lot of time in my garden!