writing

Writing Talismans

February 8, 2020 By JB Lynn Leave a Comment

Do you believe in talismans?

Here’s the definition according to Merriam-Webster:

I love calling the objects I use “talismans” not because I believe they’re magical, but because they connect me to the magic of writing. They serve as a constant reminder of what I’m trying to achieve.

So what are my writing talismans?

For the first few years my talisman for my CONFESSIONS OF A SLIGHTLY NEUROTIC HITWOMAN series was a lizard necklace. Now it’s this guy, given to me by an amazing friend to celebrate the sale (or maybe it was the release? Can’t remember it was a long time ago, lol) of the first book in the series. Godzilla hangs in my kitchen so that I see him every day.

For the Psychic Consignment Mystery series, I wore these crystal bracelets (that represent items that figure heavily in the books) and this little fella who is the inspiration for one of the characters was my constant writing companion.

I had to search for quite a while to find the perfect talisman for the upcoming spinoff series of the Hitwoman books. It’s too early to show you that, I don’t want to jinx it, lol.

I believe that a physical reminder of what you’re trying to achieve (it doesn’t have to be writing related!!!) can be a potent tool for achieving your goals.

Do you use talismans?

Week 4 of 2020 recap

February 5, 2020 By JB Lynn Leave a Comment

I had a cold and have been battling the lingering cough and I forgot to post a Week 3 progress report, but I’m back on track.

I played Florida tourist and went to see manatees. It was the perfect time for us to go…the water was cool so there were HUNDREDS of manatees, but the day was gorgeous.

Do you do “tourist” stuff where you live?

The big shadows are manatees…the little guy to the right is a shark

I’ve completed the copy edits for GENTLY USED, STILL WORKS. The second installment of the Psychic Consignment Mysteries is available for preorder and will out on February 27th. If you’re not signed up for my newsletter and want to see a sneak peek of one of my favorite scenes next week, sign up now.

I’m working on the story edits of the third book in the series.

I’m working on Hitwoman 23.

I’m rolling along on my passion project. Chances are it will never see the light of day, but I’m having fun with it.

Also…I’m developing my brand new series. (It’s a spinoff of the Hitwoman series and I am soooo excited about it. I’ve got the preliminary blurb done and I’ve had the first cover made. And I’ve got my talisman which I’m ridiculously thrilled about. (I’ll explain more about the importance of writing talisman’s in a future blog post.)

I didn’t like the recipe I tried, so I’m not sharing that. And so far my craft project is a dud.

So I’m making progress on some goals, not so much on others. But I’ll keep trying!

Week 2 of 2020 recap

January 15, 2020 By JB Lynn Leave a Comment

I’ve been contending with a cold for the last week or so, and that slowed down progress on some of my projects, but I’m starting to feel better and soon it’ll be full steam ahead again.

But it’s not like I got nothing done. I made progress on Hitwoman 23 and Psychic Consignment Mysteries 2 and 3. (Don’t forget to preorder your copy of GENTLY USED, STILL WORKS so that it can magically appear for your reading pleasure on the release date.). Gently Used is going to the proofreader next week AND the third book in the series is going to my story editor. Every step in the process makes them feel a little more real.

Speaking of real, we’ve finalized the cover for the third Psychic Consignment Mystery. I just love it and can’t wait to share it with you next month.

I’ve also written the flash fiction story for my next newsletter which is going out on the 24th of January. Be sure to sign up for my newsletter so that you get to read it. I’m also sharing the latest recipe I tried. Yum!

Also, I’ve been working on developing the new trilogy I’m about to start writing. I’m having so much fun with it…I hope that comes across on the page once it’s in book form!

Okay, time for me to go down yet another cup of tea in an attempt to control this annoying cough I’ve developed. I hope that 2020 is going well for you and that you’re moving in the direction of your dreams/goals/best life.

Word of the Year

January 12, 2020 By JB Lynn Leave a Comment

That’s the word I’ve chosen to focus on in 2020. If you subscribe to my newsletter, you already have an idea of some of the things I’m hoping to accomplish.

Today, most of my creative energy has been spent working on Gently Used, Still Works which is available for pre-order. I’m so excited that everyone will be reading the Concordia sisters’ next adventure in the Psychic Consignment Mystery series in February!

What about YOU have you chosen a word for the year?

Week 1 of 2020 recap

January 8, 2020 By JB Lynn Leave a Comment

My writing year is off to a busy start.

I’ve been working on edits for GENTLY USED, STILL WORKS, the second of the Psychic Consignment Mystery series.

At the same time I’ve been going back-and-forth with the cover designer about the cover for Book 3. ( I just love it!!)

I’m also plugging away at the manuscript of Hitwoman 23 and having sooo much fun with it!

I’m also working with the cover designer to develop the logo for a new series…more information about that coming soon.

AND I’m working on my passion project book (which is separate from all of the above, lol).

Unfortunately, because I’ve been working so much, I’ve slacked off on one of my life goals for the year, which is to develop a hobby.

Did you set any goals for the year? How are you doing with them?

A new release means it’s time for a….

October 24, 2019 By JB Lynn 4 Comments

Writers can be a superstitious lot and I’m no different.

Tomorrow morning I’ll be running out to the nearest Panera Bread to pick up a spinach and artichoke soufflé.

Why? Because that’s my release day ritual for the Confessions of a Slightly Neurotic Hitwoman series and book 21 THE HITWOMAN AND THE FALLEN ANGEL will be out.

I eat a soufflé from Panera because years ago I was eating one when my dear friend, Cyndi said, “You should write with that voice” because I’d said something snarky. Now it’s my equivalent of a baseball player wearing lucky socks.

I’ve enjoyed writing each and every adventure. There are moments when I laugh, others when I cry, and I’m constantly surprised by the twists and turns Maggie’s life has taken.

Most of all, I’m grateful to the readers who’ve gone on this wild ride with me. Thank you!!

! Cover of The Hitwoman and the Fallen Angel by JB Lynn

Even a good man makes mistakes…

In Maggie Lee’s topsy-turvy world, Angel Delveccio is one of the good guys, but now it seems he’s gotten himself into some trouble. Can she get him out of it?

It’s not like she doesn’t have enough problems of her own. She’s struggling to pacify both the people and pets of her household — all of whom aren’t shy about voicing their litany of complaints and demands about their new home.

Stretched thin, Maggie attempts to broker familial peace while simultaneously contending with an external threat that revolves around a human skull.

And let’s not forget that a certain mobster has tasked her with keeping his nephew out of hot water.

Can Maggie protect Angel while keeping her family safe and together, or will someone be lost?

On this writer’s desk, October 2, 2019

October 2, 2019 By JB Lynn Leave a Comment

This is how the desk, where I do the bulk of my creative work, looks today.

(Natural light only, which is why the picture is so dark.).

Today my focus is on the first draft of the second Psychic Consignment Shop Mystery. It’s about a third done and housed in the purple “in progress” notebook.

And there’s my trusty recorder for dictation!

And these are the tiny notebooks I use to track my current projects. Right now in addition to the Consignment Mystery, I’m working on the 21st and 22nd books in the CONFESSIONS OF A SLIGHTLY NEUROTIC HITWOMAN series.

I took this picture in the lull between my morning and afternoon pots of coffee. Hence, no coffee mug, lol.

Writing as a passion AND a job

September 28, 2019 By JB Lynn Leave a Comment

The other day I took a midmorning break and met a friend at a park (Red Bug Slough if you’ve read One Woman’s Junk) so that we could walk our dogs together.

Toward the end of our visit she asked, “What will you do for the rest of the day?”

And I answered, “I should finish the first draft of Hitwoman 22.” (for the record, I came close, but didn’t finish it until the following morning)

“How do you know?” she asked.

“What do you mean?” I asked, totally confused.

“How do you know you’ll finish it? How do you know when it will end?”

“Because I’m scheduled to do the last few chapters,” I explained.

“You know how it will end?” Her disbelief was evident.

“I don’t start a book until I know how it ends,” I told her. “And I’m scheduled to finish it today.”

I then had to launch into a whole explanation about how writing is my passion, but it’s also my job and I treat MOST of my projects as such. (That said, I’ll freely admit that I’m usually working on one or two “passion” projects that I don’t really expect to ever sell. They’re my “fun” stuff. My reward for doing the work.)

So in case you’re wondering, as of today, I’m currently working on the story edits for the 21st Confessions of a Slightly Neurotic Hitwoman book, the second Psychic Consignment Mystery and a couple of passion projects. Make sure you’re signed up for my newsletter to keep up-to-date on my new releases.

And check out this great pic my friend took at the park of my tree-climbing dog 🙂

So many names….so many projects

September 17, 2019 By JB Lynn Leave a Comment

There are three index cards on my desk right now. Each of them contains a list of names.

(No, these aren’t potential targets for Maggie to knock off.)

They’re character names for the THREE projects I’m working on right now. I don’t need reminders of the names for my main, or recurring characters, but for those who are minor or new, I need a cheat sheet. Or three.

Otherwise someone from the CONFESSIONS OF A SLIGHTLY NEUROTIC HITWOMAN world might wander into a PSYCHIC CONSIGNMENT MYSTERY.

What a mess that would be! Can you imagine the arguments God and Him could get into?!?!