Sarah Joseph

A few weeks ago I read Seeking Persephone, and last night I watched the first two episodes of the show. I get that the whole point of the beginning is to show how lonely both of them are, but Adam is a class “A” jerk from the first minute with no redeeming qualities. Oh, he puts a blanket on her while she sleeps, and I’m supposed to think it’s romantic because Persephone is so starved for attention? The bar is in hell, dude.

I told someone I know a bit about my upcoming book, and this person got all excited at the thought of me getting a movie deal. Did I mention anything of the sort? Nope. I looked at her like she’d sprouted a second head. Book to movie adaptations are great, and they expose your world to new people who wouldn’t have otherwise engaged with my story. And if the opportunity were to happen to me and my book, I’d be excited. But movie adaptations aren’t the highest form of my story. Everyone knows the book is always better.

I’m starting to get to a place where I’m refining the conclusion of my novel. Characters are finally starting to show their true colors, and the final battle is on, so to speak. It’s a great start to national novel writing month! 🎉

Line editing chapter 19 today! This chapter sees some of the most nerve wracking moments in my book…. So much fun to pull everything together.

Sometimes juggling a lot during a busy season means waking up early or staying up late a couple days per week to make progress on my book. Life goes through fluctuations and I have to remember that time with my story is just as important as other priorities.

Happy National Novel Writing month! Connecting with an active writing community is a great way to gain momentum in your writing journey. I completed the challenge last year and plan to do so again. Who’s with me? 🥳🙌

Rewriting chapters comes with one hiccup. Rewriting chapters.

Writing fresh material for Chapter 19 today and going a little off script to pay off a major thread for a secondary character. Since I changed my ending, this means I am rewriting three chapters, and then making a few smaller developmental edits for chapters 22 and 23. So crazy to be almost done with the second draft of my novel. I’m really enjoying watching all the payoffs.

Writing the third act of my book has been super exciting, but I brutally cut out a weaker ending in favor of a stronger one. It will take some reworking, but ultimately it will be worth it.

I’m starting to edit some of the most exciting scenes in my book. Who doesn’t love a good power move? My main character puts all on the line and holds nothing back. Super exciting.

Today I’m cleaning up some major reveals to kick off the third act of my novel! A new piece of knowledge completely shifts the paradigm, raising the stakes and the tragedy. Can’t wait for the biggest reveal of all!

I’m finally at the cusp of editing the third act in my novel, and this is particularly exciting because I’m getting to the part where my main character & love interest start to realize they love each other, but that there’s no way that they can be together. Oh, sweet tragic love! 😍

Another fun article is in the books! I loved getting to meet cowboy Dale Brisby for a morning excursion. Read more on The Manual! themanual.com/travel/dale-br…

My stay in Aruba was out of this world! Read more about my experience staying at the Ritz Carlton: themanual.com/travel/this-ho…

Last night I stayed awake way too late, my mind occupied with dreaming up a scene from the second book from my series (currently working on the first). It had me in such a strong hold that I had to write it down, despite needing to edit other chapters and write a few articles. Can’t just be me, right?

Today I worked on implementing some beta reader feedback that I knew needed to happen but wasn’t sure of how exactly to make it happen. I think it needed time to marinate, but after working on chapter 15 edits and then going back to chapter 1, I felt much more confident. Now, both are complete and my manuscript is that much stronger.

Huge thanks to the @RitzCarlton Aruba for inviting me to review the hotel! My first article just published, and it covers all of the top food and beverage highlights, including a dessert so good that I licked my plate. themanual.com/travel/this-ri…

Sometimes being a travel writer means that I can work on my manuscript in some of the most beautiful places on earth. This week, I’m reviewing a bucket list hotel.

I didn’t get any words down today, but you know what? I thought at great length about my book, and that counts as working on it.

New article alert! Can’t wait to share more about my time in Fort Worth with Dale Brisby and Can-Am, but here’s my feature covering PBR Rattler Days. themanual.com/travel/this-gr…