Remember back in May when I bragged about my daughter creating a spreadsheet to track my writing?
I was so excited. No more recording numbers on a piece of scratch paper, trying not to lose that paper, and then adding everything up by hand.
Yeah. Well. I broke it.
Don’t ask me how.
You can encourage me to fix it, but after watching several YouTube videos and reading the software instructions, I’ve decided I would rather not.
I could ask my daughter for help, but that ship has sailed. She came home from her study abroad program and promptly returned to her university to begin a summer internship.
I know. Let’s say it together.
Overachiever.
In the meantime, my husband is an excellent resource. He has used spreadsheets throughout much of his forty-year career. I just can’t seem to remember to ask him about mine.
What does all of this mean?
I’m back to the pencil-and-paper method.
On the positive side, I didn’t do much writing in June between a trip to Chicago for a Cubs game, which they won, and a trip to New Hampshire for my brother’s wedding, which was lovely.
So, we aren’t really missing much this month.
I do have a few stats to share, as minuscule as they may be.
Writing Stats for June 2026
New words written: 2550
Time recorded: 17 hours and 5 minutes
What I Worked On in June
Run Around launched on June 4. A big thank-you to everyone who has read and reviewed the book. I would love to hear what you think!
My secret project is no longer quite so secret. Hex & Hearth is now available for preorder and launches on August 27.
This paranormal romance anthology features ten authors, ten romances, and one magical shared world. My story is a little different from my usual women’s fiction, but it still includes so many of the things I love to write about: small towns, female friendships, snarky humor and and characters finding their way toward something new. Plus there’s a little magic thrown in for good measure.
I also managed to write one chapter of the third book in the Running with Friends series. It wasn’t as much as I had hoped to accomplish, but what’s that saying about eating an elephant?
One bite at a time.
Or, in this case, one chapter at a time
July Writing Plans
Book Three in the Running with Friends series remains my focus.
But to be honest, summer is hot, my motivation occasionally melts, and I have learned not to make overly confident predictions.
We shall see how things go.
I do have a cover for the new book, but I’m waiting until later this fall to reveal it. I would like to share the book description at the same time.
And that means I need to write the book.
Stay tuned.