Kristin Lynn Thetford

 Hi Everyone! I am in the process of building a new website and will be transitioning to blogging over there once it's set up. As soon as it's all ready to go, I will post the link here. Thank you all so much! I'm really excited for this new change. :) 

When doing focused writing, I tend to use my laptop. But there's still something magical about sitting curled up in a chair beneath a blanket and sipping hot tea while jotting down thoughts and scenes from my stories in a journal. I actually really like to collect journals, and I frequently will select ones that capture a certain feeling or are tied in some way (no matter how indirectly) to the novel I'm working on at the time .   Do you pick journals based on the mood of your story? Do you select styles, colors, or designs that somehow tie into an element of the book you're writing?

  Writers use a lot of different methods to initially get words and ideas out of their heads. Some keep journals or notebooks filled with everything from outlines to character descriptions to full scenes, and some use apps like Apple notes and/or other note-taking apps to get their thoughts down. Some may write their entire novel down on paper before ultimately typing it up, and some just open up a blank document on their laptops or desktops and launch right in.   I usually have a journal that I use for notes, short scenes, or ideas, and I carry this with me in my backpack/bag wherever I go. Mostly, though, I jot down ideas in either Apple Notes or OneNote, and when actually writing scenes, I tend to use my laptop. I've found that typing allows me to keep up with the story flooding my mind, because I seriously can't write by hand fast enough. :)    What works best for you?

For each writer, taking our novels from start to finish can look a little different depending on the person. Some like to write their books chronologically from beginning to end, moving from one scene to the next in a fairly strict progression. Others, however, skip around more, writing scenes from various places throughout the book and eventually going back and tying everything together. Then, of course, there are those who fall somewhere in between. Personally, I have a tendency to write a little more chronologically, moving through the book in a way that is loosely in order. However, I also jump around a bit. If a scene pops into my head, regardless of where it falls in the story timeline, I will either write it down in my journal or type it up on my laptop. Then I will eventually incorporate it where it needs to go. Which do you prefer? Do you like writing your scenes in the order of your story? Or do you tend to skip around to different scenes and then put it all together later?

Like many others, I spent this last Thursday celebrating the Thanksgiving holiday with family and friends. We, of course, ate a lot of yummy food and enjoyed getting the chance to just be together and have fun. But the heart of Thanksgiving Day is in its very name. It’s a time to look around and really think about all the good that we have in our lives. Life may not always be easy and it won’t be perfect, but we all have something to be grateful for. I know that I truly have so much to be thankful for. Things are sometimes difficult, and I don’t know what the future might bring, but I appreciate all that I have - especially the amazing people who are a part my life. They are more precious to me than anything in this world. ❤️ What are you thankful for?

There are things that I love about every season, but Autumn is always extra special somehow. It’s the way the air feels, it’s the trees that are a mix of fire and golden sunset, and it’s the scent of pumpkin-spiced candles. It’s fuzzy blankets in the evening and crisp walks in the morning. It’s wearing comfortable jeans and sweatshirts and sitting by a warm fire, sipping hot tea and eating apple pie. And, of course, Autumn has perfect outdoor writing and reading weather. :) What do you like about Autumn? Is it your favorite season or do you have another?