How to Procrasti-Write

I hope my editor isn't reading this.*

Bonus: keep reading for a brief excerpt from Love in the Glass City!

Step One: Research

And by research, I mean discover two amazing Christian romance authors and binge-read everything they’ve ever written in the hopes that a little bit of their genius will rub off on you as you slap words on a page. Nicole Deese and Becky Wade write the way I aspire to. Their books are about people, first and foremost, and the romance genre expectations are at the service of getting to know complex people with complex emotions, life experiences, and faith journeys. Highly recommend Deese’s most recent release, The Voice We Find, and Becky Wade’s Memory Lane which I am currently very much enjoying.

Step Two: Research More

With the death of Pope Francis and the papal conclave, Swiss Guards have been all over the media in photos, videos, and articles. It’s been a great opportunity for me to get even more insight than is commonly available online. I also feel a little bit like a fond mama watching other people become fascinated by the guys I’ve accidentally adopted even though they’ve never met me.

Step Three: Read Positive Reviews

Sometimes when I’m in the depths of author doldrums (i.e. “why did I think that I could do this once much less twice” or “my gosh this book is never going to end”) I go and read my reviews and remind myself that people actually did like Love in the Eternal City and they probably won’t hate Love in the Glass City. I discovered this delightful review on Fable that made my day:

This book was an absolute masterpiece. The writer has a way of speaking to the soul, and I have no doubt that was through gifts from God.

Even better, Dappled Things published this amazing and author-tear-inducing review of LEC by my fellow Catholic novelist Sarah Greydanus. She captured everything I had hoped Beni and Elena’s story would do!

Glass City is turning out differently than I expected, and it seems to have a rather different feel than LEC. But I’m following the characters and the story where they want to go, and I’m pleased with the results! (Unless, again, I’m in the author doldrums.)

Step Four: Release a Different Book

My second (possibly last?) children’s book, Father Drew, What Do You Do?, released last month from OSV Kids! I’ve done an abysmal job of promoting it beyond handing copies to my parents and a few friends, but I’ve started spotting it in the wild on social media! Now to buckle down and do the marketing work.

Step Five: Celebrate Progress

For context, this is all in jest. I have, in fact, been writing as fast as I can. Unfortunately “as I can” is not as fast as I would prefer. But we’re getting there! I thought Rianna and Oscar’s romance would be challenged by Rianna’s commitment to her role at Rechsteiner Designs. But as it turns out, the obstacles to their relationship are caused by the deleterious effects of sin and shame. It’s turning out more compassionate than comedic, and I’m not mad about that!

For your enjoyment, I hope, here’s an unedited glimpse into the world of Love in the Glass City:

My phone vibrates on the desk. It’s probably Vati or Mamma, sharing their joy about our family news. I answer quickly, before the screen shows the caller name.

“I assume you’ve heard the news? Beni’s a melting pile of goo over here, it’s embarrassing.” Like a cannon shot through cardboard, the deep, laughing voice on the other end of the line breaks right through the barriers protecting my heart.

“Oscar, hi. Yes, they called me just before you came off duty.”

“He’s as giddy as a schoolboy,” Oscar pretends to complain. “But I’m a little jealous. It’s sweet watching him and Elena together.”

“They’re made for each other. I know what you mean.”

There’s a brief pause, in which I know what Oscar is thinking and he knows what I’m thinking and I know he knows what I’m thinking and he knows I know what he’s thinking…

“Anyway, I thought I’d call to share the excitement with someone who understands,” Oscar explains. “And ask if you need any help with the wedding planning. I might be Beni’s best man, but he hasn’t said anything yet.”

“Oh, you will be. Elena and I have already talked about the wedding party. You’ll be Beni’s best man and her sister Maeve will be her maid of honor.”

“Not you?” Oscar seems genuinely surprised. “Aren’t you best friends?”

“There’s best friends, and then there’s sisters. Elena was torn, but she and Maeve are only a few years apart in age and they’re close. And they’re not going to have a big wedding party, just the two witnesses. I told her it was fine, and really it is.”

“And here I was hoping to walk you up the aisle,” he teases, but gently, not flirting like he usually does.

“You can escort me to my pew,” I offer without thinking. I kick myself as soon as I say it. If he takes it as encouragement... “I’ll need a friend, Mamma will be busy crying on Vati’s shoulder.” There. That should keep the barrier up.

“Anything you need, Ri. Any time. You know that.”

“I know,” I say softly. “Thanks for calling, Oscar. Until later.”

“Later, Ri.”

I hang up, staring at the contact photo I have saved for Vice-Corporal Oscar Baldauf, a snapshot from a day we spent together three years ago before I left for the US. He’s grinning at me through the camera, head cocked to one side and a broad smile illuminating his face. He’s blond and light-skinned like many Swiss, but the summer sun added a light dusting of freckles to his cheeks. I remember the feel of his short-cropped hair under my fingers, the teasing glint in his hazel eyes, his hand in mine a bit rough with callouses. I swallow hard, wishing I still had the innocent joy of that day, wishing we could have nurtured our growing connection. But things happened, and…

I close the photo before I can be tempted to dive too deep into the past. But the memories keep playing in my head even as I pack up my leather satchel, lock the office door behind me, and head home an hour early.

That’s from the very first chapter! Many, many thanks to my alpha readers who are cheering me on, and to all you readers invested in Oscar and Rianna’s romance. Keep on praying for me, if you can spare a moment. St. Mary Magdalene is this book’s patron. Which, if you are a particularly nerdy and attentive Catholic, might give you a clue to the plot. ;)

Love,

Rebecca

*I’m pretty sure at least one editor is in fact reading this. Hi Marisa, hi Karen. Love you.