New year, new books?
Happy January! I’m not one of those people who
make resolutions just because it’s the new year. I tried it in the past and
realized I never stuck to it. Instead, I ask myself what I still need to do. I
still need to finish writing a few books (more of that later) and I need to
decide if I want to continue indie publishing or focus on getting traditionally
published (or some hybrid). The main thing I want to finish though is a book…or
several.I want to publish at least two of them this year. I’m not going to
swear that I will publish a book a month. I’m not one of those turbo writers
(even though I sometimes wish I were). I am a slow writer. Pretty much, I am a
tortoise. But I have a plan and it involves finishing and publishing at least
two books this year.
Something new
I’ve always loved historical fiction but I
never dared to write it. The amount of research needed for a historically
accurate story felt daunting and I really didn’t feel like having to contend
with debating readers who’d claim that Black and Brown people didn’t exist in
Europe at a certain time (even though they did but just weren’t mentioned in
history books) or forget about this wonderful thing called poetic license that
we authors use to invent details to enrich our stories. But for a while now a
story has been brewing within me. It’s set in the past and the present and
involves a house by the sea, an inheritance and two sets of lovers separated by
around 200 years. I’ve plotted the contemporary timeline. Now I am working on
the part set in the past, which would be a few years following the Second Battle of Copenhagen, which took place
16 August - 5 September 1807.
I like the idea of these pairs of lovers who
are somehow connected despite the centuries between them. Some details are
based on history, some are my own invention. It’s just been so exciting delving
into their stories and teasing it out. To keep me motivated as I write, I’ve
made an inspiration image for my experiment, which has the working title of The Keepsakes House.
After an unintentionally long hiatus, I’m finally beginning to enjoy writing again but the words aren’t coming to me as easily as before. I think a lot of this is down to me trying to find a good rhythm again. I moved from a large city (with a multitude of cafés and coworking spaces where I could write) to a small town (with only three cafés and a library to use as writing spaces).
I am sure I will find it soon.
In the pipeline
But, even with not quite finding the perfect
rhythm, the words are coming. I’ve got several WIPs in various states of
near-completion: a novella in the Maybe…
series called Maybe Now; a travel
love story set in Taormina, Sicily; a second-chance-at-love novella called Slow Song; a novel and novella set in
the fictional Vermont town of Hunters Grove (from my debut holiday novel, Snowbound); two stories for my new
series (Love in Sweden) that are both closing in on 60k words and my historical
experiment.
Kim Golden lives and writes in southern Sweden. Originally from Philadelphia, she moved to Sweden in 1995 for love and is still with the Swede who stole her heart. Kim writes romantic women’s fiction featuring Black women who often live abroad and find love where they least expect it. Check out Kim’s latest release, Near Enough to Hold. Follow Kim on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
11 comments:
You certainly are a prolific writer. Such pretty covers. So good to hear from an author living in one of my favorite countries.
Hard to choose between the covers. I do like #2 of the city scape ones however, maybe the #4 with the lovers on the cover? And Thank You for being our guest here at Romancing The Genres! Holding positive thoughts you'll easily and effortlessly get your two books done and maybe "The Keepsake House". Love that title and the inspiration board you made for it.
I like the second cover! "The Keepsake House" sounds like an interesting story. Do you find it difficult to go from the past to the present and to switch characters?
Good luck with all you projects.
Hi Kim, great post! It's okay to take time to find your new writing routine, and you have lots of great ideas. Personally, I like cover #3 best.
Hope to hear more from you in the future.
Lynn
Hi Kim, What interesting ideas you have. I have never been to Sweden but it is one of my bucket list places to visit. My baby sister lived there for five years when she married a Swede. Unfortunately, the marriage didn't last and she came back to the U.S. before I could visit.
I absolutely LOVE your inspiration board for Keepsake House, including the potential cover with the door and the wreath. The entire concept around the two timelines is exciting and certainly something that has worked for other writers.
For me, the first Maybe Now cover is the most arresting because of the darker city against the golden sunset. However, not knowing the story I don't know if that is indicative of your themes. The lighter one of the city could be a fit. My problem is that the white typography against the light background doesn't stand out. Perhaps a shadow applied to the title would help that part. The USA Today Bestselling Author will completely disappear in a smaller size which is how most people see it online.
It sounds like your 2022 is shaping up to be a re-emergence onto the writing scene.
Hi, Marcia! It's been a crazy ride living here in Sweden. It took a while to get used to living here but now I can't really imagine ever returning to the US. :)
Judith, thanks so much for your suggestions! I've also been considering if I should feature the lovers on the cover. I am still trying to find good stock images to use. :)
Diana, it's actually been easier than I thought to switch between the two time lines. At the moment, I am writing them in separate documents so that I don't mix them up. It's easier for the sake of keeping the the timelines clear. Once I am done with this draft, I will begin threading the 1800s timeline through the rest of the story.
Lynn, thanks so much! It's funny – the older I get, the more I realise I don't have to stress myself about writing. It's helped me return to loving it again. :) Will definitely keep you posted about the status of my projects! :)
Thanks so much for your feedback, Maggie. I'm always tweaking my covers so these comments will help me improve them. I've really decided to try to level up this year. The last few years have been tough but I feel ready to face 2022 with a Mighty Woman attitude. :)
Kim, I followed the link to your latest release, NEAR ENOUGH TO H0LD, and had to buy it! I really love your Keepsakes House story ideas, too. You go, Girl! You are a Mighty Woman!!!
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