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This newsletter is a bit delayed this month, because I’ve just returned from the annual Writing Excuses Cruise. I always look forward to this event, though it takes my full attention. It gives me an opportunity to connect with writers, teach classes, and provide critique, all while on board a luxurious cruise ship.
This year was no exception. Once again, I’m deeply grateful for the community that has sprung up around the podcast. If you want to join me for next year’s cruise, head here and sign up for more information.
With the cruise behind me, I’m now gearing up for the Surrey International Writers’ Conference—one of the highlights of my year. If you get the chance to attend, either in-person or virtual, I highly recommend it.
Outside of conferences, my mind is on the upcoming release of The Martian Contingency. There’s a lot in the works, and I’m excited to share it with you once I’m able.
MUNDANE MOMENTS WITH MRK
A quick snapshot of what I’m…
- Crafting: Nora Forest Meadow sweater in a plum silk cashmere
- Reading: The Bright Sword by Lev Grossman
- Writing: “The music was waves crashing against a cliff. My violin was a single rivulet of that cascade, but I followed the same flowing path down the rocks. I chased the line through the darkness and back to the sea.”
- Watching: Death and Other Details – Manny Patinkin! Murder! Cruise ship!
- Enjoying: Blackhound Tavern candle
NOTEWORTHY NEWS
Upcoming Workshop: The Progression of a Character Arc
In this deep dive on character arcs, you’ll take a look at how you can have your character change in a believable way. Many writers think a character needs to be deeply flawed at the beginning in order to have an arc—but this isn’t always the case.
This class will look at how to pry into the cracks in your character’s personality to create conflict and tension.
Book Club Update
Thank you so much for filling out last month’s questionnaire around a Lady Astronaut book club! The results were largely positive, and you all gave me some really wonderful ideas. I’m currently working with my team to put together an action plan.
Keep an eye on your inbox for more information as I finalize the next steps.
In the meantime, you can prepare yourself by pre-ordering The Martian Contingency.
FEATURED READ
Each month, I’ll post a new link to a book, short story, or other work I think deserves a read. Sometimes it will be my own writing, other times it will be someone else’s.
This month, I’m highlighting O Little Town of Bethlehem, by Elizabeth Boyle. It’s such a cozy book—exactly the sort of thing you want to read while curling up with a cup of cocoa. Think of Brigadoon, but with a modern woman falling through into a town that offers second chances to people who are willing to take them. Taking that chance though, is hard. It’s so lovely.
O Little Town of Bethlehem
Everyone deserves a second chance, even Madeline Drake.
When a snowy accident topples Madeline through a slip in time, she wakes to find herself in tiny, turn of the century, Bethlehem, Wyoming. Her arrival sends a ripple of change through the tenaciously rooted lives of the town’s odd collection of lost souls, who view her arrival with a healthy dose of skepticism and curiosity.
Parathinia Minch is known as the most honest woman in Bethlehem, until faced with a truth that could tear apart the fabric of her beloved community. In a fateful second, she does something she’s never done before: she lies. All too quickly, Ninny’s decision unspools an unruly tangle of problems that threaten her reputation and her livelihood.
Savannah Clarke has been lost in a tide of grief and pain since she was unwillingly towed through time and deposited in Bethlehem. She’s spent decades scoffing at the town’s exuberance for the holidays, building a wall around herself to avoid their merry cheer. But Madeline’s arrival brings a bright light to the small town and has Savannah questioning the time she’s lost and the possibility of a shiny new future.
And Madeline? The catalyst of all this turmoil? She’ll do anything to return to her own time. Yet Bethlehem, with its currency of wishes and second chances, offers her a place she never expected to find. . . but only if she’s willing to give up everything she holds dear.
FEATURED PATREON EVENT
Make Me Write: Sundays 10 AM Eastern Time
Writing is often thought of as a solitary task. Unfortunately, motivating yourself to write consistently, without the support of others, can be daunting.
The truth is, many people’s brains don’t work well in isolation. Coworking, collaborating, and cheering one another on lead to far more words on the page than writing in isolation.
Make Me Write is a Patreon tier dedicated to those of us who benefit from the presence of others to create consistency. It’s a weekly writing date with (optional) prompts, reflection, and, of course, writing time.
Join the Make Me Write Tier of Patreon
WHERE TO FIND MARY ROBINETTE
Here’s where you can find me in the coming months:
- New York Comic Con (October 17 – 20, New York City)
- Surrey International Writers Conference (October 25 – 27, Surrey, BC)
- Nantes Utopiales (October 31 – November 3, Nantes, France)
- Sandia Starforgers Writers Retreat and Workshop (May 2 – 5, Albuquerque, NM)
ELSIE‘S CORNER
This time of year, I travel a lot.
Unfortunately, that means Elsie is trapped with the spare human (my husband).
She doesn’t always appreciate this arrangement, especially when she isn’t getting the same amount of attention.
But at least she fully understands how to ask for what she needs.
Don’t worry, the spare human was happy to oblige.
See for yourself.
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