What I Need to Tell You...
So much to share!
First of all, I’m so grateful that you stop by every week and read Dear Fiction. I started this newsletter in April of 2023 as an outlet to write about books and movies and travel and parenting and all things fun when I wasn’t working on my novels. It’s grown into a huge community of readers who are so passionate about books they can’t get enough content about them.
It’s why DF’s Author Confessions column is such a hit! Thank you again for spreading the word about DF!
Is it time for a change?
I’ve been plugging away on two novel ideas. Why am I working on two novel ideas? Because one is similar to the kind of book I’ve been writing for the last few years — and the other idea is more contemporary.
I’m a big believer in challenging yourself as a writer in new ways, and I think the latter book (contemporary) is engaging me more because it feels so new. I mean, one of my characters even texts with someone. That’s *very* strange for me considering my historical fiction characters are all using rotary phones. I will never leave historical fiction as a genre — I love it too much. But I am playing with my creativity a bit and letting myself drift outside of my own boundaries.
Exciting, right? I recommend this to anyone reading who aspires to write. Let yourself play around. You never know where it might take you. This could flop or it could turn into something special but it’s the journey that matters.
More Book News
Next week I’m going to share the cover for my new book Our Last Vineyard Summer. I cannot WAIT for you to see it. It’s definitely the best one yet. Stay tuned.
I Ran a 10K!
I’ve run several 5ks (3.12 miles) but I’m the kind of runner that tops out around there. As my sister, Chelsea, has been getting into distance running, she encouraged me to try to run longer and smarter.
Two weeks ago I ran my first 10k. That’s over 6 miles. Can you believe it? Honestly, I couldn’t believe I did it but I was so proud of myself. I’m turning 49 in a couple of weeks and it’s nice to feel like my legs are young. :)
What I’m Listening To
My husband and I started playing all of these songs from the 1990s when my sister (same one) came over for dinner the other night. It was like walking back in time to my high school and college years, which I graduated from in 1994 and 1998 respectively. If you’re a nineties girl, you have to go back in time and revisit some of this music. It actually made me want to set a book in the nineties!
You can enter 90s playlists into search in Spotify to find these songs, but here are some of my favorites to get you started: Smells Like Teen Spirit by Nirvana, The Promise by When in Rome, Jane Says by Jane’s Addiction, A Long December by the Counting Crows and Ode to My Family by the Cranberries.
The Piece of Clothing I Can’t Live Without
Last Christmas my husband got me this cozy fleece mock turtleneck from Dudley Stephens. I’ve worn it out for an entire year — and it still has held its shape. As soon as it gets cold, I put this on to sit with a cup of tea and write in.
Can’t recommend it enough!
What I’m Reading
I just finished Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon and loved it. What a fantastic piece of historical fiction. I also LOVED my two author pals buzzy new books The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern and The Trade Off. Don’t miss them!
I’m nearly done listening to Liane Moriarty’s latest Here One Moment. It’s very compelling, and I’ve decided that Liane is a genius at the high concept plot. It’s a good listen if you prefer audiobooks.
I just picked up Big Swiss. Did any of you read that? Seems very quirky.
What I’m Watching
I finished the final season of “My Brilliant Friend” and thought it was an absolutely brilliant way to end the series. If you haven’t given the tv series that follows the Elena Ferrante novels, please give it a chance. It’s amazing.
Is anyone watching “The Diplomat” with Keri Russell? Beyond the fact that the show is gripping, it’s also nice to see an actress embrace her aging face and look NORMAL. The writing is really smart though and I can’t get enough of the smart and twisty storyline.
Brava on your 10K run, Brooke!
Going right now to listen to Jane Says by Jane’s Addiction, A Long December by the Counting Crows and Ode to My Family by the Cranberries! Love this reminder!