Navigating the Tides: My Writing Journey and the "Under the Lifeguard's Watch" Update!

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Hey everyone! Dropping in with a little heart-to-heart about what's been happening behind the scenes, especially with my writing and why things might have seemed a tad bit quieter on the blog and Saturday GLOWcase front lately. If you've been following along, you know I've been aiming for a daily blog post since last year, even dedicating an hour each day to sharing links, blurbs and hashtags across all my social media. It was a fantastic rhythm, truly, until a lightbulb moment hit me: I needed to re-evaluate my priorities and put the finishing touches on something incredibly special to me – Casper and Soren's story, which is my book, "Under the Lifeguard's Watch."

Right now, I'm deep in the trenches of revisions and editing and let me tell you, it's a creative whirlwind! As I work through the manuscript, new ideas keep bubbling up for elements I'd love to weave in. Mostly, these are interchapter additions, those little nuggets that enhance the overall experience. But there are also a few intrachapter elements, like illustrations, that I'm dreaming of adding. The tricky part? I realized I was getting a little too caught up in these "extras" and losing sight of the main event – the "meat and potatoes" of Casper and Soren's narrative. I started to over-analyze and with each new interchapter idea, another would pop into my head. Eventually, I decided to make a list of everything I want to add. Once the main body of the story is finalized, I'll dive into those exciting additions. My initial goal was to have the book done by mid-July and well, we're there! Now, I'm realistically looking at the end of July or perhaps early to mid-August, to have everything wrapped up. I'm really hoping to have a few physical copies in my hands before a very special trip I'm taking next month. I can't spill the beans just yet about the event, but trust me, I'll share all the details once I'm there! So, for now, it's back to revisions, full steam ahead!

But here's a little sneak peek of what you can expect: I've already shared that the book will include the heartfelt letters exchanged between Casper and Soren. And for all you music lovers, get ready for a treat! I'll be featuring a few playlists showcasing their "Original" mixtapes that they famously traded back in 1988. What's even cooler is that with each new book in their series, there will be additional playlists, continually updated to reflect the tunes they were listening to at that specific time.

Casper and Soren's story is so real to me; they literally keep me informed each day, pointing out any inaccuracies so I can go back and fix them. When you read "Under the Lifeguard's Watch," you'll discover a ton of easter eggs and unexpected twists. And Casper, bless his heart, wouldn't have it any other way – everything within the book will be 100% historically accurate. Yes, it's set in 1988, but unlike a typical "retro 80's" setting, we're not going to drift into the following year before it happens or generically use previous years of the decade. Casper and Soren met in 1988, they live in that present and their lives, beyond just movies, books and music, are deeply rooted in the authentic interests of a typical teenager from that era. We want to give you the correct vibe of 1988, no compromises!

On a more personal note, I had big plans this past weekend to fly to New York to see my dear friend Jerry Torre, who hasn't been feeling well. Unfortunately, things just didn't work out for the trip and I'm truly sorry I couldn't make it, Jerry. Please know I'm sending all my best wishes for a speedy recovery. I'm hoping to be able to make it up there at the end of August or possibly September. I also really want to put my Frontier Airlines pass to good use and fly down to see my friend James Maher. I'd aimed for May, but things have been a bit of a juggling act with home life, work, doctors' appointments and, of course, the book!

So there you have it, a little peek into my world and why my focus has shifted. It's all in service of bringing Casper and Soren's story to life in the most authentic and captivating way possible. Your patience and understanding mean the world to me as I pour my heart and soul into this project.

What are your favorite memories from 1988? Or maybe you have a go-to writing or creative process that helps you stay on track? I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments below! Your encouragement and insights are always so appreciated and they truly fuel this journey. If you feel inclined to support my creative endeavors, any contribution, big or small, helps me dedicate more time to these passion projects and bring more stories to you. Thank you for being such an incredible part of this community!


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