It’s Tuesday, the beginning of what needs to be an intense work week, and I have treated myself to a cup of Jasmine Pearl tea instead of my usual oolong. We have plotted the finale of the Sweep of the Heart. Now all that remains is to download it from out brains onto the page, so this is my deep breath before the plunge.
When you are writing a novel to a deadline, there comes a point where the world takes a step back. All of your energy is focused on finishing, both because it needs to be done to meet the schedule, but also because you want to be free of it. By now, you have put so much of yourself into the narrative, experiencing the emotions with the characters as you dragged them through the trial of the plot, you just want it to be over with.
Most deadlines are like this, not just writer deadlines. You push and push, and get to the end, you win the race, and then for a while you don’t know how to stop running. An then, as you slowly walk it off, it sinks in: the race is done. You can take a breather, and you realize that while you were running, the rest of the world kept going without you, quietly piling ordinary tasks like deep snow on your doorstep.
Even though we are in the deadline mode for the Sweep of the Heart, the deadline for Ruby Fever has come to the end, and that has given me a moment of clarity. The dining room is still in the sorry state it has been when the mural was painted. Everything is pushed to the side with mail and packages piling up on the table. There is a mountain of laundry in my side of the closet. It is all folded and clean, but it hasn’t been put away. It’s just sitting there in a heap, and I periodically dig through the layers for the right T-shirt. The pantry is overdue for its 3 month clean up. The porch desperately needs to be pressure washed again. There are so many oak leaves in the driveway, they formed their own dunes. A big package of Ruby Fever paperbacks is sitting by the door, because we have no place to put it.
We are hoping to finish the book this week. Normally I would wait for that deadline to be over before starting to tackle this snowdrift, but now that I have noticed it, I can’t unsee it, so I might start working on it little by little. Still, Innkeeper is a priority. I probably sound drained, and I am, and yet life never stops snowing. Nobody is going to show up with a magical shovel to dig me out, so might as well gird my metaphorical loins and get to it.
We have the last drop of promotion to do for Ruby Fever tonight, a Zoom with Houston Public Library. We will see you in the evening, and if not, later in the week with the new chapter of the Innkeeper.
PS from Mod R : You can watch the Livestream on Facebook here , I understand there is a problem with the Zoom confirmations.
Love everything you guys do and appreciate your efforts so much.
I literally reserve my copy of everything you write, the day it’s available for pre-order.
I hope that doing another book in Julie’s story is some time soon as she’s become one of my favorite characters alongside Kate herself.
Thanks again for all the hours of escape and enjoyment you guys give us.
David
Yep, you sound snowed under ( sorry I just couldn’t help myself). It will honestly probably help if you peck at the house a bit daily. Short breaks.
I have to say I’m excited to hear how close to finished you are with the new Innkeeper. I have loved each of them, but this one has just been so much fun. I’ve already re-read it several times, which is no doubt pitiful. Of course I’m on about the 6th iteration of the RF audiobook. I will undoubtedly do the same with the audiobook of SotH. Can’t wait!
I wish you the best in dealing with your snowdrifts! I’m a terrible procrastinator and my drifts pile up until I can’t stand it any longer and have to deal.
Enjoyed the session earlier with the Houston Library – thank you again for all your amazing stories! I’m so glad you write what you enjoy because, as it turns out, so does the BDH! ????
I hope after Innkeeper is done you have some time for a vacation from writing if not an away vacation. You two have been at full speed for so long!
I’m amazed you didn’t put Innkeeper on hold while doing Ruby Fever promotion – we’re very lucky. Another plus, you don’t need to iron your laundry.
+1
The hard work you do bringing these engaging and cozy universes to life is much appreciated.
Nice to know that there is an Inn here in far far away Bulgaria, keep up the good work in Gertrude Hunt. 😀
Here is a little amateur fan art from me as a small token of gratitude. <3
“Amateur,” my left foot. That’s GORGEOUS! Also, I love that there’s a dog.
Thank you, i rearly post here, but it’s great to share emotions for their worlds with BDH people from this blog.
The low resolution dog in the picture is shamelessly borrowed from this blog – Nykie, i hope this is not in some violation. 🙂
That is a fabulous picture. I love your work.
Is that Catalina? & Shadow? Very cool!
Yes, picture title is “Cat” and dog :), of course this is just a tribute of MY imagination after the pleasure of reading Ruby Fever.
Here is in better quality. I hope that i am not intruding on the blog too much. Not sure about file size restrictions here.
I find myself thinking of how you felt when you sold your very first published story. When you got your first fan mail. When you got your first “New York Times Bestseller” applause. All those moments of “squeeeee!” Pull them up in your mind and remember why you do this – because you love it. And we love grabbing the fruits of your labor and devouring it. And then we pester the f**k out of you for MORE!
But we are, for the most part, aware that you guys are human and need to be able to breathe and eat and cook and clean and laugh and enjoy the daily stuff. You do you. We’ll wait. (Not necessarily PATIENTLY, we’re not perfect!)
Yes we will wait and they are human 🙂
❤
Yes this is the problem with every deadline
I run for 5 deadlines at the moment
But I love the friday break to read innkeeper, because it is the time for me i really need.
Snowdrifts of life. Love that.
I know exactly what you mean….sometimes my life feels like a series a deadlines/must-dos/what’s next. And then there is this brief window between where nothing is immediately looming. The disciplinarian in you says “make strategic moves…stay ahead” but tired you says, “I want to do at least one non-urgent thing that I’ve neglected”….
Have you guys considered getting some help with the tasks around the house? I was getting overwhelmed with a young kid (now two young kids), busy work life, and a partner who was working long hours at the office. So I just grit my teeth, hired a cleaner/housekeeper for a few hours a week and my life has been made immeasurably better. I tell everyone, if it’s in your budget, do it. It’s life-changing.
My husband, who earned his living as a nonfiction writer for over 40 years, always said, “Nobody like to write; however, everyone loves to have written.”
I prefer to write. It’s the having written and then talking about it that’s the problem.
I wish I lived in Texas, I would definitely show up to help out with [whatever] to give you both time and a peaceful environment to write and to pay you back for all of the joy your writing has given me! Instead, please accept this virtual hug and a virtual second cup of tea. ????
(Hope this sounded like a loving sentiment to my favorite writers as it was intended instead of sounding creepy or stalkery!) ????
PS: Love and appreciate you too, Mod R!
Jasmine Pearl tea is my most favorite! I feel I should preach it throughout the land!!!
I’ve come to understand that I see the world a bit differently. My brain doesn’t do background and I always see the snow drifts. And they are noisy. But I recently figured out that my family just doesn’t see them and life is so much better.
It’s no longer a “why aren’t you helping me with these piles” or “another pile that they created and forgot about”. I used to tackle them alone because I thought no one cared about the piles, but there simply aren’t piles to them. My distress baffles them. If I explain what I need, they’re happy to help me plow anyway.
+1. This just reinforces something I saw elsewhere on the ‘net today:
Once you figure out who you are, make that work for you.
Peace,
I’m sorry the snow is coming down and piling up so fast. I hope it slacks off soon as it sounds like y’all need a break. Thanks for all you do for your fans. It means a lot to many of us!
I feel this so deeply. I had designated August to be the month I completed all things “adulty,” but while I was doing that, everything else snowed me in. And for every item I crossed off the list, two related homework assignments were added! Definitely whiney as I cast about for any excuse not to do them!
The confirmation email from the library included links to ‘more info’ or to ‘cancel’ your rsvp. The more info page contained a link to their Facebook page, where it was then live. I missed the first several minutes figuring that out, but it was worth it! I so enjoyed hearing from author favorites and having my question answered. Thank you for taking the time!! ????
Why am I always getting the posts a day late ????
The posts are available for everyone on the blog as soon as they are posted ????, however the newsletter usually has a 1 day delay as it goes out to several thousand people across the world.
Dear team Andrews,
I am glad to be able to write to you in a way that might have the ability to reach you.
I admire the depth of craft that I have witnessed you perform. I often worry that writers in genres that are traditionally read by females begin to feel that their majesty of their craft doesn’t matter and that no one cares about whether it exists in their works or not. I have had the sad experience of seeing truly great writers stop send out Amazing Magic Dreams and start sending out book babies instead.
My every hope is that you have not suffered this type of denigration.
Sincerely,
The slog is real. I can really relate to your post as I’m in a very similar place at the moment. Thank you for your beautiful writing and the hard work that goes into it. I absolutely loved Ruby Fever and I will adore the Innkeeper when it comes out (I’m not reading the serial, as I want the whole cake in one sitting!). I wish you small, quiet moments of peace and rest amongst the mountains of work.
what about the brother who shows up while Maud is recovering from her injuries?
What about Klaus? ????
Its very healthy to have a bit of a vent
You are right Deadlines are hectic and exhausting…I am agonizing about an art commission I have been struggling to get the way I want it, never mind the poor person who owns the horse…I will get there…
Laundry…oh yikes I need to get it from the washer to the dryer…
At least I had a few good moments with my Andalusian , Dante
Lets not get started on aging, and the associated health maladies that go with it…. that really sucks!
Virtual Hug
Just listened to the Facebook chat – Fun.
RE a mate for Zeus – Yes please. First because … romance trope. It is so sad to leave him out. But also because I want to see how they manage kittens.
Then again, there’s no saying that he isn’t actually a “child” of his own species and not ready for a mate anyway. Just because he looks like an adult to us ….
You two have so much going on. Take that special tea break and a breath while you can. We can be patient while you regroup. Sending lots of hugs for all you do for us. ❤️
Just as an FYI Fated Mates and Heaving Bosoms – the two podcasts, just did a joint episode about Burn for Me and it’s lovely.
Gosh I resemble this post so much. I have my own deadline-driven business and three kids (youngest is 2) and snowdrifts are a constant. Sometimes it just feels like a blizzard. Thank you for helping provide some bright spots amidst the drudgery of life!
Dear friends,
I just finished reading your blog about the snowdrift. Please forgive me… I have a concern. I know you have deadlines and a house to clean and kids to tend (even if they are older, you never stop being a parent) but – You sound quite over -booked? whelmed? Please take time to refresh – however you want to. Don’t let people criticize you – no matter what you do to relax – just do it, smile, nod and look supportive while you do what you want!
I really hope the inn keeper series is as fun for you as it is for all fans. This connection that has been created started small hey I am an innkeeper and need to get some mellow yellow. But then it has evolved to capture the potential of all life everywhere in a way that really makes me want to be an inn keeper. This concept fuels my imagination it is remarkable, original and fabulous. Secretly I hope your coat closet is your access to the inn and you are telling stories about what you saw!
Thank you for being so original, funny, human and otherworldly all at the same time.
This is my first post. I wanted to say how much I appreciate you. For me, your work is the flip side. I am a surgeon and after a long day of difficult cases, I so enjoy unwinding with the next new work but also with old favorites. I am sure that you hear things like this all the time, but I wanted to add my voice. Thanks again for hanging in there. I know how difficult it sometimes is to work until you’re done.
I recently finished Rudy Fever ( had to re-listen to the whole series again to catch up) WOW. Now I’m going through withdrawal. Found Iron and Magic (2018), are the other two books to the trilogy still going to be written?
Hi Sue,
Yes, there has been no announcement that the Iron Covenant series is finished. Sequels are being discussed but Ilona Andrews have taken the decision to announce projects only when they are finalised and ready for preorder ????
I feel your pain! I am working through a large remodeling project in my home. I have a room filled with boxes of items I need to purge (can’t get to the bookshelves!), I have another room that’s nearly empty except for furniture I need to sell (except new desk not coming until Dec, so where am I supposed to work?). And then the sounds of construction going on in the NEW office area. All of that and a heat wave where the AC went out and 3 days until it got fixed. Plus three hampers of dirty laundry I need to wash and put away etc.
I live for Friday installments. Unfortunately, it’s often Saturday before I get to read them.